Leaving our cars just short of the camping ground the group started on the Sharpes Creek Walk. This loop begins on a fairly easy path and when it got a bit steeper some of the walkers meandered back doing a bit of bird-spotting. The rest tackled the hardest part involving a steep 200 metre ascent. We can't say we weren't warned! A sign advised of a 20 minute climb and it took all of that. But once up, it flattened out and we were rewarded by a lovely track through tall grass trees and colourful flowering plants. The last part of the trail follows the road down to the river.

The River Walk first involved crossing the Gloucester river. Only one walker fell in when he attempted to cross the slippery stepping-stones, but most took off their shoes and socks, rolled up their trousers and waded across. The walk brought us back to our cars where we could retrieve our lunches and enjoy a leisurely break on the riverbank. While some of the group then left for home, others drove on to the Gloucester Falls walk. All in all, a very enjoyable day.

Our next activity is a camping trip on the weekend of November 27 - 29 at the Manning River camping area on Pheasant Creek Road in the Barrington Tops. As this is a Forestry Corporation camping area, there is no charge and you can't book, but we need to register at www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/nsw-state-forest-camping-notification-form

Our walk on the Saturday will most likely be to Gummi Falls which is upstream of our campsite on the Manning River. There will be plenty of flexibility on how far you go from 2km to 7km to 15km. Those travelling from Gloucester on Saturday should leave Billabong Park no later than 8.15am to arrive at the Manning River Camping Area by 9.30am for morning tea.

On Sunday we will be going to Aussie Ark. Those coming up on Sunday should again plan to arrive at the camping area by 9.30am, when we'll all leave. There we will be planting Eucalypts and cutting Broom. Please bring a spade and long handled loppers if you have them. After lunch (BYO everything) we'll work on for an hour or two more.

If the roads aren't too wet, for those who would like to, we plan to travel home by convoy the back way via Tomalla, Carters and Curricabark Roads.

Anybody who just wants to come and go for any part of the weekend can do so. But we would like to know numbers so we can try to 'reserve' sites at the camping area. Please call Jeff and Hilary on 6558 7436 or email us on jeffkite24@gmail.com