Gay men’s walking group the WA Wanderers’ Pride event, a walk around the unique salt lakes of the Yalgorup National Park south of Mandurah, was a resounding success. Four new members were welcomed by the group at the usual meeting place – the Dome in Leederville – where details of the walk were explained by the walk leaders and lifts were arranged to share fuel costs and reduce the carbon footprint. Three cars full of gay guys headed some 100kms south down the Kwinana highway to the Yalgorup lakes.
The group attracts all ages, the common factor being a sociable attitude and a keenness to get outside and enjoy WA’s countryside. Members find that walking in this group is a great way to socialise with other gay men from all walks of life (excuse the pun), in a relaxed environment.
The Pride event involved a full day of walking, with stops for morning tea and lunch; in this instance there were two walks led by Andrew and Brian, the group’s founding members. The first walk was a 4.5km heath-land walk with hill top vistas over Lake Preston from the prehistoric dune systems that control the shape of the linear lakes. Following that was a lakeside loop walk along the shores of Lake Clifton – about 6km, a bit damp in places but with stunning close-ups of the ancient thrombolites (unique coral-like primitive organisms) in the shallows of the lake. The weather was perfect, with a warm start to the day that was tempered by a welcome sea breeze. The day finished at the nearby Cape Bouvard Winery with refreshments to round the day off before heading home.
The WA Wanderers group walks every third Sunday of the month. The next walk will be held on Sunday November 21 – this walk will be a coastal walk with opportunity for swimming. All newcomers are welcome to join (no membership fees). For more details on the walks contact wawanderers@yahoo.com or phone 0415 249265. Web www.wawanderers.bravehost.com
Brian- WA Wanderers
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