This morning’s walk….

I don’t walk much these days. I know that I should.
And I intend to start walking again once school goes back (or one of these days, or….)
But when I do, it will be early (like just after sunrise) and not because I’ve got to drop the car to the dealers for a service later in the morning.
It wasn’t a big walk – just over a kilometre or so back home but it is up a gradual hill.
And it is really, really hot this morning.As I write this the thermometer is sitting at 30°C (86°F). When we (the Teen came along as well) took the car down this morning, it was probably only a little cooler than that. Thank goodness I took my hat and sunglasses!
Since I was walking, I thought I’d take a leaf out of Marie’s book and take photos as I walked home. Now, the truth is, it really is just up one very busy street and then into our estate but it took about 20 minutes.
So, join me on my walk this morning…..

Upon leaving the dealership, I strolled to the corner and took a photo of our busy main road into town. Just down a bit further, you hit all the shops.
The Teen tried to talk me into getting a smoothie and a hash brown from the Golden Arches but I told her we could make a smoothie at home. She didn’t like the response and then walked off ahead of me up the street (to the left of this photo).
This part of town is much older than other parts and the trees are well established. As we began the climb and the sun beat down upon the back of my neck, I looked forward to reaching the shaded areas of the footpath (sidewalk) and the relative coolness found under the branches.
I didn’t realise just how busy this street is. I drive down it myself all the time but as I don’t live on this street, I was surprised by the number of cars that passed.
As we passed where one of the First Born’s friend’s used to live I was dismayed to notice that since the block was subdivided, the top part has been let go.
With the recent rain and the humidity, the grass has really taken off. I think the trolley (shopping cart) is from Woolworths. (That’s further down the main road past the Golden Arches). Whoever it was that took it, did well to push the trolley that far back (and uphill).
By now, my clothes were sticking to my back and sweat was running down my neck. Yuk.
I began to take notice of things that I don’t usually pay much attention to when I am driving past in my car; like the mango tree hanging over the fence that the Flying Foxes have been feeding from. They certainly make a mess and the smell of fruit rotting in the sun isn’t particularly pleasant either.
There were some lovely gardens. A couple of older ladies (I know because I’ve seen them) have old fashioned Gerberas in their gardens that are in flower right now. There are also so many beautiful frangipani trees flowering at the moment. This one shaded the whole path and I had to step out onto the grass in order to take the photo.
Crows and other birds began calling out. I know that ibises visit one of the homes in the street but they weren’t there this morning. There is also a community of magpies that generally sit on the power lines but they too were absent. No doubt they were hiding in the shade somewhere and conserving their energy.
There were plenty of butterflies though. Many flitting around my head as they crossed my path on their way to wherever it is that butterflies go. This fellow landed on the grass at my feet. I tried terribly hard to get a photo with it’s wings opened but it wouldn’t play along with me.
Finally reaching the top of the street, we entered the newer estate in which we live. When I say newer as compared to the older homes I had just passed. lol
This beautiful gum housed a number of birds this morning but I loved the contrast of its trunk and branches against the blue of the sky.
Finally reaching home, I was elated and savoured the cool of the interior once I walked through the door. Stripping off and changing into my swimmers, I headed right outside again and plunged into the pool.
Ahhhh the bliss.
The Teen joined me and we spent a lovely half hour or so cooling off before coming inside and beginning our day.
We are now inside the house, curtains drawn and the fans going flat out.
I think the air conditioner needs to go on. Would you believe the temperature has gone up another degree since I started this post??
Not sure what the expected top is today (yesterday was 38.8°C) but it sure ain’t conducive to study that’s for sure.
I think I’ll get myself a cold drink and my book and curl up under the air con. 🙂

p.s: I’m away this weekend with my kids so I won’t be posting. I have one scheduled but that is all. I’ll be taking lots of photos so I’m sure you will see them when I get back. 🙂