Evening Rides

Date: 07 February 2006 09:46:26

Thanks for the wishes and prayers for Skye. She is a little bit better today, but still rather unhappy. She is drinking, at least; she isn't eating much at all. My sisters says she is very grumpy: I thought we had to wait for the terrible twos for that! ;-)

I'm continuing to enjoy my evening rides. I set off around 19.15, about 45 minutes before sunset, and get back around 20.00 or 20.15 -- I can't believe how quickly the time flies.

Cycling through the Western Sydney Regional Park is rather fun: though very hilly. Going down is fine: it's the climbing back up I have trouble with. It's reasonably close to houses and main roads, but you truly do feel a million miles away from anywhere. Yesterday I ran into, thankfully not literally!, a work colleague who was running along the track. Nice to have some company for a while.

The pathway also goes past Fairfield City Farm (which I'm looking forward to taking my niece to soon!) It's nice to see the sheep and goats and cows and alpacas as you cycle past: when I stop for a drink, which occurs more regularly than other riders I'm guessing, the goats tend to run up to the fence where I am and maaaaa to their hearts' content. Not sure if they want lime cordial, and I'm not sure how good it is for them: but it's mine and I need it!

Cycling along Orphan School Creek is always a nice end to the ride. You have parts where there is open space, parts where gum trees hem you in and parts where kids are playing soccer or playing on swings. And you have the creek, with the assorted birds, ducks and frogs. One duck in particular seems to have a regular schedule. Whenever I ride past a certain section, there he (she?) is, fossicking around in the grass for worms or insects (or whatever ducks look for -- you can tell I'm a city boy! :help:) As well, there are a number of sculptures of bikes, each with a bit of history on bicycles. They provide a good excuse to stop: and you can always pretend you are learning rather than taking a break when those more fit than you run / jog / cycle past! ;-)

Great fun. But my backside is still very, very sore. ;-)