U3A Ballarat Hikers

 U3A Hike No. 224 Hike Report by Annette At last we seemed to have a day for our hike when the weather was NOT going to be an issue!   Ten of us met at Kirks to travel to Guildford where, after a quick toilet stop, we travelled in convoy  through Vaughan and Fryerstown to park at the side of the Vaughan-Chewton Rd near the scout  camp. Packs on and walking poles ready, we headed off into the bush, following our leader Gordon. Not too far in, Gordon headed off the track and lead us down over a small running creek, then up a  steep bank (a little challenging, being slippery with blackberries and prickly boxthorn to dodge).   Shortly after, we paused by the remains of a slate quarry where most took advantage of removing  a layer of clothing! As we continued on, there was the eerie sound of what seemed like a large pack of dogs howling,  not too far away. Apparently, there was a dingo refuge close by. (Glad I wasn’t living out near them).   We passed some very old mullock heaps, but no rea

 U3A Hike No. 223 Hike Report by Ken On Thursday 17 th  November, 2022, 14 enthusiastic walkers met near the Little Bendigo Primary School in Nerrina.     Nerrina  is an area six kilometres north-east of Ballarat.   The historical notes say that the name is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal expression and is an alternative for the original name of the Little Bendigo gold diggings.   An Anglican school was opened in Little Bendigo in 1858 for the children of the gold miners.  It was a very busy mining area in the 19th century. While the population of Little Bendigo was 3,000 around 1890, this fell rapidly as mining declined.    As we headed off from our vehicles, we walked for one kilometre to look at a pumping station which pumps water from the White Swan to header tanks in Invermay.  This provides water pressure to the northern parts of Ballarat to this day.    We walked into remote bushland which seems extraordinary seeing that it is so close to the town of

 U3A Hike No. 222 Hike Report by Jan B Gordon led our hike today, it was a 13.5 kilometre circuit around Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, commencing and finishing at Vaughan Mineral Springs Reserve. Ten hikers met at Kirks where we were warned to be prepared for rain commencing early afternoon. The day was grey but mild and temperatures remained ideal all day. The drive was scenic especially past Daylesford where the countryside was lush and green with a hazy mist over the mountains on the horizon. Our first stop was at Guildford near The Big Tree, a huge river  red gum noted for its’ size and fusion of branches. It’s estimated to be between 500 - 1000 years old, has a canopy measuring 34m and is on The National Trust Register of Significant Trees. It was interesting to see sandbagging still in place around the buildings in Guildford and around the houses in Vaughan, many of which are very cute miners cottages. Both towns, being on the Loddon River have been impacted