Cotter on a Hot Morning

Today:
Distance: 36.25 km
Time: 4 hrs 23 mins 0 secs
Rate: 7' 15" per km
Altitude gain/loss: 710 metres
Weather: sunny, temp range 20 - 32 degrees, humidity 70% down to 30%, wind calm to start then up to NW 25 kmph
Week: 128.3 km, Jan & Year: 36.25 km

We started early, for me, just after 6:30am to try to beat the heat. It was forecast to be very warm with afternoon temps rising into the mid 30s. Softshoe joined me for the full distance with Mick & Robbie turning around on Wark's Road.
We ran from the picnic area up through the settlement to Vanities Crossing. A road closed sign showed the water level is just a little too high for vehicles, but easy enough to walk. Surprisingly, the water temp is better than cool, even warm so it would be great on the way back to cool down.
The temp was rising quickly out in the open as we made our way towards the old DS8 at Brindabella Classic. Mick & Robbie turned soon after as we continued the climb coming to a sudden halt on a short down hill section heading to the covered bush section beside the creek.
A nice specimen of a red belly black snake lying in the sun across the trail. It would have been almost a metre long with a beautiful black surface and a very red underside. It quickly slid away to be out only sign of wildlife for the day.
The creeks are really flowing up high, overflow across the fire trail so wet feet no choice as we went past the gate at DS7 to turn at a cut up fallen log at the base of the hill heading to DS6.
To make up distance we returned to DS5, the relay changeover, and ran the 21 mile track to Padovans Crossing to check the water level. Well over the road with a road closed sign also blocking off Clift Road.
Very warm out in the open, no shade and no wind, but with Vanities looming closer, heaven on earth was just around the corner. A well deserved rest here, refill the drink bottle, although we both had plenty left as we both had day packs on our backs.
Some walking up Ma & Pa then a good pace through the settlement back to the start. A nice cool down in the river and back home.
I was buggered by home, a nana nap turned into a 3 hour sleep. Not much else to do when it's 35 degrees outside on New Year's Day.
A great day, tiring but good fun, the cool waters in the rivers & creeks made it pleasant. And a good way to start the year.