Durban, the warmest place to be

Warm indeed.

The midday temperatures here along the Durban Promenade were in the mid 20's during our walk today.

Fred flew into King Shaka and we drove straight through to park at Blue Lagoon. Such a nice day to be out. It has been a long time since I have felt hot walking though, I had forgotten what summer feels like. The promenade was festive, its peak season and Circus Circus was packed to capacity, but we enjoyed the rest up at the 10km mark as well as the cool down.

• Walking log: 8th July

14km stamina walk. Fine, although I find my back is getting achy on the longer walks.

Total kilometres to date:1236

Wattled Crane walk, Karkloof

Peaceful scene, Mark's Dam, Gilboa Estate, Karkloof

There is something quite special about walking and not seeing another person, of being in a pristine place and taking deep breaths of fresh air and the scenery of the Gilboa Estate.

Barry, my brother-in-law, is trout fishing and we were out early in the Karkloof high altitude grasslands, it's dusty, dry and the landscape a warm gold colour.

Our walk was one way from Mark's Dam down to Bosse's Dam.

As we started the walk a pair of Wattled Cranes flew into the shallow wetland on the edge of the dam. We had excellent views of these special birds, they stand out with their white and grey plumage against the gold grass, we could pick out the red facial markings and the long white facial wattles. Not the first time Doreen has seen them but the first time since she has been listing over the last 6 years. So a notch for her bird list.

• Walking log: 5th July

7km walk along forestry roads of Karkloof. It was warm and dusty but the isolation very special.

Walking companion: Doreen Phillip

Total kilometres to date: 1222

Midlands walking, en route to Karkloof Farmers Market

Window with a view

Early morning, short walk en route to the Karkloof Farmers Market to provision for my visit to the Loft and for breakfast.

The air is so fresh and crisp here, so nice to be walking with my sister.

• Walking log: 4th July

6km early morning easy walk.

Walking companion: Doreen Phillip

Total kilometres to date: 1215

Family speed walk

Special walking companions today!
Shawni and Craig are here from New Zealand, such a treat to share our speed walking route with them.

• Walking log: 1st July

4.5km family speed walk.

Walking companions: Shawni and Craig Hadfield.

Total kilometres to date: 1201

• Walking log: 2nd July

8km walk, easy and so nice to chat to Shawni along the route.

Walking companion: Shawni Hadfield

Total kilometres to date: 1209

Wool and walking

This winter I could quite happily spend the morning walking and the afternoon lost in a ball of wool. How I like what these winter months bring, afternoon sun on my couch in the TV room, while watching my annual sporting highlights, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Tour de France.

Shawni is here from New Zealand and bought me a bag full of gorgeous Zealana Kiwi wool, I will be knitting her a jersey and cannot wait to get my fingers working. I just need to pop out for the knitting needles. The walk this morning to Rosebank made me realise how sometimes I do not pay attention. The shop I was looking for has closed, and for sometime too, and I had not noticed even though I walk past regularly.

• Walking log: 30th June

11km mid week walk.

Total kilometres to date: 1196.5

Wisdom of Thoreau

Our saturday walk.

Our regular.

Up Munro Drive, Killarney, Saxonwold and into Rosebank.

Sorting out a few issues at The Mall, excellent coffee at Motherland before heading home via Melrose Estate and Oaklands.

The pavements around the shopping precinct in Rosebank are worth paying attention to and this one caught my eye this morning.

A quote from Thoreau whose ability to pay attention, his appreciation of nature and his prose have inspired me for a long time.

• Walking log: 27th June

15.5 km stamina walk.

Total kilometres to date: 1176

• Walking log: 28th June

9.5 morning walk, testing new socks, feel too slippery.

Total kilometres to date: 1185.5

Yellow leaves

There is a tree on the pavement around the corner that has the loveliest autumn butter yellow leaves.

I have so enjoyed watching the leaves fall.
The carpet of yellow is starting to dry out, to bleach out the colour and to crisp up.

• Walking log: 23rd June

4.5km speed walk around the golf course. Good strong walk and not as cold either this morning.

Total kilometres to date: 1154.5

When I walked past the tree today, the carpet of leaves had been raked, very few leaves remain. So now I wait for the spring buds.

• Walking log: 24th June

6km midweek walk to Killarney and back.

Total kilometres to date: 1160.5

Happy hands

Fred has the  orange juice squeezed and ready.

And now waiting for Natalie to arrive for a gentle Sunday walk.

The route took us around the golf course via Killarney to Rosebank for a Woolies cappuccino.

Such a lovely fresh morning, clear bright winter day. I was able to show Natalie a small flock of Ring-necked Parakeets too as they flew into a huge Jacaranda tree.

• Walking log: 21 June

11km walk. 

Walking companion: Natalie Uren

Total kilometres to date: 1141

Happy hands...and feet too, Natalie and Sharon a walk.

Update:

Another very quick walk into Rosebank this morning to see a man about a tooth and a man about glasses.

• Walking log: 22 June

9km. Speed walk one way. Easy walk back.

Total kilometres to date: 1150

"This world is meant to be walked."

Paola sent me a link to Elizabeth Gilbert on Facebook where she had posted a piece on walking.
I admire her fine detail, her ability to observe and agree with her sentiment below.

"This world was meant to be walked. And if you are a human being, then your body was designed for walking this world, as long as you are able. If you are lucky enough to be able to walk (and not everyone is so lucky) then you should not forget to do it sometimes, if only as an expression of gratitude. 

Saint Augustine said, "SOLVITUR AMBULANDO" — "It is solved by walking". If you have a problem that you cannot solve, take a walk. Somehow, it always makes things better.

Trying to learn your world without walking it is like trying to eat the pictures out of a cookbook. "

We took in the detail of our urban spaces between Norwood and Braamfontein this morning, paying attention and noticing, sometimes with pleasure and sometimes with distaste. The walk took us through urban decay as well as some of our special heritage sites, triggering many memories, of Barry at St. John's, of Fred and my years at Wits University, of places in Braamfontein and of new landmarks and old.

A coffee stop at Father Coffee, a small industrial minimalist space run by some earnest young guys and serving a tasty cuppa indeed. A quick visit to the Neighbourhood Market too for some artisan bread and meat treats before heading back home.

• Walking log: 20th June

20km stamina walk with plenty of hill work like Munro Drive. Walking fine, started cold as has become the norm at this time of the year. I still get a tired upper back during the last part of these long walks, feet were weary too by the end but otherwise holding up well. The mouth plate is an added irritation but I need to work with it and not complain, I have no choice.

Total kilometres to date: 1130

A fine skeleton

A quirky mural from 44 Stanley.

I am on a forced break from walking after my visit to the Maxillo-facial surgeon, need a few days for my gum to heal.

Eating is not easy or pleasant with a plate, so this fine skeleton is either begging for food or a walk, or both.

Update:
After resting up for a few days I did the usual weekly warm-up walk to Killarney. A very cold and blustery morning, the fat in my legs felt frozen. Stopped for a Woolies cuppaccino to warm up.

• Walking log: 17th June

6km easy walk.

Total kilometres to date: 1105

• Walking log: 18th June

5km speed walk around the golf course.

Total kilometres to date: 1110

A remarkable tree

Johannesburg is known for its leafy suburbs and this tree is one of the giants that we pass on many of our walks. 

A remarkable tree.

We set off at 6 degrees this morning, layered up and ready for the long walk of the weekend. The walk took us past Killarney, to Melrose Arch via Corlett Drive, a stop at the Woolies after 10km, up and over the highway to the Norwood Pick n Pay and home through Grant Avenue. 

A practical walk, doing admin along the way and getting the kilometres under foot.

• Walking log: 13th June

16.5 km walk for stamina. 

Total kilometres to date: 1099

Our green lung

The new week has started.

Our walks from home take us past the Golf Course which is a block away and I like that we have this green lung close by. I look out for the family of Spotted Dikkops and even in winter the course looks restful and inviting.

• Walking log: 9th June

5.5km warm up walk to get the week going, pick up milk, buy ciabatta, quick coffee and home. My legs are feeling heavy, like walking in treacle, must still be aftermath of sunday's walk.

Total kilometres to date: 1064

• Walking log: 10th June

Mid week 9.5km up and over Munro Drive, past Killarney and back along the southern part of the golf course. Feeling stronger. 

Total kilometres to date: 1073.5

• Walking log: 11th June

4.5km speed walk around the 'green lung'. Crisp and cold. Clouds are quite wonderful. Smoke hanging in the dip in Norwood from home fires. Nice fast walk.

Total kilometres to date: 1078

• Walking log: 12th June

And again, 4.5km speed walk.

Total kilometres to date: 1082.5

44 Stanley, Urban Cool

Urban cool at 44 Stanley

Finding delicious food.

Sundays are good for setting out on a long walk to build up stamina.

The challenge however is to find interesting destinations to keep us motivated to be on the pavements here in Johannesburg.

The decision to walk to 44 Stanley was perfect. A fair distance through lovely suburbs with a sumptuous breakfast at Salvationcafe, the heaters, blankets and good coffee were most welcome.

• Walking log: 7th June

18.5 km walk. Walking well, managing the achy knees and back. Wonderful to feel the strength building for long walks.

Total kilometres to date: 1058.5

From 44 Stanley website:

44 Stanley is Joburg’s best kept secret.

The 44 Stanley site was once a series of industrial 1930’s buildings, and has been developed into a collection of speciality boutiques, foodie stops and design studios. Meander through the shady arcades and courtyards to savor the trees, architecture and gorgeous fare; from food, clothing and toys to antiques and interiors. The ambience is a relaxed, friendly and refreshing mix of quintessential Johannesburg elements.