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My bucket list is not of things I'd like to do BEFORE kicking the bucket, but things I want to do AFTER nearly kicking the bucket. Twice. Having OHS for an aortic dissection, followed by a cerebral haemorrhage under a month later, really knocked the stuffing out of me. I spent 3 months in hospitals, 2 stays in ICU and nearly 2 months in rehab. Post cerebral haemorrhage and in the rehab centre, I had a lot of therapy just so I could stand and walk again

During this time, Wendy and I came up with the idea of walking the Ted Errey Nature Circuit in the Brisbane Ranges National Park, just near our home in Central Victoria. At this stage I was still being taken to therapy sessions in a wheelchair and struggling to stand up on a padded floor. It would be a significant indicator of my "return to normality", whatever normal would turn out to be for me. It's an 8km walk with several steep and rocky sections, as well as some really nice views, plus, of course, the opportunity for seeing wildflowers in spring.

October 4th was World Animal Day and World Habitat Day, so it seemed appropriate as the day for my bucket list walk. Wendy and I set off late morning, with the sky overcast and almost drizzling. I took one of my trusty trekking poles with me. I had used 2 of these just to walk down the driveway soon after getting home from rehab, and relied on one or both for any walking on uneven ground for many months after. They’ve been in semi-retirement for a while, but I thought it best to bring one in case the track turned out to be too much of a challenge.

Above image: me getting geared up before the walk

We parked at the Stony Creek Picnic area, then had a short walk along the Anakie Gorge track to the start of the circuit, up a steep and rocky slope. I got well warmed up going up the steep sections and we had a fine lunch at the top of the hill. We stopped at a couple of lookout points on the loop walk and admired the views (with obligatory photos of course).

Above image: starting up the track to the top of the hill

Above image: At one of the lookouts on the circuit

Above image: Sitting in front of a couple of ancient Austral Grass Trees. They grow 1cm per year. Wendy calls this "some old survivors hanging out together"

We saw some nice wildflowers along the walk.

Above image: Steiglitz Grevillea, which is only found in the Brisbane Ranges area.

And had a close encounter with browsing Swamp Wallaby

Above image: Imperial Jezebel butterfly

Above image: Dusky Fingers orchid, one of many orchid species found in the Brisbane Ranges.

Then we had to descend back down into the creek valley we had started from. Coming down was also very steep and rocky.

We made it back to the car after about 5 1/2 hours walking. Not the fastest time for us. But I never used my trekking pole once! I felt worn out for a couple of days afterwards, but no serious aches or pains, which is a good sign.

Now for the next item on my unconventional bucket list! I first have to work out what it will be.

Thank you for sharing your adventure - and what a fantastic milestone to meet, it must have been very satisfying.

For anyone else who wants to set goals or need assistance in meeting milestones.

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Well done, what a fantastic and meaningful achievement! This gives me some hope back, I love hiking and bushwalking (pre-stroke), but the idea of navigating this rocky terrain and gradients feels so far out of reach currently. I cant walk my neighbourhood or steep driveway without supervision yet so feeling housebound. Thank you for sharing...if you can hatch this plan while still in a wheelchair then walk the trail for 5hrs without a pole, I'm not going to give up trying! I look forward to your next bucket list blog post. Thank you!

It will be a gradual process. My wife has been accompanying me on walks since I got back from hospital. Even before actually as we walked around the hospital together when I was using a wheeled walker. At home, we started off just to the end of the driveway and back, about 200m. With 2 trekking poles. Slowly got out onto the road (we live in a rural area) and gradually increased the distance. Used particular trees or our mailbox as markers of progress. During the big lockdowns, we walked around our paddocks, which gave me practice at handling roughish terrain. See if you can see a physiotherapist with exercise specialty experience. I have some balance exercises from mine and they have helped a lot.