Tag

Stephen Morrison

Best of Queensland : Glasshouse Mountains Walk

“Are we going to be climbing hills or going hiking?”

This is the new question that the boys ask me whenever we are flying to a new holiday destination. I would like to say this is asked in excited anticipation, but the rather disappointing truth is that they would rather spend holidays in swimming pools and on beaches.

This is the Queensland that the boys really want to see

So, when we planned a two week tour of Queensland, while in Australia, they could be forgiven for thinking that since we had booked accommodation in beach resorts on the Sunshine Coast and the Capricorn Coast that we would be spending all of our time at the beach, especially as I had bought them snorkelling gear and an underwater camera.

The boys were possibly looking forward to seeing the Great Barrier Reef.

The poor wee mites.

For on Day One of our tour, as we drove to Noosa from Brisbane, and everyone was half asleep, I unleashed my hidden agenda and managed to convince everyone of the merits of a Glasshouse Mountains Walk. Next week, I attempt to broker world peace.

The Glasshouse Mountains are about an hour’s easy drive from both Brisbane and Noosa and make for a perfect stop on the way to or from either. They are as stunning as they are treacherous. Climbers are regularly injured trying to ascend their peaks and recently a woman was seriously hurt and had to be airlifted to safety.

So, it obviously made perfect sense to take my girlfriend and twelve and ten year old boys to the top of one of them.

Now, before you question my parenting skills, please understand that recklessly traversing up and over mountains is a family favourite. We’ve explored the Tatras in Poland and Slovakia and the Alps of Switzerland while we’ve bagged a few Munros in Scotland and we even climbed up a volcano (ok, it was inactive) in Italy.

Chilling on Mount Pilatus in Switzerland was just one of our mountain top destinations

A wee hill in Queensland would be fun.

I had mapped out a walk in the bush for the boys. They hid their excitement well.

Plus, I had actually researched all of the Glasshouse Mountains walks and, in Mt Ngungun, I had decided upon a relatively easy one for us to climb. Mt Ngungun is the sixth tallest of the Glasshouse Mountains, but it is also one of the most accessible. As long as you get there early and don’t stop for breakfast at the Glasshouse Mountains Lookout Café.

Although, you should actually totally stop at the Glasshouse Mountains Lookout Cafe as part of your Glasshouse Mountains walk

Not only is the breakfast menu worth the hours drive from Brisbane/Noosa, but the views across the Glasshouse Mountains National Park make the climb up them almost redundant. Almost. If lucky, you might even spot a few kangaroos that patrol along the mango trees, but who unfortunately decided to stay hidden during our visit.

We had set off from Brisbane at first light and when we arrived at the Glasshouse Mountains Lookout Café, we discovered that it didn’t open until 9.00am. This was just after 8am and I was keen to forego breakfast and start our ascent, but my girlfriend Teresa is a different animal. Without coffee and food she struggles to function. I have long since learned not to come between her and her sustenance.

So wait we did and I am glad that we did. Bacon, eggs and toast is such a simple dish, but it is surprising how often the bacon is too streaky and the eggs too runny. Maybe it was because we were on holiday or maybe it was because Queensland pigs and chickens are a breed apart, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a tastier pre-workout meal (seeing as I am also a fitness blogger, it was the perfect combination of carbohydrates, protein and fats), while wee Jack wolfed down his waffles and Danny salivated over the selection of cakes

A contender for our best breakfast in Queensland?

Once nourished, we set for Mt Ngungun and promptly went the wrong way. Which turned out to be a blessing, for a couple of hundred metres up from the café the Glasshouse Mountains lookout can be found.

Although, look out or you’ll drive straight past it. It is situated on the left hand side of the road and around a sharp bend. There are toilets, benches and the most wonderful panoramic views. Every Glasshouse Mountain can be viewed from this location and it really is a jaw dropping experience. I took 367 pictures, but still couldn’t capture how beautiful it was. You really need to see it for yourself. This is especially true if you lack the energy or inclination to mount an incline of one of the mountains (sorry for the terrible word play).

What a beautiful start to our first day in Queensland

We eventually dragged ourselves from the Lookout and with the aid of our satnav (an absolute necessity if touring in Australia) we headed towards Mt Ngungun. We arrived just after 10am and parking at its base was at a premium. It is free, but spaces are limited and you’ll pay dearly for arriving any later. We did luckily find a spot (on a verge), but others were not so fortunate.

Our brush with a Queensland Brush Turkey. The first of about 284 sightings

The walk starts off gently enough and apart from the last climb, there are wooden and stone steps all the way up. It does require a certain level of fitness and some narrow parts can be congested, but I witnessed people running up and down it and one parent even carried a young baby up, complete with push chair. It was a timely reminder to me that I really need to improve my fitness levels. Despite their complaining, the boys are like mountain goats once they are let loose and they loved spotting lizards and insects as we made our way up. We were even excited to see our first wild brush-turkeys. Eventually, after about the 200th sighting in Queensland, the novelty wore off.

So, how does Mt Ngungun rate as a walk and what did it do to my heart rate as I made the steady climb to the top?

As you can see, it is a steady climb to the top

It didn’t take long to get the heart pumping

According to my fancy and wonderful Garmin Forerunner 735XT (review coming soon) it took us just over 28 minutes to reach the peak of Mt Ngungun after a relatively strenous 450 feet climb. With an average heart rate of 134 bpm (beats per minute) and a max of 165 bpm, it was wasn’t quite the easy walk that I had anticipated, but it was highly enjoyable walk. We were touring in early July and even then, the temperature and exertion certainly made me sweat, so please take plenty of water. The tree canopy isn’t thick, so don’t forget to slap on some sunscreen either.

See, I could have made the family climb one of them.

Teresa and the boys struggled a wee bit on the way up, due to the heat (we are Scottish), and I would urge a serious word of caution on the final 50 feet to the very top. It does require a little bit of rock scrambling and sure footing. It is a long and bumpy way down and as a responsible parent (honest, I am) this was a step too far, for them at least. However, for me, the risk was totally worth it for these stunning views (and selfies, obviously) across the Glasshouse Mountains and the lush sub tropical forests below.

Ma, I’m on top of the world

Queensland is rightly celebrated for its stunning coastline, but hidden in the hinterlands are these majestic mountains, numerous national parks and wee towns that capture your heart and the contents of your wallet.

If you plan your journey well (or are just lucky, like us) you will drive towards Noosa on a Saturday or Wednesday and you will stop off at Eumundi for possibly the best market in Queensland. Yes, even better than Kuranda, the jewel of the Far North.

A fabulous wee place (ok, not so wee) to pick up all manner of goods and foods

Eumundi Markets is a diverse collection of over 600 stall holders who all share the ethos of make it, bake it, grow it and sew it. Here you will find quality handmade goods and foods from all over the world. They had everything including a kitchen sink (bush style)

Try before you buy with Eumundi Market soaps

Teresa was especially taken by the authentic homemade Ginger Beer and it was just as well that we brought a spare suitcase, as every second stall had a souvenir, shawl or scented candle that Teresa just had to have and for which I just had enough money to pay for (to be fair, her salary did pay for the entire Oz trip).

Homemade ginger beer at Eumundi Market

Eumundi Markets closes at 2pm, so my advice If you are driving from Brisbane to Noosa) is set off early, climb Mt Ngungun BEFORE breakfast at the Glasshouse Mountain Café before then heading towards Eumundi. That way you might also find time for a quick stop in Montville, a charming little town full of quaint artisan shops. That is if you can find a parking spot. Unlike Eumundi, which seemed to have hundreds of parking spaces, Montville has few and we drove around for ten minutes before disappointingly disappearing north along the extremely scenic drive towards Noosa, where I would once again convince my family to go for another walk in the wilderness.

August 14, 2016 1 comment

Try-Athlete

Why I am supporting the Refugee Olympic Team at Rio 2016

written by Stephen Morrison

“To treat me equally, you have to treat me differently”

This was the opening line to my winning Diversity & Equality Civil Service Award submission in 2009.

At the time, I was approaching my peak weight and I was probably at the peak of my career in the Civil Service. The work that I did with the DWP Move On Refugee Team, in Glasgow, remains one of my proudest achievements. At the heart of our work and the quote lies a simple premise.

Sometimes, giving people equal rights is not enough. Sometimes, we need to do more than provide an equal footing and sometimes we need to deliver something innovative and different from what already exists.

This was true then for our ground-breaking Move On team and more so now, with the wonderful inclusion of a Refugee Olympic Team at Rio 2016. Ten athletes from four war torn countries now compete together under the Olympic Flag, a symbol that celebrates the unification of the five continents and which represents colours from all of the flags of all of the participating countries. The Refugee Olympic Team represents 59 million displaced people and they represent hope for a better future.

Cheating, corruption and conditions have arguably all cast a shadow on the Olympic Games, but in the Refugee Olympic Team, the International Olympic Committee have created something that we can all rally behind at Rio 2016. They have provided us with an opportunity to show our support for a crisis that has left so many homeless, helpless and hopeless.

They have also created something that represents the true values of the Olympics: Friendship, Respect, Excellence, Sportsmanship. The Refugee Olympic Team embodies all that is great about sport and humankind.

Photos, biographies and more information can be found at UNHRC

Unfortunately, however, there are some who are arguing that these athletes have no place at the Olympics and that they should simply be given the opportunity to qualify for the right to represent their new home nations. They are asking why they should be treated differently (or given special treatment) and they are suggesting that these athletes are not good enough,

However, it is my belief that this group of exceptional athletes deserve our admiration and our respect. For an athlete, competing at the Olympics must be the greatest honour and possibly the greatest challenge, but the Refugee Olympic Team have overcome even greater challenges, not just to qualify but to survive.

Follow Yusra at her Facebook fan-page

Take Yusra Mardini, the 18 year old Syrian born swimmer. A gifted athlete in Syria, she was being primed for success, but events in Syria took over and last August, she found herself in a six man dinghy with nineteen other people floating in the Aegean Sea. The motor had given in and the dinghy was taking on water. Yusra, her sister and two men jumped out, but not to flee. Instead they got behind the dinghy and began pushing.

Eventually the men gave in, and for three and a half hours in freezing waters, Yusra and her sister continued to push on. They were driven into fleeing Syria, driven into the cold waters and now their drive would give hope to those on board that dinghy and would save 20 lives. Fast forward one year and Yusra now gives hope to the world’s refugees. She and the other members of the Refugee Olympic Team are showing the world the resilience, courage, strength and talents that refugees possess. This year their number is 10, but in years to come, how many more talented, but currently displaced kids will be inspired and empowered to chase an Olympic dream?

That’s why I will be cheering for the Refugee Olympic Team in addition to supporting Team GB

Will you join me?

You can also follow them on Twitter at @RefugeesOlympic with #TeamRefugees and catch up with all the latest news, schedules and results on this handy Google Refugee Olympic Team page

August 5, 2016 0 comment

Radio Try-Athlete

CamGlen Radio Does Zumba in Glasgow

written by Stephen Morrison

As part of our CamGlen Radio Adventure Show, Paula McGuire and I met with Christine Peek of Zumba With Glasgow Sisters to find out more about Zumba and about where you can try Zumba in Glasgow. Read how I got on last year, when I tried my first Zumba class.

I can only blame myself. Label myself a “Try Athlete” and someone is eventually going to call me out. I didn’t think it would be the woman I loved, but it was!

For months, Teresa has been urging me to come along, to give it a try and to put aside my perceptions and assumptions. For months I have been telling her that I didn’t think it was for girls (I did), that I didn’t think it was a lesser form of exercise (I kinda did) and that I was totally unsuited to it (that one was honest).

But, when Christine Peek adopted my #onepercentmore challenge by offering a bring a friend for free deal, I knew I could resist no longer (not just because I’m cheap!).

I was going to try ZUMBA and I was just a little bit scared.

And not without reason. A constant theme of my blogs is that I’m uncoordinated. I’ve seen Zumba videos and there is far too much going on, for my liking. Another reason for my trepidation was that I wasn’t unfamiliar with Christine’s Zumba with Glasgow Sisters method of making you sweat. I “enjoy” her Kettlecise and Insanity classes. I had a suspicion that her blend of Zumba would be testing.

And I was right, on both counts.

As the only man in a room full of women all staring at me accusingly for invading their inner sanctum, I retreated to the back row, where my shuffling and stumbling would go relatively unnoticed until the instructor ultimately pointed at me and coordinated a group laugh.

This is what I was thinking. In reality, I was made to feel welcome and was even given a few words of encouragement. I did still head to the back row. And then it began.

I am ungainly. I am stiff and I have no rhythm. The first few tracks, I felt lost. I’d just get the hang of a move and Christine would move to the next. It was relentless. I was moving in the opposite direction to everyone else and I was having to occasionally stop and stare at what she, and everyone bar me, were doing.

Put your right leg out

Just as I was getting into the swing of it, Christine announced that now that we were warmed up, it would get faster.

“F-A-S-T-E-R!?” I mouthed incredulously at my girlfriend.

But a funny thing happened. As it got faster and I started sweating even more, I started to relax. I started to get in time with the music. I started to enjoy it. Sure, I was still all over the place, but I was shaking my arms like I just didn’t care.

Shake It up

As the music and moves moved from Salsa to Bhangra to African I started to feel my hips gyrating and my smile widening. Any more so and I’d be close to getting arrested. At one point I jumped out to berate Christine’s partner Spencer for not giving me some manly moral support and couldn’t help myself from dancing back into the room.

By the end, I didn’t want to stop. I was having a great time, doing something that the woman I loved, loved doing. Zumba is far removed from what too many people perceive it to be. It’s hard work, it’s a great workout and more importantly it is a whole lot of fun. All the way home we laughed and joked and I now appreciate just how hard Teresa trains.

What will my OnePercentMore Challenge have me doing next? It’s up to you. What would you like to see me try? Remember, I am a Try Athlete!

And, if you want to try Zumba in Glasgow, you could do a lot worse than trying Christine’s Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes. Alternatively, you can search for Zumba in Glasgow on the official Zumba page.

August 4, 2016 1 comment

Cycling Running Swimming Triathlon

My First Triathlon with Fusion Triathlon Club

written by Stephen Morrison

It took a few moments for the laughing to calm down. The cause of the merriment? My answer to the question of what my aim was, when I announced I was going to lose weight. That I was going to compete in an Ironman competition and become a triathlete. I was at that point 354 pounds and had tried losing weight before, so as much as it hurt, I understood their laughter.

However, I was deadly serious.

Since I’ve started on this path and my previous path to fitness, I’ve made goal setting one of my main tools. I’ve mentioned before that I crave challenges and if something both excites and terrifies me, then there’s a good chance I’m going to sign up for it. Be it Tough Mudder, Spartan Beast or even the Copenhagen Marathon (did I ever mention that I ran a marathon….once?).

So, what is more exciting and terrifying, especially for a morbidly obese desk jockey than the thought of becoming a triathlete…an Ironman, no less. And the crazy thing is, even now that I have regained some weight, I believe that it isn’t a dream, a fancy or an outlandish pursuit. I will be an Ironman and I’m ALREADY a triathlete (and try-athlete)…..of sorts.

For a few years ago, I came across something that got me excited and partly terrified me. The Fusion Mini Triathlon at my local sports centre. How could I pass it up? Quite easily could have been the answer, as I didn’t have a bike and er, couldn’t really swim. Not triathlon stylee, at any rate. But was I going to let a couple of minor issues prevent me from realising a dream? Hell no. I would complete my first triathlon.

I learned that all swimming styles were permitted and a borrowed a bike, albeit a 12 year old, purple MTB that, unlike a fine Scottish whisky, hadn’t aged well.

So on race day I entered the arena and made my way, first to registration and then to rack my bike. I was surrounded by gleaming, shiny, finely tuned and sleek machines while the bikes weren’t too shabby either. At first, I felt a little out of place. Just like I used to, when I was obese. But everyone at Fusion was really friendly and made me feel at ease. So much so, that I felt comfortable removing my t-shirt for the swim (no matter, how much I progress, I’m still a little ashamed of my gut).

And I dived right in and was soon coursing through the swimming leg like a….well, like a not so fat non-swimmer. But I can swim breast-stroke all day (thankfully I didn’t have to) and was soon overtaking a few

and before I knew it, it was time for transition one and time for my first competitive cycle. I say competitive, but the only real competition was which out of the bike and I would break down first.

For, as I had said, the bike wasn’t new and it weighed about the same as a small family car. Plus, it had another problem. One working gear. No, it wasn’t one of these fancy training bikes, it’s gears simply didn’t work and no matter how hard I pumped my wee legs, Fred Flintstone style, everyone and I mean everyone overtook me. But, I’m not a quitter (well, not now at least) and I ploughed on (actually, I think a plough also passed me).

Eventually, it was time for my second transition. From bike to run and I was prepared and ready.

For, I had spent at least 30 mins watching youtube videos and I had been practising my dismount.

But, I’ll be honest, I did surprise myself and probably everyone else by doing a perfect transition. So much so, that it drew a few favourable comments. I say perfect, but I broke the pedal as I jumped off.

Sheer delight at finishing my first triathlon

My spirit raised, I raced into my strongest discipline. All that really means is that I’m never usually in danger of killing myself when I run. I was a little tired after the swim and cycle, but I pushed on and started to overtake a few, not many, but enough to give me hope of not finishing dead last. As I approached the finish line, I did my now mandatory sprint and raised my arms in triumph as I finished my first ever triathlon. It might only have been a wee one, and I might have ended up in the wrong third of rankings, but now I wasn’t only a runner but I was a triathlete.

Not only that, but I had outlived the bike, which was subsequently taken to the dump (I doubt that even Glasgow Bike Station would have wanted it).

I’ve since bought a couple of “proper” bikes, via my work’s cycle scheme and Vitality – you may have seen my #Everyday Athlete video.

I will also finally take swimming lessons and check out Vigour Events, who specialise in outdoor swimming. I will regain my fitness and I will see if Garmin’s Forerunner , Varia and Edge gadgets (all the gear, no idea) make me faster and more safe, as I use active travel as a means of training.

For, in 2018, I will compete in my first Ironman 70.3, while next year I might try (sorry, I couldn’t resist) and find a couple of local triathlons and/or duathlons.

From fat to fit and from try-athlete to triathlete

July 27, 2016 1 comment

Australia Travel Try-Athlete

Salty Dog Sea Kayaking in the Whitsundays

written by Stephen Morrison

Airlie Beach, Queensland. Gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and renowned for its Main Street drinking and dancing institutions. Here, 21 years ago I made many friends and even hooked up a 3 week sail along the coast while partying each night.

Magnums. Where I spent many a night.

However, this time I was not partying in Magnums or sailing off into the sunset . Instead I was looking forward to another mode of sea faring.

For I had booked an afternoon of Whitsunday Sea Kayaking with Salty Dog Sea Kayaking, a respected and experienced tour operator, based out of Shute Harbour . I had originally hoped to book a place on their full day excursion to South Molle Island , but I had instead learned a valuable lesson. In Queensland and especially during Victoria and New South Wales school holidays, it pays to book accommodation, tours and excursions well in advance.

Thankfully, there was space on their afternoon kayak to White Rock and I was looking forward to getting out to the sea and to testing some of the features of the fabulous new Garmin Forerunner 735XT, which Garmin had kindly given me for my Australian travels (look out for a full review on Man V Fat).

In addition to the usual Forerunner tracked activities of running, cycling and swimming, the 735XT also allows me to track stand up paddle boarding, hiking (more of that in my next blog) and rowing and enables me to create this wonderful route map.

My Garmin Map using my Forerunner 735XT

Now, I am no expert, but while they might differ greatly, rowing and kayaking both involve sticking a stick into water while sitting in a floaty mcfloatyface.

Hopefully I will soon understand and respect the finer details of rowing, when I try the sport on the banks of Glasgow’s River Clyde, but after being picked up and taken to Airlie Beach’s Shute Harbour I was given a succinct safety talk and introduction to kayaking by Salty Dog instructor Lion, who had found his way to Australia from Germany via an outdoor sports degree in New Zealand.

He explained some of the basic but key points of kayaking and requested that we respect and accept his instructions while we were out at sea. This was especially important as the wind was picking up and the water was becoming gnarly (Lion’s word). The route of our afternoon’s kayak would be determined by Lion’s reading of the weather and the sea. Given my inexperience and Lion’s local knowledge, I was more than happy to defer to his judgement.

I was also more than happy to share a kayak with Elise, a English teacher from the Northern Territories, who also happened to have some experience in kayaking while studying sports at University. I kept my own experience to myself, as busting my nose and mouth open on Tully River rapids might not have instilled confidence in my abilities.

Suitably instructed and paired, we launched our kayak into the water and set off for the agreed marshalling point. The sheltered waters of Shute Harbour were relatively calm and Elise and I quickly settled into a comfortable pace.

Too comfortable it seemed, as we were soon way beyond our group and had to be called back by Lion, who was keen that we should stay as a group.

Yes, boss, we’ll stay close. ..honest

Throughout the afternoon, Lion provided some history of the region and kept us aware of vital information such as the location of boating channels and advice on what to do if a big boat is heading in our direction. Which was basically stop or change direction as never in the history of kayak vs boat collisions has a kayak came out the winner.

As we ventured further out, Lion unfortunately but understandably advised us that we would not be going to White Rock, as the wind and the waters were both livening up. The sky might have been gloriously blue and the waters clear and relatively warm, but we were not foolish enough to disrespect the sea or Lion’s instructions. Elise and I both felt confident on the water and we were happy to race ahead of the group at times, but never ventured too far away.

While it was disappointing not to be heading to White Rock, I was really enjoying battling against the wind and swells of the sea. There is something both calming and exciting about skimming across the water and with each wave that we broke, we increased our speed. I was enjoying the workout so much, that I encouraged Elise to take a break and film our approach to the beach, where we would stop for a some snorkeling, walking and some food.

Salty Dog Sea Kayaking had provided us with Stinger suits, snorkeling gear and lunch, which were all stored in the holds of our kayaks. The kayaks used by Salty Dog Sea Kayaking seemed to be well equipped and even came with pedals that made changing direction easier for our navigator, Elise.

Once beached, we noticed that visibility in the water was not great and, as a group, we decided to go for a wee hike along the beach and a climb over the rocks, before retiring to an old beach hunt for our energy replenishing lunch of fruit, nuts and juice.

A wee stroll amongst the rocks

After that, it was a race back to base. O.K. It wasn’t a race, but both Elise and I had both enjoyed our battle with the swell so much, that we pushed on, ploughing through the waves, only to slow down every so often to await our team. It was exhilarating and I might need to look up my fellow Amazing Loser Chris Oliver, who is an avid sea kayaker, once home in Scotland as most of our coastline is stunning and it would be wonderful to test myself in Scottish waters.

But back to Airlie Beach it is for this post and our kayaking adventure.

Our day ended with some manual labour, as we assisted the Salty Dog team in the storing of the kayaks. This final act reinforced the idea that we were a team and as we piled onto the bus and regaled with our interpretations of the day’s adventure, I was struck with a tinge of regret.

The success of all of these trips often rely upon the group dynamic and as the afternoon had progressed, we all had become more and more familiar and friendly. Elise and I had become a good team

Elise and I became paddle pals.

It would have been a pleasure to have spent the full day with this crew and as I was being dropped off at my hotel, I promised that I would share this blog on the Salty Dog Facebook page, from where I “borrowed “ a few of the pictures in this post.

So, if you are reading this on the Salty Dog Sea Kayaking page, with a view of booking a day or half day kayaking, don’t hesitate. You’ll visit empty beaches, learn about the local area and will fall in love with kayaking in the Whitsunday waters. The Salty Dog Sea Kayaking excursion was one of my favourite Australia 2016 activities and I have no hesitation for recommending them or their tours.

Or, if you are one of my pals reading this because I pestered you to, then let’s get you (you read this far) out to sea, or on a loch or even river for some kayaking fun.

It was also nice of Lion to share his verdict on my sea kayaking skills

July 26, 2016 4 comments

Australia Travel

Fraser Island Tour with Fraser Explorer Tours

written by Stephen Morrison

This summer, I made my long awaited (by me, at least) return to Queensland, Australia. It has been 21 years since I backpacked along the East coast and I was looking forward to visiting some old spots and experiencing some new adventures.

It would also be interesting to see how some things had changed.

Noosa, the quaint little slice of paradise, for instance had matured into a full blown holiday resort, complete with more roundabouts than Scotland’s roundabout capital, East Kilbride.

Another difference on this trip was my travelling companions. 21 years ago, I had the company of fellow backpackers Kath and Ollie from London and a trio of Canadian girls, while this trip saw me accompanied by two young boys and my partner, Teresa.

This meant that my 2016 Queensland adventures would need to be tamer than my summer of 1995 adventures.

No explanations are required for backpackers of any generation.

However, one must repeat activity would be a Fraser Island tour. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 1995, I had the luxury of time (my only luxury) and we opted for three days of self driving and camping on the island. It was relatively inexpensive and we were able to collect wood from Central Station and build fires on the beach ; stop to fish for Taylor and even managed to pull over on 75 mile beach and watch Humpback whales and Tiger sharks from the relative safety of the beach.

I say relative safety, as on one occasion a Tiger shark decided to momentarily join on us the beach, as we fished.

No, I am not kidding. Fraser Island’s waters are awash with sharks and they obviously don’t take too kindly with humans attempting to steal their food.

I spent 6 months travelling from Sydney to Cairns and those 3 days were among my most memorable (I should, at this point, admit that due to the effects of XXXX , my memory of many days are hazy). They would be hard to beat.

Fast forward to 2016 and we were attempting to drive from Brisbane to Cairns in 14 days. There is too much to see and do in Queensland, so sacrifices had to be made. One of those sacrifices was to limit Fraser Island to one day and to go with an organised tour rather than hire a 4WD.

Time wasn’t the only deciding factor. I can’t drive (active traveller by choice and design) and Teresa wasn’t sure about navigating Fraser Island ‘s unforgiving terrain, especially with two helpless city kids in tow. Oh and cost in 2016 of hiring a 4wd seems to have risen above the rate of inflation, so going with an organised tour seemed to be the most sensible, time sensitive and cost effective decision.

My only fear was what attractions would be omitted from a one day tour and we scoured the internet (well, Tripadviser) for a tour that met our requirements.

After days of deliberation (I am the King of Procrastination), we opted for Fraser Explorer Tours. They came with a good reputation and based on my memories, they visited most of island’s popular sites.
They also offer hotel/motel/bus terminal pick up and drop-off and after a long, but memorable day, being dropped off at our accommodation was a welcome service.

As for the tour, a lot rests on the quality of the tour guide/driver and your fellow passengers. Our group of 31 included a tour group of 21 from Germany and another family from our Emeraldene Inn in Hervey Bay (fabulous accommodation, if a little away from the Esplanade and harbour). All were pleasant and there were no difficult prima donnas.
We were dropped off at the ferry and the crossing was slow, but pleasant. There are toilets and a small kiosk, which wasn’t too exorbitant given it had a monopoly on a captive audience.

Ferry ‘cross to Fraser, ’cause this land’s the place I love.

So, it all came down to the tour guide and quite frankly, he was amazing. Dave was like a driving version of Steve Irwin. He revelled in excitement as we hit each bump on a bumpy drive through the heart of Fraser Island and provided an entertaining and educational history of the island’s fauna and flora, although he did warn us that he might respond to difficult questions with fabricated, but feasible answers. He drove expertly along the sands of 75 Mile Beach, which was, at times, as busy as Sauchiehall Street and seemed to have a trained eye for spotting elusive wildlife. Only a dingo escaped his gaze and he alerted us to humpback whales, birds of prey and even a small catfish eel in one of the creeks.

Our trusted bus and Dingo Dave, our wonderfully mad driver.

The creeks are one of the wonders of Fraser Island and a must see of any Fraser Island tour. It takes 75 to 100 years for rainfall to emerge from the island’s water table, having poured its way through the island’s mineral rich sands and down towards the Pacific Ocean.

Dave told us that the water of Eli Creek was pure, save for a few microorganisms and that was the only invitation I needed. I had been on a ferry or bus for the best part of 3 hours and any opportunity to jump into freshwater is rarely missed by me. It was cold, but nowhere near Scottish loch “Baltic” cold levels or even Swiss Alpine cold levels. Compared to them, it was lukewarm.

Time fro chill after a few hours on a ferry and a bus

I even managed to convince the boys to join me, although they didn’t share my enthusiasm for submerging into the cool creek.

I still had work to do.

This is as far as the boys dared to go in Eli Creek

Anyone who follows my travels on social media will note that I have a penchant (or weird obsession) with water fountains. It started off as a whim and now it is a thing. Everywhere I go, I take picture of me drinking out of water fountains. Some are architectural marvels and others, like in Mumbai, India, fall under my extreme water fountain drinking category.

Drinking directly from an Australian creek on Fraser Island is not on the same level as Mumbai, but my microbiologist and infection control doctor partner might have questioned my sanity…not for the first time.

Drinking water from a creek. What’s the worst that could happen?

After my Eli Creek taste test, our Fraser Island tour group set off for lunch and as we drove back along 75 mile beach, via the the Pinnacles sand formation and the shipwreck Maheno, we watched in awe as humpback whales broke the surface along our route. Davy advised us to look for their water spouts and we stared intentently at the ocean, almost willing them to appear. And then the first spouts were spotted and these majestic creatures briefly emerged into the sunlight, before once again submerging. One of my main regrets of this holiday was not being able to arrive a month later. A day out from Hervey Bay during whale season should be another must do trip. However, being able to see them as part of our Fraser Island tour was a welcome bonus and surprise.

Jack standing tall at the Pinnacles and the wreck of the Maheno guarding Fraser island’s coast

At this point, we were given the opportunity to indulge in a 15 minute flight over the island and the two minute promotional sales pitch from the pilot wasn’t too forced and in hindsight, I wished we had taken the opportunity to view the island and shark infested waters. Compared to other island flights, the cost was relatively inexpensive and I know our boys would have loved the beach landing.

75 miles beach. Also an 80kmph freeway and er, landing strip

It was then onto lunch and I wasn’t expecting too much. Tour companies often advertise a full lunch and then supply few bits of fruit and a few slices of meat and cheese. A full mix of carbs, protein and fats, but seldom does it provide a good feed. On this occasion, however, Fraser Explorer Tours had arranged a full buffet of food at Eurong Resort. It wouldn’t win any Michelin stars, but even the two normally fussy boys filled their plates, with the pea and ham soup deserving of some praise.

Once fed, we then set off for the highlight (other than the soup) of the trip.The stunning Lake McKenzie.

Words and pictures (especially mine) do not do it justice. It’s crystal clear waters and blindingly white sands make it my favourite swimming spot in Australia. High praise, indeed, but not only is it a refreshing dip, it also has some cleansing properties due to its acidity levels, while its white silica sands can supposedly polish everything from jewellery to teeth……and yes, I just had to test the latter claim. I really hope that this was not one of Dave’s feasible but completely fabricated tour “facts”.

Lake McKenzie was a touch colder than Eli Creek, but that didn’t prevent me from diving in and going for a swim and I must have successfully concealed how cold it actually was, as wee Jack decided to join me and he too gave it the thumbs up.

The tour gave us roughly an hour to spend at Lake McKenzie, which seemed sufficient time for a swim, skin exfoliation and some teeth brushing . In addition to our tour group, there was one other Fraser Explorer Tour group and a few other private groups and I never felt that the beach area was too congested. In fact, the lake itself had only a few other people swimming in it and certainly no one else dared to brush their teeth.

The last stop of our Fraser Island Tour was at Central Station, named in honour of central train stations all over the world and located close to the crystal clear waters of Creek. Fraser Island’s Central Station was the heart of the logging community that transported Fraser Island timber all over the world and where these communities lived and even schooled. The logging company only recruited family men as loggers, as they believed that they were more dependable and more dependant on an income.

Today, Central Station makes for a beautiful walk along the creek and through the rainforest. The variety of trees, both indigenous and introduced by the European loggers, are stunning and Dave provided an interesting commentary on their history, uses and their inhabitants.

A treemendous walk in the rainforest

One such inhabitant is the funnel web spider, which strangely enough forms a funnel from its webbing, which resembles a small hole in the base of the tree. The temptation to poke a stick into said hole was strong, but as a responsible adult, I managed to control my urges. Just.

If you should go down to the woods tonight, don’t go poking any holes

Even when dead, the trees provide homes and this was as close to this potential snake den that I dared to peer. I certainly wasn’t going to my had in it.

In my mind, the darkness hid snakes writhing and ready to pounce

Once sufficiently frightened, we boarded the bus and made our final bumpy ride across the island to meet the ferry, just as day was about to meet night. We had spent about eight brilliant hours on Fraser Island and now we about to return to the mainland where Fraser Explorer Tours would drop us off at our accommodation, fittingly by Davy who had expertly guided us all day.

The Ferry Man awaits

It might have lacked the adventure of my three day self drive and camp, but the one day Fraser Island tour, from Fraser Explorer Tours was a great family day out. The pace, delivery and itinerary was perfect and we will treasure our Fraser Island memories.

July 18, 2016 0 comment

Health Obesity

Man V Fat Football Glasgow- It’s coming home

written by Stephen Morrison

Man V Fat Football

Are you tired of feeling tired? Are you fed up of feeding yourself rubbish?

Do you have a goal of playing football anywhere but in goal?

Well, I have some news that will get your heart rate going. Literally.

Scotland might not be involved in Euro 2016, but Man V Fat Football is coming to Scotland and in Glasgow, I have the honour of being your league coordinator. If Man V Football is news to you, then check out the feedback back from CNN , the BBC and more importantly the PLAYERS.

And for those interested in seeing what happens at a Man V Fat Football league, I even have some footage for you that might have you once gain longing for a kick-about.

Man V Fat Football is unlike any other football league in existence

It is exclusively designed for men who are overweight or obese; points are scored for both victories on the pitch AND in the kitchen and your registration cost and game fee include a no-nonsense fat loss book, weekly weigh ins (cheaper than Weight Watchers and you won’t be the only guy there) and access to the world’s best (in my honest opinion) male fat loss community. A community that has helped over 300,000 men lose weight.

So far, 95% of players have lost weight over 14 week league, with the average loss being 2 stone!!

It’s a chance to play the beautiful game with men of equal size and with an equal desire to be leaner and fitter. Man V Fat Football will give you the chance to lace up your boots, to get back on a pitch and to show that sometimes, losers win.

Man V Fat Football kicks off on Sunday, July 31st at Lucozade Powerleague Townhead and you can find out more and register for the first league here.

You can sign up alone or with friends, but be quick. Places are limited and every league so far in the UK has been heavily (no pun intended) over subscribed with over 1,000 guys applying for the original 80 places.

Let’s show the Man V Fat Football community that Glasgow is the home of football and that we will be the Biggest Losers and winners!

June 22, 2016 2 comments

Health Obesity

Help Me Do It – University of Glasgow Weight Loss Study

written by Stephen Morrison

Do you live in the Glasgow area and do you want or need to lose a few pounds?

With 65% of Scots currently overweight, the unfortunately reality is that you probably do, even if like me, you consider yourself fit and fat.

Obesity is a major contributing factor to many diseases and conditions that can limit and even shorten our lives. It is linked to cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and even depression.

So why then do so many of us allow ourselves to become overweight and increasingly obese? One could argue that we live in an obesentric environment, where we don’t need to be as active and are encouraged to eat fast foods, or that we lack personal responsibility (a favourite of fat-shamers everywhere).

Whatever the reasons (check out my Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine post on Salutogenesis ), one thing is true.

Losing weight is rarely easy and keeping it off can be harder still.

I consider myself lucky in that I have only regained 56 of the 170lbs that I originally lost in 2012, when I was 354lbs, for according to the University of Pennsylvania, 65% of those who experience rapid weight loss regain their weight within three years.

However, the truth is that I am once again obese, even if I am back heading in the right direction and I need help!

Apart from discipline, determination and dedication,we also need accountability, compassion and encouragement. This ACE approach does not take away the need for smarter choices and more self serving behaviours, but instead provides a platform for sustainable fat loss.

Help Me Do It

When we have the support of others, we are more likely to succeed and that is why Glasgow University and the National Institute for Health Research have launched the Help Me Do It study.

It is a two year study into the benefits of using a dedicated website and mobile phone application (app) to help affect behaviour change. Help Me Do It will provide users and a buddy (it can be a partner, relative or friend) with access to an especially designed website that provides information and motivation on how to eat better, move more and feel better about yourself.

If you have a BMI of 30 and over, are aged between 18 and 70 years old and have access to the internet and a smartphone (Android or IOS) you can get the chance to test run the app and see if it can help you to lose weight

For more information, please contact the Study Manager, Lynsay Matthews, on lynsay.matthews@glasgow.ac.uk or call her 0141 353 7633.

I didn’t lose my weight without others to Help Me Do It and neither should you.

June 21, 2016 0 comment

Health Obesity

Diabetes Awareness Week with Sports Direct Voucher Codes

written by Stephen Morrison

In my Be Swifty and Shrifty blog post, I shared how I saved money while going from xxxxl to medium in clothes. My weight and shape were changing so rapidly that buying quality designer clothing from charity shops became a necessity and one of life’s secret pleasures. Finding a pristine Ralph Lauren jacket for £5 was one of my most cherished charity captures.

However, that was then and times and unfortunately my physique have changed.

I have been moving back up the sizing chart and I am currently sitting mid way between xl and xxl. My blood sugars and my blood pressure have also risen and my general health has suffered. Despite spending much of my life morbidly obese, I have fortunately never developed Type 2 Diabetes and as a 40 year plus obese man, I have to recognise that my lifestyle makes me more likely to develop it.

I will not allow my weight to increase further and I am improving my health. My stay in xxl and xl land will be temporary, but as I am trying to be physically active with my boys, every day, I do need some new temporary sports gear that fits me. As my girlfriend will testify to, boys are stinky and we are filling the laundry daily with our smelly and dirty sports gear. And as they are also growing, at an alarming rate, I am currently buying them and myself, more and more sports gear. Yes, I do occasionally receive free kit from brands, for my work on campaigns, but as a blogger, I don’t generally get free stuff offered to me or when I do, it’s in a smaller size. I need to find inexpensive clothing that will stand up to sweaty sports and gruelling gym sessions and preferably not make me look like I am wearing a potato sack or a smock like Homer Simpson.

Clothing designers must have a wicked sense of humour as the larger a person gets, the uglier their choice of clothing becomes.

So, when My Favourite Voucher Codes approached me to write a paid post about Sports Direct money saving codes for them, my spidey senses tingled. I had never heard of them and I was worried that I might be contributing to some unscrupulous click bait scheme, but on closer inspection, I discovered that they actually provide genuine Voucher Codes for many well known online stores. Stores including Sports Direct.

Sports Direct Voucher Codes

Sports Direct often make the news for all the wrong reasons, but for people starting out on their fitness journeys or for those looking for some summer holiday bargains (or Father’s Day gifts), they provide a wide range of sports clothing and equipment. Usually at heavily reduced prices and usually in any size that you might need. Sports Direct was my store of choice when the fancy running stores had nothing in my size or in my budget.

And now, thanks to My Favourite Voucher Codes, you can save even more money with their Sports Direct voucher codes.

The Sports Direct voucher codes update daily, but you can usually always find savings with Sports Direct free delivery discount codes or with extra discount on sports shoes and sporting accessories

The savings aren’t huge, but for many (including myself) every pound is a prisoner. If I can save a few pennies using sites like Sports Direct Voucher codes, for the sake of a click, I will.

And those clicks don’t just save me money, they generate donations to charity. My Favourite Voucher Codes earn a commission for each of us that visit Sports Direct and make a purchase through their site. They then donate 20% of that commission to charity, and this has seen almost £50,000 raised for various UK charities.

It’s Diabetes Awareness Week and one of the shortlisted charities in June is Diabetes UK.

Even if you don’t need or want to buy from Sports Direct, please visit My Favourite Voucher Codes and vote for Diabetes UK.

To set the record straight (a wee Diabetes Awareness week plug), I can confirm that received a payment to write this post. As part of my commitment to Diabetes Awareness Week, Feet for Life and the promotion of health, I have decided to donate my fee to Diabetes UK.

June 18, 2016 0 comment

Cycling Journey Running Triathlon

Father Figure and Father’s Day Gifts

written by Stephen Morrison

This week Daniel, Jack and myself feature in this Vitality Father’s Day Father Figures magazine article and we even star in one of their up-coming “Everyday Athletes” adverts.

However, I will not be celebrating Father’s Day, for I am not their father.

I am Stephen, their step dad kind of thing and although I have been a part of their lives for over four years, I do not seek to replace their daddy. I am very happy being a father figure and I am happy taking them to the park, to the barbers and often to task for not tidying their rooms or doing their homework (Jack!). I love them to bits and I get to spend every day with them and half my wages on them.

That being said, they rarely buy me Father’s Day gifts or even Christmas or birthday presents (hey I am still a big kid and love pressies) so I thought I would publish a wee wish list, especially for their mum and maybe other mums or partners to read and to then consider buying for their active and want to get active dads (anything but a jumper or “Best Dad” mug).

Let’s help get some of those father figures into shape with these Father’s Day Gifts

Danny, Jack and Teresa, this is the Garmin Forerunner 735XT. Just saying.

I love my Garmin Forerunner 235, but now that I am running less (damn knee), cycling more and hoping to swim more, I would give my right arm (I wear my watch on my left) for the new Garmin Forerunner 735 XT. It might mean that I swim only in circles, but I would be doing it in style. The 735 takes the great features of the 235, such as the wrist heart rate monitor, the smart notifications and activity tracking to a new height (or is that depth?) with the ability to track swimming, SUPing (read my SUP blog) and even strength training. It is quite expensive at £360 but it is feature packed and I just know that it will look amazing on my wrist and will undoubtably make me cycle and swim faster. It is most definitely not another waste of money that will lie in a drawer, darling Teresa.

While we are on the subject of Father’s Day gifts that I probably won’t get, let’s stick with Garmin. I have been having a wee look at their bike kit and I am dreaming of adding more value onto my bike than the bike is actually worth. More than I am worth, if I am honest. The Varia Rearview Radar, Insight Display and Smart Bike Lights all appeal to my “all the gear, no idea” mentality, but my “don’t want to be homeless” mentality is thankfully in control. For the moment, that is. While I am in dream land, I might as well ask for the VIRB XE Action Camera, Vector 2 Power Meter and Edge 1000. A snip at a mere £2,260 for the complete set of these Garmin Father’s Day gifts.

Back on this planet, your purse might not quite stretch that far and if looking for some more reasonably priced Father’s Day gifts, Garmin has a whole range of activity trackers. My pick is the Vivosmart HR. It is vastly superior to the the Vivoactive 3 and indeed is probably the most value for money activity tracker currently on the market. It is non intrusive, easy to operate and understand, while it is very robust. You simply put it on and move, with a single charge lasting five days. You can wear it in the shower and in bed, where it will track how restful your sleep is. It will even connect to your mobile phone and display smart notifications such as emails, weather and social media updates. It can currently be bought from several retailers for under £100

Just watch out for the red inactivity bar. Once you have been inactive for too long and it reaches its limit, you receive an electric shock to motivate you into moving. Ok. I made that last bit up, If you really want that feature you will gave to buy the Pavlock. Yes, this really exists and yes, you shock yourself. I am shocked that 10,000 people have bought into this madness to modify their behaviours. The Vivosmart HR simply vibrates.

Non Garmin Father’s Day Gifts

Away from Garmin gadgets, there are a couple of fitness items that have made it onto my Father’s Day Gifts list and which are slightly cheaper than anything above, but still mange to express how much you love him (or me).

Lululemon Men’s Shorts. Possibly the best shorts that I have ever worn.

First up we have Lululemon shorts at £68. Yes, I did actually type £68 and I would actually pay (or hope someone else will pay) that for these shorts, as I already have a pair. Lululemon Glasgow kindly gifted me a pair to wear in the Vitality advert and I LOVE them.

My initial opinion of Lululemon clothing was that it was expensive yoga pants for athletic women. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that they sold superb men’s gear all the way up to size xxl. And none of this Italian designer label xxl nonsense that fits the average 12 year old in Scotland (we really do have an obesity issue). The finish, feel, fit and functionality of these shorts is unlike any other shorts I have worn. Treat the special man in your life to a pair from HERE and maybe don’t tell him how much you paid!

Ideal for all outdoor activities, including standing on a touchline or at a Man V Fat Football match.

Next up, we have the excellent New Balance Tech Training jacket. Wee Jack is determined to join the local football team, St Cadoc’s, in August and I can see myself standing on a touchline as the wind and rain batter down on me (I live in Glasgow, remember). New Balance are positioning themselves as one of the top athletic brands and they are producing some excellent training shoes and apparel. With it’s fleece collar, water resistant shell, storm cuffs and hood it compares favourably with other branded mid range water resistant jackets. It is versatile and could also be used for running, cycling, walking or even at a Man V Fat Football League. Pick one up for £75 and encourage your man to get outside in any weather and to #sitlessmovemore

Start shedding pounds, without spending too many with Man V Fat

You might also want to encourage hime to pick up a book. Not just any book, but the best male fat loss book available. Ok. I am slightly biased. It is written by my friend, Andrew Shanahan and I do feature in the book, but it is genuinely full of sensible, practical, applicable and most importantly weight reducing advice. It is of course the Man V Fat: The Weight Loss Manual, available for under £8.00 from Amazon.

WARNING: This is one of those Father’s Day gifts that require tact and diplomacy. Please make sure that your father (or partner) needs and wants to lose weight.

Equally excellent is the Man V Fat website, where you can join an amazing group of current and future losers, find out more about Man V Fat Football and read wonderful reviews of items such as the Garmin Index Scale (yes, I possibly do have a Garmin obsession).

Give him the Father’s Day Gifts of Happy Feet

For my very last item on my Father’s Day Gifts list, I have selected something free (aren’t you glad) and something that ties in with my current series on Feet for Life. Why not book you father or special man in your life in for a free foot health check at these participating locations? He is going to be active and he should have the best platform on which to get started, in addition to the best gadgets hopefully someone else’s money can buy.

Feet are for life and not just for Father’s Day

June 12, 2016 0 comment