Twenty two keen trampers set off from the carpark at Duders Regional Park on this very sunny Sunday. What a relief to go tramping again, to hopefully sheld off some of those extra kilos put on over the festive season.

Neil had us all introducing ourselves at the start, three new people joining us today, plus a couple from the Tuesday group, tail end Charlie established, that being Neil’s good wife Joan and off we went. Normally in the past we have done the beach walk first, but not this time, to the left we went single file, through some lovely bush (didn’t know that was there before today) and up to the old pa site. We all stood at the site looking out over the water and beyond on such a wonderfully sunny clear day, the view was picture perfect, the sea a beautiful shade of green/blue.  From the Pa site we walked down the hill, and then onto the beach.  The track down to the beach was a little narrow and steep in places, but Bevan soon made his way to the beach ahead of the rest of us by going straight down while the rest of us followed what looked like the track.

Down on the beach in the water we spotted two shags going in for their lunch – we were about to do the same, that is have lunch. Even though it was an extremely hot day no one brought their togs, just as well really the tide was out.  A nice spot was found under the shade of a large tree on the beach and there we all sat, enjoying each other’s company; well most of us were pretty social, it was noted how one member had brought the Sunday paper to read , how rude!  It was nice seeing others out enjoying the good life, no excuse for families to stay at home, if there is a will there is always a way to get the family and all the gear to the beach .... take the wheel barrow, fill it up, bikes for the adults, kids on the back and off we go , that’s how one family made it down on the beach this day, good on them I say.

Walking along one lady was heard saying, “where’s my hat, is it still attached to the back of my pack??”  No silly it is where it should be -  on your head!  Another member was seen picking up rubbish all the way along, only to take it all the way home.  No rubbish bins at the carpark, what you take in you must take out.  A very pleasant day Neil and Joan, thank you.  Nice to see two out of the three new people come out again since then, you never scared them away Neil.          LYNETTE