EMAIL: editorial@countrywalking.co.uk ● FACEBOOK: facebook.com/countrywalking ● TWITTER: twitter.com/countrywalking
WRITE TO US AT:
Country Walking, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA
The power of walking and talking (or not)
When I moved to a new area, I joined a rambling group as a way of meeting new people. Our weekly rambles have taken us across three counties, in all weathers and over a variety of terrain. We sometimes walk in companionable silence, but more often than not, engage in lighthearted banter about anything and everything. It’s an unbeatable feeling to walk along a footpath with the morning dew sparkling in the sun as it starts its journey up, while listening to the birds singing; warblers chanting chiffchaff or the relaxed jazz performance of a blackbird. I’ve had many highlights on our rambles and two come readily to mind; when I shared my sandwich with a robin and seeing the huge swatches of purple, blue, and orange in the sky after it had rained and the sun was setting. Oftentimes, after an arduous week, my head is full of left-over business, but these things empty out like sand in an egg timer when I’m walking in the countryside and living in the moment. This is when I focus and appreciate the colours, textures, sounds and feel of nature. So simple and yet so beautiful. Suzanna Kyle, by email
A BERGHAUS WATERPROOF JACKET FOR SUZANNA!
The letter of the month wins a Berghaus waterproof jacket worth (£225). The Cornice (men’s) and Glissade (women’s) jackets have been firm favourites with walkers for decades, are superb quality and always score highly in Country Walking gear tests. www.berghaus.com
Back to the future
How great to have scientific proof that walking backwards aids muscle strength in the lower legs. I’ve been doing this since I was in my teens. My dad ran a walking group in Cyprus in 1976 and most of the walks were in the Troodos mountains. I found walking backwards, when my legs felt like they were going to give out, helped to relieve the tension on my hamstrings and I was able to keep going. I’m now 63 years old and still do this when out walking in the hills. Linda Thomas, Herefordshire
Maxi-size minibreak
Just back from a three-day trip to Japan where I managed to climb Mount Fuji. It was a last-minute trip so little chance to prepare, but it was a great opportunity to attempt. We climbed through the night to make the summit to watch the sunrise. An awesome experience and, typically enough, found the descent down through constant scree more exhausting than the climb up! Happy memories. Tracey Shaw, by email
Sea to summit else
Great article on Sea to Summit (August). I think there’s another one that could well be added to the list: Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, the highest mountain in the province at 850m (2780ft). It’s in the Mour
