Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Vale Miss Tigger


Little Cat

[Vail Miss Tigger, 1989 – April 19th 2006]

I said goodbye to you today, little cat.
Fingers caught on bones when I stroked your fur.
You could scarcely raise your head to drink,
yet still you calmed me with your purr.

Were you comfortable curled on the rug?
And did you know your time drew near?
Your wide brown eyes held gentle love,
and quiet pain, but showed no fear.

You slipped away so quietly
that we weren't sure that you were gone.
Our bouncy little cat is stilled
but your spirit lingers on.

Little ghostcat, where are you?
Are you happy, are you strong?
I feel your warmth, your life, your love
and still can hear your purring song.

(MJ Falango)
I first saw Tigger on the front lawn of Barkly st Brunswick where I was living. She came up to me and had a pat. I saw her a number of times in the empty lot a few doors down. When the dog at our place went to the kennel in the sky, Tigger moved into the back yard the next day. The neighbours called her stupid because she used to sit in their chicken coup and commune with the chickens. Tigger used to wait outside for me to come home from work, and so she really just adopted me.

the big walk - the lowdown

write more here

Thursday, April 06, 2006

The big walk - 100km or die in the attempt

Well, the big day is nearly here.

Tomorrow is the 100km walk for Oxfam and it looks like cool weather. For those of you following this blog, now is the time to sponsor me! Go to http://www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/donate/
and fill in the details as follows:

1. Event: Melbourne 2006
2. Team: No.403 Team Nurofen
3. Walker: Linda Williams

I know I can make it the first 50kms, its the second 50kms that I might have trouble with!

Here goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Final Day - Pinjarra to Perth 95kms


The last day - and it started raining about 1.00am. At 5.30am - time to rise and shine - it was still raining. Everyone was up early this morning it would seem, packing up in the rain. On the bike about 7.20am this morning and off through town and then country roads. The roads today were great - very smooth with few exceptions and the absence of a headwind meant that we could move along at a steady clip. I made it to the lunch spot by 9.00am - by the serpentine river. Lots of farmets in the 60 kms outside Perth and lots of horse studs and adjistment facilities. The terrain is very flat and sandy, and the ubitiqus grass trees everywhere beside the road. We travelled today for around 40km on cycle paths beside the freeway. I am very impressed by the cycle pathways around Perth - I have to say I think they are better than Melbourne. All are well sign posted and it seems you can get most places by bike. The last kms of the trip were cycling beside the swan river - a magnificent backdrop to the city. Finally at Langley Park and the final fairwells. Anne and I headed for a coffee shop - "only five minutes walk" from out friend Cathy - twenty minutes later with heavy packs we made it - but the coffee was worth it. Anne's friend came to pick her up and I was left to my own devices. I did not have the address of the YHA, but I was told it was near the Wellington St Bus Station. Some irish people saw me looking at the map and said that it was not far and I could easily walk. I set off with 20kgs of luggage up the hill and left down Wellington St. Looking for the new YHA which no one knows of - I walked all the way to the freeway before I decided that this was not looking good. I finally realised that the YHA was at the other end of the street, and so I made the trek back - probably a 5km round trip with the pack after a 95km cycle - needless to say, I was a little tired. Did not stop me sightseeing once I had showered and changed. Tomorrow - Freo on the train, and then home on Monday....

Bunbury to Pinjarra - 109km

An early start today - I was on the road by 7.00am and already headed into a headwind. With a 100km plus day, this was not auspicious. We had some scenic views initally riding along the lagoon which stretched for miles. A lot of new estates out this way north of Bunbury. Finally we turned onto the freeway for a stretch, and then a side trip to Yarloop for lunch. Back into the headwind and down one of the few hills of the day - coasted for at least 500metres before resuming pedling. The push to camp was completed by tacking onto a few bike trains and drafting. I reached camp by 1.00pm - bit of a record day for me. Poor Anne still had 24kms to go once I had put up my tent, and then found her bag. She arrived two hours later a little worse for wear.
I caught the bus into Pinjarra, but there was not a lot to see - a nice park with a bridge over the river murray, and a historic tea room, but the rest was pretty standard. I was feeling fine after a nanna nap, but I still retired at 10.00pm - another almost 100kms tomorrow for the last day.