Saturday 24th May proved to be absolutely perfect for a trip to the beach area of Altona.  Poss, Karela and four Cub Scouts journeyed by tram to Flinders Street Station to board a train for Seaholme.  This is where we had our first problem with public transport. 

Our train arrived at the station ten minutes late.  When we reached Newport, passengers wanting to go to Seaholme or Altona were requested to leave the train, and wait for the next one going through.  Our train had now become an express to Laverton. Another delay of at least 20 minutes.  When we arrived at Seaholme, we quickly made our way to the beach front to discover that the tide was out. 

To go for a rock scramble was very tempting, but unfortunately we were already well behind in our schedule.

Our little group made their way around the esplanade, arriving at Altona pier in quite good time.  Here, Pierce was able to identify one of Victoria's State Emblems, the Weedy Seadragon.  The local Council has erected six monuments to the marine life that can be found in the area.  To chorus's of tare we there yet' we eventually arrived at Apex Park for lunch.  The exhausted Cub Scouts quickly found enough energy play on the equipment in the area.

This area of Altona is a resting place for numerous migratory water birds, and we fortunate to see Black Swans, Stilts, Cormorants, Pacific Gulls and the local gulls in small flocks dotted along the sea edge.  Following lunch, we made our way around to heart of Skeleton Creek and the 100 steps celebrating Federation.  At the for of the steps we were able to see over the saltpans and realise why many of the trees in the area were or had already died.

We were also able to see a number of areas where environmentalists were working to prevent further erosion in the area.  It was now time to retrace our steps back to the Altona train station, passing a very interesting mural along the way.  Due to our initial delays with our train, we were now running late for our return trip.  All Parents were accordingly notified of our late return, and were able to arrive at the hall at the same time as the travellers. 

It was an enjoyable day for walking, and a number of Boomerang items were completed.  The party was made up of Cub Scouts Pierce, Zoe, Peter and Gen plus leaders Karela and Poss.