Murray Town to Melrose

With rain overnight, hopes weren't that high for a dry day. Poking a nose outside the accommodation confirmed the idea that drizzle was in the air. The clan gathered outside the Northern Star, the site of the previous night's infamy!.
In spite of the overcast day, spirits were high for a good walk, and so the group alighted at Murraytown and after a brief sermon, in which Russell pointed out that next month's theme "Tour de France" could include anything French (but not condoms) we were off.

The green road reserve, out of Murray Town

Some pleasant road reserve walking ensued with the weather remaining clement and some better view of Mount Remarkable were obtained.

Mt Remarkable sans cloud (that's French you know).

In parts, mud was still sticky on the track, and it was good to find some patches of grass in the off the road proper.

John with muddy road.

Finally, we were able to get off the road for a while and cross Yellowman Creek, circuit alongside a rather nice, albeit too short, gorge to emerge onto some fields.
It was then back onto the road to Melrose, with a rapid traverse, a group photo at the BIG tree and then to the cars.

The BIG tree

Everyone seemed in a hurry to be home, though our sights were set on Café de Laura for a pie.
Next month THE MOUNT!!
 

Wirrabara to Murraytown

Second walk of the season for E2E 5, and it starts with a gathering of the clan at the Mt Remarkable Hotel for dinner.
We are scattered all over Melrose and some are even further afield.
The weather does not look good and it rains heavily through the night.
The morning, however, whilst overcast isn't too bad.

The meeting place just out of Murraytown looks rather bogey, the bus slips trying to turn, however manages the task.
A quick trip down to Wirrabara and out to Marner's Road for the oration, delivered in fine style by Russell.

Oration started by...

Russell

 

 



Information imparted and it's off along the reroute necessitated by the closure of the Wirrabara forest due to the recent fires.
As road walking goes it's not too bad, with pleasant outlook across the fields as we motor along at 5.4 kph moving average.
A man in a field gives us an amusing moment as he keeps quite still and has great control over his dog, If only the dogs of RSB were as obedient.

The still man and his dog

We hit Main North Road and take a morning tea, aided by some "sit-downs" provided by Michelle from the support vehicle.
Then off again and we finally come back onto the Trail proper at Wongyarra.
Mount Remarkable looks closer, yet is clouded in mystery, well low cloud anyway.
The mobile maintenance team put a marker back together with some ingenuity, whilst the main mob walk on to a hill-top lunch.
Lunch is cut short by the arrival of the rain and a wet final couple of kilometres takes us back to our cars and thence dry accommodation and preparation for our evening meal.
All dolled up, with the J theme in mind, we gather at the Northern Start Hotel where it's a puzzle just who is what and who is who.
There's a Jigsaw, a couple of geishas, a jester or two, Judge Judy, a jelly fish, a Jamaican and a man in a bra!!
Judge Judy held court, though the session was brief with the man in the bra defending an accusation of impropriety to a favourable outcome.