I am, by inclination, a solitary walker. Alone, I can wander along at my own pace, think my own thoughts, stop when I want to, jog - BACKWARDS (as advised by one bright Spark - to bolster "stability and posture", he pontified). Indeed, it looks extremely barmy to any onlooker, but even so I can persist in such eccentrities without any interference! As I get older, I tend to stop oftener, perhaps because I tire more easily - and crankier and more crotchety, or so the Mrs.tells me! But walking on TigerHill, Coonoor, the vistas are breathtakingly paroramic - and one is mesmerized at the scenes that unfold - a wisp of cloud skimming up the Singara Valley, wafted upon a gentle breeze, its gossamer edges coalescing into different shapes with every gust of wind - more elegant than any ballet dancer, prancing and dancing as it gambols up and beyond the shoulder of yonder hill - OR to gaze in wonder at the varied hues that the distant Sholas afford - shades of green, a blaze of burgundy, a hint of red, whilst around you trills bird song - and overhead, hovering on a thermal, a graceful kestrel. Indeed, these Blue Mountains are a trekkers' paradise and after moving to Coonoor in 1983 I had the opportunity to indulge in some glorious walks - often in the company of 'Domino' my loyal Dalmatian (who once almost became the evening repast for a hungry leopard on one of these outings) - walks such as those to Droog, via Nonsuch Estate, and on one occasion down to Lower Droog Estate - Attadi, past Tenerife to Bandishola - Bandimi and over the hill down to Forest Dale, Ralliar, skirting the Dam and the singular Toda Mund to 'Rani Thottam' (TMD ESTATE), from Arvankadu upto Doddabetta Via Lakkamannai, past Snowdown and on to Ooty. Rambles off the old Mysore Road,through Governor's Shola and on to the beautiful Wenlock Downs. What a delight to wander along these hills, glorying in Nature's kaleidoscope of colours, over dale, valley and brook with serene views of the mountains and the plains in the distant haze.
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