The Wednesday Workout

Wed. 22 February:  The Wednesday Workout

Kindred spirits on the Rideau Trail in downtown Perth

There’s a lot to be said for these Wednesday walks. 

By the middle of the week this author, for one, is ready to get out of the house and stretch the legs.  And thanks to the presence of an amazing group of kindred spirits in our small town, there is always a friendly bunch of people to join up with, for a good workout on the trails.

Beside the Tay Canal

One of my favourite sections of the entire Rideau Trail is the towpath along the Tay Canal, leading into the town of Perth, right past the Town Hall, through parks and over bridges, to the other side of town at Conlon Farm.  Our 6.6 kilometre journey, starting at Rathwell Road, took us almost exactly two hours.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s a warm sunny day in July or a snowy winter’s morning – it’s always an enjoyable route.

Perth Town Hall and Crystal Palace from Rideau Trail

Today we struggled a little through the wet snow along the edge of a field, before reaching the towpath.  Here our pace picked up.  The unseasonal temperatures, reaching to plus eight degrees Celsius,  were turning the ice to slush and mud.  It seemed a little early for a spring break-up, and it wouldn’t surprise this writer if we didn’t pay for it in March or April.  But we’ll take what we can get.

Naturally the best way to end a pleasant stroll would be to share a snack in the local coffee shop, and we did just that.  

Are we ever lucky to live in this corner of the world?