Training Log Archive: theway

Paddling sea kayaks with Ric from Point Hut Xing towards Tharwa, hauling them up parts where the water went up hill. Except for those parts where the current might just be overcome by desperate paddling. So much fun, especially coming down stream after lunch; paddling little rapids without snagging boat on rocks.

Met a happy beer drinker with a golden goose at the xing as we set off. By the time we got back there were a Lot more people, including a large group parked right next to the road on the opposite side to the trees and grass. They were standing, chatting in the sun looking for all the world like they inhabited a scenic spot (they didn't).

The really hard bit, the bit that's going to hurt tomorrow, was carrying boats from car to launch spot, and back. My arms nearly popped out at the shoulder.

Pulled up boats at a big cool pool and had it to ourselves, lovely! Although a little slow swimming in clothes and life jacket.

Ran from home, via shops to put pack in Ric's car. No sign of V who was planning on her first YGO run. I ran off first but didn't get enough head start. Felt tired and heavy (ate too many plums off the tree today?) so only went to circum junction and didn't bother with a lap. V passed me on way up and found the others, yay! Was great to introduce her to the joys of this group. Shame the dashboard shower water was too hot to touch today. She tried to drink some. Ric offered to supply another towel and bottle for next time - such chivalry.

Although I didn't feel great on the way up, I enjoyed the walk down, saw an echidna and ran the last 50m with Ric and V. Dinner was big with Matthew and E joining us. The tofu and vegetable soup as a main was a perfect choice. I even dared 1 cm of beer!

Sturt gorge with Mad, so good to finally check it out. There is permanent water in the creek now due to a large dam (was the dam even there when I was a kid??) and it was flowing well. We could pretend we were alone in the Flinders ranges. Mad was so disappointed to sleep through yesterday's walk that she determinedly got out of bed 6 hours earlier than usual (still a bit late for me though). She was the best tour guide - we saw lots of xanthoria, falls, tree bridges, a ruin and the big dam. We sat in shade under some acacia armata (?) to eat our apples but unfortunately the tree drops a kind of prickle that pierces clothing and does not brush off. I had to wait while M took off pants and picked off the prickles one by one. A long time later... we continued.

yoga session with lil Helen and Mad, showing them some stuff.

Long hot walk in Belair park on the waterfalls loop with lil H, D&V and me. So good except for the heat and sun. Loved seeing places I remember from long ago, especially Echo tunnel and the 2 waterfalls. Saw some more koalas and bucket loads of turtles in tom's puddle.

Belair Park with anne, 3 koalaa, a sleepy lizard, a bees nest and echo tunnel

Excellent yoga session with lil Helen.

Browhill (Bald Hill) hike mainly with lil Helen - although Cath, Mad, dog, David and Valerie were also along for the event but mostly no-one managed to be in the same place at the same time. H is a great walker and we did 2x Brownhill from different directions and explored the Yurebilla trail above Carrick hill.

The climb up Browhill from end of Carrick hill road is steep with fabulous wide views and no trees at all in the way, no trees or shrubs at all actually. I've always wanted to be on this hill that you can see from Old Belair Rd, ever since I was a kid in the family car. Dream realised! The first tree seen on our left lured C to put picnic blanket down in the shade and lie on the dog again. Mad joined them in a fit of slothfulness which left H and I to walk to top. D and V meanwhile had lost track of time and not even arrived at carpark. When they did, they got lost in the quarries and attempted a climb they shouldn't have, D all the while assuring V that his family did this sort of thing all the time and they certainly would have gone up this cliff...

By the time they reached the blanket H and I were on our second ascent from city side and we waved across the gully to them all under a tree. Fun day and we went back to Cath's and played a sort of chinese whispers picture drawing game which is hilarious.