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.]