WALKING LIKE DORKS

welcome to the brunswick city walkers' society newsletter #1.

heheh, almost had you fooled that i was joking, didn't i?

yesterday dan and i went for a lovely walk. we left the house at 9:30am, greeting the fresh sunny morning with a spring in our step and a mission to find a hat for dan. the hat was found at kmart, barkly square, soon after. we then perambulated along the brunswick streets of barkly, ewing, brunswick (rd) and lygon in the direction of what is now called the capital city trail - the bike/foot path running alongside park st in the line of the old railway. we then proceeded along said trail over nicholson st and st georges rd to rushall station. there we met the merri creek (not the first time we have exchanged pleasantries) crossing and recrossing the water on low wooden footbridges before reaching heidelberg rd. this section was most beautiful - dappled sunlight and the refreshing song of water bubbling over smooth stones. so lovely it was that we have decided we want to move to northcote (or westgarth if we can afford it!) and spend our spare time beside the creek. we emerged from the valley at heidelberg rd, and crossed the bridge (the second of many interesting bridges on our walk!), making our way to yarra bend rd, through the park of the same name, then down past nmit (formerly the fairfield hospital) and to the yarra river and fairfield boathouse. at this fine establishment we partook in devonshire tea (lovely scones, let down by that HORRIBLE squirty-can cream and the presence of - yes, gentle reader! - a teabag!!!). after resting for a time, watching the kayakers fall in the water, and willing the small children to do the same, we retraced our steps towards the merri creek and the capital city trail, heading south onto map 2D. we eventually passed beneath the eastern freeway, stood at the intersection of merri creek and the yarra river, crossed to the western bank, and spent a little while at dights falls - taking our own refreshments and watching a tiger snake trapped in the well of the mill (i never thought i would feel sad for a tiger snake. but who to tell? the council would probably just kill it... but would that be more humane than leaving it to die slowly in its watery cage?). pressing on, we passed through the collingwood childrens farm, which is actually in abbotsford, and (as far as we could see) farms only three small children. there were, on the up side, many cows and goats and sheep and horses and ponies and chooks. still on the capital city trail, we crossed the yarra and climbed up to the ridge in studley park, affording us a fantastic view towards the city and down across richmond towards toorak. soon afterwards, we recrossed the river (yet another bridge!) and arrived on map 2H. from there it was a simple matter of following the path to bridge road, where we emerged at rydges (we are classy).

then we went to visit my grandparents in east kew, and took a taxi home, collapsing into bed at 9:30pm, 12 hours after we left.

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second item: in case we have somehow missed you out, we will be hosting a walk up the moonee ponds creek next tuesday, 24th january. arrive at our house at 10:30am for fun and good times. we will have a picnic lunch at cross keys reserve (byo everything, free bbq if you're interested). info as follows:

MOONEE PONDS CREEK WALK
TUESDAY 24th JANUARY, 2006

DISTANCE:
Approximately 9km return; 2 1/2 to 3hrs.

RATING:
Very easy; Sealed path.

ITINERARY:
10:30 Meet at ours.
11:00 Start.
11:30ish Evans St Reserve – water fountain.
12:10ish Five Mile Creek Reserve – free electric BBQ.
12:20ish Cross Keys Reserve – toilet.
LUNCHEON!
1:30ish Start return journey.
2:45ish Back to ours – afternoon tea provided.


CHECKLIST:

MUST-HAVES:
Water bottle/s (at least 500mL, preferably 1L)
Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers)
Weather-suitable clothes
Backpack
Waterproof coat (even if rain is not forecast)
Hat and sunscreen (even if it’s cold)
Lunch and a snack (remember to bring cutlery if you need it)

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Beanie and scarf; sunglasses
Insect repellent and bite lotion (we’re not going to the jungle, but there might be mozzies)
Bandaids and disinfectant (just in case)
Camera
Book, game, journal, iPod (bring one for me, too!) etc.

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in other news, the magpies are warbling at the west brunswick breezes, and my tea is cold.