Back to back 25km - urban +bush

A couple of beautiful spring days 25-27 deg C days welcomed as we did our October back to back 25km walks . Our first walk with full packs, was around our local bushland including a walk our favourite tough hill at the back of Mt Cotton, through Venman Bush reserve and into Daisy Hill forest to our favourite lunch spot at the old quarry. It was then a case of retracing our steps to our car some 13 km away .

Had a wakeup call re injury with a strain to my anterior cruciate ligament from walking too fast with a heavy load on. It affected me walking up hills but thankfully recovered after some rest , Voltaren & panadol. Made it through the rest of the 15 km no probs. Tried soaking in cold water for 5 min. at the end of the walk..seems to work for me.

Our 25km urban walk was a beautiful one along the Brisbane river from Stones Corner, through south bank , the Goodwill bridge , the botanical gardens , CBD , the new river walk , New Farm Park , the powerhouse to the end of the Riverwalk at Newstead .We had lovely views all the way.

I certainly got some looks walking through this urban landscape with a full pack , walking poles and with Teva hiking sandals and socks, what a site. Whilst the urban walk was flatter and quicker the hard walking surface takes its toll.

We survived second  back to back , only couple of small blisters on my small toes, the taping helped, the Teva sandals performed well and with socks will bean alternative to boots in the urban environs of the Camino.

Another 25 km under the belt

Among smaller walks, still committed to the odd 25 km just to remind the body what it's like. Yesterday did our gut busting hill climbs with quite a few flat parts. Some very steep parts and mostly rocky or dirt under foot. After a busy week and both of us tired felt  like a good work out but we made it. Home to a hot shower, left overs for dinner, dozing on the lounge and a sound 8 hrs sleep. Woke feeling good.

Farmland views

Fresh air , sunshine, pleasant landscape - great way to detox from a busy week. 

What do think of my new kit?

Am I going a little over the top with my new purchases?a head net (for all those fly's and mosquito's?) and a very small clothes line (think that is good)

But I do look a little ridiculous with the head nett and an umbrella... which we have seen good reviews about using in summer for the odd shower and sum protection. Better than sweating in rain pants or pancho?

A great 50km weekend on the Gold Coast

We had a fantastic weekend down at the Gold Coast walking 50 km's, over two day's , to test our resilience...and survived well, though I did get 2 blisters on the little toes :( 
Check out our story book of some great sunrises and beautiful winter weather.

click HERE

Ouch my feet hurt..25km local walk

This was our second 25km walk in recent weeks following another urban walk along the Gold Coast. This was a combination route of walks we love. With a Camino ready pack weighing 12kg ( both Anita and I had the same ..but her % to weight ration much higher) we headed off to Mount Cotton National park..and the climb up to morning tea. From there we found another way down to West Mt Cotton Rd and along to Venman Bushland park...and into Daisy Hill Forest , to the water filled Quarry for lunch by the water.
It was then back the same way...tackling our new heart break hill up and over Mt Cotton. It was a long day where we tackled a variety of terrain and ground conditions...arriving home with sore feet...as one author commented .."its like letting someone pound your feet for hours with a paddle.". But a nice hot shower and some Voltaren and I am good as new.

Down to detail the gear list

Reflecting on the reality that this time next year we will walking into Leon made me get down to a detail packing list and I was pleasantly surprised that it came in around 9kg without food and water .... so maybe 12 kg top would be great but I would imagine there will be a temptation to reduce further when we get to the Meseta.

12 and a bit months to our Camino

Morning tea at the Quarry  - Peaceful

Paul and his technology

Among the odd 4 km to 8 km local walks we've decided to get a bit more serious about trying to fit in longer walks to acclimatize the legs and feet. With this in mind, a couple of weeks ago, we did a 19.6 km walk through Venman National park, Neville Lawrie Reserve and Daisy Hill Forest. Enjoyed morning tea by the quarry and lunch at the picnic ground in Daisy Hill Forest. All in all an enjoyable walk in lovely Autumn weather.

Shadows

Easter Urban Walk

Decided that over Easter we would punch out another 25 km walk and for something different went down to the Gold Coast on Saturday 19/4. Started from "The Spit" at 7.15am.

The first 3 - 4 KM was through "The Federation Walk Coastal Reserve" Very pleasant in the early morning with views of the ocean BUT a little hotter on the return trip in the middle of the day.

After the Federation walk we continued on through parks/boardwalks of Surfers Paradise and onto Broadbeach where we stopped for an early lunch in a park. Pulled out the trusty thermos, the makings of sandwiches and  finished with a hot cross-bun. We then walked on until we hit the 12.5KM mark and turned around and walked back. By then the ocean look very inviting, but not having packed swimming cossies a swim was out !! and NO skinny dipping as it was too crowded. We had to settle for a McDonald's ice-cream instead. All in all a good walk, lovely blue sky and warmish Autumn weather 28C.

...and check out the Garmin adventure Urban walk on Goldcoast | Garmin Adventures

This says it all....

A leisurely local 16km hike

Latest bit of gear for our Camino adventure, the famous Buff, tubular scarf thingy....4 mill way to do headgear protecting us from sun, cold, sweat...... I got am Aussie southern cross flag design (Eureka flag) and Anita, you guessed it, a survivor buff!!

Anita enjoying a break after a hill climb in Venman National park carrying a 12kg pack!!

We enjoyed a leisurely 16km local hike through some of our favorite national park. Check it out on our garmin adventure link below

A local 16km walk | Garmin Adventures

Binna Burra to O'Reillys

We had a lovely wedding anniversary weekend at O'Reillys Rainforest Retreat, Lamington National Park, Queensland, including a 26 km hike from Binna Burra to O'Reillys (Border Track), with friends,  through beautiful rainforest as well as tree roots, rocks, LEECHES and mud. Despite this it was a top day and by the end the muscles were complaining.  Technically its a 23 km walk, but Paul's GPS said 26km. We went off track a couple of times.

Ready to go !!!!!

Two intrepid explorers AKA Noel and Paul, standing beside a Black Booyong Tree, a common species in rainforests.

Great views along the way from lookouts

My favourite photo, although the quality is not that good. The sun squeezing through the rainforest canopy.

Another great view along the way. No fences !!!! You didn't stand too close to the edge.

Love those trees

The girls !! Left to right, Wendy, Narelle, Anita

We made it !! now were's my cold beer

Part of breakfast, fluffy pancakes, cream, fresh fruit and maple syrup

A little Garmin Adventure to finish....by the way, a reflection that we would have to walk another 39 of those days to make it all the way Santiago de Compostella.

The border tack - 080314 | Garmin Adventures

"Park Ave" hiker

Thought I would show you what a "Park Ave" hiker wears on a typical summer walk in Oz! Yes I look like a walking advertisement but surprisingly it all works really well...I guess that's what buying good quality is all about.

a pic on our favourite Mt Cotton Walk

We enjoyed a little hill climbing practice today on a hot, muggy, 30deg C day... climbing Mt Cotton the "hard way up". Enjoyed the breeze on top and a little morning tea at the top.
Check out some pics on our Garmin adventure link below.

Mt Cotton Hill climb - 130214 | Garmin Adventures

Summer Wanderings

Left to Right Paul, Narelle and Noel ready to attack the Mt Cotton tower walk.

3 months since our last blog!! OOPS!! (I'll use the Christmas hustle and bustle as an excuse) Despite this we have been busy with our walks, hikes and cycling. Numerous walks including the Mt Cootha Kokoda walk, and a 39 km cycle down the coast from Burleigh Beach to The Spit and back. A highlight among this was a 14 km cycle along the foreshore around Wynnum, with friends Noel & Narelle, finishing with a delicious morning tea at local cafe. We've also walked the local Mt Cotton tower walk, approximately 7 - 8 km round trip. This walk has some "lung busting" hills but the view from the top is great, looking out on Morton Bay. Noel and Narelle  offered to carry morning tea up and it was a real treat. Freshly BBQ'd snags on bread finished with scones, jam and fresh cream, a variety of slices and coffee. 

Short relax for Anita & Narelle

Great View !!

Great morning tea !!!  Great company !!!

What...more hiking gear!

Yes, Ok we are becoming a bit like "Park Ave" hikers but we thought the additional items would complete us. Firstly there were some "High Sierra" lumbar packs that give additional easy access carrying capacity for our valuables, electronics, backup water and snacks on the road.

High Sierra Ridgeline (Orange) and smaller Express (blue) in front

We have worn them a few times with our packs and found them very comfortable worn at the front...we shall see when we are fully loaded whether the Camino discard box gets another contribution.

The other "luxury" item I received as a Christmas present was a Garmin Oregon 600 GPS..now I know that you really don't need a GPS on the Camino being so well signposted and so many people on the track but it will be great as we do more adventurous hiking into the future (maybe). The Garmin adventure site allows us to download our walks and add photos etc, making it a good medium to share detail on hikes (see link in previous post)...and any you know men like there Gadgets.

Testing stamina & gear on a hot day

It was forecast to be over 30 deg C in November at the beginning of a hot Aussie summer as we headed of for our 20km walk into Venman Bushland park and through into DaisyHill forrest

This was our biggest and hottest walk so far...what do they say about Mad dogs and Englishmen.... well we both survived though my feet were a little sore....our new Tilley hats, my "dirty girl gaiters"all performed a treat..pays to have good gear.

A great little walk in the Aussie Bush

We love to walking in a national park near our home, this was a short 10km one but the sounds of the bush were amazing, check out the video's.

BTW , have got a new Garmin Oregon 600 for Xmas and have been playing with their "Adventures" publishing feature ...sorry, not too adventurous but a great couple of hours.

Check out the walk HERE