As always at this time of year our attention must look towards a new committee. Administration is important. A successful organisation is seamless, to use the jargon, in its operation. There is a lot of work behind the scenes to make the club run smoothly and events to occur. Over the years the club has been fortunate in having members willing to take on these essential tasks. A period of tenure on the committee of three to four years is, in my opinion, the most that should be asked, and for those willing to be office bearers a two year stint is contribution enough. The committee is to lose the treasurer, John Atkinson, and the secretary, Sylvia McLean. John has been on the committee for four years and treasurer for three of those. Sylvia has been secretary for the last two years, but was a committee member previously. Rob Hughes is also standing down after two years as president and one year as an ordinary member. Let me take this opportunity to thank all three for a magnificent contribution, but each has other interests and demands in life to pursue. The hard bit is to replace them.

I have mentioned elsewhere the over dependence of the club on a small number of dedicated individuals. All nine members of the current committee are active leaders, the pool of which is too small for a club of 180+ members. There is now an excellent opportunity for non-leader members to put back into the club, by taking on the office bearer roles and joining the committee as ordinary members. The workload is not that onerous, particularly now that the club has a membership secretary, as this has significantly reduced the workload for the other office bearers. I would be happy to talk to interested parties. John and Sylvia will I am sure, be more than willing to help in the hand over.

It is also perhaps appropriate to remind all of us of the etiquette of walking. Leaders need to remember to keep a group together, with a whip where required. Letting slow walkers have time to catch up, particularly with hills where fitter members may be waiting for fifteen minutes for the rearguard to arrive. Of course, members need also play their part. Members need to be prepared above all to ensure they are fit enough to undertake the activity. It is difficult for leaders to maintain cohesion when one or two walkers in a group are struggling. If in doubt make sure you talk to the leaders beforehand. Leaders appreciate assistance from other group members to help in managing a walk, especially in larger groups, to look out for others and to let the leader know if individuals are struggling or are left far behind. Assist leaders in all ways, volunteer to do the driving, odds are the leader has already driven there at least once before. Cooperate in reasonable requests, and remember that words of appreciation can go a long way.

Preparations for the Federation Day Walk on 16^th October are progressing well. A full list of walks has been prepared, walk descriptions and maps are being assembled. It is a first class effort and many thanks go to the Federation Day Walk committee for their endeavours. Whilst on things Federation, readers of VicWalk will have noticed that the Federation is considering its future directions. It is looking for feedback from individual club members, as well as club delegates as to the direction members wish the Federation to take. This is an opportunity for members to put their views forward. The issues are important and your views count. So please give them some thought and make a contribution.

May I wish you all happy walking.

The Essendon Bushwalking Club’s Annual General Meeting will be held on June 8^th 2005 at 19.30hrs. The venue will be St. Thomas, Hall 3, Mt. Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds. Nomination and election of the new Committee for 2005/06 will occur.

P.O. Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3032

Submitting Articles:

E-mail: cjjarvis@labyrinth.net.au

Contributors must ensure their articles comply with copyright laws. The editor cannot be expected to be aware of the original source of an article or its contents unless informed by the contributor. Failure to comply with copyright law could result in legal action against the club, the editor and contributor.

Leaders have responded well to the call for assistance with this event. Most walks have now been approved, and checking and writing the descriptions is now well advanced.

Other club members have volunteered to assist with other tasks during the day. The planning committee is still defining what and when those roles will be.

The B2B walkers have now passed the 200km marker on their 500+km journey to South Australia. It seems a long time since we set out from Point Lonsdale in late April 2002, and the early participation rate of 40 to 45 walkers has now settled at about 25.

Gina, Beth, Henry, Geoff, Gillian, Ray and I have walked every leg, while Doris, Val, Hilary and Vernon have missed just one. Debbie and Jenny have two to catch up because of their New Zealand trip last year. Mary has done most of the journey in scheduled walks or pre-walks. From time to time earlier B2B walks are being repeated to accommodate those who were unable to attend the original walk.

There have been 16 separate day walks varying from 6km on the horrendous Lorne to Cumberland River section to 19km from Shelly Beach west of Apollo Bay to Parker Hill near Cape Otway (it was on this part that Doris had her encounter with a snake followed by a night in hospital).

The most recent walks were from Johanna Beach to Ryans Den on Saturday 5 February, and on to Moonlight Head the next day. This must be just about the best coastal scenery in Victoria with outstanding features such as Lion Headland, Milanesia Beach, Bowker Point, Cape Volney, Submarine Rock and Moonlight Head. It is worrying to see that a lot of well constructed track west of Milanesia Beach is becoming overgrown owing to lack of use.

Along the way we have encountered a wide range of conditions – easy sandy beach walking most of the way from Point Lonsdale to Lorne, then a lot of slippery rocks and ledges to Apollo Bay, dense forest to Parker Hill, and mostly cliff-top walking from there, except for our descent to the Aire River, and later to the magnificent remote Milanesia Beach.

Bay To Border 17 and 18 are on the weekend of April 16/17 with accommodation at Princetown, the scene of rather unforgettable autumn base camps in 2001 and 2002.

While having morning tea at the top of Paling Spur (Cobungra River Pack Walk, March 12-14) a herd of brumbies approached, and, completely unaware of our presence amongst the trees, frolicked for about five minutes in our immediate vicinity. They approached to within seven metres before sighting us and fleeing. An incredible experience for all!

W/E May 7-8

13km Medium & 11km Medium/Hard

Darren McClelland

The Buangor State Park and Mt Cole State Forest are situated about 180km North West of Melbourne. These adjoining parks consist of wonderful forest including messmate, manna gums, blue gums and ferns.

On Saturday morning we will make our way up there via Beaufort, where we will stop for morning tea. We will enjoy a 12km medium grade walk from Ditchfields Camping Ground where we will camp for the night. The walk takes in Grevillea and Paradise tracks. On Sunday the going gets a little harder when we'll go on a medium-hard 11km circuit of lookouts in the Mt Buangor area.

22km Hard

Neil Campbell

For those who want a challenge for a good solid day’s walk this walk is for you. We will be starting from the Ned’s Gully Car Park and head out along Little River Walking Track out through the pine plantation to Cooks Mill. From here it will be an undulating but eventfully steady climb along Cerebus Road, as we eventually meet the small hut at the Sugarloaf Saddle. From this point we will start the climb up to Sugarloaf Peak. We will then take the Canyon Route, which can be challenging, but not too difficult when taking our time. We will see absolutely magnificent views which shows you the ruggedness of this magnificent mountain range. This is the highest point on the range, as we also can look back to where we are going to walk and rock scramble next, down along The Razorback, which will be slow going for about 3.7kms until we meet the Jawbones South and Farmyard. This area is famous for being one of the only places where you can get close and personal to the many Lyrebirds in the area. We will do a short detour to the Jawbones North area, famous for abseiling, and then do a further rock scramble along the Cathedral Track taking in the magnificent views along the way to the trig point at Cathedral Peak. From here after a rewarding day we will head down along Ned’s Gully Track and back to the cars at Ned’s Gully Car Park.

This is a walk that the club has not done in quite a number of years and is for people who love a challenge and are reasonably fit. They will be rewarded with breathtaking views and will be able to talk about it for many years to come.

We will be leaving the Moonee Ponds Car Park at the special time of 7.00am.

Saturday May 28

17km Medium

Darren McClelland

This walk is the same walk that Ian McLean and I have profiled for the June/July edition of Outdoors magazine except that we are walking it in reverse (no that does not mean you walk it backwards!) We will either arrange a car shuffle or take a very short train trip from Woodend to Macedon to start the walk. Commencing the walk at Macedon station, we soon join up with the Macedon Ranges Walking Track and have some serious yakka ahead to reach the Mt Macedon plateau. After lunch at or near the Camel's Hump, we descend the mountain on a little known track that brings us along the perimeter of Braemar College then onto the Woodend - Mt Macedon road for a final road-bash stint, that will prepare us for afternoon tea in Woodend.

Saturday June 4

17km Medium

Stephen Bocquet

Sample the varied scenery and mining relics of the upper reaches of the Lerderderg River. The walk includes a satisfying hill in the morning, and a pleasant stroll along a water race above the river in the afternoon.

The walk starts and finishes at the Blackwood Recreation Reserve. From the Recreation Reserve we reach the Great Dividing Trail via the back streets of Blackwood, and follow it to the Garden of St. Erth. From there it’s up the hill to Fosters and McLaughlins lookout, where we stop for morning tea. Then we descend to the Lerderderg River on Green Gully Track. Lunch is beside the river, at the foot of Tram Creek.

After lunch we pick up the Lerderderg Heritage River Trail, which takes us back to the Garden of St. Erth along an old water race. We follow a bush track over Simmons Reef back to the Recreation Reserve in time for afternoon tea in Blackwood before returning to Melbourne.

16km Easy/Medium

Neil Campbell

For those who are wondering where Enfield is it is about 26kms SW of Ballarat on the main Colac road and on the western edge of the Linton State Forest.

We will be starting the walk from the Enfield Picnic Ground near the small township and walk out along Dunn’s Gully Track and will stop for morning tea along the way. Passing Mt Misery we will head towards Surface Point Picnic Ground for an early lunchbreak.

After lunch we will follow an old aqueduct and walk along Firth Gully as we ahead towards Bald Hill. From here we walk along Incolls Road before we head back through the forest towards our cars at Enfield Picnic Ground.

This area has recently been upgraded with improved tracks so it will be interesting how it has come along in such a beautiful area.

We will be leaving the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park at 8.00am.

L/WE June 11-13

Bryan Folie

On the Queen’s Birthday long weekend a base camp is being held at the picturesque Port Fairy, which is approximately 290 km south-west of Melbourne.

Port Fairy was originally a whaling station. It has a unique and extensive stock of important heritage buildings many of which are classified by the National Trust. As one of the state's oldest settlements (possibly the FIRST settlement in Victoria) the historic buildings are a significantly important of Victoria’s history.

Walks will include the world famous Mahogany Trail, starts at the breakwater at Thunder Point car park, Warrnambool. The walk is approximately 22km and will take approximately six hours plus car shuttle, so an early start is necessary. The majority of it is on sand and it finishes at Griffiths Island Car Park, Port Fairy. The Mahogany Trail passes the last known resting place of the mysterious Mahogany Ship, thought to be a Portuguese caravel that was wrecked in the early 1500s. It later vanished under drifting sands in the 1890s. Sighting a southern right whale may be possible as they are seen off the coast around Warrnambool between June - August. The Mahogany Walking Track has several access points along the way, for members who don’t want to do the full 22km.

Also we will visit Tower Hill Game Reserve, an extinct volcano formed at least 30,000 years ago when hot rising lava came into contact layer of porous rocks; this created the funnel-shaped crater. Many koalas, emus, kangaroo echidnas, possums and a wide variety of bird life will be seen. It also has excellent Worn Gundidj Aboriginal co-operative visitor centre.

Other walks will include Griffiths Island, once a large whaling station, home to a huge colony of short-tailed shearwaters (mutton birds) which nest here after migrating from North America. A track circles the island, with a lighthouse on the eastern tip.

Excellent dinners are available at the Celtic style hotels that are famous for their great fresh seafood cuisine. Also you may enjoy the music and the performing artist at the "RHAPSODY FESTIVAL" at the various locations around Port Fairy.

Accommodation will be in cabins at the Port Fairy Caravan Park, situated on the Moyne River a short walk from the city centre. The cost will be approximately $20/per night (depending on numbers). So get in early to reserve your place, as positions are limited.

Information for this article was sourced from the Port Fairy Information Centre, Port Fairy Historical Society and Parks Victoria.

22km Hard

Neil Campbell

Here’s the chance to do a challenging walk in an area of Lerderderg Gorge State Park which is rarely visited for it’s obvious reasons. The area is situated on the eastern edge of the park towards Mt Bullengarook and near the Gisborne- Bacchus Marsh Road.

We will be starting the walk from Firth Road and walk along Radcliffe Track, also known as Firebreak Track, which travels along the eastern ridge of the gorge, and has a steady climb in sections and twists it’s way for a while before we head to a steep decent towards a ford. From here it will be a steep climb along Radcliffe Track where we meet a track junction. From here we will walk off track and scrub bash down into Knock’ em Down Gully for 2kms and walking down into a steep gorge and then a steep climb out arriving on Nuggetty Track. We then walk along Nuggetty Track for a short distance, but has a very steep section where it meets Blue Gum Track. We walk for just over a kilometre before we find the track junction of Radcliffe Track, and then returning along this track and back to the cars.

It will be a 7.30am start from the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park.

Saturday July 2

15km Medium/Hard

Neil Campbell

We will be going for a walk in the northern area of the Mt Disappointment State Park around the Strath Falls area. This area is in the Great Dividing Range between Broadford and Flowerdale.

We will be starting the walk from Murchison Road and walking down to the steps (152 I think?), down to the fence. Then we do a rock scramble down to the top of the Strath Falls. Then we climb up Mongrel Spur for about 500metres where we meet McMahon’s Road. We will then walk for about 1.5kms to where we meet Digger Gully Road. We then proceed along this road for 3kms before we will stop and have a lamington stop. After the stop we will head down a very steep affectionately known as Possum Guts Spur due to a dead possum found on the spur many years ago, and the story was told that the smell and carcass was so bad that no other wildlife would come near it! After walking down Possum Guts Spur will walk along to Margaret Falls and Digger Gully Falls for Lunch.

After lunch we will walk along Digger Gully Creek and the take a steep climb up to Tunnel Falls and then back onto McMahon’s Road. From here we will walk towards a property boundary and then walk along Strath Creek to Little Strath and Rebecca Falls. We then finish by walking up to the cars at Murchison Road.

We will be leaving the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park at 8.00am.

Sunday July 4

12km Medium

Ian & Sylvia McLean

A different walk in a relatively unknown pocket of Wombat Forest. Undulating, interesting volcanic countryside. Some good views. Afternoon tea at the Woodend bakery.

Sunday July 10

15km Medium

Ian & Sylvia McLean

A new walk in a different area! A pleasant walk starting in the Toolangi state forest and crosses over into Kinglake National Park. Varying vegetation: moist fern gullies and tall timber to drier upper slopes. Views to be had. Afternoon tea in Kinglake.

Saturday July 16

11km Easy

This walk will give you a surprising insight into the wonderful range of architecture to be found in the Ivanhoe/Eaglemont area. We'll pool cars and drive over to Ivanhoe for a afternoon's stroll, and no doubt will find somewhere for a coffee at the end of the walk.

Sunday July 17

15km Medium

Tony Creedy

We will start close to the southern boundary of the Pyrete Range area, about 8 km west of Toolern Vale, at the northern end of Antimony Mine Road. From here we head generally north-west through a network of mostly clear and broad gullies to Pyrites Creek, where it runs south down to Lake Merrimu. It has cut a deep valley, similar to the Lerderderg River but on a smaller scale. We walk upstream for a km or so and then follow Cataract Creek to a small waterfall at the head of a valley, just outside the forest. The creek flows over an escarpment which overlooks the forest. Next to the fall is a high rock cliff with big bold ‘columnar’ patterns in it, suggestive of a big dollop of lava heading south from Mount Bullengarook, stopping and cooling down. We climb up to the top of the escarpment, and head east along the rim, with good views south over the forest and beyond, and north towards Mounts Macedon, Bullengarook, etc – weather permitting! The falls and escarpment sections are courtesy of landowners on the day of the walk only. We will return to the forest via a long gentle spur then head back towards the cars along Antimony Mine Track, past the antimony mine.

We’ll start at 0800 from the Bowling Club car park, aim to start walking by 0900 and should finish by 1600.

Saturday July 23

16km Medium

Neil Campbell

We will start the walk from the ford on Porcupine Ridge Road and walk along a four wheel drive track for about 5kms near some farm boundaries as we head down towards Tarilta Creek. From here we will be walking for 4kms along a trackless section of the walk, along the creek flats, which will be easy walking as we basically follow the direction of the creek and the terrain is reasonably flat. It will be worthwhile taking a camera, as some of the scenery is spectacular particularly in the gorge itself. There is a small rock hop towards the end of the creek walk. We eventually meet a bridge and road crossing the creek, but we proceed further along the creek, then take a short turn up to Lancaster Track, which will take us up to Porcupine Ridge Road. Then it will be a 2km walk back to the cars.

It will be an 8.00am start from the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park.

16km Hard

Neil Campbell

We will be starting the walk in an area near Dales Creek, which is just to the south of Blackwood in the Lerderderg State Park. We will walk out towards Charcoal Track and head out scrub bashing across Tunnel Gully and eventually Madman Gully to reach our destination of Kick a Tin Can Creek. It should be a steady decent into the Garibaldi Gully and down into Kick A Tin Can Creek for Lunch and fruitcake. We may even find an old tin beer can that we can kick around!

After lunch we will encounter a steep climb up to Lowes Hill for a brief stop. Then we will proceed across Madman’s Track, Charcoal Track and back to our Cars at Dales Creek.

There area few steep sections on this walk so this walk can be a challenging to some people.

We will be leaving the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park at 800am.

Sunday August 7

10km Easy

If you have not been exposed to my misadventures by train then here's your chance! We'll rail it to Hawthorn where we'll disembark to walk to Camberwell, taking in some interesting historical features and religious edifices (ie. Hawthorn Football Club) along the way. On arrival in Camberwell we'll have a free hour for lunch and some window-shopping. Then we will catch a train to Ashburton to explore three creeks along a range of gravel paths.

August 13-14 and September 24-25

Ian & Sylvia McLean

Travel up on the Saturday morning to meet at the Benalla Post Office at 9am or the old Winton Roadhouse at 9.30am. We travel in convoy to the tree planting sites. Planting goes on all day followed by a most wonderful complimentary dinner and bush dance at night. Accommodation and showers are free. There is also a free BBQ for late lunch when planting concludes on the Sunday, followed by a short but interesting walk before heading off home.

Accommodation is free in the Benalla Guide and Scout Hall. Kitchen facilities, showers and mattresses are provided. You need to BYO sleeping bag, pillow, (BYO tent if you wish), Meals: BYO lunch for Saturday as we are out in the field and breakfast for Sunday morning (unless you would like to test the local bakery: usually some sort of discount applies) Hot cuppa supplied for all morning teas/lunches and afternoon teas. Free sumptuous meal supplied on Saturday evening. Free BBQ lunch in the bush on Sunday (vegetarians catered for too).

If you have been inspired to put something back into nature and have a good time doing it with like-minded people, contact me so that catering can be arranged.

For 2004 - 2005 is:

President: Keith Hart

Vice President: **Ian Tovey

Secretary: **Sylvia McLean

Treasurer: John Atkinson

Committee: Ron Bell, Bryan Folie, **Darren McClelland, Rob Hughes & **Neil Campbell

** Denotes Delegates to VicWalk

Don’t forget that members can obtain a discount at Bogong Equipment, 374 Little Bourke Street. They offer a 10% discount on all non-sale items.

(Snail) Mail: The Secretary, Essendon Bushwalking Club Inc., P.O. Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3039

Are released three times each year, at the April, August and December club meetings. One copy of the program is included within the hard-copy version of the club newsletter, Old Man Emu. Additional copies are available from the Secretary or Treasurer for 20¢ each.

Are held on the second Wednesday of each month, at Hall 3, St. Thomas Church (behind the church), Mt. Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds Junction (corner of Mt. Alexander and Pascoe Vale Roads). Meetings start at 7.30 pm.

The contact for loan of equipment is Ron Bell

Equipment available for loan:

Tents; Backpacks; Sleeping Bags; Rain Jackets; Stoves; Sleeping Mats.

Annual Membership (from June 1)$ 40

Visitors Fee (per event) $ 5

Annual Membership fees apply from June 1 to May 31. Membership fees not paid two months after the June AGM render the member unfinancial. There are no pro-rata membership fees as the club is required to pay an annual Federation / Insurance premium.

An unfinancial member is required to pay the visitors fee for every event they attend until they have paid their full membership fee. As an unfinancial member, the Club's Personal Accident and Public Liability Insurance on any club activity does not cover you.

Unfinancial members and visitors attending more than three events in a club year are required to pay the full membership fee.

New members must pay the annual membership fee within 28 days of their membership application being approved by the committee.

Renewals are due within two months from the Annual General Meeting. Re-subscription slips have been distributed within this edition of OME. Please return completed slips with your fees. Your information is required and important in the administration of the club. For example, total number of qualified first aiders is important when we renew our club insurance through VicWalk. Any changes to personal details, email address etc allows for smooth club functioning. So, sending completed slips to the Secretary will be appreciated.

Advice through VicWalk has meant that visitors participating in programmed club events will be covered by our insurance policy PROVIDED they are listed as temporary members and NOT as visitors. The insurer sees a visitor as a Temporary Member by completeing his/her personal details and signing a new ‘Acknowledgement of Risks and Obligations of Temporary Members’ form that has been prepared through VicWalk. There is provision for nineteen Temporary Members to complete details on a single form. The Leader must insure the initial detail about the walk or event is completed and the sheet must be returned clipped to the COMPLETED and relevant walk sheet. Temporary Members will be required to complete both sheets. It is important for the benefit of all new participants to complete the new form until becoming a member to give him/her insurance cover. However it is equally important to existing members and leaders as this affords for member to member protection should an incident arise from a new participant causing an existing member/leader grief. This is also the reason that Ron now requests new people to complete these same details and sign a (Visitors) Temporary Members Register at our club meetings. So if you see some new faces make them feel welcome and ensure they have completed ‘the book’. Remember they are quickly recognised if they are wearing an orange dot.

It is of vital importance for all walks sheets to be completed fully and returned.

This is regardless of the type of event and if it went ahead or not. First of all it is a record which must be kept in the vicinity of 6-7 years for insurance and legal purposes. Secondly the insurance renewal each year is based on the previous years’ statistics. I.E. I need to know the average number of members/temporary members doing a walk/bike ride/social event etc. This is important. There is much other information that is sought annually by the insurers from the walks sheets and other avenues. Another example is how many members have accredited first aid. Leaders, at least should have these skills, particularly with the FedWalk fast approaching.

Personal Accident Claims

1. Notification of intention to make a claim is to be given to VicWalk’s Insurance Brokers, (Fred Grima at Marsh, via RON BELL, EBC insurance contact) as soon as practicable and NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS following the date of injury.

2. A claim form will be forwarded to the claimant for completion and return to Marsh, via Jenny at the VicWalk office or David Gordon, VicWalk Insurance Convenor.

Should there be a possibility of a claim being made against EBC or a member of the club, notification of such is to be given immediately through RON BELL to the Insurance Officer, Bushwalking Australia, via Jenny at the VicWalk office or David Gordon, when instructions will be given as to the procedures to follow. Under no circumstances is any admission of liability to be made.

Collective experience by some BSAR and EBC club members has shown that GPS units used in Normal mode, rather than Battery Save mode, give more accurate tracking and waypoint data. This is because of continuous data acquisition by the unit, instead having to constantly turn itself on every ten seconds or so and re-calculate its position. Battery Save is generally fine for occasional checking your position when you have stopped moving for a few minutes, but for continuous movement and rapid position checking, then Normal mode is recommended.

Also, while using a GPS on-the-go, keep the unit in a position where it can continuously see satellites, such as the top pocket of your pack or in a shoulder pouch. Temporary signal drop-out, such as when the unit is in your trouser or shirt pocket, can have the same impact on accuracy as Battery Save mode. Remember that the body absorbs the weak microwave signals from the satellites, reducing the strength of the signal received by the GPS when its in your trouser pocket.

Although this note applies to users of the Garmin e-trex, the same principles would most likely apply to other models and makes of GPS unit.

There have been recent occasions on walks where walkers have had near misses on being lost. We have been embarrassed, laughed at our own stupidity and even been nominated for the ‘monkey award’, but in reality this is a serious situation. Having been on both sides of the fence I feel justified to write about this.

I apologise to some members who may recognize part of this article from OME, Winter/Spring 2002. It seems clear that over the last few years we have been slipping in our walking rituals (or golden rules). These are ALL our responsibilities.

Leaders have a duty of care to their walkers. All leaders aim to voluntarily provide walkers with an enjoyable and safe experience. As walkers we expect this. Leaders put a great deal of personal time and effort into organizing the program and their individual walks. Hopefully walkers choose walks that are suited to their physical capabilities. Leaders describe the grade and difficulty of their walks at meetings, via the newsletter and discuss them with uncertain participants.

We depend heavily on what appears to be a dwindling but faithful group of leaders. (The intent of this article is not to put off any potential future leaders.) However, managing people is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects. Leading a group of walkers is quite demanding and may even be difficult and stressful pending the circumstances. This may well become the case in a large group, which can potentially become hard to manage. This is magnified when the racehorses gallop ahead (or if the leader is himself a racehorse). This is fine if given the OK to do so.

STOP at intersections (easy to miss this when engrossed in conversation or ‘discussing’ the map).

LISTEN to the leader and recommence walking ONLY when given the go ahead to do so.

Even though faster walkers may have been waiting for some time and cooled down, there is a safety factor involved. (The assistance of a reliable ‘Whip’ is invaluable) The slower walkers will need a rest more so than the others. With diminished rest their progress may well deteriorate. Physical well-being may be affected. This may even jeopardise the continuance of the walk or put others in danger. Then no one has had a good experience.

I often wonder if some walkers appreciate this fact and realize that they also have a duty and responsibility towards assisting the leader to comfortably perform his role in procuring the safety and comfort of the rest of the group.

So, walkers and leaders, please remember, we ALL want to enjoy a good walk. We all progress at differing rates. Please be unselfish and mindful of everybody on the walk: Leader and other walkers alike.

If the Leader has done his homework, his organization will ensure that there is always time for morning tea. There should be a drink/rest stop at least once an hour (more in the heat).

Remember to stop and smell the roses; Take some time to appreciate your surroundings. We are out there to enjoy it. There is no work schedule to adhere to. No one from EBC has ever been left behind in the dark.

We walk as a group, we are considerate and we help each other. If the pace is not fast enough for you, next time, take a greater challenge: Do a harder walk.

There are great sports out there called Rogaining and Orienteering, perhaps you would like to consider them. If you need that sort of a challenge then you will thrive. Different horses for different courses!