Finniss conservation Park/ Mt Magnificent Walk 12th November

Bob did a good job of leading the walk last Tuesday.  Apparently this was a walk initially dreamed up by Brian - and a good dreaming it was. 
We met at Prospect Hill and car pooled form there.

I missed tracking the first section of the walk as my watch would not get a lock on the satellites  - By the time we had made it almost all the way down the hill and it was virtually morning tea time, I was about to stop looking... so you have to imagine that first bit on the map and the long downhill  on the profile picture.  Bob reminded us to enjoy the downhills now as it was going to be uphills later.

In total it was agreed that the walk was around 13.9km long.

As we headed down the road from the start we had some lovely views of the surrounding countryside.

and some of the locals came to say hi.

Of course there were some treats to enjoy as well.

When we got to the bottom we had to ford the river .  Beda found extra rocks to drop in, and led us across the stepping stones, then held the tricky branch back on the other side to allow us to pass.  Some got wet feet, but none fell in.

Then we were rewarded with a stop for morning tea.  Apparently this is an old campsite.  Very nice. 

Soon afterwards as we walked along the track in Cox's scrub we found this lovely little birds nest (all lined with possum fur and feathers.  Very cozy in there.

As we left the scrub we had to climb the gate or fence. 

The Xanthorrhoea had some really long spikes on them and were in flower.

Craig noticed these eating their way through the leaves. (but leaving the central vein).  Sorry the photo is a bit blurry. Are they tiny processional caterpillars??

As we got close to the conservation park we were treated with this spectacular view down to the gully below.

and into the park.  Just to the right of the gate we stopped for lunch, overlooking a stand of eucalyptus.

I tried Doug's method of sitting with my back to a tree and leaning against it.  I can highly recommend it as a pose for comfortable reflection.

Not much further up the track (and I mean up) I spotted this little garden in the hollow of a tree.

As we passed along the laneway we found that the cows were also enjoying the grass there.   Close encounters of a different kind were enjoyed.

We ended up at the Meadows coffee shop (one of our favourites) which has less Buddha statues these days, but still provides good and friendly service.