I ticked off a few adventures this year that I’d been wanting to do for a while. Looking back I see I managed to get the kids out on quite a few walks too!

Five Lands Walk: I managed to convince my son to walk this with me and he still talks about it and wants to do it next year!This walk covers the coastline near Terrigal and starts by being led by a bag piper down the the beach. It took us through forest and shoreline and had lots of activities for the kids along the way, including kite making! Lotsa fun and I’m glad they were able to hold the event this year. Prior to this walk we visited the Skillion in Terrigal, which is a fun little family adventure that I recommend.

Manly Dam: most folks won’t be aware that Manly even has a dam! The path was underwater in parts and there were many leaches but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well, I did take a tumble crossing a creek and smashed up my side rather badly. I was able to carry on but it took a long time to heal and I still have a pinched nerve in my hip. But other than that it was a fantastic day out with the kids.

Woy Woy foreshore: I was recovering from my fall so wanted a flattish walk but also a view and this fit the spec. A beautiful easy walk with my daughter along the shore then a short climb up Blackwall mountain to take in the views.

Fretus Hotel Ruins: oh I’d wanted to do this for so long and it was incredibly worth it. The ruins of an old holiday home with incredible views. It was steep in places but brilliant too.

Berowra to Cowan: I revisited an older walk with my son but it was a disaster. There were giant pincer ants (Jack jumpers?) everywhere and my son hated the experience rather thoroughly!

I did walk to a couple of Aboriginal engraving sites. The first to spirits rock was a flat route to a lovely lookout and some very faded engravings. The second was an off track adventure to a hidden site in a cave. I had to use much internet sleuthing and some on-site problem solving to find it. Very satisfying!

I’ve also tried to build a little strength for future adventures by doing some exercise via the Chase Mountains program. It got easier as the weeks past and I can see the benefits. I need more aerobic exercise, which I was able to get with a few evening walks with my daughter (not blogged) and I took up swimming lessons! I’ll pick this up again in the new year as I really started to feel good and stronger in the legs.

In 2023 I intend to return to Kosciusko National park, do the Kiama Coastal walk and the Tomaree Summit walk. I also need to get some overnight walks in so a trip to the Warrumbungles is likely amongst others.

So there we have it. A fairly light year but my fall really slowed me down and robbed me of some motivation. All is back on track for 2023!