A WOMAN’S WALK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3333, 27 September 1911, Page 5

A WOMAN’S WALK.

FROM MELBOURNE TO SYDNEY

it is rarely that women emulate men m feats of endurance but Mrs Parle a . native of New Zealand, has, as briefly jptated by cable, accomplished somethin o"that few women can lay claim to, having walked from Melbourne to Svdnev m a fraction over five weeks. Walking is not a craze with Mrs. 1 ank, fis she looks upon it as 0110 of tho pleasures- of life; and states * that in. the land! of birth she has frequently covered 30 miles ai day. This, however, is the very first long journey'she has attempted, and, judging from her looks, the experience: his® agreed with her. Onei would hardly take her to- be an athlete (says the “Sydney Daily Telegraph”). though she is built oh wiry lines. She arrived in Sydney from New Zealand ai month ago, ‘and the idea of covering the distance on foot came to her while she was proceeding to Melbourne by rail. She secured the services of a packman, who carried clothes, cooking utensils. etc., weighing about 701 b. ; while Mrs. Parle’s load weighed about 301 b. Mrs. Park is a. believer, inn fresh air and “diet.” Therefore, a tent did not form part of their equipment, and they slept in’ the open or under what shelter was available.

During the whole journey meat did not once figure cm the bill or fare, their diet, consisting of wheatmeal scones, boiled wheatmeal, steamed rice and barley, and eggs and cream on three casions. They also, had a plentiful supply of olive oil, which took the place of butter; while water constituted their only drink. The trip was an arduous one at times, as it was frequently found necessary to' wade through mild and water at times. However, very fair distances were covered, some days as many as 28 miles being walked; while on others, owing to the bad state of the roads, their tally for the dav was not more than 12 miles. They got through safely, without any exciting adventures beyond taking the wrong toad on several occasions. Ini the course of conversation, Mrs. Park said she thought it was a. good performance for the mother of ten children] and a. grandmother at that. She said she never felt better in her life. “I just love walking,” concluded Mrs. Panic, “and hope to cover a great part of Australia, later.”