armidale.info Ezine

Welcome to the August edition of the armidale.info ezine.  We trust each edition has something that is very relevant for you.  We welcome your comments and contributions about the ezine and about the www.armidale.info website.

In this edition

p  Armidale weather patterns for this year

p  St Peter’s Spring Gardens.  How to obtain a free ticket

p   Some physical activities for your health and enjoyment

p  Are you an aspiring author?  You only have until 26 September 2005 to get your entry in for the ABC Fiction Award:   http://www.abc.net.au/corp/abcfictionaward/

Explanation of the Graph

Temperatures are reported for each week since 1 February 2005

Max                 is the maximum temp for each week

Ave                  is the average hourly temperature for the week

St Peter’s Gardens, Armidale’s Open Gardens will be held on 5 and 6 November in 11 locations around Armidale.  To win a free ticket, visit www.armidale.info/armidalegardens.htm and click on the how to enter button.  You will have to answer some questions about Armidale.

Some activities for your health and enjoyment

As we approach spring it is very enticing to get out in the open air with the family and get some exercise.  There are a number of fantastic activities to support this:

Busifunness Spring Fitness series

Conducted each Saturday afternoon starting at 2:00 pm in various venues around Armidale.  Typically around 100 people turn up to run or walk over one of the courses.  This is a great way to start or support your fitness program in a fun and motivating environment.  Just front up the venue before start time, make a gold coin donation and enjoy exercise, company and afternoon tea.  For more information including locations go to http://www.busifunness.biz/ 

Orienteering

These are conducted about once a month in various venues around Armidale, usually of a Sunday.  Orienteering is fantastic fun and you get to see lots of our fabulous countryside.  You get a map and off you go.  There are four levels of difficulty – blue, green, orange & red.  See explanations below from the NTOC website.  The next event is Sunday August 21st at Banalasta.  The organizer for this course is Don Barker 6775 5560.  Of course, Banalasta has the added benefit that coffee and wonderful views can be enjoyed at Banalasta after you have completed your orienteering.  What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday!!  See www.armidale.info/sport.htm for more information (just click on the link to Orienteering).

Blue:  Very easy navigation with the course following very distinct linear features (handrails such as roads, tracks, fences and well defined watercourses.  A compass is not required.  Controls are easy to see, frequent and placed at changes in direction.  Length approximately 2 km.

Green:  Easy navigation with the option to take a direct cross country route, or to follow a more indirect route using handrails.  Controls are on large obvious features close to handrails.  Use is made of contour handrails such as spurs and gullies.  Limited use of compass.  Length approximately 3 km. 

Orange:  Medium level navigation with route choice to control points that have good attack points (a big feature close to the control point) and catching features (a feature such as a fence or road that  ‘pulls you up’ when you have gone to far). A compass is essential.  Length 3 to 5 km. 

Red:  Difficult navigation with controls on small point features with no obvious attack points or catching features.  A compass is essential.  Length depends on age and fitness - 3 to 8 km.

Armidale Triathlon Series

Go to http://www.armidale.info/triathlon.htm to view the new season’s dates.