Dingo

Dingos have (re)appeared on Mount Buffalo. This one was easily visible near the café at Dingo Dell. This raises the question: was the place called Dingo Dell originally named because it had dingos? This dingo kept very close to the café - even though nobody is supposed to be feeding it, there's a suspicion that it is picking up some food from people. There are other dingos on the Mount Buffalo plateau - we heard one howling at night and the camp hosts saw one in the rocks nearby. This is the first time in the 25+ years we have been coming to Mount Buffalo that we can remember dingos being present.

Madison collected stones. Any type of stone except for quartz.

This is one of the tighter bits of the Galleries. I had forgotten how restricted the Chalwell Galleries were.

We'll start off with the group photo, 'cos everybody's in the group photo (except those who had left or who were down the mountain - we missed a few people this year). Back Row: Dennis Adami, Tom Chang, Anita Harrick, Tim, Jenny, Maureen Harrick, Mark Harrick, Darryl, Phil Harrick, Roland, Anthony, Simon Middle (sitting): David Reckenberg, Dale Bradbury, Peter Chang, Jacinta, Madison, Janet Front: Jordan, Emma, Loughlin, Bethany, James, Grace, Sian Absent: Jessica, Diana Almonte, Jonathan Buttery

Guide Janet prepares to climb to the base of the Monolith.

This is a photo of James sitting on top of rock at the base of the Monolith. It's a long way down from here. James and Madison's parents didn't come on this walk: which may have been good for their peace of mind, since there were some sheer drops. But James and Madison both showed extreme common sense in avoiding dangerous spots.

Madison, Bethany and Grace wash up whilst James supervises.

The Monolith looms menacingly above Janet.

Dennis follows Guide Janet up to the base of the Monolith.

Dennis decided that he WOULD make it through Chalwell Galleries. It all proved much easier than I initially feared.

This photo was taken of me on our first full day on the mountain. I'm still looking relatively fresh and civilised. This was on the walk to Chalwell Galleries.

Janet peers slyly from under her bushie's hat.

Dennis stands above Lake Mokoan. Lake Mokoan is looking very dry because a) there's a 100 year drought happening at the moment and b) they are emptying it, since they've decided it was a bad idea.

In 2007 there was a significant car shuffling: Janet borrowed John and Elisabth's car (because they weren't driving up, but it could tow a trailor). And we borrowed Janet's car. This type of photo, taken by balancing the camera on the dashboard, is becoming traditional for these trips. (I took a photo exactly the same for last year's trip - except we looked a year younger last year.)

JB, inside Mahomet's tomb.

David Reckenberg espies the world from the peak of Mount McLeod.

The group takes a moment to rest on a rock after our walk around Track 14 (Corral - Castle Track). The Hump (left) and the Cathedral (right) are behind us. Jon Buttery, Anthony Holmes, Maureen Harrick, Emma Harrick, Dennis Adami, Bethany Harrick, James, Grace Harrick, Mark Harrick.

Me. At Mahomet's Tomb.

Bethany tries to hold up a mountain. Fortunately, she succeeds.

A collection of Harricks on a walk in the woods. They are walking towards the Sentinel and the Castle.

"Trust me, Jon, I'm a lawyer!"

Janet explains the geology of the mountain to Maureen. Or maybe she was just pointing at a cloud.

Dennis on top of View Point.

Guide Sally and Trainee Indigenous Guide Thingummy prepare to take us on a one way walk to View Point. Where they abandonded us, and left us to find our own way back to civilization along the treacherous path marked with only with arrows, rock cairns, steps, rails, numbered posts and boardwalks.

Dale Bradbury standing undeneath the tower with reflective panels that allow for cartographical positioning of Mount McLeod. Which was a little ironic, given that my rough map of the plateau had half worn away in my pocket during our walk to the peak.

Dale, looking out on the the alps. (Yes: This photo is deliberately faded almost to black and white.)

Dale deals with his cake whilst James looks on.

Multiple birthdays were celebrated: Jon Buttery and Dale Bradbury

If you are looking at these photos in order it will seem like a lot of Anthony/Dale/David photos in a row. This is because we went on longish walks two days running. With lots of spectacular scenic photos. But you won't see the scenic photos in this gallery, because it's only a people gallery. This was taken at the end of the South Buffalo View Point Walk.

Dale looks into the bush.

Well, it was a long walk to Mount McLeod (six hours return), so we took two group photos.

Anthony, Dale and David, and the Mount McLeod tower.

Tom and Grace.

Simon plays a bit of footy: of one variety or another.

Peter Chang got instructions from a real Sikh on how to tie his turban. Unfortunately, the Sikh had given up wearing turbans a couple of decades ago... but somehow the turban still worked. (Note Peter's glorious golden shoes)

Dennis tries to add a spiritual aspect to Bollywood.

Bollywood day: Dale dresses up in style.

Sitting around the kids fire.

Sitting around the fire.

Whilst everybody else eats cake, Phil realises he can get a good spot by the fire.

Jon cutting his cake: closely watched by Madison.

Jon cutting his cake: closely watched by James.

Sitting around a camp fire having a bit of a drink, some chocolate, some toasted marshmellows. We could do this for hours. Jacinta, Janet, Jenny, Dennis.

Anita Harrick, David Reckenberg, Dale Bradbury and Jon Buttery eat dinner.

Dennis and Janet cooking dinners.