U3A Ballarat Hikers

 U3A Hike No. 131 A combined hike report from Martin Russell and Joan Brick Our biggest turnout for the year saw thirty-two hikers start the last hike of 2020, referred to as the Bunny Hop.  Commencing at around 7.45am we left our meeting point in Valley Drive and hiked south along the eastern side of the Canadian Creek, with the Harry Lavery Bushland Reserve on our left.  Well shaded by trees and in the cool of the early morning, this section of the walk was a very pleasant way to begin our exploration of Ballarat hidden urban secrets. The “Bunny Hop” is a dance that is done in America at weddings and festive occasions, so, this being Christmas and our last time together, Joan B was excited at the prospect of us being tutored with some bunny hop movements by Andrew at the beginning of our hike and then literally hopping down the Bunny Trail.  Well…that wasn’t the case so instead Andrew took us on an adventure “walking the line” of the Bunny Trail which was the railway line that ran be

  U3A Hike No. 130 Hike Report by Geoff Howard It seemed when we met at Kirk's at 7.45 that Andrew and his good connection with the weather gods may have let us down as it was raining lightly with a cold wind blowing down on us. By the time we had reached the car park at Tipperary Springs however the cool misty start gave way to dry mild conditions and, as we progressed the patches of blue above extended to overcome the clouds bringing perfect walking conditions. This week we were a group of ten. Enid Blyton may have dubbed us the Tenacious Ten (in line with the Famous Five and Secret Seven for the benefit of those with non-Enid Blyton childhoods). Our starting point at Tipperary Springs was very peaceful and idyllic and we were able to watch a family of wood ducks including six little ducklings, making their way around the pond by the springs. Some of us also drank at the spring before we departed. The trail, as planned by Gordon and Andrew led us first from Tipperary Spring

  U3A Hike No. 129 Hike Report by Lyn Hooper This was my first hike since restrictions had been significantly eased and it was wonderful to see so many fellow hikers congregating at Kirk’s Reservoir. After a brief welcome and recap on directions to Mt Egerton Recreation Reserve, 26 participants headed off.   Most of us made it to the reserve in a timely fashion but one group insisted on going the scenic route and arrived about 10 minutes later, probably seeing parts of Mt Egerton that they had never seen before. Once we were all together again, we left our cars and headed off using the bush tracks to reach our first destination – the top of Mt Egerton.   The climb was not too challenging with a view limited by trees although on the way up you could see many wind turbines.   The weather was just perfect with blue skies and an ideal temperature for walking.   Leaving the summit, we continued on bush tracks going up, going down, going around.   I had no idea where we were and as norma