how did you get to fairyland?

how did you get to fairyland?
Originally uploaded by Auswomble

Before heading out to dinner on Saturday night - the first dinner out Sal and I have had alone since AJ was born (I think) - I mapped out a run through Lane Cove National Park that I was pretty sure I'd screw up. So I left hoping to run around 20km and in my heart of hearts knowing it would be more.

First leg was pretty easy, on pavement to the top of the Blue Gum Creek track in Chatswood. I was there fairly early; Sal had got up early and I headed out a bit before 7am, hoping to be back before the weather got too close to the expected 29degrees. This track does not look as if it is used often and is a little tight and overgrown. A few trees over the path to duck under and plenty of spiderwebs to clean up with my face. Lovely.

It was quite cool through the track, which made a pleasant change. Apparently this was the site of an old rifle range. Interesting. At the end of the track I crossed the Lane Cove River and headed south. Still knew where I was going at this point, sort of. A bit of road before picking up the Great North Walk track that I was following south. When the track got to the end of the Lane Cove Tunnel I just knew I'd screw it up and I did. I wanted to cross the river again, which I did, And then I crossed it again. So, as expected I was on the wrong side of the river. But hey, this meant I was on the Great North Walk route which, if I got it all wrong would take me to the City. No biggie.

The second river crossing is a narrow foot path above a corn grinder - real industrial stuff. Not many people on site, but loads of ducks, taking advantage of the unprotected corn, er, sheds. No idea what you call a sodding great room full of corn. Took a few pictures, as I had been all along, partly because it was a new route and partly because I knew it would slow me down a bit and let me have a bit of a rest (who the hell am I kidding...)

More trail followed, and as it got back close to the river I found myself running through areas of mangroves where boardwalks had been built to protect the plants. More micro-stops where I looked around, said "Oo, nice" and then kept going. Yep, I was lost. Loads of small lizards, small crabs and mid-size spiders for company, cicadas buzzing, cockatoos overhead.

The trail came to an end and a marker for the walk pointed this-a-way so I followed it. Pretty tired by now I stopped for a drink of water, got out my phone and fired up the app that is simply called "Where Am I?" Sure, the map came up, but it didn't help much. Nevermind. As it happened the road I was on came out, as I knew it would, on Burns Bay Road, which is part of one of my regular runs.

I bottled out from getting back on to my original plan and instead headed back up the hill home, figuring I'd finish up at 24-25km. Not bad start to my birthday.

Back home, buggered, legs tired but somehow still working, it was time to head for breakfast and then back home where AJ once again kipped for a little over two hours. Opportunities like this will become ever more rare, so Sal and I both crashed out too.

With the early start Rowlf had missed out on his walk, so I threw him in the car, jumped in with Sal and AJ and we headed dow to Clive Park for a swim in the harbour. The big fella, of course, loved it. I jumped in with him, little lady had a paddle. On the way home I bought 4 interesting beers, thus finishing my birthday off in some style while also getting back on the carbs. hehehe.

Oh, the fairyland thing. Apparently that is what the area was called back in the day when early European settlers would hang out by the Lane Cove River. And how about this; without setting out to do so I have run 41km this weekend and turned 41yrd old. Snap.