It is winter

I bought this Patagonia fleece in the US last year.

We had a week's timeshare at a ski resort on Lake Tahoe and the stores were having their simmer sales. It has been packed away ever since, so I was rather pleased when the temperature this morning was about 3 degrees and I could use the fleece at last.

A bracing walk.

• Walking log: 6th June

9km early morning walk. Shoes doing well.

Total kilometres to date: 1040

"Winter is coming"

“Still ... in this world only winter is certain.” 

― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons

The garden this morning at 7am, the oaks have lost their leaves, it was bleak, damp from the light drizzle and dark enough that the lights were still on in our tree.

Someone has flicked the winter switch.

For the first time we were cold starting out for our longish mid-week walk.

• Walking log: 3rd June

11.5 km walk, including power walk up Munro Drive. The cuppa from Seattle Coffee at the Oaklands Garage was most welcome. Fred carried my old shoes and I did half the walk in the new Asics. Feet a little burny.

Total kilometres to date: 1026.5

• Walking log: 4th June

A blue sky this morning, windy and cold.

4.5km speed walk around the golf course.

Total kilometres to date: 1031

New shoes, new shoes

"Choosing Shoes"

by Frida Wolfe

New shoes, new shoes,
Red and pink and blue shoes.
Tell me, what would you choose,
If they'd let us buy?

Buckle shoes, bow shoes,
Pretty pointy-toe shoes,
Strappy, cappy low shoes;
Let's have some to try.

Bright shoes, white shoes,
Dandy-dance-by-night shoes,
Perhaps-a-little-tight shoes,
Like some? So would I.

BUT
Flat shoes, fat shoes,
Stump-along-like-that shoes,
Wipe-them-on-the-mat shoes,
That's the sort they'll buy.

• Walking log: 3rd June

I have shiny, broad, flat and bright orange ones.
Starting the walking week with a 6km warm up. I need to walk in my new Asics and get them ready to use on the Ultra Walk.

Total kilometers to date: 1015

301 NAMAQUALAND ECO ULTRA WALK

301 NAMAQUALAND ECO ULTRA WALK

"Enjoy the good food and wines of Namaqualand, while you experience the wonder of the flowers. 301Kms are covered on foot through Namaqualand at the peak of the flowering season, walking through carpets of bright orange, yellow and white flowers.

Many of the plant species found in Namaqualand are endemic and found nowhere else in the world. We start walking from Klein Pella, the largest date farm in the Southern Hemisphere on the Namibian border in the north. We then walk to the Richtersveld and south through Namaqualand Klipkoppe, the coastal plain, Knersvlakte and Cedarberg. 

• Walk from Klein Pella to the historical cathedral of Pella, which was built by French priests, using an encyclopedia as a guide. Enjoy tea with the nuns, while they entertain you with their stories.
• Walk through Grootvlei to ‘Skilpad” – Namaqualand Nature Reserve and back to ‘Bowedorp”.
• We take on the Kamies Pass via the streets of Kamieskroon and walk along the crest of the mountain to Nourivier for the rest of the day.
• From Nourivier, we walk through the Kamies Mountains to Leliefontein in the direction of Garies. Experience the cultural villages of Nourivier and Leliefontein.
• From Koekenaap we walk into the “Knersvlakte” with its exceptional succulents. The different shapes and colours never fail to amaze.
• Walk through the vineyards and fields of flowers to “De Punt,” where the Olifants River flows into the sea in the diamond area of Transhex.
• Walk from Lutzville to Papendorp, turn south to the picturesque little town of Strandfontein on the West Coast.
• Leave the coast for the Cederberg Mountains – ‘agter Cederberg’ to Wolwedrif, Elizabethfontein to Travellers Rest. Enjoy the many different species of fynbos. 
• Walk the Seville Bushman paintings trail at Traveller’s Rest. 
• Leave Traveller’s Rest and walk into the Cederberg mountains, over Pakhuis Pass to Clanwilliam – a personal challenge. The rock formations leave you in awe of nature.
• Return to the coast and walk from Elands Bay to Lamberts Bay for the last leg of the 301 km. Finish on the beach at Lamberts Bay with an amazing sense of achievement.

A truly breath-taking trip".

Monday's are rest days from walking and I pop into my pilates class first thing in the morning. 
So I have copied this extract from the Eco Ventures website to remind myself of the adventure that awaits us in August. 
Sounds completely wonderful.

Walking for shoes and shoes for walking

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

• Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Today we passed the 1000 kilometre milestone on the way to The Sweat Shop to buy my next pair of shoes. I have already done 500km in my first pair and need to walk in new shoes for our August Eco Ventures Ultra Walk.

When I look back to the first walk, which was on the 9th January, a walk along the sea path at Kalk Bay, and which marked the start of the preparation for the Ultra Walk, I am so pleased with progress.

I have persevered, I have learnt so much, I have gotten fitter and stronger, I have been exhausted and sore, I have been disheartened, I have been so thankful for Fred and his support even though he can be a most annoying coach, I have enjoyed walking with friends and family too; but mostly it has been about the pleasure of being outdoors, finding that great cappuccino and the commitment to my declaration to push myself physically.

We are averaging 200km per month, combining long walks with shorter speed walks as well as power walks when we can find a good hill or two.

On the 1st April I did my first 21km half marathon walk along the Durban Promenade and the first 30km walk was in Cape Town on the 10 May.

Our walking has taken us from the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town to the Promenade in Durban to the Cliff Path in Hermanus; to beach walks in Noordhoek and in Warner Beach; to the mountains in the Magaliesburg, as well as in Greyton and in Cape Point and to the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town; from high altitude grassland walking on Millstream Farm, Mpumalanga to the semi desert of the Karoo; from the Newlands Forest in Cape Town to the Rondebosch Common; from gentle Natal Midlands walking to farm walking in Greyton; to an early morning walk in Bloemfontein; and in between the many, many kilometres of harsh and mostly hot urban pavements of Johannesburg, Amanzimtoti and Cape Town as we go about our daily lives in our homes.

The 301 kilometre walk over 10 days is now two and a half months away. The preparation continues....

• Walking log: 31 May

14km urban walk for new shoes.

Total kilometres to date: 1009

Feet in the coffee

The barista this morning at Vovo Telo made this cuppa for Fred.

How completely wonderful.

We had just done our early morning 12 km walk, powering up and over Munro Drive, through the streets of Killarney and over the highway at Atholl-Oaklands to get into Grant Avenue in Norwood.

Weight off our feet, glass of water and when the coffee arrived I was so enchanted.

I had walked without my phone, so I leaned over to the table behind me, met Ash and she kindly took the photos and what'apped me.

All in a morning's walk.

• Walking log: 27th May

12.5 km power walk.

Total kilometres to date: 982.5

Update.

• Walking log: 28th May

5km with some speed along the way.

Total kilometres to date: 987.5

• Walking log: 30th May

7.5 km early morning walk, starting to feel the cooler air now and the fragrance of the incense as we walked past the Buddhist Temple was so nice. I love the fresh feel of the winter blue sky.

Total kilometres to date: 995

The soul feeds on the detail of life, Thomas Moore

Taking pleasure in my new orchid from Barry and Kim

Thomas Moore in his book Care of the Soul, has a way of talking about the soul that I like.

'Tending the things around us and becoming sensitive to the importance of home, daily schedule, and maybe even the clothes we wear, are ways of caring for the soul.'

Care of the soul's goal is 'to give ordinary life the depth and value that come with soulfulness.'

'It feeds on the details of life, on its variety, its quirks, and its idiosyncrasies.'

As we transition between our places and our travels, I need the time to be in my home, getting into the detail and settling into the pleasure of our routine.

I walk a few days less when in Johannesburg as my routine includes my pilates on mondays and fridays. So I noticed today how I felt resistant to leaving home and walking, so I compromised, instead of driving to Killarney to get my tasks done, I walked.

• Walking log: 26th May

6km Killarney walk. 

Felt a discomfort the whole way. Must be from new muscles worked at pilates and being hunched over a sewing machine and a laptop.

Total kilometres to date: 970

Sylvia's Pass - Chinatown - Martie

Johannesburg's Chinatown

Our destination this morning was to Bedford Gardens to see Martie. She is recovering from her spinal surgery. I so look forward to her been mobile again and so we can doing some walking together. We had cappuccino's in the ward and then walked home.

Sylvia's Pass is good for a power walk and I found the longer uphill return leg certainly got my heart rate up. The next part of the walk was through Johannesburg's Chinatown which continues to expand into the houses of Cyrildene and the main shopping strip was vibrant and busy. I would have loved to buy a huge basketful of all the greens on offer. Another time.

• Walking log: 24th May

18km suburban walk, with uphill walking on both legs of the walk. I can feel the impact of both the hill and the distance. 

Total kilometres to date: 964

Back on the pavements

Transitioned back to Johannesburg and already I am missing the mountains and the sea. I notice it takes a little more motivation to go walking here.

So I took pleasure looking at the pavements gardens and late flowering shrubs today as we did our walk to Killarney to do some admin.

• Walking log: 21 May

6km walk to Killarney and back.

Total kilometres to date: 946

Peeping at 'The Spook House', Rondebosch

'Jac Loopuyt House, also known as The Ghost House of Rondebosch, is a picturesque Edwardian residence nicknamed "The Spook House". It is rumoured that a strange cult resided there in the 1970’s and there are stories of doors being opened and closed inexplicably and a transparent elderly man wandering around.'

A new week, also a transition week back to Johannesburg from Cape Town and so a quick last walk between sorting out the flat and getting organised.

I had noticed a wonderful old Edwardian home along Milner Road on a previous walk so decided to go back and peep through the imposing gold and black metal gates to get a few photos.

Nothing spooky at all to me but I am amused that it's history is checkered and the house has quite the reputation here in Cape Town.

• Walking log: 18th May

8.5km suburb walk.

Total kilometres to date: 940

Sweeping beauty of Walker Bay

Installation art, 'Nest", Hermanus

We love the Cliff Path that follows the sweep of Walker Bay along the cliffs of Hermanus.

The challenge today was to walk from the car park at Grotto Beach all the way to the pier at the Harbour.

Fred was most bemused when the distance was a few meters more than 10 kilometres.

A fabulous walk.

The weather just right and the sea air rich with ozone. The waves were huge, the tide was coming in so we had wonderful views from the path of sprays many meters high.

Apparently the first whales have been seen but I was not scanning the the bay, I was looking close in, at the coastal vegetation, the birds, the dassies, the homes along the path and listening to the Clicking Stream Frogs.

I was pleased to see that the piece of installation art that I like, called 'Nest', is still in place.

Bev introduced Circle to The Bistro, Just Pure, so Fred and I stopped along the walk for a kick arse coffee and croissants.

• Walking log: 16th May

20 km walk from Grotto Beach to the Harbour and back. Great walking and felt strong.

I did have to get up at 3am however for a Cataflam, my feet and legs were throbbing and made for a restless sleep.

Total kilometres to date: 931.5

No frills

No frills this morning.

I can step out our door, open the gate and access the tarred pavements around the 38ha of the Rondebosch Common.

No phone, no photos, no stopping, no coffee, no distractions, just my thoughts, noticing my irritating fringe, traffic noise receding, the cool breeze, others with their feet on the tarred pavements.
Just walking and grateful for the gift of time to spend a few hours walking.

• Walking log: 15th May

11km, 4 laps of the Common. 

Total kilometres to date: 911.5

Evening walking in the Southern Suburbs

Sunset and clouds over Table Mountain

My commitment to walking fades as the day progresses and I have never been driven to exercise late in the day. It's mostly about the reluctance to change and also feeling lazy.

Today we did change and went walking so that I could get to the 900 kilometre mark.  We stumbled on a really well kept secret here in the Southern Suburbs, the lovely Keurboom Park, its large with huge pines, lots of paths, little concrete bridges over the streams and impressive sports facilities. 

Made for a nice surprise along the way. 

• Walking log: 14th May

7.5km sunset walk, dinner stop at Michaels, our local along Campsground Road and then home. 

Total kilometres to date: 900.5