by John New
It was a beautiful day for our walk around Mirambeena Regional Park. Very warm for the time of year, fortunately there was a light breeze and parts of the walk were shady. We had about 11 people and 7 beagles, the dogs milling around at the start as they always do, getting to know each other again. After a warning about bindies (there are usually plenty at this time of year), we set off down the grassy slope to the main path that runs north and south up and down the park.
We first headed north along the main path. This is probably the nicest part of the walk. It's not crowded, mostly flat, very shady, and has plenty of trees and water views. It was very nice just ambling along admiring the views and chatting, stopping now and then to have a rest and give the beagles some water.
We arrived at the northen-most part of the park and - surprise, surprise - the restaurant that had been at that location for years had disappeared. It was now a fenced in, rather unattractive plot of overgrown vegetation. We skirted around the fence to the small lake where we stopped for a group photo. It was nice to see ducks still swimming around the lake - some beagles got pretty close to the edge to get a closer look.
One thing we had realised by this stage is that weren't many doggy waste bins or water stations, as in previous walks at the park. It became apparent by the end of the walk that the council had removed them.
We walked around the lake back to the main path and went past our starting point to the southern-most part of the park. The south part of the park is much more crowded with picnicers, kids on bikes, kids playing in the playground, adults strolling along, and more dogs. We stopped for a while in a shady spot to have another rest. Someone had brought along some devon and cheese, and the beagles had a lovely time trying to eat as much of that possible. One beagle howled when she didn't get what she felt she deserved.
After our rest, we walked back to the start of the walk, the beagles tired but happy after an exciting time sniffing in new territory.
by John New
We last did this walk around Mirambeena Regional Park in 2003, so it was well and truly time to do it again. Again it was a small group, about 15 people and 10 beagles, who gathered on a lovely day, and again there were a few beagles who got a bindie or two in their paws. Fortunately, there didn't seem to be so many bindies around as last time, when dogs were getting bindies in their paws during the whole walk!
We set off in a northerly direction towards Barnaby's Lakeside Restaurant. There weren't too many people on the cycleway, which gave the dogs a good chance to sniff around. We came across a few people with non-beagles and most were friendly, except for some large huskies who seemed a little unpredictable as we walked by.
It warmed up very quickly, which meant that we walked slowly, had lots of short stops, and gave the dogs plenty of water at any tap we could find. We neatly avoided a wedding party at the restaurant and stopped at the nearby lake to watch some swans swimming around and take some photos.
After circling around the lake, we continued in a southerly direction toward the other end of the park. This was a lot busier, with many families having picnics and children playing on the play equipment. We didn't go right to this end of the park because a lot of the southern part surrounding Lake Gillawarna seems to be carpark. After reaching a convenient point, we turned around and walked back to where we started.
Another enjoyable walk around a very picturesque park for both humans and beagles. Hope to see you at the next one.
by John New
About 20 people and 10 beagles gathered at Mirambeena Regional Park for our walk around the park. The walk was pretty good, in spite of the bindies and weather.
Soon after arriving most beagles got a bindie or two and one beagle, Daisy, got them throughout the whole walk. Is there any sight more pitiful than a sad little beagle standing still with one paw raised, not moving, just waiting for someone to come to the rescue!
The weather was a little unpredictable too. At one stage, dark clouds came over and it started to rain. However, we must have been on the edge of the storm front because we only got a light shower.
The walk itself was very easy. It followed a flat concrete path in, more or less, a figure eight pattern around the park. During the first part of the walk, around Barnaby's Lakeside Restaurant, we didn't see many other people, which meant the beagles could have a good sniff around. The second part of the walk, around Lake Gillawarna, was more crowded.
All in all, a very enjoyable walk. We hope to see more enthusiastic walkers and beagles at our final walk for 2003 at Scotland Island.