Y Striders

Margaret River Episode 5 – Nearly Time To Pack Up
Monday was time to try other activities that haven’t been fitted in, so it was off to Amaze’n for mini golf, (or getting lost within the high hedges) in the maze. Some Y Striders are quite competitive, even at mini golf 😉
The Raptor Centre was something different to check out while others explored further afield to Augusta, Hamelin Bay or back to Cowaramup, saying it was research for future trips - or was it wineries, shopping, lunch and coffees they were researching?
All good things must come to an end and Monday evening found some at the gazebo for farewell drinks and others exhausted in their cabins or vans eating leftovers and packing for Tuesday’s departure.
Most were on the road on Tuesday after another memorable
Y Strider weekend. Thanks to our volunteer organising team – it couldn’t have happened without you.

Episode 4 - The Main Event.
Sunday is always the main walk day. Previous long walks have been along parts of the Bibbulman and Cape to Cape walks. This year our walk planners, Kevin, Pam, Bill and Ken had us walking part of the Wadandi Track from Cowaramup back to MR, breaking it into 5km, 12km and 16 km sections to give walkers an exit choice if they were carrying injuries.We were fortunate to have great weather for walking and beautiful bush surrounds.
Another amazing evening was organised by Tracey at Swings and Roundabouts with more food than some could handle – definitely a place to return to.

Margaret River Episode 3 – Y Striders are an adventurous lot
Saturday is Day 2 with lots of activities to choose from. There was paddling with a Bushtucker and Canoe Tour on the Margaret River. Helen the guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and her gourmet bushtucker lunch was amazing.
Another group of twelve went quad biking and on their return, entertained us with many of their mishap stories.
A Koffee Safari at Yahava attracted the coffee connoisseurs, (or was it the cake?), where they even roasted their own coffee beans. This was followed by lunch at the Margaret River Brewhouse. Most thought to save room for our Saturday dinner at the Margaret River District Club. A great meal and lovely venue for our large group. It gave president Jennie an opportunity, with all gathered together, to thank everyone for coming and particularly the organisers - Kevin, Pam, Bill and Ken for selecting and checking the walks, Tracy, Elizabeth, Jenny and Deb for catering and social communications and organising and Christine our treasurer. It should have been an early night in preparation for the Sunday walk but some were wanting to kick on ;-)

Margaret River Episode 2 – Further Adventures with Y Striders
Friday was the official Day One with one group of 22 meeting at Ellensbrook Homestead, first to explore the grounds and history before setting off past the falls to complete either a 4km or 8 km walk. A group of twelve Y Striders went Quad Biking through the Boranup forest working up an appetite to meet with others at the Berry Farm for late lunch.
In the evening we all met at Settlers Tavern to greet the Friday arrivals and have dinner. It was cold outside but warm inside with laughter and stories of the day and past Y Strider weekends.

Margaret River Adventures – Episode 1
Although Y Striders have been going away for a long weekend as a club since 1999 our member numbers have grown since then, so the logistics of planning walks, accommodation, catering and activities has become more involved. Thanks to our hard-working volunteers and committee, this year has been another fun packed adventure. The weekend has also grown from 3 days to 5 days and more for some who stay on to visit and explore more.
Many eager Y Striders arrived on Thursday to check out the shops and get in some shorter walks and bike rides, (even to Witchcliffe for coffee).
Then it was gathering at the caravan park gazebo for meet and greet nibbles and drinks.
The weather looks promising and the early arrivals are here and ready to start. Stay tuned for episode 2!

A Warm, Wonderful Weekend
It’s not just the weather that contributed to the success of our recent Y Striders long weekend in Margaret River. It’s always the people. The fit, friendly, can-do attitude of the Y Strider members is a large part of the fun on our annual weekend away.
A lot of preliminary work goes into this as well, with our volunteer committee and helpers planning up to a year in advance. Where to go? What walks will be included? Is there enough suitable accommodation? Which venues can cater for our numbers for meals? What additional activities are in the area?
It all came together with so many stories and photos to share we may need to make this post into episodes 🙂

Thank you Macca and the Melville Council
Y Striders aren’t the only club using the Troy Park clubrooms and grounds – although the various clubs use different times and days. Councillor Michael (Macca) McGoldrick is also secretary of the Troy Park Association and on Saturday he organised a coffee and muffin morning at Troy Park for the clubs using the oval and clubrooms.
Mayor Katy Mair and Councillor Glynis Barber both gave updates on plans for the area and chatted to various members.
The weather was fine and although many of the junior sporting teams were busy playing away games, the groups that attended welcomed the opportunity to mix and meet others who enjoy our foreshore location for their club activities.

It’s that time of year.
The leaves are falling and the mornings are bright and fresh. Our Y Striders Autumn Off Site session is sometimes at Manning Park where last Saturday we gathered for warm up exercises with trainer Jack.
For some it was a pleasant walk around the lake, but for others it meant tackling the 192 steps in early preparation for the Bondi to Manly 80km walk planned for October, later this year. The Y Striders that went on the Bondi to Manly walk 2 years ago recall there were many, many steps, so practice steps will be vital.
We are also keeping in mind our annual Y Striders long weekend in Margaret River where there are several beautiful walks, plus wineries and cafes to explore – we have to keep our fitness levels up for that 🙂

Rain, Hail or Shine
Or should that be Thunder, Lightning and Rain? Because that’s what Y Striders faced on Wednesday morning for strength class.
But never to be deterred, 22 members came to the 6am class and 18 to the 7.45 class. A few carrying injuries walked but Deb our trainer soon had everyone moving under the verandah with exercises to strengthen and warm us so we were ready for the after-class coffee and chat.
Everyone knows that regular exercise is important. But did you know that socializing is equally important? Y Striders is the place for both, so why not join our friendly fitness club for running, walking and strength? Try our 4 week free trial. Go to; http://ystriders.org.au/membership/4-week-free-trial/

Be careful when driving to Troy Park, there may be quite a lot of trucks using the driveway and Burke Dr.

Foreshore re-grading will start shortly as part of work on the restoration of Point Waylen in Attadale.

Careful precautions are being taken to minimise disturbance to local wildlife and there should be limited inconvenience to park users, as the works will be contained within the site. There may however be an increase in truck traffic along Burke Drive.

For community safety, access will be prevented to the active construction site which will be fenced during the major works.

The re-grading is essential because this section of the foreshore is eroded and has an evident shelf, which is destabilising the surrounding edges as sand and vegetation is exposed to wind and water.

The work is being done by Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and will reprofile the eroded shoreline edge to create a more gradual slope, allowing for sedge planting to stabilise it.

The restoration of Point Waylen is a joint Federal and State Government and City of Melville initiative using native flora to revegetate the area provide habitat to native fauna and passive recreation facilities.