President’s Report

The ongoing wet weather has spoilt things for us during the last few months.  Bushwalkers especially must be champing at the bit.  Some trails in the Illawarra area are still closed and the few that are accessible are muddy and slippery.  Sunny days have been few and far between.  Cycle paths have been very wet in places and a few rides have been cancelled due to rain. The Thursday paddles seem to have been the least affected.  We are so grateful to those leaders who have continued to soldier on.  Thank you also to the enthusiastic participants who make it all worthwhile.

There were two trips away during Autumn.  Gerry O’Leary led a kayaking trip from Balranald to Euston on the Murrimbidgee and Murray rivers – a challenging six days paddling, camping along the way and traipsing through mud.  It was nevertheless enjoyed by the eleven intrepid kayakers who participated.  There is a great video in the Gallery and on our Facebook page. John Groom led a four-day trip to Lake Macquarie, mainly cycling but also a paddle on the lake and walks in the local area. The scenic bike trails especially were enjoyed by all 23 cyclists many of whom had not visited the area before.  You can see the photos on the website and in Facebook.  We are always grateful to the leaders and those assisting them who organise our trips away.  The amount of time and effort that goes into planning and organising can never be overestimated.  The trips usually have a limit on numbers and are always well attended.  Once published in the Program, they tend to fill up very quickly.  To avoid missing out, it is important that you check through the whole Activities Program on a regular basis.

During the last three months we gained ten new members.  Welcome to you all.

We are looking forward to conditions improving so that we can commit to more activities – and get back into the great outdoors that we always enjoy.

See you on an activity soon.

Penny Howes