The bushwalker v. the yodelling, transvestite ice skater

[whynotwalk]

I haven't shared this weird story before, but thought all of you bushwalkers might find it both funny and unsettling.

Warning: I get a little sentimental as well, but dads are like that about their daughters

Read the blog here http://auntyscuttle.blogspot.com/2011/08/passionate-pedestrian.html

cheers

Peter

[Nuts]

Dont think much of Louv's scratchings or Kiddie Packs but do Like that hat and you write well I wonder what they're saying over on the Yodelling, Ice Skating Transvestite Forum?

[Area54]

Ah yes, the sentimental father of a daughter, know the feeling too well. Our pet monkey is almost 6, but she has been out on a lot of long distance on and off road rides and tours with me, in her little seat on the front of the bike since she was 12 months - I have to confess her first outing was with me at 4 weeks in the baby sling. She happily sat in the seat all day, I'd pick flowers for her and she'd study them as we rode (we liked grevilleas the best for the nectar we could suck out), she'd feed herself from a musette bag on the handlebars, we'd sing songs, spot wildlife - when she got tired, she'd plonk her head down on the pillow rest while the miles rolled on. She's now too big for that seat, but migrated to a recumbent tagalong behind the tandem. Same silly songs, same appreciation for the outdoors, but I do miss my little companion on the front. Lots of photos of us on our adventures though - riding local mtb trails, tandem touring, beach rides, urban city daytrips. Great memories.

I think the bond between father and daughter is stronger than father/son - inverse oedipus complex?

[whynotwalk]

I wonder what they're saying over on the Yodelling, Ice Skating Transvestite Forum?

excellent thought Nuts! What makes it even funnier is that after I posted a link to this on Twitter, I got notification that I was now being followed by @iceskating

cheers

Peter

[whynotwalk]

She's now too big for that seat, but migrated to a recumbent tagalong behind the tandem. Same silly songs, same appreciation for the outdoors, but I do miss my little companion on the front. Lots of photos of us on our adventures though - riding local mtb trails, tandem touring, beach rides, urban city daytrips. Great memories.

Great stuff Area54 - such a worthwhile investment, and just plain fun as well! We're now "blooding" our three grandchildren, who have just moved to Tassie after starting life on the mainland. It's one more reason to stay fit and well,

cheers

Peter

[taswegian]

great stuff Peter and yes - well written.
We need more of these sort of posts that show we CAN take our life (as in family) out into the sticks and ENJOY.
It is just so rewarding and satisfying and I would not imagine what my walks would have been without my little travelling companion(s).
thanks for sharing Area54 - your sentiments are echoed here.
Richard

[andrewbish]

Nice piece, Peter. I am envious of the time you spent in the wilds with your kids when they were young. I am a late-starter to bush-walking and am making very slow headway in convincing my teenage daughters to join me on a trip, let alone the 'why not walk' philosophy. (I am surrupticiously starting them off in the walking habit by parking at the far end of the shopping centre car park, rather than the usual old game of fighting for the closest possible park to the entrance!)

[whynotwalk]

Thanks for your comments Andrew - and good luck with the teenage girls. Dare I suggest finding some keen teenage BOY walkers??

cheers

Peter

[doogs]

Thanks WNW, Obviously need to cover more bases with the minority thing!
I am just going through the process of starting to take my kids out with me into the wilds. I had been a bit unsure when is a good time to start, but have come to the conclusion early is good. I took my young family and some friends with their family for a bush barbeque to Meetus Falls, NE Tas, yesterday. Great place to bring kids, you can light a fire, there is a wood fired bbq (check for fire bans) and it is a short (10min) walk with kids to the falls lookout which was pumping with all the recent rain in the east of the state. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and the adults could relax more tha they would with the kids than they would have in a public place.

[Phil]

Nice work Doogs. I'm with you, it's never too early!! Have taken the kids on a few little walks (like Liffey Falls type of stuff) and in the last year have started taking my son on a couple of over-nighters (Lees Paddocks and Scott Kilvert Hut). Some real special memories already with many more to come!!