by John New
After a very wet Saturday, it looked very unlikely that this walk would be held. Fortunately Sunday turned out to be a lovely day, with a clear blue sky, brisk breeze, and mild temperature. A small group of 7 people and 5 beagles gathered together for the final walk of the year at Torry Burn Reserve. The Walks Coordinator welcome everyone and handed around some Christmas goodies - a tasty treat for each beagle - which were gobbled down pretty quickly.
This walk is along a series of interconnecting bicycle paths through various parks. We began by following a wide shady bicycle path through Sophia Doyle Reserve, along the backs of some houses. When the path finished at Seven Hills Rd, we walked along the road for a short distance, before turning off into another bicycle path through William Joyce Reserve.
We crossed Merindah Rd to another bicycle path, which we followed to Peel Rd, before crossing over to Crestwood Reserve and a fenced dog park. There the beagles had a happy 20 minutes or so running around, sniffing, and greeting the other dogs including another beagle.
We set off again, continuing through Crestwood Reserve, back to Sophia Doyle Reserve. The final part of the walk meandered along a few more bicycle paths back to our starting point.
A very nice walk to end another year of Sniffing Around Sydney walks. Stay tuned for another series of walks during 2012. My beagles, Daisy and Gypsy, and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
by John New
About 25 people and 20 beagles met on a lovely afternoon at Baulkham Hills for a pleasant loop walk with our beagles. It was especially nice to meet some club members along for their first walk. Welcome, we hope you and your beagles enjoyed yourselves, and you'll come along to some more.
We began our walk by crossing a road to join up with a cycleway. This cycleway is part of a very extensive system that runs for many kilometres throughout Baulkham Hills Shire. One good feature of the system is that it seems to be less crowded than many other cycleways around Sydney, meaning less likelihood of beagles and bikes colliding.
We followed the cycleway through the park, along the back of some houses, up to Seven Hills Road. We turned off and walked a short way to another little-known cycleway, another road, another cycleway, and then to the very popular Crestwood Reserve where our beagles stopped for a short well-earned drink. Some even tried to roll around a bit in some mud near a convenient tap.
We wandered along the paths in the reserve, and then crossed over to a relatively steep road leading to the Crestwood shops, where we had a longer break for a snack or a drink. We were now about 3/4 through the walk and a few dark clouds were appearing.
As we continued over the last stage of the walk along another pleasant cycleway, there was a little rain but not enough to worry about, and we soon arrived back at our starting point.
Another very nice walk at Baulkham Hills.
by John New
It's amazing how many walks in Sydney are not marked on any map or street directory and how often it takes some local knowledge to create a good walk. This circular walk was no exception - it was created by combining some unmarked bicycle tracks, a few short segments along quiet suburban roads, and a couple of council parks.
There was a really good turnout for this walk, as there often is for a new one. About 30 people and 20 beagles attended. The weather was warm with a light breeze.
We met at Torry Burn Reserve, near a Scout Hut. Then we crossed Jasper Road and followed a bicycle track along Sophia Doyle Reserve. When we reached a fork in the track, we walked to the right. Shortly after we crossed over a small section of a muddy creek to Glanmire Road and followed this road all the way to the busy Merindah Road.
We crossed Merindah Road, continued along another bicycle track, and then crossed Peel Road to Crestwood Reserve. This is a large and very popular park with plenty of paths to wander along. We followed some paths running parallel to Peel Road toward the Tennis Club and sports fields. We crossed Peel Road and walked along the hilly but short Benwerrin Avenue, turned right and walked along Merindah Road to the Crestwood Shops and a welcome snack and drink.
After a short rest, we walked from the north part of Sophia Doyle Reserve down a bicycle track, crossed Jasper Road, continued along the bicycle track, and finished where we started at Torry Burn Reserve.
Another very enjoyable walk for humans and beagles alike, and a good one to add to the many now available for walking by the intrepid Sydney Sniffers.
Thanks to John New for these pictures.
