When I say “I go for a walk every morning,” I’m positive the picture that pops into your mind, is not the reality that is my daily walk.
This is the best way to begin my day. Body and brain, heart and mind — all are refreshed and kick-started into action. It’s the fitness routine that I simply can’t do without
Such a beautiful route
Every day is different as I start walking up the grassy paddock that constitutes my backyard. In December the light will already be well advanced, but now that it’s nearer February, the 6 a.m. daylight is pale. Sunrise over the mountains is still more than an hour away. The dawn chorus is over by now, but the ducklings in their pen by the pond can be heard cheeping long before I see them. They know I’m bringing food and fresh water. The older ducks waddle up, ever-hopeful, but they’re always disappointed. Terry will feed them this evening.
Past the duck pond and into the second paddock. This one is steeper, leading up to the hills which form the rugged boundary of our farm. Once upon a time, I toiled up this hill, but now I speed up to get my heart-rate going. This familiar walk is no longer the challenge it once was. At the top, I’m relieved to see water cascading out of the water tank. The overflow means that all is well with the farm water supply.
Up I go
Climbing through the wire fence, there are many possible routes to take, but my favourite at the moment is scrambling up the creek. This is the lovely spring that feeds our house and much of the farm. Sometimes it’s a torrent that I wouldn’t go near, but today it’s a trickle. We are so close to drought — but so far this little spring has not let us down.
Where the creek meets the water race I pause to gaze at the panorama spread out before me. It’s a familiar, ever-changing, spectacular view of the valley I call home.
The water race is filled in now — a winding path that takes me across the mountainside. But it was designed to be a deep ditch, full of rushing water, for use at the goldmine in the next-door Nokomai Valley. There’s no hint of this today. Now the path is filled with tussock and rocks. The cows and sheep have their own tracks meandering along, showing the easiest route to take through the dips and hollows of the seven little streams and marshes that cross the race.
Heading home
The homeward walk is all downhill. It gives me time to reflect on the day to come and give thanks for the wonder that is my daily walk.
Do you have a favourite walk or an unmissable start to your day? Do, please, make a comment about it.
I’d love to hear about your routine.
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