27/09/2024
Early this year, I had a bit of a health scare, with my blood pressure and blood sugar spiking to unacceptable levels. It scared me so much I decided to do something about it, and embarked on a regime of road walking. I am now a walking ju**ie, doing between 5 and 7 km a day on two walks. I have lost 18kgs, and 10cm around my waist! My blood pressure is "normal" and blood sugar is under control. Yesterday I achieved a milestone - I cracked 5 km on single walk! I have been doing between 3 and 4 km on single walks and just wanted to see if I could do 5! It was at a reasonable pace too - 12,48 min/km. I usually average just over 13. All in all, I did 34,2km for the week - also a record for me. The first part of the walk is 2km stretch from the house, all along the little river, or creek as they call them here, down to the railway line, and back. It is a beautiful walk, with thick riverine vegetation full of tree ferns and lush growth. There are steep paddocks dotted with sheep above that - all beautiful and green. There is one spot which I call the enchanted glen - the river forms a big silent pool, and there are scraggly trees shading it - looks like something out of Lord of the Rings (no wonder they filmed it in this part of the world!). There are giant arum lilies growing wild on the river banks and even in the river. At the end of the 2kms there is a side road which crosses the river over a little bridge and above the bridge are two tiny waterfalls. Below the bridge, the water becomes almost still again, and you can see the rail bridge - these walks are truly a balm for the soul!
