HIKES

Astra’s hike report


Clinging to the old adage: it gets better the second time around; I arrived at our start point Bath St. John and surveyed the scene. After conquering Annette Hill last week I felt so buoyant I was ready for ANY challenge. We set off as usual at a brisk pace close to the sea shore and saw many beautiful underwater springs. It was during my admiration for the picturesque scenes that I sank ankle deep in wet mushy mud! I was unimpressed and so were my sneakers and socks however I was not the only casualty even IronDoc Charles lost a shoe to the mud temporarily. We kept on trekking thru the mud, thigh high grass and climbing over and under broken branches until we came to a clearing. I looked around took a deep breath saw what I knew would be inevitable: A HILL!


We began to climb the VERY VERY precipitous incline or should I say the group climbed and I struggled to make it to the top. Once at the top a reprieve came in the form of a water break! Bliss!


We charted a course for Newcastle Pumping Station. I should be honest here and say that I was given an escape route. The hikes are formulated so that everyone gets a challenge but not too much that they can’t complete. Apparently, these ‘escape routes’ are strategically placed to give just enough rest while the more fit press on. The other hikers had soooo much more work to do. But one day, I’ll get there.


Once at Newcastle Pumping Station we hiked through a gully and I have to say beside my tight chest, burning calves, and sweat drenched shirt it was so much Fun! For a girl who did not have much tree climbing days I was beyond excited to have to climb over all of the tree branches and other broken foliage which blocked our path. On exit of the gully we began to chart a course back to our start point. We jogged downhill and momentarily I was briefly at the top of the pack however that was short-lived. I’m constantly awed by the stamina of the more experienced hikers. While I was barely making it down the hill they had time to stop, do pushups and pose for pictures LOL. Here’s to hoping I can achieve that level of fitness with continued work.


Darkness descended and at minutes to 7 we returned to Bath. At hike # 2’s completion I’m feeling like Thomas: the little engine that could ☺.


I wonder what hikemaster IronDoc Charles is going to bring next. Whatever it is, I’ll be there and ready.

Hi Team,
After a relatively "easy" start to the IronDocs series of Hikes; Hike #2  starts at Bath Car Park at 3:45pm sharp (returning to the scene of the crime). Lisa, Chetwyn and Astra received a special mention from the Hike master, and they are in line for one of our limited IronDocs tees presented to the most improved Hiker after 10 Hikes.


We have been receiving lots of queries with respect to the difficulty of the hikes, all we can say is that its not an ab lounge, its not a "take this pill and you will look like a fitness model in 4 weeks!" These hike challenge your body and your mind, they allow you to push yourself and feel proud when finished. No magic pills here, come stimulate your mind and your body, one thing we can assure you we wont leave you behind, start together finish together.


Safety, Safety, Safetyy-It got dark very early and everyone didn’t have flashlights! Once again bring your hydration, your flash light, a fluorescent vest if you have one. For those who don’t know the way, our Hike master Brian Charles is leaving Trimart Car Park at 3:15pm sharp Sunday November 14^th. Don’t be late.
BTW Astra we are looking forward to your commentary for hike number 2, in case you did not realise you are our official scribe, qualification; that lovely description of last weeks Hike!!

One of my clients (Dr. B Charles ) saw me last week and said “we’ve formed a group of exercise enthusiast called IronDocs, who are trying to promote health, fitness and weight loss through activity and we go hiking on Sundays; u should come! Astra in an enthusiastic voice resonated: “Sure, see you on Sunday!!!”

Well Sunday came, and I met the group at the meeting point and we drove convoy style to the starting point. We ventured off from Codrington College. I envisioned a scenic walk in the country side accompanied with maybe some small forays onto nature trails.

Little did I know what I was getting myself into! We set off on a swift pace, running down hills, walking on paths that had not seen human footfall for a long time. We reached Consett Bay for a brief hydration break and there the “hike began”. We climbed STEEP slopes ever watchful for loose and low hanging branches and careful of the slippery terrain up to a newly discovered place (for me), called Windy Hill. We descended the cliff face, more times on all 4’s than on 2 feet. It was slow going but by this time, my body was sending mixed messages to my brain. “This is great”. “What a lovely view”. “Why can’t I breathe?”. “The air is so nice and fresh”. “Are we there yet?”. At this point muscles in my legs were screaming in agony but still we kept on going and yes at a rapid pace. Finally we got off the cliff after sliding down a 5 foot chute to the beach. We walked on the coastline and were soaked by the waves but we also got to see the old railroad tracks. We reached Bath; my breath was regained, my heart resumed a normal beat and I began to feel like the end was near. Alas that was not to be! Our trusted guide, IronDoc Charles, pointed to a steep hill and said that’s Annette Hill and that’s where we’re going. All I could do was groan and say I got this far! I can finish! We climbed this mountain on all fours, mud on my hands, clothes and my shoes were no longer distinguishable. With darkness approaching we began our return to our starting point. We returned to Codrington College at a few minutes after six.

I was tired, beat, sore and wet but EXHILARATED!! I look forward to next week’s hike with excitement and healthy dose of apprehension.