Whilst most people go to Australia to lie on a beach, drink lots of homogenous lager, eat bbq food and generally kick back – not us. Within 24 hours of arriving in Brissy we were off on adventures into the Gold Coast hinterland kicking off with some leg stretchers at Springbrook NP. This was followed up with yet another cloud ridden visit up Mount Warning. A zip round to the Granite Belt to look at rocks that apparently looked like Turtles and Sphinx’s was then followed with a trip to Fraser Island – home of the dingo and jumbo spiders.
By this stage we had managed to knock up 150kms (that’s walking not driving), and it was time to visit the Simpsons to have some holiday. A day trip to Australia Zoo to view all the animals we never saw in the bush. Nik even managed to find the mosquito enclosure, adding another 4 bites to her total. Then a couple of days were spent in Lamington with all of us praying Shayno wouldn’t go in to labour early. At this point exercise became side lined to the temptation of pies, hot cross buns and the demon drink – we did however avoid paying over a tenner for imported Tennents Super! A few games of finger football and a fantastic brunch later, we were on the plane heading home.
Key Stats:
Walked 154 km
Insect bites: 22
Snakes: 6
Dingos: 3
Jumbo Spiders in Tent: 1
Smelly Fungus: 1
Big Eels: 1
Blue Crayfish: 3
Pies, Tim Tams and Grog: too many to count
Phil & Nik
Monday, 31 March 2008
The hare, the tortoise and the blue tit..
Date: Sun 30th March
Distance: 18 km (11.2 miles)
Location: Hertford, Bramfield, Tewin.
Participants: Nikki, Phil, Gee and Lurchio
The weather perked up on Sunday the 30th, which encouraged Nik, Pip, Gee and Lurch for a wander over a few fields and stuff. Don't ask me to get the route off to a tee as I had my head down looking at cabbages, but i know we covered 18km or 11 and a half miles in approx 3 hours 20 mins. We started off at NRA and headed off towards Bramfield, then off to Tewin, did some kind of a loop and turned back towards Bramfield near Tewinbury farm before heading home past some Sele farm kids that were either having a barbeque or setting light to some evidence.
Pip set off like a hare at first, soon leaving Lurch bringing up the rear once again. Gee put in a superb effort again, having already put in a morning shift - he likes his badge and he wants another - he won't stop until he looks like that guy whos covered in liverpool badges on the Kop. Was a good pace all the way round, have to say my legs ached in the evening and my heel is sore today, luckily my own personal masseuse came to the rescue with a magic foot rub.
Things I learnt on this particular walk - Nikki doesn't like cows; Gee likes drinking out of baby bottles; we all get fat fingers; oh yes, and that someone in our group, I won't let on her name to preserve her anonymity, has a very vocal missing pipe, which on a clear day you could probably hear in Stevenage.
I failed miserably in finding out how many churches there are in the UK, there must be something wrong with google, but I'm pleased to report that I am the proud owner of a Worcester cdi 30 boiler, probably a diesel.
Daniel.
Distance: 18 km (11.2 miles)
Location: Hertford, Bramfield, Tewin.
Participants: Nikki, Phil, Gee and Lurchio
The weather perked up on Sunday the 30th, which encouraged Nik, Pip, Gee and Lurch for a wander over a few fields and stuff. Don't ask me to get the route off to a tee as I had my head down looking at cabbages, but i know we covered 18km or 11 and a half miles in approx 3 hours 20 mins. We started off at NRA and headed off towards Bramfield, then off to Tewin, did some kind of a loop and turned back towards Bramfield near Tewinbury farm before heading home past some Sele farm kids that were either having a barbeque or setting light to some evidence.
Pip set off like a hare at first, soon leaving Lurch bringing up the rear once again. Gee put in a superb effort again, having already put in a morning shift - he likes his badge and he wants another - he won't stop until he looks like that guy whos covered in liverpool badges on the Kop. Was a good pace all the way round, have to say my legs ached in the evening and my heel is sore today, luckily my own personal masseuse came to the rescue with a magic foot rub.
Things I learnt on this particular walk - Nikki doesn't like cows; Gee likes drinking out of baby bottles; we all get fat fingers; oh yes, and that someone in our group, I won't let on her name to preserve her anonymity, has a very vocal missing pipe, which on a clear day you could probably hear in Stevenage.
I failed miserably in finding out how many churches there are in the UK, there must be something wrong with google, but I'm pleased to report that I am the proud owner of a Worcester cdi 30 boiler, probably a diesel.
Daniel.
So this is what the inside of the Black Horse look’s like…
Date: Sat 29th MarchDistance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Location: Cole Green Way, Hertingfordbury, Riverside Garden Centre.
Conditions: Wet, Flat
Weather: Raining.
Participants: Nikki & Phil
Just read Carl’s blog entry for Friday and feel inspired to quickly add a bit about our jaunt this afternoon. Woke up feeling a bit grotty (reckon I picked up a bit of a virus on the plane) and didn’t have any plans for the day. After a morning of chores (housework and sorting out the finances to pay for the Oz holiday) Phil came back from the allotment for lunch and then said he needed to go the garden centre (it’s a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle in our house).
Still enthused after Thursday’s Oxfam meeting I suggested we walk to Riverside garden centre instead of taking the car. So we packed our rain mac’s and headed off down West St, and along Cole Green Way where we spotted a couple of muntjac’s and a large heron flying overhead. It started to tip down as we reached the garden centre so decided to have a cup of tea in their restaurant and realised it would be a nice place to come for a spot of lunch (think I’m turning into my Mum).
After a few purchases, including some seed pots so we can grow herbs, tomato plants and runner beans to sell for our fundraiser we headed back. By now it was really raining hard so was thankful for the rain macs, even if we did look like Howard and Hilda.
Third brainwave of the day was to suggest going for a drink in the Black Horse, a pub I’ve heard so much about and never been in to in all my 10 years in Hertford. Well what a brilliant idea, after a couple of pints, some Burt’s chilli crisps and a top selection on the juke box provided by the bloke at the next table, we were both rather happy with the afternoon’s activities. Before we got too settled in though we decided to brave the rain and head home for a sobering coffee and watch the boat race on the box.
I have to agree with Carl, I’m loving this Trailwalker thing. Normally we would have stayed inside because of the rain or driven to the garden centre, instead we managed to clock up another 10km’s, seen some wildlife, had a few pints and enjoyed a wet Saturday afternoon.
Nik
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Wet, lost and loving it...
Date: Fri 28th March
Distance: 14.5 km (9 miles)
Location: Hertford Heath, Goose Green, Martin's Green, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne.
Conditions: Very Wet, Muddy and very off-road...
Weather: Raining.
Participants: Wol
Shortly after leaving the house, the heavens opened and the rain continued throughout the duration of this adventure in the countryside. Started off by doing a quick loop of the estate and then headed off over the soggy fields to Hertford Heath, not really sure of where I was going to walk to. After a short period of time I came across the garage on the corner that I remember Lurch referring to as an access point for an old Roman road, so I thought I'd give that a try.
Indeed, this is part of the old Ermine Street Roman Road that runs from London to Lincoln and York, and this proved to be pretty easy going, past Balls Wood on the right and several nature reserves that I never knew existed and Hoddesdon Park woods on the left - through Goose Green and Martin's Green until I came out onto the road at the corner of Pembridge Lane and Cock Lane. At this point it was really hammering it down and although my feet were nice and dry, the rest of me was absolutely soaked (couldn't see very well with my hood up, so decided to get wet instead of getting mown down by a car). I proceeded along the road to join White Stubbs Lane.
As I approached Broxbourne I picked up another footpath parallel to the A10 and headed north. My big mistake was then taking a footbridge back across the A10 that lead me through woods to the back of the Hertfordshire golf club, where the trail came to an abrupt halt. To avoid the monotony of back-tracking I decided (maybe rather foolishly) to head off north through some fields and woods, over some fences and eventually joined up with a road that I mistakenly identified as Mangrove Lane.
After walking for a while and not passing some expected landmarks (I put this down to the rain driving into my eyes at inopportune moments), I stumbled across Martin's Green again and realised I was quite a bit further away from home than expected.
With the pressure on (I'd arranged to be picked up by the missus in Hertford Heath), I really stepped up the pace (which is not saying much as the muddy conditions were somewhat hampering my progress, and streams had suddenly appeared in front of me that weren't there on the way down...
With the clock ticking, I took the plunge and jogged the last mile, crashing through the mud and water until I met up with "support crew".
Very wet, absolutely knackered but loving this Trailwalker thing...
Carl.
Distance: 14.5 km (9 miles)
Location: Hertford Heath, Goose Green, Martin's Green, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne.
Conditions: Very Wet, Muddy and very off-road...
Weather: Raining.
Participants: Wol
Shortly after leaving the house, the heavens opened and the rain continued throughout the duration of this adventure in the countryside. Started off by doing a quick loop of the estate and then headed off over the soggy fields to Hertford Heath, not really sure of where I was going to walk to. After a short period of time I came across the garage on the corner that I remember Lurch referring to as an access point for an old Roman road, so I thought I'd give that a try.
Indeed, this is part of the old Ermine Street Roman Road that runs from London to Lincoln and York, and this proved to be pretty easy going, past Balls Wood on the right and several nature reserves that I never knew existed and Hoddesdon Park woods on the left - through Goose Green and Martin's Green until I came out onto the road at the corner of Pembridge Lane and Cock Lane. At this point it was really hammering it down and although my feet were nice and dry, the rest of me was absolutely soaked (couldn't see very well with my hood up, so decided to get wet instead of getting mown down by a car). I proceeded along the road to join White Stubbs Lane.
As I approached Broxbourne I picked up another footpath parallel to the A10 and headed north. My big mistake was then taking a footbridge back across the A10 that lead me through woods to the back of the Hertfordshire golf club, where the trail came to an abrupt halt. To avoid the monotony of back-tracking I decided (maybe rather foolishly) to head off north through some fields and woods, over some fences and eventually joined up with a road that I mistakenly identified as Mangrove Lane.
After walking for a while and not passing some expected landmarks (I put this down to the rain driving into my eyes at inopportune moments), I stumbled across Martin's Green again and realised I was quite a bit further away from home than expected.
With the pressure on (I'd arranged to be picked up by the missus in Hertford Heath), I really stepped up the pace (which is not saying much as the muddy conditions were somewhat hampering my progress, and streams had suddenly appeared in front of me that weren't there on the way down...
With the clock ticking, I took the plunge and jogged the last mile, crashing through the mud and water until I met up with "support crew".
Very wet, absolutely knackered but loving this Trailwalker thing...
Carl.
Sunday, 23 March 2008
When the North Wind doth blow...
Date: Sun 23rd March
Distance: Various
Location: Ware, Waterford, Stapleford, Bengeo
Conditions: Muddy, Snowy, Generally flat with few undulations..
Weather: Snow, Sleet, Cold.
Participants: Gee, Wol, Family Wol
A walk in the snow for the Wol family turned into a pretty decent training walk. At 9:15am, we braved the weather to get some fresh air and snowball action. After getting nicely wrapped up in warm waterproof gear, we headed out to walk the Ware loop (about 4.5 miles).
The pace of the walk was somewhat affected by the kids ability to be easily (and understandedly) distracted by the "heavy" snowfall, wanting to pelt each other with snow and create "snow angels" by lying on their backs in the snow and waving their arms and legs about - a real test of how warm and waterproof their clothing was...
About half way round it was decided that the rest of the family would scoot off back home, and in the interest of maintaining some training effort, I would continue to walk a bit further. A quick call to Gee provided me a walking companion for the remainder of my walk, and provide Gee with the springboard to an even greater acheievement...
After a delayed rendezvous with Gee (washing machine issues, allegedly), we headed off to complete the usual Hertford, Waterford, Bulls Mill, Bengeo walk, but with a few variations. Firstly we sidetracked at Waterford to head up through Goldings past the posh flats and down past Waterford church. Then before the turn up the hill near Bulls Mill, we headed off to Stapleford to see if Vorn had returned early from his camping trip - nice weather, eh Vorn ;)
After returning from Stapleford and a very brief snack stop (I'd fortunately kept hold of the ruck-sack containing the snacks and tea and hot-chocolate flasks from the earlier family trip, much to Gee's delight), we continued on the usual route back through Bengeo and Hertford, where my walk ended, 14.4 miles under the belt.
As Gee had missed out on the earlier section (Ware and back), he carried on to complete this. I'm not sure if Gee was maybe a little euphoric from his hot-chocolate hit, but he did this at the expense of missing the Grand Slam footy. But it didn't stop there - after emptying the ballast in his bladder and polishing off a death-stick, he then walked off to NRA to carry-out his cat-sitting duties. This clocked up a total of nearly 18 miles for Gee - nice one. In recognition of this effort, Paula awarded Gee the first "Walker of the Week" badge - something I'm sure he'll treasure for a very long time...
Given the extent of our achievements and the conditions in which they were realised, we're going for a few sherbets tonight with Lurch. The walk to the pub could be a bit of a challenge...
Carl.
Monday, 17 March 2008
Happy as Barry...
Date: Mon 17th March
Distance: 2.8 miles
Location: Wisdom Towers to NRA
Conditions: Flat
Weather: Dry & dark
Participants: Gee
Finally gone sub 20 mins on both out & home legs on the Wisdom Towers to NRA on the cat feeding run. Not just gone under, but smashed it....19’32 on the way out, 19’30 on the return....G.I.T
Gee
Walking in the footsteps of Wol (with Wol)...
.jpg)
Date: Sat 15th March
Distance: 20.1 km (12.5 miles)
Location: Waterford, Bengeo, Wol’s gaff, Ware
Conditions: Flat
Weather: Grey, cool
Participants: Gee, Wol, Lurch
As the old adage goes, anything he can do so can we...so we did. What Wol did solo, so the 3 stooges repeated the following week.
A slightly delayed start from Chez Lurch (due to shonky time keeping in the Wol household) took us down Beane Road, on the way to Waterford. Onwards, through to Bengeo, with a distinct lack of bickering. This suggests Roberson as the protagonist-in- chief, so such behaviour will be not tolerated in future, for the sake of team morale..jpg)
Onwards across Hartham (stopping to see Wol's youngest throwing himself on the floor, several times, whilst leading the Bury Rangers front line against Wheathampstead), across the railway line, then up past the rozzers to Foxholes.
Throughout, Burns’ favourite assertion of ‘that must be half way’, or words to that effect, was finally confirmed somewhere around the Stanstead Rd roundabout, as we headed off towards the wild west, aka Ware.
.jpg)
At this stage the aches & pains were starting to become apparent...Wol’s dodgy ankle injury, Gee’s rubbing boot, Burn’s chafed inner thighs. Also, lots of bravado about an extended walk, only prevented by all concerned's other commitments.
3 hours 50 minutes after leaving, we arrived back at Burns’. Well, that was one fifth of what we’ll be doing in 4 months time. Well done to Wol for providing on route snacks to keep us going.....
Gee.
Distance: 20.1 km (12.5 miles)
Location: Waterford, Bengeo, Wol’s gaff, Ware
Conditions: Flat
Weather: Grey, cool
Participants: Gee, Wol, Lurch
As the old adage goes, anything he can do so can we...so we did. What Wol did solo, so the 3 stooges repeated the following week.
A slightly delayed start from Chez Lurch (due to shonky time keeping in the Wol household) took us down Beane Road, on the way to Waterford. Onwards, through to Bengeo, with a distinct lack of bickering. This suggests Roberson as the protagonist-in- chief, so such behaviour will be not tolerated in future, for the sake of team morale.
.jpg)
Onwards across Hartham (stopping to see Wol's youngest throwing himself on the floor, several times, whilst leading the Bury Rangers front line against Wheathampstead), across the railway line, then up past the rozzers to Foxholes.
Throughout, Burns’ favourite assertion of ‘that must be half way’, or words to that effect, was finally confirmed somewhere around the Stanstead Rd roundabout, as we headed off towards the wild west, aka Ware.
.jpg)
At this stage the aches & pains were starting to become apparent...Wol’s dodgy ankle injury, Gee’s rubbing boot, Burn’s chafed inner thighs. Also, lots of bravado about an extended walk, only prevented by all concerned's other commitments.3 hours 50 minutes after leaving, we arrived back at Burns’. Well, that was one fifth of what we’ll be doing in 4 months time. Well done to Wol for providing on route snacks to keep us going.....
Gee.
Monday, 10 March 2008
No pain, no gain...
Date: Sunday 9th March
Distance: 19.8km (12.3 miles)
Location: Hertford, Ware, Waterford, Bengeo
Conditions: Generally flat, few slight hills, muddy
Weather: Sunny, Dry, Cool
Participants: Carl
After peering through the curtains on Sunday morning and being pleasantly surprised by the lack of bad weather, I decided to give the legs a bit of a stretch and embark upon a decent length walk. I was up against a 3.5 hour time limit as I had to get back to take youngest to see Saracens take on Sale, but I also wanted to get a few miles under my belt. Decided to embark on the familiar Waterford, Bulls Mills, Bengeo walk with a few diversions, but started with a jaunt to Ware and back via the towpath. I must have got my calculations a bit wrong (confirmed later by realbuzz) as this first part was bit further than I expected, so I had to pick up the pace to complete the rest of the walk. Generally pretty uneventful walk - got hassled by a few dogs - but Mr IPod provided good company for the duration.
3 hours 10 minutes later, I arrived back home just as the heavens opened and the bad weather arrived - perfect timing. However, paying the price today for the pace of the walk yesterday - legs are bit stiff.... But as they say - no pain, no gain.
Carl.
Distance: 19.8km (12.3 miles)
Location: Hertford, Ware, Waterford, Bengeo
Conditions: Generally flat, few slight hills, muddy
Weather: Sunny, Dry, Cool
Participants: Carl
After peering through the curtains on Sunday morning and being pleasantly surprised by the lack of bad weather, I decided to give the legs a bit of a stretch and embark upon a decent length walk. I was up against a 3.5 hour time limit as I had to get back to take youngest to see Saracens take on Sale, but I also wanted to get a few miles under my belt. Decided to embark on the familiar Waterford, Bulls Mills, Bengeo walk with a few diversions, but started with a jaunt to Ware and back via the towpath. I must have got my calculations a bit wrong (confirmed later by realbuzz) as this first part was bit further than I expected, so I had to pick up the pace to complete the rest of the walk. Generally pretty uneventful walk - got hassled by a few dogs - but Mr IPod provided good company for the duration.
3 hours 10 minutes later, I arrived back home just as the heavens opened and the bad weather arrived - perfect timing. However, paying the price today for the pace of the walk yesterday - legs are bit stiff.... But as they say - no pain, no gain.
Carl.
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Ebeneezer Goode...
Date: Saturday 1st March
Distance: 10km plus - Easy
Location: Welwyn & surrounding area
Conditions: Flat
Weather: Sunny, yet somewhat windy
Participants: Gee, Sach
Randall’s book of walks – No.33 & 34 Ebeneezer’s Welwyn, plus Brocket Hall Reflections
Well blog followers, it’s been a while but it’s finally here.... a blog contribution from the other one. After numerous ventures out & about around Hertford, we decided on something a bit further afield...the mean ‘burbs of Welwyn & Brocket’s gaff / golf course.To start with, a brief trip around Mr & Mrs Lurcio’s preferred Welwyn retailer of choice, to purchase Master Lurcio’s b’day present (Wol, can I add an extra km to the walking total?) Then off to somewhere close to the A1(M), starting from outside the Red Lion. After a brief trek through woods, we entered the mean streets of WGC, although I have to say a decent map would go a long way....
Back into more rural surroundings, via Lemsford, we hit Brocket Hall.
Back into more rural surroundings, via Lemsford, we hit Brocket Hall.
The trek round involved crossing various fairways, avoiding low flying balls hit by untalented merchant bankers. It was good to see Brocket Hall up close & personal, rather than from behind gates from the B657.
A brisk yomp around the grounds was then broken by a late lunch at the Crooked Chimney. Wol, does a 45 minute lunch stop nullify my 10km as one walk? Anyway, back on the way, with a 30 minute stroll back to the motor.
Can I just say I haven’t got a Scooby who Ebeneezer is but we enjoyed this walk for a bit of urban / rural walking mix. Secondly, I have to say my plan of walking round to NRA for 21 days on the bounce fell at the first, as I stopped off on the drive home, to feed Robbo’s penguins. Still, I feel 2 & a bit hours made up for it.........
Gee
Mission Accomplished...
Date: Friday 29th Feb
Distance: 5.3km - Easy
Location: Central London
Conditions: Flat
Weather: Slight precipitation, Cool, Dark.
Participants: Carl
Hurrah! 49 mins 15 seconds. Walked as fast as I could - legs hurt all the way - but it paid off. Now I've beaten the 50 minute time barrier, I feel I can move onto a different challenge. Phew.
Carl.
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