Gunners Quoin
Tuesday 30 July 2019
There were a few hiccups on the way and all down to me, well almost all.
I had a series of coordinates on the GPS and was also aware that the batteries didn't have a lot left in them. But I forgot to bring the spares and started being frugal with using it. But this was a contributing factor in my first bungle. The other mistakes were forgetting to bring a cup and teabag, not having spare batteries and, as explained below, not being patient enough with my GPS.
The route taken was up a steep hill and whilst on top I decided to take a track leading off earlier than planned. It was nice country eventually brought is to a vehicle track, which turned out not to be the one I thought it was. Turning the GPS on solved bungle number 1.
Once back on track all went relatively OK, until a fence was reached, and it seemed that resorting to the GPS would be helpful. However, it seemed to be flat, but although my phone map was useful it did not compensate for not having the coords for an old vehicle track. Nevertheless, we got to Gunners Quoin without a problem.
As the walk was taking longer than expected, it was decided to take the quickest route back and we get there with half an hour to spare before the gate to Risdon Brook gate was due to close.
When I got home and downloaded the track from the GPS I discovered that I must have been too quick in thinking the batteries were flat when I had turned it on for navigation, because from that point until Gunners Quoin our track displayed on the map. I could have used the GPS to locate the old track after all.
However, the walk itself was good, the morning was sunny and without much wind and the bush was delightful. Near the top of the first hill we were greeted by a cacophony of Yellow-throated honeyeater calls and masses of Ozothmanus bushes; perhaps the former like living amongst the latter. Morning break on a hilltop was carpeted with casuarina leaves and had panoramic views of Gunners Quoin. By lunchtime on the Quoin it had become a bit cloudy, but this was compensated by calm conditions and three Wedge-tailed eagles flying past; one of which came closely overhead providing an exciting site.
Map of route 2017 and 2019
There were a few hiccups on the way and all down to me, well almost all.
I had a series of coordinates on the GPS and was also aware that the batteries didn't have a lot left in them. But I forgot to bring the spares and started being frugal with using it. But this was a contributing factor in my first bungle. The other mistakes were forgetting to bring a cup and teabag, not having spare batteries and, as explained below, not being patient enough with my GPS.
The route taken was up a steep hill and whilst on top I decided to take a track leading off earlier than planned. It was nice country eventually brought is to a vehicle track, which turned out not to be the one I thought it was. Turning the GPS on solved bungle number 1.
 |
| Ozothamnus on hill top plateau |
 |
| Morning break on top of hill with view Gunners Quoin. Photo from Dave Tucker |
Once back on track all went relatively OK, until a fence was reached, and it seemed that resorting to the GPS would be helpful. However, it seemed to be flat, but although my phone map was useful it did not compensate for not having the coords for an old vehicle track. Nevertheless, we got to Gunners Quoin without a problem.
As the walk was taking longer than expected, it was decided to take the quickest route back and we get there with half an hour to spare before the gate to Risdon Brook gate was due to close.
 |
| Gunners Quoin |
 |
| Grasstrees on Meehan Range |
When I got home and downloaded the track from the GPS I discovered that I must have been too quick in thinking the batteries were flat when I had turned it on for navigation, because from that point until Gunners Quoin our track displayed on the map. I could have used the GPS to locate the old track after all.
However, the walk itself was good, the morning was sunny and without much wind and the bush was delightful. Near the top of the first hill we were greeted by a cacophony of Yellow-throated honeyeater calls and masses of Ozothmanus bushes; perhaps the former like living amongst the latter. Morning break on a hilltop was carpeted with casuarina leaves and had panoramic views of Gunners Quoin. By lunchtime on the Quoin it had become a bit cloudy, but this was compensated by calm conditions and three Wedge-tailed eagles flying past; one of which came closely overhead providing an exciting site.
Map of route 2017 and 2019
 |
| The tracks from a walk in 2017 and this one in 2219 are shown. Part of the 2019 track is absent as the GPS was off for part of the walk and only a few points exist from where it was briefly turned on. |
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