New Years Eve 23/24

Maya writes:-

Seven of us ventured out late on New Year's Eve, meeting at 10.00 pm at the End of the Line Grocery Store. It was a beautiful misty cloudy night, with an almost full moon creating a white halo to guide us. We took the Varley Trail to Lynn Headwaters and then backtracked on the main trail towards the ranger's cabin at the start of Seymour Demonstration Forest. To add kms to the trip we skirted around Rice Lake to finish at the gazebo near the ranger's cabin, where the real party began. 

And we weren't the only ones partying.  A group had lit a fire and were partying beside Rice Lake. 

We had an assortment of savory and sweet snacks, which paired very well with the Bailey's and other drinks that were provided.  We rang in the new year with a Bailey's toast and a very poor rendition of Ole Lang Syne, helped along (immensely) by Rod Stewart,  himself.

It was a very pleasant way to ring in the new year. We walked about 5km, with minimal elevation gain. Lots of gaiety and silly jokes were had, including jokes about the extra pair of eyes following us along the trail. There is something special about night hiking with headlamps that only light up so far, and mist that dampens all the sound, so you feel like you are in your own little world. This shall be repeated. 

Here is the group shot, minus Maya, because she thought she'd set the timer to 10 seconds,  but it appears that she did not!!!

Please see the other photos in Trip Photo Gallery 2