A Relaxing Week

Tuesday 2 April - Monday 8 April

Strangely, there was no walking on Monday.

Setting off for a Gaiter Girl walk at 6 am Tuesday, the sky was aglow with this wonderful sunrise.

There was only Janice and me. Janice had found a new local conservation park to explore. As we drove the final 500 metres to the entrance, wallabies were feeding by the side of the road, but they quickly scarpered when they heard our car approaching. It was a beautiful morning for walking this undulating, bushy trail.

From a distance, the trunk of this eucalypt looked like an elephant's thick leg.

7 km completed, we drove back to Janice's for a cuppa and to admire the colour in her garden. The purple is an unnamed creeper.

Back at No 16, my home, I am enjoying the white orchids given to my parents for their 50 th wedding anniversary in 1998. It rarely flowers. The golden bromeliad is also slow to flower. First time in at least 5 years.

6 am Wednesday and the sunrise is equally beautiful.

The Hungry Hikers also found a new area to explore this week, just 20 mins down the road from No 16. A suburban area that has been developed over the last 10 years, just off the M1 to the Gold Coast. Another good mix of housing and green space.

Starting point - picninc grounds, sports fields and an excerise circuit.

Magpie geese.

Thursday didn't dawn brightly and over 28 ml fell during the day.

Friday continued to be wet. It is our friend Penny's birthday on the 15th. Our special friendship group from the late 90's, [The Pigs] organised a surprise lunch for her. Penny thought she was just coming to a Pink, Purple or P, themed lunch. You can see her surprise. It was also an occasion where we recalled our special memories of our dear friend Robyn, who had very sadly passed away several weeks previously.

Jayne and I painted these rocks as place setting markers.

And for this gift for Penny. 

The rain continued Saturday morning and I thoroughly enjoyed sloshing through all the water logged paths. The temperature is still in the high twenties, so a fun 6 km was enjoyed.

Sunset in the west and east, Sunday evening.

A soft sunrise Monday, as I set off for my local walk.

I just managed to snap this cutie, before he bounded off into the distance.

The fog was lifting to greet a sunny day.

With all the rainy weather, fungi of every shape and size are popping up everywhere. I just love these two.

It had been a relaxing, but busy week. Any time in nature, lifting my spirits.

This morning, I received news that has me wanting to jump over the moon. My brother had a series of Xrays and scans last Thursday for his C-cell Lymphoma. Before he started his 2nd last chemo today, the specialist was able to tell him that he is now in remission. Just the very best news!

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A Very Rewarding but Damp Week

25 - 31 March

With cooler, less humid weather, I set off on Monday around 6.30 am, just extending my local circuit. Surprisingly, these are the only photos taken during my 14 km walk.

Magpie

Suburbia, but green and very pleasant, accompanied regularly with birdsong.

Tuesday dawned wet, and the rain didn't ease all day. 48 ml in 24 hours. Fortunately I set off before the heavy stuff fell, AND I love walking in the rain. Only 10 km in a shorter version of yesterday.

The creek was flowing just a tad more strongly than the previous day.

Wednesday - Showers all day, but the umbrella wasn't required all of the time on this walk. The path was completely flooded. I avoided it on my outward journey, but by the time I was back here, my shoes were so wet, I happily sloshed through!

The creek was in full spate.

Wednesday afternoon the Hungry Hikers had planned a bay walk, with an al fresco easter picnic. We managed to walk 5 k's along a flooded Norman Creek [in the city] before retiring to Joc's balcony.

 

We are constantly being reminded - 'If it is flooded, forget it!'

Did this lad come to his senses, or was it too much with 7 'old' women watching with their phones? 

We didn't miss the bay views at all!

Thursday saw me catching the train to Southbank station and walking upriver for 7 km. I then took the Citycat across to our beautiful University and then walked down river on the opposite shore. The weather was just perfect at 25 C to 28 C.

Southbank view across to the city.

UQ

Adding this bib to my shirt, resulted in a family stopping me and making a wonderful donation.

Back in the city.

On Good Friday I just did a 7 km walk locally, as I was nearing my 400 k target with 2 days to spare. 

On Saturday I took my cousin to the City Botanical Gardens for 'Music in the Gardens'. Sadly it was a non event, but the gardens were full of colour. A walk before I left and in the city took my total to 399 km for the month!

Easter Sunday - final day of the March Charge.

My dear friend Jan had wanted to support me all month. For various reasons we only managed this day to be together.

7.30 am view of Moreton Bay at Victoria Point. Intermittent, light showers passed over all day.

Coffee break before catching the ferry to Coochiemudlo Island. 

Heavy rain began to fall and we were thinking of cancelling the island visit, as I had well and truely reached my walking target.

Suddenly the sky began to clear, although we still felt one or two raindrops. The sun began working its magic, once we were on the island.

Back at the car park, the Easter Bunny had updated his mode of transport.

And so, my month of Charging for Cancer, was done!

I posted this Sunday evening.

I woke to an email informing me that I had received a donation late Sunday evening.

Unknown to me, there was a site showing how much everyone had raised and walked. It was abundantly clear throughout the month that this wasn't a competition, and no matter how small a distance walked or money raised, everyone was contributing to telling cancer where to go. There were many sad but brave stories to read.

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