Conversations on parenting.

Monday morning, early, before the rain came, Noodles and K began their walk. Rain that night  had filled the small creeks and streams that filtered through the Conservation park. Noodles still hefted 7 kilo's and Kankles 750 grams.

One of the great pleasures of bush walking is meeting the local wildlife. Often by surprise. The early walker can spot wallabies nibbling the morning grass. At a safe distance the wallaby will stare in amusement as the walker fails to see them. The walker is often   eyes down, wheezing and struggling up a slight rise. When seen the walker stares in astonishment to see a wild creature at large in city bushland. The wallaby is nonplussed as his mob have bred in the bush for millennium. 

The odd friendly dog is always happy for a chat and a pat. However, it is important to remember that they are on a mission. It is the sworn duty of dogs to take the lead, sniff out danger and leave their carers walking behind them carrying a bag of doggy doo. No wonder Fido's tail is wagging.

As the buddies walked the topic of parenting came up. The age old question of Nature vs Nurture. 

They agreed that children, were both blessing and burden. While it is often said that children come without a manual, enough books have been written by learn-ed people on how to negotiate the minefield of raising a child, or two or three.

Noodles is of a scientific mindset, she reads books and has studied the physical child in detail. Her parenting style reflected her background. Solid, nurturing and kind. Occasionally, harsh but always fair. Noodles was, and remains, organized, one who plans ahead. If it was a competition and the outcomes were measured, she could claim her three productive, community-minded people as success. She did have some help from her partner in crime, Cap'n Pete. Let's face it it is the mother who bears the blame when things go wrong.

Kankles only read instructions after giving it a good go at doing something first. She had survived an OCD mother and a regime dominated by Dr. Spock with additional sound advice from the Women's Weekly. 

Kankles ultimate self belief in her ability to complete any project without instruction held true for 90% of all tasks undertaken. From IKEA furniture to building a house.  By week two of baby coming home, Kankles suffered post natal depression. Like the KitKat advert the cry of "there are no words no instructions" was often mentioned. Luckily, her partner The Old Panda (TOP) had enough experience to keep the child alive. After that it was all hit and miss and a reliance on old wives and their tales.

Kankles was less Dr Spock and more "beam me up Scotty". 

Which bought out the whole idea of nurture. Obviously, neither had caused serious harm to  their broodlings. 

Like the great evangelist Billy Graham's wife once said when asked if she had ever considered divorce?

 "Divorce never, murder often". 

Children can drive a person to the brink of insanity.

"Babies are the best because they don't stop crying when all you want is 10 minutes sleep. Its like they know just how far to push you," said Kankles. "I can understand why someone feels like shaking a baby". 
"It's unforgivable, but completely understandable,"said Noodles."Especially if drugs or alcohol are in the mix."
"Yes," said Kankles. "My children have no idea how lucky they are I did not drink when they were little. No idea at all".
"Mine are still lucky I don't drink!"

Which just goes to show, everyone has their struggles thought Kankles.  

Babies are the cutest and loveliest part of a humans being. When they grow up Nature can start to play a role.Genetic traits appear. 

Noodles, it seemed had a relatively strong link to hardy Scottish stock from the Northern Isles. She had bragging rights to the strength of her genetic heritage. She could even name a prime minister. 

Kankles had invested in Ancestry.com and uncovered a number of convicts and rogues in the family tree.  They were not so much as rattling about, more of banging loudly and shouting words that would make a sailor cringe. Taking a thought for her own stocky build it would seem even the skeletons were portly. The saying "never happened on my side of the family" opened a Pandora's Box of sins and misdemeanors best left locked away. 

Kankles gave a short yelp, jumped backwards and pointed at a small bemused water dragon sunning itself on the track. The lizard eyed off the two humans allowing them to take several snaps. Nature had reasserted herself.

Kankles- the draft horse.

Noodles - the thoroughbred

Conversations and thoughts. 

Monday mornings thought Kankles, is a  great start to the week. 

The small hut at the base of the stairs swarmed with mosquitos and runners. The runners were stretching their torsos getting ready to race up the stairs and around the track.

Kankles looked at them, it was 7am and these young gazelles were ready to leap into action. Kankles knew they would pass her several times as they powered around on their thin legs and slim bodies.

Noodles was late and the mozzies were biting. 

Looking up the stairs as one young thing after another leaped two stairs at time. Kankles watched Noodles walking down. On her back was a large blue backpack. The kind that allows you to take your survival needs on your shoulders. 

Noodles explained that her training regime meant she would need to care 12 kilo's for her four day sojourn in Tassie. However, today she carried five kilos.

Kankles pocketed her handkerchief and bottle in hand began to walk up the stairs. 

"The beauty of a a walking buddy is the that it makes the time go much faster," said Noodles. 

Clinging to the railing Kankles wheezed in agreement. It was without doubt one of the more humid mornings to walk in. The air seemed thick and warm. By the second level Kankles was beginning to melt. She looked back at Noodles. Kankles felt a surge of pure joy. Noodles was struggling an breathing hard.

Its not a competition thought Kankles. Yet somehow it had become one. Two lithe young things bounded up the stairs, passing on the right.

At the top of the stairs the walk straightened out into a flatter, kinder track. Now the buddies had a chance to talk. They chattered like two birds. Laughing, joking, about family, the world and other stuff that was totally beyond their control yet somehow still their responsibility to comment on.

The topic of selfishness held their interest. After lifetimes of giving the two were now prepared to do some taking. No more the doormat, no more the solver of problems. They were doing for themselves.

A large man steamrolled towards them. His face a dangerous shade of red. He was rotund, as wide as he was tall. Black hairs covered his body. He was slick with sweat. His breathing roared in and out. Clearly he was making an extraordinary effort to look like he was running towards fitness and discarding obesity in a single round of the circuit.

Kankles and Noodles stood aside to allow the freight train to steam past. They watched him as he continued heaving his overloaded frame along the path.

"My goodness, that man looks like a heart attack about to happen," said Noodles.

"Well if he does have one I hope it happens a long way from us," said Kankles.

"Would you not think to follow him just in case he collapses?"

Kankles looked long and hard at Noodles, knowing that her friend listened to her better angels😇.

"No way, I have things to do, places to go. I can't have my day ruined by someone having a heart attack. First he will collapse, you will want to do CPR, you will give me orders and I will be involved. Then someone will call the Ambo's and the police. Next comes statements. We will spend an hour at the police station while some fourteen year old taps out our version of events. I will spend another half hour correcting their spelling. Don't even get me started on a policeman's use of the apostrophe".

"You're joking," said Noodles.

"No, doing the right thing disappeared with the coming of the millennials. Its all about me. I stop for no-one".

Kankles smiled and they both laughed. 

Kankles continued to laugh as a small voice in side her head whispered, "she really has no idea who you are, does she?"👿

The retired life - setting the scene.

Noodles - barely a leg to stand on.

The retired life - setting the scene.

Retirement, or the age of no longer working for a living has arrived.The freedom to sleep in on any day of the week. The age of dreams fulfilled. A time to answer the call , to write the bucket list, to wander the world. To do all the things desired in a short space of time. The end of the working day comes with the realization that days are now numbered.

Retirement is not a time to drift into oblivion. It is a time for plans and schedules. Noodles is very good a schedules. She is a planner. Kankles is very good at drawing up plans, making goals, and forgetting where she put them.

To do the things dreamed of, to be fit enough at least, requires effort. Training. Above all teamwork. This is where walking buddies come into their own. A good walking buddy, someone to chat and moan with can make a long boring walk seem like a short jaunt. Laughter makes the K's and hours go faster.

Noodles, has lain down her laurels and is planning to do a BIG walk with her family in February 2019. A long coastal walk in Tasmania - four days carrying pack and tent. Noodles is stoic. 

Kankles has ambitions to walk the The Harz Witches' Trail, small day packs, and B&B's breakfast , lunch and dinner provided. Minimum three stars. Kankles is not, despite her thick ankles, built for the rough life.

Kankles and Noodles share a need for training and are on a mission to get fit. Mondays and Wednesdays are walking days. 

Walking strictly for training purposes takes place in the Springwood Conservation Park.

The stairs are the first challenge. They are not for the weak hearted or asthmatic.