The Barrenjoey Walk

The first time Prashant and I went to Manly - a seaside destination and a popular residence for Sydney’s bankers - it was for a walk along with a friend. Cecile, who has long lived in Manly, wanted to show us some of Sydney’s northern beaches. We were still new to Australia then and our fitness levels, for our age, were somewhat appalling. Cecile had said we’ll do a “short walk” so “she can show us around” but I had found the roughly 10-km walk pretty daunting then. Wrong shoes only added to my woes. 

So, when Cecile planned another walk last Sunday I was all psyched up. Months of boxing and circuit training should come in handy, I thought. We packed our picnic of fat-free chocolate cakes, sweet potatoes and feta salad and some healthy savouries and set-off anticipating a long day ahead.  (Scroll down for my recipes)

We were one less than a dozen in all — 5 adults, 6 kids. 

We reached Palm Beach Golf course around 1130 am and almost immediately set in motion for Barrenjoey Lighthouse which promises stunning views of Palm Beach on one side and Pittwater River on the other. It was a very busy and steep stretch but even before we realised we were on the top! I didn't say then but I could have easily walked a few more kilometres if such views were on display. We walked around the lighthouse, clicked some pictures, soaked in the views and then started our march back as the kids were already hungry! 

The walk up didn't take us more than 15 mins and I clocked about 10,000 steps on my Fitbit going up and coming back. But after joyously covering the 10-km Spit-Manly walk only last month this one was disappointingly short. Cecile says we can do day-long or half-day walks from or to Palm Beach so that’s definitely on our check-list for next time. 

(Scroll further down for recipes :-)

Recipes:

Sweet Potato Feta Salad

INGREDIENTS - 

Half boiled sweet potatoes - 2

feta - 1/3 cup, chopped in cubes

chat masala 

salt
A dash of lemon

coriander leaves (optional)

METHOD-

Grill the sweet potatoes till nice and brown. Sprinkle some chat masala and salt to taste. Squeeze in lemon. Mix well. Add feta and coriander leaves. Eat hot or cold. 

Fat-free chocolate cake

INGREDIENTS:

1-2/3 cup wholemeal flour or multigrain flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup cocoa powder

3/4 cup applesauce

1 cup - yoghurt or fat-free sour cream

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 whole eggs

100 gm - good qtly 80 pct dark chocolate

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven at 180-200 degrees C
2. Mix self-raising flour and cocoa powder in a bowl. Keep aside.
3. In another bowl, beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla till light and fluffy
4. Add yoghurt and applesauce and mix until thoroughly combined
5. Now mix the wet ingredients with the dry and beat on low speed until just combined
6. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30-35 mins or until skewer comes clean