22. Walking - Red Hill and Mt Ainslie

Feeling inspired by my jaunt to the Blue Mountains at Easter, I decided to get back out into nature. Red Hill and Mt Ainslie are places that I had heard about in terms of walking/hiking. I don't have hiking shoes, so I walk. At least, I feel like that's what I do.

It took me a whole 7 minutes to drive to the Red Hill lookout (south side), where I found myself a walk and about 10 minutes to park the car at the War Memorial to embark on my walk up Mt Ainslie (North side). Both walks involved going up (hill or stairs or both). I much prefer going down as requires minimum energy. However, there is not the same amount of satisfaction when I reach the bottom as there is when I reach the top.

The Blue Mountains were far superior. Perhaps I should have done these walks first? It was still nice to be outdoors and in a naturalish environment. Unfortunately, I think these walks helped me to catch a cold as the breeze was chilly, the sun was warm and when going up hill, I felt hot! I suspect that in fact, despite feeling hot, (I took off my jacket) I got cold. 

Red Hill

more stairs

and more stairs

even more stairs

Mt Ainslie

There are plaques like the one below all along the trail which explain what happened along the Kokoda trail.

What do you see in the picture below?

I see a seal getting an enthusiastic bear hug from an older relative.

To prove I did it.

I was curious as to what this curved, narrow building was. I got told that it is army offices.

It was funny, at the very top of Mt Ainslie, every time I took a step I could hear and see masses of grasshoppers hopping out of the way. Are grasshoppers locusts? Do they become locusts? Can all types of grasshoppers be referred to as locusts?

Poppies cafe (at the War Museum) was on my way back tot he car. These statues were out the front. 

I've been waiting for renovations to the War Museum to be completed before visiting but apparently, it won't be done 'til 2025, so I'll go after the school holidays.