Lunch and a walk on North Head, Manly. War graves and orchids : July 31 2026
Was a slow start day on a blue sky day. Headed out with our guest to meet up with a friend of his. Target was a cafe on North Head Manly
Great view from our parking spot across the harbour toward the city
And the view down over South Head including Watson's Bay navy base being extended
Well it was two ladies we were meeting. They are very active in preserving the native vegetation on North Head. One is a key member of the Manly Warringah Orchid Society. Both are keen orchid followers.
We had a really good Italian lunch. Nice spot for lunch. We went for a walk up to Third Quarantine Cemetery
Room with a view
I noticed the hallmark white headstones. These are all new - Commonwealth War Graves recently refurbished
Took photos of a few. Sent them to my friend Mic Whitty who is cycling the world visiting Commonwealth War Graves around the world. Currently he is cycling around Australia - started in Sydney looped around to Adelaide and then up the East Coast. Got a feeling he has not seen these
As soon as we walked in the gate could smell the woolsia pungens
A few more headstones. The notable part is a number had dates after November 11, 2018 when the war ended. Soldiers came home injured and died in Sydney
A few more. My guide said there were orchids in a few places. Going to need to be quite resilient in that thick grassy stuff
The wild flowers do make it a place of peace.
A few flowers suggesting a mild winter - flannel flowers to start
Patersonia iris the next. Did not find any evidence of spring orchid leaves in the cemetery or the road up the hill
Did find the greenhoods ahead of where our hosts had seem them previously - rosette and one budding
Found a few flowers open - blunt greenhoods - pterostylis curta. Always good to find orchids on a track not walked before.
Did find lots of acianthus orchid leaves and a few seeded - probably acianthus pusillis judging by small size of capsule. Did give me a chance to show my hosts what to look for.
Red spider grevillea
Walked down the hill on the other side of the road. No orchids there - maybe Australian rosemary. Looked it up - coastal rosemary
Nice trip on a nice day with nice people.
Had not quite done the day's steps when we got home. Walked to shops for a few things for tomorrow.
Our guest's daughter came over for dinner. My wife has known here since she was a baby. They talked and I cook an English favourite for dinner - roast chicken and potatoes and 4 veges. Even made gravy.
Ends a big walking week
This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io
Height183 cm | Weight90 kg | Body Fat% | |||
Waistcm | Thighscm | Chestcm |