Saw a very striking little black and yellow echidna as I pedalled home
from work today. It had livid yellow parallel markings across its back.
I turned to pull out my work issue phone to try and take a snap... and
whilst I groped for the camera to produce a record of my life, life
passed me by. I turned back and the echidna had scurried off into the bush.

8 1/2 months until my contract at work expires.... encounting

This weekend we had our first training walk on the actual trail.
We drove up on Friday night to the Numinbah Environment Centre just near the Hinze Dam. The staff kindly met us and showed us around before we bedded down for the night. The next morning we bolted 7km into Anaconda camping supplies at Nerang for some SHOPPING!! Then straight back again to meet the rest of the teams at 11am.

Here is a list of the teams Southern Cross Uni is sponsoring. We all had some, if not all, contingents show up - the links only work if you are logged into the kokodachallenge.com website:

John sent me a little doodle for my birthday, inspired by the Red Rock to Coffs Ultramarathon . Like all my Pa's drwaings, I love it.
I'll have to show this to Beryl when I next see her.

                                        Another weekend, another walk at one with nature up the Syndicate Ridge. I could recount the adventures we had and fill your head with pictures of rain coming down in great fat splashing drops that filled our boots or of the delghtful and yet resilient creatures we met. Instead I'd like to discuss Corduroy.

Corduroy, much maligned by philistines the world over. Oh yes, you may laugh... whilst dressing in denim, lycra, polyester and what-have-you but let it be known that Corduroy (or Cords, to us in the know) is a far superior cloth. Worn by Mysterious Charming Corduroy Clad Intellectuals (MCCCI) the world over, I count myself among them. In fact we do have a secret society where we make world changing decisions and believe-you-me Corduroy is the power behind the 'Power Behind'. If you are one of the MCCCI please head over to the Corduroy Club to learn more.

Incidentally, whilst yanking off innumerable leeches from between my trouser cords (does that last bit sound rude to you? Hmm... unintentional I assure you.) I did notice that many of the leechs (AKA: 'slimy creatures of tenacity') actually had three parallel stripes running down their backs. This parallelism would (to my admittedly deranged brain) seem to indicate some kind of interdependence with my corduroy trousers, I would not be surprised if Corduroy was actually vital to the continued survival of the much maligned leech. Perhaps if David Attenborough were to commission a bunch of biologist's to study the mating habits of leeches they would discover the connection.
This would help to explain why leeches are the only creature in the world to find Corduroys sexy.

Robyn and I laughing like the proverbial. My daggy workmates did me proud on me birthday. Blighters.

As you can see the rain stopped and the weather is back to normal. So the boys seem pretty happy. Check out the rest of my photo's from Minnie Water

I can hardly begin to tell you how beautiful the surf was this morning at Illaroo.

I swam out beyond the surf just after sunrise with my trusty spongey and watched a perfect wave rise up. The sun was visible though the wave, a hands-breadth above the horizon. When I belly surfed back in I scudded way out in front of the breaking wave leaving all the crashing foam behind. It reminded me of scooting down the hill at Lezerea on my 'Chipper' bike. It was great, couldn't help but laugh out loud as I shot back in. 

I have just had a great weekend with Cheri, Jay and the boys. They are all happily camping at Illaroo/Minnie Water. Evan and Emrys are getting on so well, they seem to be doing lots of stuff together. Lots of odd little clay sculptures round the fire. They found some exposed clay on the headland and have been making stuff. 

So now I am 39 years old. Holy cow - I'm so immature.

Sunday, Di, Emma, Chris and I went up and down the Syndicate Ridge. It was a fantastic workout for our legs and lovely mornings walk. Chris went all 'Bush Tucker Man' on us and distributed lots of odd berries which I nibbled, took home and planted. It was great climbing up into the clouds although very chilly when we got up there. Check out how close the contours are on the map on the left. Or just see the pictures I took of Di and Emma walking up the slope. I reckon Lisa will love this. Those muscley soccer legs will power up this trail :)

I stuck the rest of the photos (that I took with my crud camera) over in the Kokoda Gallery.

We did not see hide nor hair of the so called SA Extreme Walking Club I spoke to Nev (here he is the handsome devil) on Monday. He told me they did not even get on the trail until 12 and they just walked from the car park to Lanes Lookout and back. C'mon Nev call that Extreme?? :p

Us Real Super-Extreme Walkers visited Paulina who was extremely kind and fed us the most delicious Raspberry Muffins and Almond biscuits. Ayone who knows me and my history with buns (or 'Miggins' as they are also known) will understand my bliss.

The perfect end to a perfect day.

Cheri, Jay and the boys are camping up at Minnie Water. It has been pouring with rain pretty much all week. Poor buggers.  I'm going to spend the weekend with them, hopefully Evan and I will catch some fish.

Hey Lady Jo!
This ones for you, I know how you like mouldy fungal things. Why else would you marry my brother. 

 :)