Lion's Sailors Walk

The enthusiasm of the walkers was palpable as their numbers swelled and the start time drew near.

A brief moment of calm at the registration table, where 120 people of all ages signed up for the walk. Ron Boath (seated right) was a participant in a sesquicentenary re-enactment (in 1987) of the Coromandel's absconding sailors hiding out in this area until the ship set sail once more.

In 1987 Bevan McFarlane (at left) and Member for Fisher, the late Bob Such MP (in the beanie), participated in a full re-enactment of the sailors absconding from HMS Coromandel by following Sturt River into the hills. With them are Coro Alive! 175 Convenor Trevor Conlon (centre) and the organiser of the 2012 Sailors Walk, Lion Ian Tonkin.

Coro Alive! 175 committee member and local resident, Bevan McFarlane shared with the assembled walkers the story of sailors absconding from HMS Coromandel in 1837 and spoke of the re-enactment (in which he was a participant) that was staged 25 years earlier as part of South Australia's and this area's 150th Anniversary celebrations.

SES volunteers lead the walkers out of Frank Smith Park to start the ring route through Coromandel Valley.

The younger walkers were excited to be underway.

Plenty of cameras got a workout on Coro Alive! 175 Launch Day.

More of the 120 walkers pictured exiting Frank Smith Park.

The Lions Club event organisers were determined to ensure that the Sailors Walk was suitable for all fitness levels and it was!

It seemed to take the first walkers no time at all to reach the heart of Coromandel Valley.

The group was spreading out a bit by the time the walkers reached Coromandel Valley district centre, but overall it was a fairly brisk walk.

In costume and carrying his "parrot', the gent with the dreadlocks really added to the colour and spirit of the day. No wonder he won a prize!

Won't be long before the walkers take to the road, albeit briefly.

The first walkers approach the crossing point where CFS volunteers were on hand to ensure their safety.

CFS volunteers ensured that all the walkers could safely cross busy Main Road. Waiting motorists took the delay with good humour.

The SES continue to lead the way, heading here to the Coromandel Institute where the walkers were to join the Linear Park trail.

And still they flowed across Main Road.

Walkers spanned the generations.

CFS volunteers cheerfully offered some insight into the route that lay ahead of the walkers.

The stairs leading down to the Linear Park trail adjacent to the Coromandel Institute building weren't for everyone: quite a number of walkers were directed to an access point off Shepherds Court.

Everyone was smiling: it was that kind of day.

Lions Club members kicked up the barbecue in anticipation of the hungry walkers return.

There's nothing like an hour-long walk to build up an appetite. The Lions sausage sizzle soon had a cue of hungry customers.