Walk 20 Woolwich to Hunters Hill

St Ignatius Pavilion from woolwich

A car shuffle led to transport between  Mount street, Hunters Hill and  the start  at Clarke's Point, Woolwich.   Walking from  Morts Reserve adjacent to Hunters Hill Sailing club on the Parramatta River  we once again had  lovely views of the harbour, the Bridge and away in the distance morning traffic could be seen  speeding over Iron Cove Bridge although this time we were viewed it from the opposite side.
Through Kellys Bush sadly burnt  dry on one side.  Little of this historic afea was seen really as we cut through on a  quick diagonal path thus missing much of the 4 hectares.  This piece of bushland was the site of a fierce battle by 13 local residents to preserve the land from building development.    Aided by the admirable Jack Mundey it is said that this region was the first site ever to have a green ban placed on it worldwide.  Worldwide -  this little spot is  perhaps not that well known but how grateful we are to the  likes of those determined 13  protesters who became admired winners.

The Woolwich streets threw up house after house of interesting old sandstone, cobbled walls, wrought iron lace reflecting a grand old Sydney . The Serpentine Steps led us to a bit of the Woolwich foreshore on the Lane Cove river for a glimpse of the St Ignatius  Pavilion across the water gleaming white and standing alone in sharp contrast to the backdrop of dark bush.  See a photo below.

Gardens, and roses and red kangaroo paw and massive trees and pretty morning glory weed amongst  over grown nasturtiums were to be found.   Further along  Woolwich morphed into Hunters Hill somewhere along the line.  A shop pale grey and silver in wares offered attractive purchases and business cards were taken with serious intent.
Another little amble down a lane provided more stone walls, Georgian style grandeur and even grander gardens from another era .

Mort Reserve

a Great North Walk beacon

Another stone wall

Kangaroo Paw!

View from Woolwich foreshore

Another Woollwich gem

A Hunters Hill gem

  Marquard driveway

Mount street pool

Amanda  and our walkers

Back to Mount street up one of the steepest driveways ever to meet Amanda .
Her Mum Lynne walked the Two Bay Iron cove walk with us.   We had a  short stop with Amanda for icy water (which the children call lumpy water) a look at the  splendid views and also had time for some  garden discussion.

In the garden

Linzi on the front steps

Amanda and Walkers

A little car  shuffle once again to retrieve cars left in Woolwich and we were done with a nice easy walk.   It was hot, perhaps our  hottest day so far.   Time now to progress to earlier and earlier starting times to beat the summer heat (and let's hope we have some of that after a dismal 2011 summer).