Week 4 - Training at Yarrabend 22 December

The Silly season is definitely here and it is hard to get the team in one place at one time. Undaunted by a fearsom hang over care of the Finance Christmas Party (special mention to JA for throwing down the gauntlet in regards to the bar tab at the Maori Chief), Neil set off from the Fairfield boathouse on Saturday morning @ 8am. After crossing the aquaduct, the heading was set for Abbotsford. The track undulates along the side of the river and after crossing under the Eastern Freeway follows the Yarra towards Dights Falls. Its incredible to be so close to the city in a bushland setting. After reaching the Studley Park boat house, the return trip was via Yarra Bend for a 8km journey. Highlight of the walk was spotting a nesting pair of Tawny Mouth Frogfoots (Owls) nesting over the river. We are hoping to get back down to Yarrabend at 8am next Saturday and do the same path next week.

Week 3 - Training cancelled for the Xmas party 15 December

post image

We knew it was going to be a hard slog going on a 15-20km walk the morning after the xmas party which is why we left our plans very loose. After a great Friday night Happy Days themed xmas party, only Neil pulled up in the mood for a Saturday walk, so off he went in the rain and wind - no doubt still trying to wash away all signs of his big bopper costume. Looks like we have some catching up to do in our week 4 training. Our fundraising is progressing well - all wine orders are in and we should have delivery to our wine supporters this week. Our home baking effort is also proving a success - so thank you to everyone who so far has shown support with cash.

Week 2 - Yarra Trail - Melb to Bridge Rd - 15kms 08 December

It was a glorious morning for our week 2 walk. The skies were blue and the forecast was for 26 degrees. Starting on the banks of the Yarra opposite Melbourne Park we followed the Capital City Trail along the Yarra around to Bridge Road and back. Week 2 was eventful - after an enjoyable couple of hours of walking, our canine pseudo team member DD encountered some stamina issues at about the 10km mark. It was a good test of our teamwork as we waited patiently for DD to cool down before walking another 500m. He just could not go on and we had to making the painful decision - DD had to retire. Our teamwork kicked in as Cam & Karen headed back to the cars while I stayed with DD, reassuring him that retiring was not the same as quiting. The cars came and got DD, he was overjoyed to be reunited with his team, but alas this will be DD's last Saturday morning "big walk" training session. DD will continue to be the "light walk" trainer for Anna, making sure she does her required 1hr walk every day. Thank you DD. Stay tuned for our week 3 training update next week.

Week 1 Training - From Station Pier along the esplanade 05 December

post image

We are into week 2 of our training regime and this Saturday morning, bright and early we are walking the Yarra Trail. Last week we walked for about 2 hrs - 11kms. It was our first Saturday morning session and we met up in the gusty wind down at Beacon's Cove and walked along the Esplanade through to the St Kilda Marina & back. If you like an 8am start on a Saturday and feel like a nice walk, come and join us - we'd love to have you. Karen's friend Renee joined us for our week 1 walk and she had a great time. Anna's dog 'Diesel' is also likely to be a regular feature on our Saturday morning walks, and he's loving every second of it.

Buy some wine & help us fundraise 05 December

We are taking wine orders up utnil Friday 12 Dec so that we can deliver these to you before the Christmas break. Just let one of us know if you would like to see what is on offer or place an order.