Sun shines on South Coast grandparents
The annual walk is held to honour an important sector of our community.
THE much-needed rain on Tuesday last week was greatly welcomed but it did see the organisers of the annual grandparents’ walk gazing anxiously at the skies.
This popular annual event for sprightly seniors was due to take place at St Michael’s the next day. Would it be washed out this year?
The Hibiscus Coast Rotary Anns and Rotarians who host the walk every year needn’t have worried. The weatherman traditionally smiles kindly on this important event and this year would be no exception.
Wednesday dawned fair and mild, with not a cloud in sight and the grandparents’ walk was duly walked or strolled in brilliant sunshine.
As always it was such a happy event, marked by a distinctly carnival atmosphere.
There was an excellent turnout of grandparents, many accompanied by their grandchildren, children or well-behaved dogs of all shapes and sizes.
The traditional route is from St Michael’s to Uvongo along the popular Saint’s Walk beach path but there was a bit of a detour this year because of the road construction work taking place at St Michael’s beach. This meant a slightly longer walk than usual, but no-one minded and the interesting new course received the thumbs up.
Adding sparkle to the cheerful proceedings was Rotary Ann Kitty Steenmans who made her much-applauded debut as the commentator. She did this with such delightful flair that it looks as if the microphone might be hers for many years to come.
Some of the walkers are regular parkrunners and finished the walk at a cracking pace.
Deborah Berridge and Jan Nel led the pack over the finishing line with grandparents’ walk veterans Mike and Annette Jackson close behind them. However, the walk is not a race and most of the walkers took the organisers’ advice and strolled, chatted and enjoyed the scenery along the way.
The grandparents’ walk is held to honour our senior citizens for all they have contributed to the South Coast over the years.
There is never a shortage of local businesses pleased to be able to pay homage to this important sector of our community by sponsoring walkers and this funds the slap-up breakfast the Rotarians and Rotary Anns prepare for the grandparents.
This year’s post-walk breakfast was a lovely community picnic, with walkers tucking into their delicious food on the sunny lawn overlooking the sea.
The balance of the sponsorship will go to Rotary charities, so walkers also had the satisfaction of knowing they had stepped it out for those who need a helping hand. Or should that be helping foot?
