In this Issue

	Greetings
	A Bridal Shower
	Fantastic Flowers
	Bibbulmun and Beyond
	Denmark to Walpole
	My Amazing Clients
	My Amazing Team
	Karijini Trip
	Happy Christmas

Greetings

Welcome to  the new look Inspiration Outdoors News! After a busy and extremely enjoyable walking season which saw me walk more than 700km, with every trip full, I have not been lazy since returning home. I have been chained to my computer! Under the patient guidance of a computer guru, Ian Cheok, we are updating Pam and her cyber sytems. Hopefully we'll end up with more efficient administration systems so I can spend even more time outdoors! In the coming months you'll see a new website with lots of useful features. If you do not want to receive these emails, please unsubscribe now (see below). There is nothing worse than clogging up your in box with stuff you don't want.

However I have a request for those who do want to be part of the loop. As part of the revamp, I need to attach names to all my email addresses. If your email address does not contain your name ( and hence I don't know who you are!) could you please email me now with your christian name  and surname?

And note my new e-mail address:

pam@inspirationoutdoors.com.au

I am still finalising details for 2007, and will have dates soon. The brochure won't be ready until the end of January, but for those who need dates to plan holidays etc, I'll try and put those out within 2 weeks.

Thankyou to everyone who came on an Inspiration Outdoors Trip in 2006. People ask me don't I get bored doing the same walks. The reason I don't is the people- everyone has a story and everyone has something to contribute that makes each trip different.

A Bridal Shower

For the first time ever we had a bride on one of our trips! We'd just arrived at the Windmills near Albany and it started raining.   As we began to hurry towards the bus, a bridal couple were running up the stairs, having had a photo session. The photographer was trying to protect the bride in the windy conditions with an umbrella. Their vehicle was nowhere to be seen,while our bus was right at the top of the stairs, so we told them to hop on. Which they did, while the photgrapher fetched the car. They were to be married in an hour's time, such young things. Inevitably someone said, "Don't worry, it's just a bridal shower!"

Fantastic Flowers

I think the pick of the trips for flowers this year would have to be Albany to Denmark. On one day sun orchids streched as far as you could see on either side of the track. On Denmark to Walpole I saw my first ever slipper orchids. However, the best photos were taken by Terry Ballinger (with much patient assistance from Carmel) on the October Cape to Cape. Here's a sample.

Bibbulmun and Beyond

This year I ran a trip based at Denmark, tailored to the requirements of a private group. I chose  5 days between Albany and Walpole and one day in the Porongorups. However, we also had time for such things as visiting wineries, the Tree Top walk and the Gary Muir Nornalup Inlet Cruise. It was such a great week I've decided to offer it as a trip in 2007. Look for it!

Denmark to Walpole

This was the inaugural trip. And what a fantastic trip. Not easy, we had some long days. It's probably harder than the Cape to Cape, but it is SO good. Wilder than the Cape to Cape, it takes you to some great coastal spots and also includes the fabulous rocks of Mt Halliwell and of course the amazing tingle trees. There's a few glitches to iron out (for instance I won't include the Walpole Useless Loop), so 2007 should be  a terrific trip for the fit.

My Amazing Clients

Now as we all age and start to make excuses for not doing things, here's some food for thought. Joan, aged 73, walked from Albany to Walpole. Jill, 71 did the same. Patrick, 71, walked from Denmark to Walpole (he'd already done Albany to Denmark in his youth). Then we had young Violet, 74, drop in from the UK and walk the Cape to Cape. I had to stand aside to let her RUN down the sand dunes!! Another Joan, also 74,  did the same 135km Cape to Cape. Now there's some inspiration!

My Amazing Team

Everyone asks me where I found Di and Alf. Di and I have worked together for 16 years, she used to drive for my trips, then I found out she can cook. And what a cook. I realise the recidivists come back for the food and not the walking! And I often say being an Alf must be great for your self esteem- everyone is so pleased to see him at the end of the day! We are a great  team and we'll be together again in 2007, bringing you great walks, efficient transport and wonderful food.

Karijini Trip

The new and exctiing trip for 2007 is a trip to Karijini- via the Kennedy Ranges and Mt Augustus. This will be run in conjunction with Coates Wildlife Tours who will provide the infrastructure- the 4WD , the camping gear and expertise. Richard Curtis, a naturalist ,and myself will be leading the tour. It will be run as a one way trip from Perth to Broome, leaving Perth on May 19th and arriving in Broome on 2nd June.  It is a walking trip, but all walks will be day walks- ie, from a base camp. It is all camping, so I"m afraid no hot showers, comfy beds and no Diane's cooking! However, it promises to be a fabulous trip, so book early!

Happy Christmas

Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year and that you find some time to relax in the outdoors. I'm going to Albany to do a geology course for the first week in January and Bremer Bay  to count starlings for one week in February. Otherwise I'll be in Perth over summer. I'll plan a canoe trip for January.