Spit Bridge-Manly - final predeparture adventure

Last weekend, Julia accompanied me on my last pre-trek adventure. This was the very relaxed half day walk from Spit bridge around the Harbour to Manly. It was beautiful day with temps reaching the low 30's. It was a pleasant way to finish of my pre-trek training.

Over the past 9 months we have managed to circumnavigate almost the complete foreshore of Sydney Harbour and the views still continue to impress me.

On Sunday, I started to pull out all the equipment and clothing that I have purchased (in sales) over the past year in preparation for the trek. Most arrangements seem to be completed, list of things to take drawn up, and now it is time to start packing, keeping in mind that we can only take 15 kilos (including, day pack, sleeping bag) on the trip. (I think I might be slipping a couple of the heavier items into my coat pocket for the weigh in).

Pleasantly Surprised

Why am I pleasantly surprised??? Yesterday I walked around 30 kms up and down hills and through a variety of terrains and I am actually pleased to report that I feel great today, no sore or stiff muscles.

Julia and I caught the train at 6.60am to Otford where we met our cheery leader (volunteer from the Royal National Park Association (NPA)) and three other ladies who were joining us for the days trek to Waterford.

Introductions made, we were off at a cracking pace up a steep incline (I think the group leader was just sorting out, our fitness level to start). Soon we were on the top of a rise overlooking the ocean down to the The Cliff Bridge and could see in the distance glimpses of Wollongong. Throughout the morning we walked along the cliffs, up hills, across grassy knolls and sandy beaches, and yes our fearless leader kept up the cracking pace. No time for my usual happy snapping with the camera every time I saw something that caught my fancy. As we paced it out the group got to know each other between puffs. They were all keen walkers and one other group member was heading off to Nepal in the next two weeks. She had been there before on a number of times so I was keen to learn as much as I could from her.

We stopped for morning tea on a rock platform, refueling before we clambered up another steep hill. Each climb was worth it though, with sweeping views up and down the coast. At around mid day we turned off the cliff track and headed away from the ocean into low scrubby country, that was full of wild flowers. Our leader, was a mine of information on the different species, giving them all their botanical names, and a description of the plant family. Shame I can't remember any of them.

Soon we found a little stream with a nice rocky outcrop, that made a good spot for lunch, and a good opportunity to air the hiking boots and cool our feet. It was during our lunch time conversation we found the sneaky side of our leader. We were all under the impression that our walk was about 25kms, however he let it slip that it was closer to 30-32kms. Not much that we could do about it when your half way through the walk. No quick way out

Our afternoon trekking took as through some more scrubby bush and then down into a deep valley full of dark mossy spots and huge trees that went up for ever. One of the afternoons highlights was when we stopped and rested for an afternoon break and our leader spotted a bright red glow amongst the trees about 200 metres away which turned out to be two beautiful waratahs!! they really were beautiful and soooo red!! I have included a picture of them on the side of my blog.

The last couple of hours was spent clambering up out of the valley on a very steep and rocky path. It was head down and one foot in front of the other. We finally arrived at Waterfall around 4.3o pm . We waived goodbye to our fearless leader (who looked like he had just had a quick stroll around the block) and five very tired, feet weary ladies stumbled down to the train station. The other members of the group only had short train trips home. I waved by to Julia and continued my trip to Hornsby, and it was just after 7.00pm when I finally arrived home. The hot bath and glass of red wine went down very well!!!!

EdgeCliff-Bondi

This Saturday's walk saw our numbers diminished to just two, due to the threat of inclement weather. We caught the train to Edgecliff bright and early and spent the day making our way through Double Bay, around the coast and through the streets of Rosebay, Vaucluse to Watson's Bay, then around to the entrance to Sydney Harbour (behind the naval base). A number of showers of rain, meant we were pulling our rain jackets on and off regularly.

As we stood admiring the view out over the harbour and out to sea, we were lucky enough to see a seal frolicking in the waves.

After lunch (fish and chips at Doyle's, at Watson's Bay) we continued on along the cliff pathway towards Bondi. In some places the wind made walking very difficult, however the rough weather gave us spectacular views of the ocean smashing against the cliffs. The last hour of our walk saw a sharp decline in the weather, and we got quite wet!!! In total we walked for about 6 hours and for approximately 18ks. Not a bad day's training. Certainly enjoyed my hot shower when I got home.

Pre-Trek Adventures

Near the end of last year I realised that I would have to establish a program to get fit. When a couple of my work friends told me of their weekend walk from Manly to Spit Bridge, I said, "that sound great, if you do anymore let me know, as I need to get into training for my trek". Little did I know that this short phrase would open the door to many weekend adventures in and around Sydney.

Over the past eight months my kind friends have taken me under their wing and accompanied me on numerous weekend treks. Inevitably we have managed on a number of times to take the wrong pathway, but somehow more through good fortune than good management we haven't got lost. There has been the odd black snake, a golf ball that just missed us, leeches, stiff and sore muscles, some amazing scenery and lots of laughs. I really have to thank the girls for their persistance and organisation with our weekend excursions, as it has really made my training enjoyable and I think they will agree that we have discovered many places around Sydney that we didn't know existed.

Tomorrow we are heading off on a more civilised walk, Edgecliffe to Watson's Bay and then onto Bondi. This trip is planned with enticements along the way: The chocolate shop at Double Bay, fish and chips at Doyles (Watson's Bay) and afternoon tea at Bondi. My mouth is watering already.