Saturday 18th August 2007.

6.30AM. Once again the adventurers greeted the dawn with spirits uplifted and a nimble step in their gait. On this brilliant, yet slightly chilly morn, adventurers Diamond, Horse, Angel and Larry were heading up the escarpment to Dharawal country.

Maddens Creek

They were all surprised by the beauty and serenity of the environment. The water of Maddens Creek was pristine and like an obsidian mirror on this gentle, brisk morning.

They walked across to Madden Falls and took in the view. The falls were hidden away amongst the scrub. Many drivers who commute from the Illawarra to Sydney each day would be surprised to learn of the proximity of the waterfall to the freeway.

Maddens Falls

The flora and fauna are delightful. Larry and Diamond could have spent all day in the bush taking photographs however Horse and Angel were eager to press on and explore further.

Fungi

Upon completion of the first walk the four adventurers drove west through Darkes Forest to a second walk. They took the wrong track but they still managed to make their way to O'Hares Creek.

Bush flowers were blooming throughout and Larry switched to macro on his Nikon D70 to capture the beauty and fragility of the blossoms that they encountered.

Delicate blossoms

The walk was across undulating countryside through bush forest and scrub. Lyre-birds could be heard. There were quite a few Gymea Lilies as well

Angel, Horse and Diamond

After an hour or so they reached O'Hares Creek and had a break. It was a beautiful morning and the reflections in the still waters were mesmerising. A picnic would have been in order.

O'Hares Creek

The adventurers plan to explore the correct walk in amonth or so. They concluded the morning with Apples from Glenbernie Orchard.