Week 3- River Loop-Highgate Hill to Lucky Duck (13km / 80min)

  

Locals at Lucky Duck

An overcast sky and a very light drizzle was a welcome relief this morning, despite it feeling more associated with perspiration than precipitation. My daughter, Caitlyn, joined me in place of Bronwyn, who is currently partaking in a pink triathlon.  Our commitment to the earlier start has continued with a 5:30am departure time; the motivation being the more temperate running conditions.

It would be premature to suggest I am finding the distance any easier just yet, but my attitude towards it has improved.  My additional mid-week shorter runs have felt quicker and easier over the last 3 weeks. The distance of 42km does, however, continue to seem like a distant and questionable goal.  Perhaps a good form of monitoring could be heart rate measures on the Gladstone Road (aka Heart Break Hill) climb?



Street front

Lucky Duck cafe is positioned at the bottom of Gladstone Road prior to the intersection with Vulture Street. Even at 7am on a Sunday morning it appears to be a popular coffee stop for runners and cyclists.  The sense of self -righteousness that came with my early morning athletic feat is a little overshadowed when I overhear the accomplishments of some of my fellow café patrons. A couple of lycra clad cyclists had just been on the ‘Bay loop’ – I can only assume they were referring to Morton Bay, 30km away via crow flight!  

 

Bulls eye

Duck Bate

The menu selection is fairly homogenous, a result of all meals apparently prepared in a fairly small area on one toasting grill. What arrives at our table is, nonetheless, attractive and delicious. The breakfast stalwart is a base of tasty crusty sourdough and house relish. Caitlyn selected the ‘Duck Bate’ which is topped with bacon, avocado, egg, tomatoes and sprinkled with basil leaves and lemon dressing. My ‘Bulls eye’ had my egg submerged in the sourdough bread and topped with avocado and bacon and similar dressings. The menu is a little limited but the bacon is crispy, the leaf tea just right and there is a comfortable neighbourly feel that suggests Lucky Duck is maintaining a reliable standard and solid customer base. I had a little bit of change in my pocket from $20:00 for my meal and pot of tea.