GUMNUTS.....AND OTHER STUFF: Cooks River Walk......with siblings and partners.

This was a walk organised and led by brother Les.

This was the last of three dates that Les had proposed, it rained on the first date, we were away on the second, and although rained threatened, today we took the chance and the weather was kind to us.

We all met at Central Station, got a train to Wolli Creek (didn't see the creek) where, being who we are, went to a bakery/cafe for morning tea (have to keep your strength up) after that the walk started. First stop was historic St Magdalen Chapel and Tempe House, it was then over the Princess Hwy bridge and onto the Cooks River Walkway on the north side. We walked along here until the Illawarra Rd Bridge and then it was back over to the south side. Four km's (half way) into the walk we crossed over the Flinders Rd footbridge to the Marrickville Golf Club for lunch. Back over the bridge and along the walkway to the Lang Rd footbridge crossing back to the north side. We stayed on this side all the way to Canterbury Station where we caught a train to Dulwich Hill (2 stops). Then on the light-rail back to Central where we caught our trains back to our home towns.

A most enjoyable walk of 8.5 kms (5.3 miles) put together by Les and, his assistant, Lori.

Link for the history of Fatima Island.

Click on photos to enlarge.

After coffee and cakes, at the Top Impression Bakery, we were on our way.

St. Magdalen Chapel was completed in 1888 and was used by the Sisters of the
Good Samaritan of the Order of St. Benedict to be used as a retreat for
destitute women and adolescent girls.

Wolli Creek from Discovery Park.

Tempe House, built in 1836.

Tempe House built in 1836.

From the old, to the new.

Tempe House under roof.

Train crossing Cooks River. Hey, that boat shouldn't be there.
What remains of Fatima Island can be seen jutting out on the right side.

The Cooks River Sewage Aqueduct, completed in 1895. A combination of
brick arches and steel bridges, it's an excellent and rare example of a late
19th century steel truss bridge (in non-railway construction) and decorative face
brickwork in NSW. The two original sewer carriers are rare examples of large
diameter, long run wrought iron pipes used for such a purpose.

The lady in the garden.........she didn't have much to say.

Somewhere to climb out in case you felt like a swim (and were still alive,
well at least one of your heads was).

One of the many information signs on the walk.
(In 1814 the now playing fields called Beaman Park, use to be a 60 acre market garden)

Canterbury <Home Team> building.

This old timber foot-bridge, over the river at Hurlstone Park, is to removed
and be replaced by a 'bland' steel one.

This old timber foot-bridge, over the river at Hurlstone Park, is to removed and be
replaced by a 'bland' steel one.

This old timber foot-bridge, over the river at Hurlstone Park, is to
removed and be replaced by a 'bland' steel one.

This man was collecting the fruit-covered branches of the Grey Mangrove
(Avicennia marina). In my 'Wild Foods of Australia' by Tim Low, it says
"Queensland University's Botany Club has promoted grey mangrove pods as a
gourmet item. 'Avicennia dip' made from the pods boiled in 3 changes of
water, tastes revolting." So if you are that hungry, go for it.

White-faced Heron and chick. They were in a tree that we all walked under.

What's left of timber steps that led down to Boat Harbour at Hurlstone Park on the
Cooks River on the eastern side of the heritage Sugar Factory building.
The small harbour was built for Sea Scouts in the 1960s.

Canterbury Sugar Works about 1844.

Canterbury Sugar Works

This building was used from 1842 to 1854 to process raw sugar imported from
overseas into white sugar and molasses. The closure was due to a labour
shortage caused by the 1854 Gold Rush.
The building was used as a bacon factory from 1899 to 1906.

Canterbury Sugar Works

Sugar House Rd foot bridge.

Cooks River from under the Sugar House Rd foot bridge.

Sugar House Rd foot bridge.

Waiting for our leader.

Canterbury Rd bridge over the Cooks River.

From under the Canterbury Rd bridge over the Cooks River.

The lifeless body of a Shoppingus trolleyii lies in the mud of the Cooks River.

Some of the 29 bird species we saw on the walk.
(clockwise from top left) Willie Wagtail, Australian Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Australian Figbird, Chesnut Teal.