Winter Walking: Top Tips

Winter Walking: Top Tips
(courtesy of June & Aubrey Zaft http://www.country-walks.com)

Well, winter is now with us following a really wonderful autumn that has lasted so long that the leaves are still clinging to the trees. And winter is the theme of this newsletter in which we've included a number of tips which we hope will help to keep you well and safe.

Being in Nature

Many of us believe that being in nature is good for the soul. Now recent studies show that if you spend just 20 minutes a day outside you'll benefit from increased vitality and well-being. Being outdoors makes us feel more alive.

In our fast-paced world it can take a determined approach to ensure that nature and the outdoors still has a place in our lives. We are constantly accessible - by mobile phone, tablet, laptop; we rush around by car, train, plane and taxi. Sometimes we may barely make it outdoors at all. Let Nature help restore your energy levels. Research shows that those with a high level of vitality are less prone to illnesses. They feel happier and healthier. Next time you feel an energy dip, or feel down, get yourself outdoors.

It's particularly important to walk regularly in winter to help boost your immune system and keep all those nasty bugs at bay! So don't be tempted to hibernate: wrap up warm and get out and enjoy the fresh air, however cold it is outside.

Emily Bronte Communing with Nature

We would love to share with you this poem in which Emily Bronte is ushering in another winter with blissful anticipation.

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile -when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night's decay
Ushers in a drearier day.

Thought for the Day

"Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it."     Kierkegaard, 1847
 

Walking Tip

We'll admit - it's always a bit of a pain removing mud from your boots after a winter walk. Try using the handle of an old teaspoon. It is small and firm enough to prise out mud without any danger of damaging the sole that can happen when a knife is used. We have tried small sticks in the past but they snap so now we keep an old teaspoon in our rucksac for this purpose. Finally bang the boots together to loosen any remaining dirt so that when you get home all you have to do is rinse the boots under the tap. Do let us know if you have any tips we can pass on to other walkers.

Stay Safe this Winter

We may tread carefully in icy conditions but it isn't always enough. Accidents are common and we personally know several people who have suffered long-term consequences of falls on ice. Protect yourself this winter with some Yaktrax or similar devices. We highly recommend pulling on a pair of these simple, light-weight ice grips over your regular walking shoes or winter boots when walking on packed snow and ice. With every step you take, hundreds of biting edges make contact with the ice. And they're very easy to pull off when entering a building. Here's the link (opens in a new window). At around £12 they're a very worth-while investment to keep you safe.

 

Friday Street - The Stephen Langton

Friday Street - The Stephen Langton

 
Tuesday 26th November
Fallen Arches
Walkers:  Farty, T.B., Lil and Clat.  No Sue as her Mum has had a fall - we wish her well. Chris has appts., and so has Windy with a tree fellah, or feller, at a branch meeting - ha ha ha.
Distance: 6.25 miles which pleased Farty
Find of the Walk: a cotton scarf in a delicate shade of pooftah pink

Another fantabulous day - albeit cold, but the sun was out, and all was bright and clear - aren't we lucky?  Clat was told she looked like Janet S.P. in her get-up today, but the boots didn't, as they were covered in duct tape, so she will have to go for a feel from the bloke at the Cotswold shop, and get replacements.
Off we went, straight on to the Greensand Way, and we talked about sex - as you do. Youngsters attitudes to this subject are totally different these days, and ' friends with benefits' doesn't mean ones who get luncheon vouchers - remember those days?
Our route went south and straight, and much undulating was performed as we encountered

numerous fallen trees, hunkering down in the roots of one, pretending to be hobbits and suchlike.
A waterfall too, which reminded Clat that she had to create one too.  At the chosen location, the taps had to be turned off as two walkers came into view. In fact, we met several on our walk today, and lots of testosterone-fuelled men doing manly things like chopping wood, and brandishing chain-saws. Shotguns were heard, popping away, and loads of pheasants who were popping out of it.

We arrived at Broadmoor Bottom, turned right, and commenced a diagonal climb up Whiteberry Hill.  Across some sugar beet fields , and on to some hedges where we dis-lodged  some more testosterone on a ladder.
The Stephen Langton is where we stopped for lunch, and , donning protection on boots, instead of donning protection from Boots, we entered the premises. A warm coal fire was burning, and we parked ourselves in a room nearby. 
The food was superb - full marks all round, and you should have seen the size of Farty's fishcake.  We got chatting to a couple nearby, who remarked on our food, and we remarked on theirs - enormous sandwiches.  We got chatting, joke-telling,  and discovered they live on one of our routes in Westcott - we shall wave when we next pass their house.
We had to go - there was more walking to be done, which is quite a change to our normal walk, chat, walk, chat, walk, chat , walk,chat, stop, eat, drink, loo, leave. 

After 40 mins  we were back at the cars - rather a good way to get your lunch down. 
Next week (December!) - who knows, but you will, once we get our maps sorted -   ta ta xx

Tandridge - The Barley Mow

Tuesday 19 November

A Winter Wanderland
Walkers:  Farty, T.B., 8 Legs, Windy, Lil and Clat.  Sally, later.  Mrs P is back in the bundu, stroking her impalas (yes, really), in 30 deg heat,  and watching out for stray giraffes falling into her pool.  I don't know what she's on either.
Distance: 51/2 miles
Find: nothing to report, today 

Rather chilly today - so we were well wrapped
up, and after a frosty start, we found ourselves in a rather lovely, clear and sunny day.  Success at last after weeks of no walking due rotten weather.
We went sarth as they say in London, and across some fields and Gibbs Brook, where we bumped into a bouncy springer.  Minnie was wearing her new thermal coat, with stand-up collar, so she looked quite the part.  She changed into combat fatigues later. 
We crossed the busy A22 and into a field diagonally -not us, the path.  Then some confusion began, as there was no signage at the expected place.  After a dig about, we found the rotting carcass of signs and got going again.  If the farmers would pay heed to the above, then they wouldn't see us straggling across their fields trying to find the next bit of the path.  We did find it,
again, buried deep in some bushes.  Muddy underfoot and then we got on to the Greensand Way, and dried out somewhat - marvelous.  We stopped for a break and T.B. showed us his knots on his anorak - yes, i think conversation was a bit slow today.  They stand for poverty, chastity, and obedience - did he buy it from a monastery I ask myself.

Tilburstow Hill, then Garston Park, where Clat wanted to check her location, so the only thing you can do in this situation is to flag a Jag, which she did, and the occupant told her where she was and where to go - charming. Next we were walking through Godstone Farm, and noted a few additions to the play area, and then it was off to do some heavy petting.  Pigs mainly, Gloucester Old Spots, Tamworths, and a traditional pink job.  Chris got her compass pole out and placed it near said pig's privates and declared they were heading  sarth too - a pork prolapse.
Down then to The Enterdent and eventually getting to the pub, half an hour earlier than planned, which meant Sally didn't get her text message for our arrival at the right time.  Into the pub, lovely and warm, with crackling fires and a friendlier barmaid this time.  The menu is not very big or inspiring, but if you want a smaller main dish, then that is possible.  There's not much fish, and no jacket potatoes either.  Sally made it despite getting lost a bit, and has a bright red new mini - the purchase was made whilst having two new tyres fitted on her old mini - good salesmanship there. She also supplied some very welcome Lindt d'or (sp?) chocs.
Then Minnie decided that a newly-arrived Bichon Frisee (this is a dog, not a lettuce), needed to be given a good mouthful, and dressed in her combat gear, she was no contest for the white fluffy job lurking nearby.

So, not a lot to report this week, but it was great to catch-up with each other.  We shall advise re the next venue, and fingers crossed that this drier weather will continue, but Carol at the Beeb seems to think otherwise.  Adieu x

'Sarf' London - Crystal Palace

If it's pie it must be Tuesday!
Time taken: all day!
Distance: 5 3/4 miles
Walkers: Farty & TB

'We lived, we laughed, we loved'

Rain? What rain said the intrepid 2 as they set off on the tram to Beckenham.
A cemetery we had been meaning to visit was our chosen start point. By the time we were in the cemetery the sun was out. We agreed that neither of us had ever seen one like this before (we're going to book our places there!).  Wendy will be amused because it is the resting place of Thomas Crapper who died in Anerley (is there a joke there?) although we didn't find it (his grave, of course!). One stop on the train from Birkbeck and we were at Crystal Palace which was getting ready for tonight's firework display. So some of the paths were closed but it was as lovely as ever.
On Crystal Palace Parade we admired # 9
recently featured on 'Gorgeous George's Small Spaces'. For those of you who missed the programme it's a converted underground public convenience. (pic)

# 9

We were then in the Crystal Palace Triangle (spooky music...) which is the new up and coming place to eat. Lots of restaurants, pubs and bars. Being a walk day we estewed the brazilian/vietnamese/portuguese/turkish/indian/asian & plumped for a regular pub The Sparrow Hawk where believe it or not TB enjoyed pie!

We had dressed for more rain than we actual saw. After lunch we walked around
the triangle checking out the shops & restaurants, admiring the views & architecrure. To the north views of the Shard and to the south the Downs. The whole area had a really buzzy feel & we plan to go back Saturday for a farmers' mkt and LUNCH!

Joseph Paxton MP

 an English gardener, architect and Member of Parliament, best known for designing The Crystal Palace.