by John New
Originally we weren't planning to do this return walk to Cafe Bones. We were planning to do a longer, circular walk starting from the same place around Iron Cove and across Iron Cove Bridge. However, the Walks Coordinator was a little unwell so we switched to the shorter walk.
About 13 people and 12 beagles met at King George Park near the main carpark for our usual meet and greet. There was a little incident at the start of the walk where two beagles had a short altercation and one ended up with a small cut. The first aid kit was put to good use and a vet nurse, who was there with her beagle, said all was OK. It's a good reminder that even friendly beagles need to be kept on lead and watched carefully when they meet each other at the start of a walk until they're comfortable with each other.
We set off along Hawthorn Canal Reserve at a slow pace and with a few stops - to give our beagles plenty of sniffing time and because we were waiting for a latecomer to catch up. It looked like some work had been done on parts of the walk to separate the walking track from the cycling track - a very good idea because the walk is very popular. Warm Sunday afternoons in particular mean plenty of people and dogs. Of course our small pack was noticed, with comments such as: were we sniffing for drugs, was it a beagle convention, were all the beagles related, etc.
We wandered over a bridge, along some grassy stretches, past a few barbeqeues, and then over a narrow footbridge. When we arrived at Cafe Bones for a rest and snack we found there was a long queue waiting for food and drink, which meant we stayed longer than expected. Of course, this also meant more times for the many dogs to get to know each better. After refreshments, we set off along the path again back to our starting point with some tired but happy beagles.
It was nice to see some newcomers on our walk. Hopefully you enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing everyone at our next walk.
by John New
Originally we weren't planning to do this return walk to Cafe Bones. We were planning to do a longer, circular walk starting from the same place around Iron Cove and across Iron Cove Bridge. However, the weather was so hot and windy that everyone seemed quite happy to do the shorter walk when the idea was suggested. Strangely, while it was hot and windy when we started, a southerly sprang up on the way back, and then it was cold and windy!
We had an excellent turnout for the walk, about 26 people and 20 beagles, including some people and beagles doing their first walk with the club. Thanks for coming, and we hope to see you at future walks. Naturally everyone got on very well, all the beagles being very keen to sniff each other out. Interestingly, there seemed to be lots of lemon and white beagles, maybe more than tri-colours, it might be fun to keep a count of the different colours on future walks.
We set off after a photograph or two and instructions to keep a few plastic bags handy. And sure enough, some of the plastic bags were needed soon after we started.
We walked nice and slowly along Hawthorn Canal Reserve, humans chatting, dogs sniffing, and everyone dodging the many cyclists and walkers coming at us in each direction. It's an incredibly popular walk, run, and cycle for a lot of people. There were plenty of things for the beagles to see and sniff.
When we reached Cafe Bones, we were glad to have the chance to sit down and relax under some shady trees. Special thanks must go to Janet Surasathian, who asked the Cafe Bones staff if they would offer pupaccino discounts to a large group of beagles, and then obtained 20 pupaccinos free of charge. Thanks Janet, I'm sure all the beagles present would be happy to give you a big lick. Thanks to Cafe Bones too, we'll be back!
All too quickly, it was time to leave and head back to the start of the walk. We braved the cycleway again and once again had a very enjoyable walk back to King George Park. Some of our beagles were exhausted (which is not a bad thing with beagles) as we said goodbye until our next walk.
by John New
We had a very pleasant walk from King George Park to Cafe Bones and back. It was a lovely afternoon with only light clouds and a nice breeze during most of the walk.
About 20 people and 13 beagles joined the walk: John and Janet with "Daisy" and "Gypsy"; David and Fiona with "Diesel"; Monique and Matthew with "Buddy" and "Elly"; Oliver and Pat with "Cara"; Norman, Diana, and Paula with "Rosie"; Maria and Bernhard with "Molly"; Robyn and Fred with "Max"; Lindsey and Fabien with "Omo"; David and Lyn with "Barney" and "Max"; Sue with "Lily".
We set off after a photograph or two, with a number of beagles appropriately dressed in some Christmas gear, such as cap or antlers. Amazingly some of it stayed on during most of the walk! Before we started, we were told that there was a "Dog's Day Out" at Cafe Bones (maybe I misheard that - it could have been a dog fair) with plenty of Other Breeds for our beagles to meet.
The first part of walk was very enjoyable, walking along the west side of Hawthorn Canal Reserve, humans chatting, dogs sniffing, and everyone dodging the many cyclists and walkers coming at us in each direction. It's an incredibly popular walk, run, and cycle for a lot of people. There were plenty of things for the beagles to see and sniff.
When we reached Cafe Bones, on the east side of the canal, sure enough, there were a lot of stalls still open and plenty of OBs for our beagles to meet and greet. We stayed a while, wandering around, sitting in the shade (it had become very warm), and waiting in line for puppacinos and other snacks.
All too quickly, it was time to leave and head back to the start of the walk. We braved the cycleway again and once again had a very enjoyable walk back to King George Park. Some of our beagles were exhausted (which is not a bad thing with beagles) as we said goodbye until our next walk.
On behalf of all the Sydney Sniffers and our beagles, Merry Christmas to everyone and a Happy New Year. Watch out for more walks in the February 2008 Harking In.
by John New
This circular walk from King George Park to Cafe Bones and back is always very popular and this time we had about 30 people and 25 beagles for our first walk of 2006. It was great to meet up with some old Sydney Sniffers and to welcome some new ones. As usual, it was a very nice day and, although it was February, not hot because we held the walk in the morning.
Usually we take the quickest possible path to the cafe, have a drink and snack, and then finish with the longer section of the walk. Today we walked in the opposite direction and did the longer section first. Maybe for this reason, our beagles seemed to more hungry and thirsty than usual when we arrvied at the cafe. They seemed to spend a lot of time scavenging food from unsuspecting patrons and having long drinks of water.
We also arrived at the cafe about the time the local dog obedience club was finishing their training. With a pack of beagles sniffing around near groups of dogs on long downs, the dogs' obedience training was really put to the test.
We stayed at the cafe for about half an hour and then slowly walked back to King George Park. A very pleasant way to begin our series of walks for 2006. Hope to see you at the next one.
Thanks to John New for the pictures.
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With the cancellation of the Field Days for 2003 (due to the sale of the property at Mittagong), we had our first winter Sniffing Around Sydney walk. Since so many people and beagles enjoyed our Hawthorn Canal Reserve / Cafe Bones Walk last year, what better walk to do.
About 40 people and 25 beagles met at King George Park on a lovely sunny day. After a short welcome and a group photo, we started off along the foreshore of Iron Cove. It was very windy along this stretch of the walk, and it was fun seeing beagle ears flapping in every direction. Naturally there were lots of other people and dogs because it is a very popular location.
The wind dropped as we reached Hawthorn Canal Reserve, making it pleasantly warm when we arrived at Cafe Bones. We stopped here for about half an hour, which was about the right time as there seemed to be a crowd and a delay in getting cups of coffee and afternoon tea. This being an off-lead part of the walk, some beagles were allowed to run, and run they did around the outdoor tables where some people had to fend off inquisitive noses.
After our rest and snack, we started off again and shortly crossed to the other side of Hawthorn Canal Reserve over a small footbridge. Here we walked along a concrete path, winding through extensive grassy areas, which gave our beagles plenty of opportunity to sniff. Fortunately, the wind was now behind us, making it easier to talk and walk. The walk finished back at King George Park.
Our next walk is along the Nepean River, Camden, on Sunday 27 July, meeting at 1pm. Hope to see you there.
About 30 people and 20 or so beagles gathered at King George Park, Rozelle, for the first ever Sniffing Around Sydney walk. Many were familiar faces from Beagle Field Days, for others this was their was first club outing.
The weather was sunny, warm in places, but very cold in others due to a strong gusty wind. From a beagle perspective, the wind meant swirling smells, and there was great excitement as sniffy noses darted here and there with humans following close behind.
From King George Park, we walked along the foreshore of Iron Cove to the east side of Hawthorn Canal Reserve, dodging walkers, cyclists, and lots of other dogs. We met a couple of other beagles and their humans, who asked how to join the club. Comments from passers-by included: "Where are the foxes", "I'm glad I left my syringes at home", "All these dogs look alike", "Is this a drug operation", and so on!
Halfway through the walk we stopped at Cafe Bones, the dog-friendly cafe, for a drink, snack, and brief rest. This being an off-leash area, some adventurous people let their beagles off for a short run - and they returned ... eventually!
We continued along the Hawthorn Canal Reserve for a short distance, crossed a bridge to the west side, and then walked back along the canal and Iron Cove foreshore to King George Park.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the walk. If you think your beagles would like to Sniff Around Sydney, please come and join us at our next walk on Sunday 27 October, 1pm, at Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills. We'll look forward to seeing you there.
