Sunday 24 September 2023. A smaller than usual contingent travelled to Merriwa to visit with friends on their property.
Of course after a shared morning tea and general briefing and some horse fundamentals and history, the members were greeted by a few “heavy horses” that walked a distance in the paddock with us; vying we suspect for the doughnuts ‘someone was carrying’. After a km in we then ascended onto a low ridge in natural bushland along a property trail noting how dry the area is since our last visit – 2016. Two other members were taken via our support vehicle so they could join us for an early lunch. The owner(s); Jutta & Maurice, promised a tranquil setting and did not disappoint us. Several members then took to the track to reach the fence line of the nearby National Park and returned 45mins later for a group photo. Today’s walk was graded as easy/medium with a full distance of 7.3km covered by those that reached the fence-line! The day warmed up with thankfully only 1 goanna spotted. (see photo in slideshow), which scaled a nearby tree. It was also great that both Elly & Lorraine were able to join us for the day! As with every walk activity the equipment is arranged and taken for that ‘just in case’ with today having the bonus of a support vehicle. We left the owner(s): with a small token of Mudgee Honey & yummies and succulent to thank them for allowing us to visit. The only thing that we wish we could have given them was an inch or so of rain. (fingers crossed). Photo(s): Karen Riley, Bill Kempton, Joby Mitchell. Just in case you were wondering the backpack pictured ‘did not contain any doughnuts’! Posted to website & FB by JM.
