Unfamiliar Territory

A most beautiful Autumn morning and my walk today took me on a path I had not been on before. The place is a disused quarry which has been turned into gardens and walking paths, all done by volunteers.

There were a myriad of steps to climb both up and down. The paths which are well maintained are narrow and they too climbed upwards and then dropped down. A very rigorous and tough walk for me being used to flat walking!.

There was a point on the walk that I realised I had not seen one single person for about 3km and being in dense native bush, it was quite dark out of the sun and a bit intimidating, however, I was not prepared to turn back. Then listening to my music I heard a lovely track Rondo Russo and I forgot all about the imaginary noises and trundled on my merry way.
When I reached the top of the quarry looking down, it was so tranquil looking out over the lake with the sun streaking over the water and surrounding cliffs, the vegetation is so well planted and looked after, I completely forgot about my aching limbs and just enjoyed the scenery.

As I continued the climb up to go over the top I thought I was on a loop track and so kept to the path waiting for some sign of me nearing the end of my walk and back at the car park.  Little did  I know I was heading in the opposite direction. I got my phone out to check where I was to read I required Wifi for the maps to work, Oh dear! what now I thought, no one to ask and in the middle of  dense bush, so being me and hopeless at directions I decided to carry on and see where I would end up.

I did eventually come back to civilisation and realised I was about 4 km out of my way. So what I thought, I can normally walk 10 km with little discomfort. I did come across a person to ask where I was and in what direction I needed to go to reach my car. Off I went then, on the pavement this time much to my relief, no steep inclines or steps to climb, although by this time I was really feeling the aching and wondered, should I ring my husband to come and get me, but he was at golf and I do not think he would be too happy to be called away, although I knew he would do it. I continued on my slow trek to the car, eventually getting there and all the time I could not stop thinking about my having a nice hot bath when I got home.

I arrived home and hobbled out the car, opened the gate and parked the car in the garage. Got into the house and ran a bath. I must say, I have not had a bath for some time, I have never had the patience to lie in water for any length of time, but today, it was like being in heaven, to luxuriate in nice scented hot water feeling the warmth ease my aches and a feeling of relaxation enter my mind.

As much as I enjoyed the day, I will not be venturing on my own down the path of unfamiliar territory, I shall remain walking  in places that I know or go with a friend to discover new walks.

From  The Tao of Pooh:

To know the way, 
we go the way, 
we do the way.
The way we do,
the things we do,
it's all there in front of you.
But if you try too hard to see it,
you'll only become confused.

Have a very relaxing day