Agoraphobia-phobia and how not to go Bush Walking

17 March 2013 It suddenly occurred to me that I had only been out of the house once all week and was actively making excuses NOT to go out - not a good idea when you live alone so I decided to go bush walking at Whites Hill Reserve - just a couple of Kms from home but 170 hectares of natural bushland within the Metropolitan Area of Brisbane.

Whites Hill Trails

Things NOT to do when going Bush Walking in Australia

• Do not go alone
• Probably best not go when the temperature is 34 C
• Get a copy of the above map BEFORE setting out.
• Take insect repellent

It was a beautiful morning but it soon got very hot walking around this gorgeous bushland setting. I only saw a couple of other people plus two moronic boys on trail bikes who thought it would be fun to circle around me then ride off. I must admit it was quite scary but there was nothing I could do. Twits!!

The track was quite steep and got very narrow in places - I picked up a big stick in case I saw a snake. Thought I could drop it in horror and run off screaming or something useful like that. lol

I didn't see any wildlife but I heard THINGS and was stalked by a rather persistent bee.

I don't know what lives in that hole but I didn't wait for introductions!!

This was a very pleasant spot for a rest

At this point I realised I was quite lost and although I could hear cars way off in the distance it occurred to me that I probably shouldn't have gone alone just in case something happened. I mean I did have my phone so I guess I could call someone and tell them I'm lost and they could say where and I could say I don't know..I'm lost....then what ever lives in that bloody hole could come out and bite me. Oh dear...imagination running riot. I finally found the edge of the park and saw the map that's at the top of this blog.  The pink note top right says "you are here". Where I needed to be was bottom left. I took a photo of the sign and set off back the way I came feeling confident with the map on me....HOWEVER....the map is obviously an old one....there were in fact many more twists and turns than were shown. Getting grumpy and a bit of heat stroke at this stage. Finally found my way back to my car....2 1/2 hours since I left it...should have taken me about 45 minutes lol.

Well I'm back home....dirty and hot and smelly but will go again..on a cooler day....armed with a map and insect repellent and another person to kill the snakes.