1 March 2009

WALKS IN MELBOURNE: MARCH 15TH 2009

So, as stalkers those with verrah good memories might have noted, a bunch of the places we were planning on walking are kind of close to where the bushfires have been. While that will make interesting walking in a month or two, we've decided it's best not to head too close to those areas until there's been a bit more rain. So! Our next walk will be:

Date: Sunday 15th March
Start: 9am (Message or email me for starting point)
Where: Merri Creek (Thornbury - Western Ring Road)
Type: Return
Length: 22km (There are many options for a shorter walk, either by turning back sooner or by catching public transport home)
Terrain: Sealed and unsealed bike paths, only slight inclines
Bring: Water, tea, lunch, scroggin (also see following list)
Map: Click here

We would really love to see some of you! Here is the list of things to bring if you want to walk:

Water. It’s really important to have enough to last you either the whole walk or until the next water-point. For a full day walk without any water points, you will need AT LEAST one litre, with more waiting at the end. Carrying two 600+mL bottles is advisable.

• Good, broken in walking shoes (cross trainers or sneakers are fine, sandals only on city walks, hiking shoes or boots are excellent so long as they’re broken in)

Appropriate clothing (jeans aren’t great, and be aware of thigh chafing if you wear a skirt or dress)

Appropriate weather-specific gear, especially on long, remote bushwalks – what you carry is all you have (minimum in all autumn walks: raincoat, scarf, beanie; sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen)

• Comfortable bag, preferably a backpack (shoulderbags aren't good, and I don't recommend those diagonally strapped Crumpler bags, either)

• Bandaids for possible blisters, Ventolin if you need it, and consider bringing a small first-aid kit on remote walks (painkillers, any specific medication you might need)

High energy snacks (scroggin, nuts, dried fruit and chocolate are the usual recommendations)

Lunch! This is clearly the most important bit! Usually we bring a thermos of tea (please BYO tea or coffee!) and a variety of tasty vegetarian morsels to share. Leftovers, legume-based salads, potatoes, rice dishes, quiche: all these are delicious. Let us know your dietary requirements, and remember your cutlery!

Enthusiasm and willingness to talk about random shit, a camera, your phone so you can text people and say you're eating lunch on a mountain or something.

• A sense of your limits, and confidence in voicing them. There is no shame in having to stop to rest – in fact it is very important. We always pause at least once or twice to “look at the view” when we’re going up a hill! If things are getting absolutely too difficult, there is almost always the option of a shorter route, catching public transport, getting your chauffeur to pick you up early, calling a taxi, or turning back.

Water. Don’t forget it, or I won’t let you walk with us. *Bossy/serious man is bossy/serious*






[Test. You can skip it.]

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