October 2024 - Not Mt Field

I (Fin) write this as a co-organiser (with Di), and also as a member of one of the two (or perhaps three, in the end), subgroups that formed on the day.

I had suggested Mt Field for today’s walk because I hadn’t been there for a while… And Di then suggested Platypus Tarn. Di sensibly aso thought of a bad-weather alternative, a walk through New Norfolk she had created on the Ride with GPS app, which took in some of the Rivers Derwent and Lachlan, the former asylum, and a few town streets. Turned out the latter was prudent; the high-altitude option was looking rough, with a maximum forecast temperature of six degrees along with a fair whack of wind…

After regrettable apologies from Di (dental patient) and Philip (international traveller), six stalwarts met in New Norfolk, I am sure each eager to hear who (the bloody hell) wanted to persist with the mountains and high lakes, and who wanted to amble along the pretty riparian tracks or visit the antique shops. Over coffee (at the Arthouse cafe, which had opened by 10 am, just a bit little earlier than the previously agreed Cake Lady), Angie, Dorothy, Kat, Gary, Janet and Fin cast their ballots. Drink coffee, enjoy a croissant, do whatever. Collective sigh of relief that nobody elected to freeze, or worse, in the high country today.

Kat and Gary headed off to some shops of interest; Janet also had one in mind before heading home; and the (marginally more intrepid) trio of Angie, Dorothy and Fin took Di’s map, and set out around river and town, with the Bush Inn as their start and end point.

The town walk trio found some beautiful outlooks along the Derwent, noted some oddly written historical interpretations but plenty of public seating, enjoyed a visit to the extensive community garden on the Lachlan flats (each gratefully selecting a few packets of vege and flower seeds); skirted the former asylum including the (closed for a private event) restaurant the Agrarian Kitchen, we shared lots of the things you see when you slow it all down – and walk. The map was great, and the signage along the way was great, too.

The (not so intrepid) trio bought roadside eggs, seed potatoes and honey on the drive home through Collinsvale and Molesworth. The chooks (Isa Browns) were tempting at just $10 each.