Dina on line at last!!
Stay tuned for the first exciting instalment from Dina detailing Churchill’s developments and everything else.
Reflection on Bruny
It has been over a week since we returned to Melbourne from Bruny Island in Tasmania. The green peaceful surrounds of the Island supplanted by the harsh grey tones of the city landscape in Melbourne. During the walk today Pesky was lamenting the fact that the reality of city life ought not impinge upon our personal goals and aspirations. I think Pesky sees himself as an ancient Chinese philosopher. Well ancient he might be, philosopher he certainly is not! Maybe it was the presence of the ducks in the river today, perhaps the river’s soybean hue, maybe the gentle Asian music playing in the background , its very hard to fathom. Despite Pesky’s ruminations, Dina & I reflected that it is highly important to maintain a healthy lifestyle & we agreed the FatC’s principles must be applied to ensure that everything stays in perspective.
Bruny Beckons
What a trip! Dina, Churchill, Quirky and I have just returned from a magnificent walking trip on Bruny Island. This is the first installment of our report. Dina is still waiting to get her computer operating fully so she can commence contributions – she should be ready by next week. Quirky is champing at the bit to add his two bob, and Churchill is no doubt nursing some resentment at our frenetic pace – despite his superior fitness he was struggling to keep up with the rest of us, particularly when we voraciously consumed the bottle of Ardbeg 1990 vintage single Islay malt so generously supplied by Dina. (oops, I don’t think I should have mentioned that!). Fortunately for Dina & me, Quirky, despite his extra kms of blood vessels, can’t tolerate spirits – all the more for us. As for Churchill, we discovered that unlike his namesake, his liking for a tipple isn’t matched by his capacity for it.
Apparently our fame is spreading. Rumour has it that Pavarotti has been singing like a (very large) canary & has blabbed (or maybe blubbered) the website address to all and sundry…..
Stay tuned for more exciting reports on Bruny. Hopefully Quirky, Churchill and Dina will get off their considerable backsides & make some contributions! I will close with this pic snapped on South Bruny – the local denizen & the FCWC clearly have something in common!
(Pictured are Churchill & Dina outside a delightful cottage overlooking Adventure Bay)
Mellow Melbourne Autumn Stroll
By far the best season in Melbourne is Autumn, in my opinion. Crisp cool mornings, warm sunny days with the light not as harsh and bright as the Summer season. Dina, Quirky and I made another foray along the Yarra River on Thursday, and I managed to sneak a picture of Dina and Quirky as we did so. Because Quirky is somewhat paranoid about being recognised, the photo is taken from behind, and as an extra precaution his head has been pixelated (souls less kind than me might suggest this is an inherently good thing in any case!). 
The week in review.
Dina & I managed to walk most days in the past week. I trialled a new pair of running shoes especially in light of the change of season. Pesky walked on two occasions but was primarily engaged in work conferences. On Friday as usual he had a gastronomical 3 course lunch including dessert , at which I am told he devoured the full cream with aplomb. Moderation is not a word in Pesky’s vocabulary. There was some concern during the main course that the enamel from his dinner plate had been removed with the excessive tongue action. I do not even wish to visualise the scene! Pavarotti who also attended the lunch thought it quite amusing. I am sure others shared such sentiments.
Next week will be our last in Melbourne before we venture out on the walking trip to Tasmania the following week. I am sure it will be very nteresting.
Peking Duck & Beijing Dumplings
Or should that be Beijing Duck & Dumplings? What, in any event does this have to do with walking? Well Dina Quirky and I decided we’d treat ourselves to a Yum Cha after a traumatic week at work, however our favourite Yum Cha restaurant the West Lake, was full and Quirky had neglected to book a table. I proceeded further along Little Bourke Street with Dina and Quirky in tow & suggested we go to the Da Hu Duck Restaurant. Quirky, as to be expected, was unsure as he’d had his heart set on Yum Cha. However when Dina pointed out to him that the Da Hu offered Spring Rolls (a Quirky favourite), the deal was clinched and we headed upstairs. As we were mindful of our calories, we confined ourselves to half a duck (with pancakes, sauce, spring onion & cucumber – scrumptious!) as well as several entrees including the obligatory Spring Rolls, some steamed Beijing style dumplings (delicious), seafood san choi bao (average), and some Shandong steamed buns (glorious). For good measure I had a small serve of Suan La Tang 酸辣汤 (Hot & Sour soup). As we were all (incredibly!) still a bit “moreish” we finished off with the pepper squid, which we all agreed was sensational. Needless to say this was all washed down with Chinese tea and some lubricious libations generously supplied by Dina. We then had our walk back to the office………
Surviving the onslaught
In an attempt to deflect criticism, Pesky must engage in a collateral attack. He cannot concede that his exercise regime has fallen into serious disarray. I am sure my entries are much more interesting than Pesky’s critique on politics.
Last week Pesky begrudgingly walked twice, Dina three times and I walked four. Weather prevented me from walking the full five days. One of the walks was directly after a shower of rain.The best part about the change of weather is the absence of people on the walking track.Winter will provide its own challenges for outdoor exercise but the FCWC recommend warmer walking clothes, such as those found in the Adidas or Reebok clothing range and Brooks footwear. I must say Dina is always up to date with her walking gear and as for Pesky well he is a fashion disaster as you might no doubt imagine!
Murdering the language
I can’t wait for Dina to get her damned computer. Don’t know how much more of Quirky’s gawky “Dear Reader” mush I can stand! If anybody out there is reading this – I am sure you agree!!! Dina, Quirky and I met up with Hoppy, who is on the mend after a nasty motor bike accident. It will be another couple of months before he is able to rejoin us on our Fat C walks, and we are all looking forward to that day. If he also starts contributing to the update of this blog that will further improve its quality (if only because it will further dilute the Quirky clunkiness!).
The walks continue unabated….with good news at the end.
I concede it has been sometime since I appraised you of the walks over the last week or thereabouts. Whilst the pressures of work & immediate family issues continue, the walks at lunchtime assume much more importance. Dina, Pesky and I have elderly parents and the walks enable us to compare notes and discuss issues which may play upon our mind at that time. There is no doubt the walking escape is extremely therapeutic especially if the pace of the walk is increased periodically over the planned course. Dina sets the pace for the walks & Pesky follows (as he has done throughout his life!).
Dina and I are still managing to walk quite often during the week. Pesky as usual has the lure of the long luncheon engagement quite frequently. Although a bolt of lightning has finally penetrated the otherwise impenetrable skull & he has now appreciated the importance of regular exercise after education from me during this period.
The Fat C walking club has now been in existence for over 2 years. We are celebrating by conducting a walking trip in Tasmania and then hopefully another trip to Sydney. Its easy for those of you who wish to emulate our approach. We hope in the new future to produce handbooks which will be available through this site with various checklists and upon attaining a certain point level will enable you to arrange individual and collective rewards including retreats away with fellow club members.
Good news ..for all of you who thought Dina had been silenced…she is soon to make her first entry to the site much to Pesky’s chagrin. He is quaking in his “Brooks” joggers wondering what is to be revealed. I can’t wait!
In the meantime happy walking until next time….
Pesky’s politicism of the Fat C walking Club
On behalf of all those readers who have emailed me & smsed me I would like to apologise for the way in which Pesky has hijacked this site to express his own personal views about a newspaper columnist Dolt. I agree this site should explore the delights of exercise and Pesky is attempting to use it for his own purposes to deflect a clear accusation that he has failed to walk as often as he should. Dont be fooled by his attempt to distract you from your tasks at hand. If dear reader you wished to follow politics you would consider other sites such as Fox News for an unbiased account! Pesky is a living example of how many people place obstacles in the path of fitness and good health but you will be awakeup to such attempts of sabotage.
