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