This walk was organised and led by me as an irregular Parkway after-service ramble:

(Hello everyone The inaugural Parkway ramble last Sunday as fun. Twelve of us wandered up Arawang Trig for a fine view. A little record of it at http://members.pcug.org.au/~jevans/Pages/Walk%20Descriptions/2007_10_14.htm, if you are interested. The next, on Sunday 4 November, is to the De Salis cemetery at Tharwa. A walk from Tharwa bridge upstream across the back of Cuppacumbalong and Outward Bound to an interesting resting place of members of a significant European family who settled in the area. Total distance around 3km and flat. We enter the Gigerline Nature Reserve so, sorry, no pets. If you'd like a preview, have a look at http://members.pcug.org.au/~jevans/Pages/Walk%20Descriptions/2007_05_22b.htm. Meet at Parkway one hour after service finishes. We can car pool. Bring water, closed toe shoes (runners fine), hat, sunscreen and wear clothing suitable for the day (you might like to bring something old and change after church). Bring a light lunch to enjoy at the Tharwa Reserve, or buy from the Tharwa store. Contact me if you need more details. Do forgive me if you are not interested - I used a couple of distribution lists from others. Conversely, if you're able to join in, let me know or just join in on the Sunday. Come on, have a go - it will be fun and interesting! Everyone (including non church folk, of course) most welcome.)

An expert on the history of our Canberra region, with particular knowledge of European settlement and the De Salis family, will join us to provide commentary. We'll also have her husband as a guest - he's a living bushwalking legend, so you can pick his brain about walking and gear.

Walk

Prayer for rain was answered, but the threat of more put most off. In the end Michelle was the only brave starter, along with Rob and Jenny.

A pleasant stroll to the cemetery, with great comment from Jen. I took the opportunity to plug Rob for hints for Mt Namadgi. On the return we spied two wombats wandering down by the river (see pic 1) and a third appeared briefly. An ice cream at the Tharwa store. We drove back along the Point Hut Crossing Road, skipped over the stile and wandered in to William and Nina's quiet resting place.

Other visits to these spots with more pics on 22 May 07, 9 Jan 07, 12 Aug 06. See the ACT Heritage Listing entry.

BTW, a blog contact asked me what is the most appropriate bushwalking Psalm. I thought Psalm 18:33 "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights". Actually, the metaphor of this verse is great - apparently a deer has perfect correlation of front and back feet so that when it leaps from rock to rock its back feet land exactly where its front feet have been. So whether it's physical or spiritual agility, best do it with God. Verse 36 is aimed more at older walkers like me - "You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn over"!

Trust you enjoyed it, Michelle. Thanks heaps R & J.

Distance: 4.5km  Climb: 50m.  Time: A couple of leisurely hours.
Grading: S/E: VE(3)