When I was young, did I think days like today were cold as well? Or was it true, since (as a child) I ‘didn’t feel the cold‘ that I wasn’t as bothered even then? At any rate for me today was glorious, and yet almost everyone else I saw was bundled up and hurrying inside.
I walked the Fernleigh Track today, as I do every time I’m here. It wasn’t busy and the birds were happy to see me, chirping loudly as I walked along.
I navigated the tunnel without being murdered, and exited the track at Kahibah. As I walked the streets toward Charlestown Square I walked past the little shop we used to buy lollies, fireworks and Star Wars cards. A bit further on was our old church, almost unrecognizable now the tiny shrubs have grown into magnificent gum trees. I stopped in at Charlestown library, which is now more computers and multimedia than books (and doesn’t even have a sci-fi section any more) and eventually made my way to the Square and lunch.
Even though I’d been walking almost two hours by now, I had found my second wind! The Square was obnoxiously busy so I quickly departed to walk home. This was madness of course, but I didn’t hesitate in my decision. It was about noon now and the weather was wonderful: about 60F and warmer in the sun with a very light breeze.
I walked past the cinema on the hill, and what used to be the arcade where I once played Snow Bros for hours. Continuing along the highway I walked past the old home of a friend whose name I’ve forgotten, and then turned down the too-steep Madison Avenue down to Kotara. The walk was easier than expected, and I now know that the time GW and I did this 30 years ago was less an accomplishment than I have always thought (except for the fact we used storm water drains).
I had a very brief stop at Westfield Kotara (to buy bread, a snack, and bandaids for my bleeding foot) and continued on. It had been about four hours now and over 20,000 steps but I still had energy in abundance! So I decided on a detour to a local toy/hobby shop and the Maccas across the road.
I neglected to mention I was laden with stuff. I’d made purchases at each mall and at the toy shop and I had a stuffed backpack and shopping bag. I must have looked like a hobo at this point, but it was only a short twenty minutes or so back to mums.
In total I walked for about six hours and just about 30,000 steps. It was a good walk 🙂