Changeable Millstream

Another morning, another cup of coffee and a cool, misty vista across Lake Millstream.

The weather is so much part of any Millstream stay and we can have all four seasons in one day. After the thunderstorm yesterday we woke up to a misty Lake Millstream and a cool breeze. 

Most of the mist burnt off before we set off for our morning walk and it was warm by the time we got back to the unit. 

A delicious decadence has crept into our breakfasts, whiskey and cream on our oats, as Brian said if it looks like Scotland lets have a Scottish treat. Makes for a wonderful way to end the walk.

• Walking log: 14th March

9km walking trail around the high spots on Millstream Farm.

I am feeling the accumulative affect of the daily 10km but still loved been out and having long conversations with Di along the way.

Walking companions: Bri and Di Dawes

Total kilometres to date: 439

Millstream

Lake Millstream and an early morning coffee before walking.

After a two year break, we are back at a well-loved place, our timeshare at Millstream near Dullstroom.

I have been so looking forward to getting here and also excited about walking along the wonderful paths.

There are well laid out trails between the dams with nice elevation changes too. The farm is on the high altitude grasslands of Mpumalanga with an average height of 1800m. The highest point on the farm is 2000m which gets the heart rate up nicely.

We are able to get up close and watch the zebras, blesbok and springbuck along the way and the late summer wild flowers are still lovely to see.

The perimeter walk is close to 10km and what  a pleasure to walk in the fresh cool air and have the place almost to ourselves.

This reminds my why I love walking and why I am pushing myself to be prepared for the Ultra Walk in August.

• Walking log: 12th March

Early morning coffee and a rusk before walking from Unit 12, up and over the ridge, along the 'Serengeti Plains' and around the farm. Felt wonderful to be walking.

Brian Dawes joined us for the morning walk.

Millstream Walking Trails

Total kilometres to date: 414

Afternoon walk around Lake Millstream with Di Dawes watching the egrets coming in to roost in the reeds.

Total kilometres to date: 416

• Walking log: 13th March

Another beautiful morning, foot on the path and walked the same route in reverse.

Walking companions: Bri and Di Dawes.

Total kilometres to date: 426

Morning swim and sauna.

After the thunderstorm, took a sunset solo walk.

Total kilometres to date: 430 

When walking is a slog

It's mid-week and time for a longish walk, but my body was not in the walking movie today.

I felt sluggish and grumpy along the 10km route.

Traffic was awful, pavements dirty, there was nothing to hook my attention away from a weary body and feet.

So I cross the 400km mark with no fanfare.

I am picking limes from my small tree, packing for a week at Millstream near Dullstroom and looking forward to being inspired to walk around the trout farm.

• Walking log: 404

Uninspiring 10km urban walk among the morning traffic.

Experiencing what 20 kilometres feels like

A few landmarks

Each time we walk I look out for my favourite landmarks, the Spotted Thick-knee's that are a permanent feature along the fence of the Killarney Golf Club, or the mosaic at the back end of the walk towards Killarney. I am also loving seeing new things too as we venture further away from home on each walk.

Yesterday was yet another milestone for my Eco Ventures Ultra Walk preparation; my first 20 kilometre walk to the Cnr. Cafe in Craighall Park.

• Walking log: 7th March

Each time we add distance the experience during the walk differs.
I walked through the discomfort of my feet and eventually they almost receded as a background noise as other parts of my body took the foreground.

I noticed how tired I was feeling in my upper body at the back end of the walk, shoulders and back, even my neck.

Total kilometres to date: 385

I received this link from a walker I know and it is so on point about walking in our suburbs, thanks Sharon:

http://www.sharonwakeford.co.za/2012/04/19/perspective-and-connection-10-april-2012/

• Walking log: 8th March

Late night, early morning but still happy to have an easy walk to Rosebank for movies.

Hot walking back but feeling fine.

A security guard saw me on both legs of the walk and said to me, "I see you are really  fit", I replied, “Getting there” and he said, “ No you there.”

Just made me grin, stepped a little stronger and kept going.

Total kilometres to date: 394

Five Bridges walk

High point of the walk, a forest called Jo'burg

Mid-week and time for a good walk.

The mornings are lovely here in Johannesburg at the moment and it is pleasure being out on a path.

The parks and golf courses make for a green belt along the M1 and nice for walking, despite frantic morning work traffic.

• Walking log: 4th March

The 11.5km Five Bridges walk takes us from the bridge at Killarney Mall to the bridge at Melrose Arch. Coffee at Migali in the little Oaklands Centre before heading home.

Total kilometres to date: 358

• Walking log: 5th March:

Walked 7km to get bloods done, so no morning coffee, rather sluggish body today and low on energy.  Ah, the impact of caffeine. Sorted that out at the Mugg n Bean.

Total kilometres to date: 365

Walking at 20 percent more effort

Speed: 15 min easy walking before and after power training. X2 50m ; X2 100m ; X2 200m X2 400m ; X1 600m

60 – 75

6 - 8

Once a week the training schedule from Eco Ventures calls for a Speed walk between 6-8 km.

Today we headed out on our walk past the Melrose Arch Hindu Temple, around the Norwood Pick n Pay, before heading home. A 7.5 km walk.

I was able to shift my speed between 10.5 km/min and 8.5 km/min for alternating blocks along the walk.

The 20% more effort is noticeable, my arms have to work, I shorten my pace and really go for it.

• Walking log: 3rd March

Speed walking. 7.5km. Worked hard.

Total kilometres to date: 346.5

Walking longer and longer...

That time of the week, getting stamina up for long days of walking.

Fred has been most supportive, taping the New Zealand vs Australia ICC game so we could get on the road early.

I am continually surprised how far one needs to walk to cover 10km.

I thought a walk from Norwood to Parkhurst would fit but it was only 8km, so we continued back to Parktown North for our 10km pastry break.

Nothing quite like the spread at Moemas in Parktown Quarter.

Rest, coffee, pastries, shoes off, wiggle toes, love this new rhythm of a break at the 10km mark.

From Moemas we walked one of my favourite suburbs, Saxonwold, then via Killarney back to Norwood.

I was thrilled to hit a new milestone.

•  Walking log: 28th February

18km. 

A nice step up from our 15km walks.

Felt strong over the first 10km.

Tried wearing 2 pairs of socks, a thin Falke Hidden Cool inner and a hiking sock. Seemed to work well. So will buy some more.

My feet still feel burny but not enough to slow me down. Toes a little sensitive by the end.

Second 8km leg, also set a good pace, awareness of my left knee, feels tight.

Satisfying morning of walking.

Total kilometres to date: 329






Sunday update:
I was aware of achy muscles most of yesterday.
This morning we did a power walk up Munro Drive and added some distance to make up a 10km walk.

• Walking log: 1 March

Norwood, Munro Drive, Killarney, Norwood. I noticed that I kept dropping my head, so residual tiredness was creeping in.
Walked strongly up Munro Drive.

Total kilometres to date: 339

Johannesburg pavements

Morning birdie card.

We are both back in Norwood, so popped out for a quick paced morning walk.

I am enjoying the cooler mornings, so much nicer to walk.

• Walking log: 27th February

Fast paced 7km walk, Norwood - Golf Course-Orchards.

Total kilometres to date: 311

Feet in the Indian Ocean

Instead of early morning pavement duty, I went walking on the beach this afternoon, barefoot.

Such a different way to walk, the beach was quiet with a few fishermen, the odd surfer and swimmer.

I could watch a White-breasted Cormorant fish, and White-fronted Plovers darting away in front of me.

Although it is hot here in Toti the breeze was up and the ocean around my feet was just lovely.

A beach walk is one of the pleasures of staying here at our Loft. This is a photo I have next to my bed which celebrates stepping out on a beach.

This poem inspired me today:

“Instructions for living a life. 
Pay attention. 
Be astonished. 
Tell about it.” 
― Mary Oliver

• Walking log: 24th February

4km barefoot beach walk.

Total kilometres to date: 304

Durban's Beachfront Promenade

Another small milestone in my walking preparation, 300 kilometres.

Over the last six weeks I have walked along the Atlantic Ocean; sweated along steep Loerkop, Table Mountain and Lions Head paths; covered many kilometres of city streets in Cape Town and Johannesburg; strode out on a farm in Greyton and in the Karoo; walked while overnighting in Hilton, Greyton and Bloemfontein and here I am walking along the fabulous promenade in Durban.

I needed to do 12.5 kilometres so I walked the sweeping bay from the Moses Mabhiba Stadium to the pier at uShaka Marine World - a couple of times. It was a fine morning, not too hot, still humid and the fresh salt-laden breeze kept me going.

I admire what this wonderful 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy has created for Durban, it is such a great space to walk along the meandering brick-paved promenade. I counted more than 20 different 'activities' happening around me as I walked.

Next time I am here with Fred I would like to do the full stretch from Blue Lagoon all the way south to the last pier.

Doreen kept me company, we stopped and rested at our favourite foodie spot along the promenade, Circus Circus and had a feast.

• Walking log: 23rd February

12.5 km, I was aware of my neuromas along the walk, quite burny feet and toes numbing at times. 

Felt weary after the walk.

So the challenge is to do what I have done in 6 weeks in 10 days, goodness me, daunting thought.

Walking companion: Doreen Phillip

Total kilometres to date: 300

Inspiration for the next 100 km:

"If you want to know if your brain is flabby, feel your legs." 

-   Bruce Barton 

Misty walking in the Natal Midlands

"An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." Henry David Thoreau

What a treat to be walking in the cool mist of the Natal Midlands with my sister Doreen.

Our route took us around Hilton.

The late summer gardens are still a joy and Hilton has the feel of an English village. We walked without knowing our distance but kept going just for the pleasure of walking.

Jaxx was open for coffee and a muffin, quite delicious and we ambled home from there.

So impressed that what I thought was 9km ended up been closer to 12km.

• Walking log: 22nd February

11.5km through Hilton.

Walking companion: Doreen Phillip

Total kilometres to date: 287.5 

Birdhaven for breakast

A head cold set me back a few days, I still managed my friday pilates class but very little else.

So with Fred still poorly we did a gentle 10km this morning with a lovely breakfast at one of our favourite haunts, Voodoo Lily Cafe.

Weather improving for walking too, overcast and fresh to be out.

• Walking log: 21 February

10km walk with mid-way stop for breakfast.

Total kilometres to date: 276

Walking takes longer... than any other known form of locomotion except crawling. Thus it stretches time and prolongs life. Life is already too short to waste on speed. ~Edward Abbey, "Walking"

Munro Drive Walk

I love walking.

On rest days I miss having my feet on the path.

Bounded out the house early this morning. Even though Fred is still not feeling too well he put up with my enthusiasm.

Munro Drive is our best option for some power walking to get fit for hills, it winds up Houghton Ridge. In fact it's a 3km uphill most of the way from home to the top of the ridge.

Apparently Munro Drive was built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War.

Found this old postcard photo of Munro Drive which shows the steep switchback near the top of the ridge.

• .Walking log: 18th February

Early morning 11km from Norwood, up Munro Drive, down the Wilds, through Killarney to Glenhove, Oaklands for coffee and home.

Total kilometres to date: 261

My feet were so happy with their 'spoil' today, a pedicure and massage.

Update:

• Walking log: 19th February

5km speed walking around golf course.

Total kilometres to date: 266