Taronga, Balmoral, Bush & Chinaman's Beach Hike. Sunday Roast Finish!

I love the Taronga to Balmoral hike… I loooooove Chinaman’s Beach - what an unknown yet special spot. And of course… a post-hike Sunday Roast & Pint? Love that too. Let’s do it… with a spanner in the works. Read on.

THE SPANNER. My attempt at meditation was years ago with the help of a tinder date (“Let me coach you” she said.) I tried, I cracked off a ripper of a fart, laughed, and that was that.

For more than a year I’ve thought about a “Moving Meditation” hiking session where we have ZERO talking for the first hour (at least try for 30minutes, eh?). Let’s hike. Hear footsteps. Absorb the sites and our time in Mother Nature. Move the body yet calm the mind. Sounds like a cool challenge to me. And then? We start chatting, laughing, and open right on up… But first, it’s one hour of total peace and calm while hiking. No, I won't yell if you talk, but it's up to you to not be a dick and give this a proper try.

THE HIKE. Taronga to Balmoral Beach is a stunner. It’s a bush hike with secluded beaches… then turn your head for perfect Sydney Opera House / Harbour Bridge views. It’s not hard or easy… it hits the sweet spot for all of us. When we finish at Balmoral, there’s a climb that induces a dose of sweating-swearing that leads onto Chinaman’s Beach. If you’ve not been here, this will be your “Holy Shit look at this beach moment.” At Spit Junction (another beauty) we’ll jump on a 144 bus which drops us pretty close to the pub.

I'll reach out to some yoga / meditation groups to see if one of them want to give us some meditation tips and come along for the price of a pint or kumbucha (or if you know somebody, send me a note). But for my 2min "Hello, safety, pace..." start, there will be NO chat from the get-go. No chat on the ferry if you see me. Just a smile. Wave. Hug. Or ass grab of a hello (nudge to Ooonnnnaaaaagh). Please respect that.

(Edit: Great news. Jade has an Outdoors Yoga & Meditation Group, and we had a quick chat. She's joining our event! Sooooo we have a pro in the group. Jade can help us with mind, body, spirit stuff... while I can help with hiking, drinking, and drinking stuff. What a day, what a duo!)

THE PUB. Rag & Famish started pouring piss in 1860 – a local joint - your comfy-classic local pub that feels like settling in for a Sunday Roast and a pint or two. North Sydney train station is a stone’s throw away when you’re ready to head off.

Looking forward to this one. Bit of a challenge, bit of calm… with a great hike, pint, and Sunday Roast. See you then! MJ

THE OTHER STUFF
a) Be on time. If you’re late? Catch up. Please don't call, message. Just catch up. Ferry leaves Circular Quay at 952am, arrives 1004am.
b) $10 Cash ONLY. Will cut down on the chit-chat at the start.
c) Fitness matters here. Sure, the pubs sound great, but we are hiking in National Park. Ups, downs, and all that hiking stuff.
d) Honour your RSVP. No shows get banned from the group. I put my credit card down for a reservation – your reservation.
e) Bring mates, dates, etc...
f) No whatsapp group chat for this one - we are meditating!