A misty wet drive down failed to dampen our End to End 7 group’s first day

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A misty start didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for walkers commencing E2E 7 on Sunday.

Having been ceremoniously “piped off” from Cape Jervis by Simon Cameron , a lively pace was maintained throughout the day. A few were lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins near the ‘spaceship’. Even Cobbler Hill wasn’t as big a challenge as some had expected! Amongst the group the enthusiasm for walking was palpable, and later, the leaders received many compliments on the days walk.

What a great start to what we know will be a wonderful journey together along the Heysen Trail.

Julie Larsson

For photo reminders – Dale has a good record of the day at

http://www.picasaweb.google.com/106803247843653113319

And for Roberts pics

https://picasaweb.google.com/111233785282206663127/End2End7CapeJervisToCobblerHillDay1

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Heysen Trail re-opens with close of Fire Danger Season

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The entire length of the Heysen Trail re-opens tomorrow following the conclusion of the Fire Danger Season in the Mount Lofty Ranges and Mid North Fire Ban Districts.

The northern half of the trail, from Wirrabara, reopened on April 15 following the conclusion of the Fire Ban Season in the Flinders Ranges Fire Ban District. Tomorrow the entire length of the trail will re-open, and will remain so until November 2012 when the summer Fire Danger Season begins.

View more information about the Fire Danger Season.

View the CFS media release confirming the conclusion of the Fire Danger Season.

Road Restriction Reminder: Road restrictions are in place along the Parachilna to Blinman road, through Parachilna Gorge, past the northern trailhead of the Heysen Trail. Floodways are being upgraded. The section of road between Angorichina Village and Blinman is closed until approximately the end of May, with a detour available via Glass Gorge. More information can be found on the Dept of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure website.

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First Trailwalker – survival of the fit and not so fit

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The first Trailwalker for 2012 set a tough standard. Steve Clift lead (mostly from mid-pack) his group up and down the tough hills and valleys of Cuddle Creek to Sixth Creek, via Mt Misery, and return. 23km of tough terrain, spiced with views and animal sightings. A long day with one retirement. A few tired legs (& bodies) arrived back to the cars some time after the E2E5 group, still looking fit after their slight detour, had passed by on their first walk of 2012. Well done walkers – just hope you all recover to walk again next week! Some pics at

http://picasaweb.google.com/ralcock1

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Heysen Trail reopening north of Wirrabara

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The Heysen Trail is reopening north of Wirrabara on Monday as the Fire Danger Season ends in the Flinders Ranges Fire Ban District. This section includes Melrose, Wilmington, Quorn, Hawker, Wilpena Pound, the Flinders Ranges National Park, and Parachilna Gorge.

The remainder of the trail, south of Wirrabara to Cape Jervis, will reopen on May 1 as the Mid North and Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban Seasons conclude.

More information can be found in this CFS media release.

Access to the Parachilna Gorge is currently disrupted by roadworks. The section between Angorichina Village and Blinman is closed until approximately the end of May, with a detour available via Glass Gorge. More information can be found on the Dept of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure website.

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Eradication & Survey Volunteer Opportunity

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A cactus eradication & fauna survey in Swan Reach Conservation Park will be undertaken for five days at the end of May.

The aims include:

  • Find & drill/fill or remove Mexican Wheel Cactus & identify other feral plants
  • Count wild goats & any other feral animals – photograph for identification
  • Carry out Mallee Fowl Mound survey and Stone Curlew count
  • Survey wombats – particularly identify if losing fur

Monday 28 May to Friday 1 June, 2012.

Come for a day or the whole week, accommodation available.

Coordinated by the Mid-Murray Local Action Planning Association (Mid Murray LAP) and the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board (SAMDBNRM).

If interested email Don Wood at woodon33a@live.com.au or SMS him on 0410 399 273. More information can be found in this Invitation to Volunteer document.

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End-to-End 7 fills but there are other options

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The new End-to-End group, End-to-End 7, booked out very quickly when registrations opened on Monday.

Several spaces for new walkers will become available. Please book online via http://bit.ly/Tues10th – the extra bookings will be taken from Tuesday morning, 10 April.

New walkers who missed out on joining the End-to-End 7 group are encouraged to commence the experience of the Heysen Trail with one of the existing End-to-End groups. Although starting at Cape Jervis with a new group is customary, walking the Heysen Trail is also an individual effort. Sharing experiences of the trail with other enthusiasts is both fun and rewarding and, fortunately, the Friends of the Heysen Trail has enthusiasts from one end to the other.

The End-to-End 6 group will open their walking season on Sunday 22 April at Myponga with a walk through to Mt Compass while the End-to-End 5 group is further along the trail, commencing the season at Montacute Heights on Sunday 15 April and walking to Cudlee Creek. Vacancies exist in both groups and registration can be completed on the website. Contact the Friends of the Heysen Trail Office if you have any questions.

Planning is underway for an End-to-End 8 group to commence its journey along the Heysen Trail in April 2013.

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Funeral Notice

THE RELATIVES and FRIENDS of Mr C Warren Bonython are invited to attend his Funeral Service which will be conducted on THURSDAY, April 12, 2012 at 11am ENTIRELY in St Peters Cathedral, 27 King William Road, North Adelaide.

Free parking will be available on the park lands. Enter from Pennington Terrace.

CHARLES BERRY & SON Accredited Member Australian Funeral Directors Association 198-204 Magill Road Norwood 8332 2088.

As printed in today’s Advertiser newspaper.

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Vale Warren

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With deep regret we announce the death of our Patron C Warren Bonython OA, the instigator, mover and shaker, for the development of the Heysen Trail.

We have lost a Patron and a friend. Vale Warren. Our thoughts go to Bunty and the family.

Read some background on Warren in this news article on the ABC website.