July 07, 2006

Training walk report: Spit to Manly, repeat!

Last weekend for a bit of variety the Glutes and Bride's sister Zoe took time off from the Trailwalker course to walk someplace different, and completed a walk of roughly 25km by walking from The Spit to Manly, then up and around North Head, and back to The Spit. It was stunning mid-winter Sydney weather, with deep blue cloudless skies, mild temperatures, and panoramic views  the tourism commission would  die for.

Bride's sister Zoe, who'll be helping out on our support crew this year, came along on the walk too. Some kind of communications specialist officer in the army, and married to another army officer who's competing this year in a different Trailwalker team, Zoe is like an Australian Army version of the Energizer Bunny!. Having her along meant nothing was left unexplored by the team during the course of the day, including the "first episode" from a tragic tale of broken hearts, love gone wrong, and spooky obsessive weirdness from one member of the Glutes team (who is prepared to share all with the team on the condition of anonymity... and as we always say, "What's said on the Trail, stays on the Trail!") Can't wait to hear Episode Two when we train again on a 38km walk on the Trailwalker course between Brooklyn and Hornsby on 16th July.

...now there's an incentive to join us for a training walk: you get to hear Episode Two!

Anyway, we completed our 25km Manly walk so engrossed in the goss that we knocked it over in about six hours, which would be less impressive if  I didn't mention that we also stopped for coffees and pretzels at Manly Wharf along the way (who can resist the smell of good coffee on a Sunday morning? Come on!)

Here's some photos I managed to take in-between mouthfuls (click on a photo to see the full-size image).

Zoe's the one with her mouth open!







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July 03, 2006

Trailwalker route map


This is the route of pain, the valley of death, and the hillside of extreme upness. Click on it for a bigger version.

June 30, 2006

Big boost to fund-raising target!

In the past day or two, fund-raising has picked up, with recent generous donations from:
  • Julian Musgrove
  • Curtis Partnership
  • Glenn Everingham
  • Scott Crawford
  • Nicholas Wall
  • Rob Parbery
  • King Street Chiropractic
  • Ideal Interfaces
  • Meshlin Khouri
  • Jamie Darwen
  • Kate 'Big Mamma' Stanton
  • David 'Grasshopper' Gowdey
  • Miles 'And Miles Away' Campbell

Entirely thanks to our generous sponsors, we've now raised $1,295.00, more than half way towards our goal of $2,000. We may still have to wheel out the chook raffle to get there, but the world needs a few more chicken dinners.

Aussie donors, don't forget to keep your receipt for your tax deduction.

Thanks on behalf of the Glutes and Oxfam! For a reminder of how your donation can be put to good use, check out the Oxfam site.