I love red in all shapes and sizes

The forecast was for 23 and cloudy with some rain – great walking weather especially when walking with a red head (Helene)! I needed to do the 20+ kms and get back for Patrol at Newport by 1:00 pm. Always good to start early so we head off at 7:30 am and enjoyed a nice coffee & pastry at Avalon in the park. We chatted and walked looking at all the houses and what was for sale (dream on).  It has some very interesting architecture/ gardens – something always catches my eye to discuss. The day proceeded to get hotter & hotter. I always like to stop at the beaches/headlands. Together with the views it was both challenging & spectacular. By the time we got to Palm Beach down the notorious stairs at the South end of the sea pool (at least it was down this time) I was ready for a swim and so was the Red head, despite what she said when I made her bring her costume (I will not be swimming!!!). It was a welcome swim to cool off then we headed back. On the way down we had passed an entrance to a headland walk I had not noticed before. Always looking to keep to the coast line, we were met with a very steep climb up to the Careel Headland Reserve walk South of Whale Beach. I looked at my phone to check our elevation – we went from 37m to 122m so it was challenging. Oh, but it was worth it. I was a little late for Patrol but both the red head and I had achieved my goal. Great walk -will do again.  (Submitted by Denise Temisgian)

Ouch!!

Fire ant, meat ant, red ant. What ever it was it sure had a good set of pincers on it. Searing pain for a few minutes but nothing compared to what people with MS go through each day.  I only had to endure a bit of discomfort for a short while but could I put up with it day in day out. I’m really not sure.

Today Mike and I ventured along a relatively easy bush walk – relatively easy for me that is. There were a few flat areas but a lot less than I could remember because I normally just romp along this path with a regular bushwalking group and we nail it in no time. But taking my husband on this occasion forced me to pay a lot more attention to how challenging this walk could really be – lots of loose rocks, sands, tree roots, uneven sandstone steps and some steep sections as well.  A month ago we attempted the walk with just a normal walking stick but Mike struggled a fair bit and we made the decision to turn back but today we set out with the latest Black Diamond Ultra Mountain Carbon poles.

With 3-section Z-Pole folding design these 100% carbon fibre trekking poles are just the trick. Once you have selected the right length for your height these poles take 2 secs to assemble, are comfortable and easy to use, weigh nothing and can easily fold up for attachment to your back pack when not in use.  Mike is converted. Though he still has to concentrate hard the poles provided additional props to assist him balance his weight when negotiating tricky terrain and they allowed him to safely complete the walk which was our main aim.

We started at 7.30am but the heat was in evidence even at this time and the cicadas proved it.  They usually sing during the heat of the day and you need to be there to understand how deafening it can be. The high-pitched song is actually a mating call belted out by males with each species having its own distinctive song that only attracts females of its own kind. Some of the larger species can produce a call in excess of 120 decibels at close range. This is approaching the pain threshold of the human ear! Smaller species sing in such a high pitch that it cannot be heard by humans, but may cause dogs and other animals to howl in pain.

As a kid I used to love collecting the different varieties.  This is a Green Grocer cicada which is one of the most common found in Sydney. So after enduring their high pitched song we finally made it to a great viewing area over Cowan Creek in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park, just on the northern outskirts of Sydney. For the first time Mike commented that he was experiencing some weird flashing in his eyes. I suspect another MS symptom exacerbated by the heat. We rested for a bit and the flashing stopped. We made it as the photo attests to.

And then we headed home. A good 90 min walk. Well done Mike. I’m proud of you.  You’ll definitely be able to join us for some short sections if you keep this up. Remember it doesn’t matter how slow you are to begin with. Building fitness takes time but having the determination and conviction to stick with something that is important to you takes real guts, whether you have MS or not. If you are planning on joining us for this great fundraising adventure start your training now. The walk is now only 8 months away. And please, if you are in Sydney,  let us know you are coming so we can include you in our future training walks.  Come on, go the extra mile, and help us “Kiss Goodbye to MS”.

Is it a bird, is it a plane, is it a dust storm?

No, just a finger. But it certainly doesn’t detract from our beautiful coastline. This is Manly beach in the background with the iconic Australian Beach Safety Flags. A red and yellow flag indicates that this part of the beach is supervised and that a lifesaving service is operating.  We didn’t need saving today as we kept to the shoreline on well marked paths and walk ways.

And I just want to point out that our shortest walking member, Denise Temisgian, proved the tallest today. No matter how little your current level of fitness the potential to achieve great distances is within all of us if we are prepared to put the training in and remain determined in our focus to achieve something individually as well as for others. And it doesn’t matter how you do it. A step for Denise assisted her be tall for a day.  Some walking sticks or an energy bar may be what gets you through an arduous day of peaty bogs.  Really it is just a matter of doing whatever it takes.

We are all in this together. And our trusty band of walkers will welcome you with open arms. Over a lovely midway lunch you may spot our next potential recruits (Hint: the uniformless ones). Believe us. It is achievable and if your pain and struggle for 2 weeks can raise those much needed vital funds for continued research into better therapies and ultimately a cure for MS then it will be definitely worth one’s time.

Well done girls. Another successful training walk completed. Have a great Christmas and see you all in the New Year for some more exciting Sydney based walks.