It was a fine but cold morning when we all gathered at Silverstream Road in Crofton Downs. We went up the road and turned up a private driveway with a footpath that led quite steeply to the start of the Silversky Track. This narrow but multipurpose track zigzags through bush up to a farm track that leads up to the Skyline Walkway. Halfway along the track there was an interesting board talking about the history and geology of the area. Once out in the open, the farm track climbed at a steady rate and gave some decent views over the harbour. We were lucky to be able to get some photos here as once we made it onto the Skyline Walkway, the mist and wind had kicked in. It had taken us an hour to climb this hill and it was another hour along the undulating Bells Tops, parts of which were a narrow pathway and parts slippery clay meaning you needed to be vigilant and watch your step. After what seemed to be an interminable length of time, we came to the track leading down to Chartwell. We instantly dropped out the wind and found a place to have a quick lunch. It was here that I took the group photo. We kept descending and then had to climb nearly as far as we had come down before descending to the horse paddocks. The very friendly horses were a little too close to the fence we had to camber under, but we all made it under and onto the final uphill before coming out onto the road. From here it was following the road back to Churchill Drive, where we stopped at the Mitre 10’s, Columbus caravan for the coffee most of us were hanging out for. Everyone was pretty tired but said they had enjoyed it and wanted to do it again in the summer. It had taken us about 3.5 hours and we had walked 12kms.

Leader – Judith

Walkers – Sheila, Miriama, Helena, Angela, Nicky, Kathy, and Peter