First of December and I've not written here since September! What a shame that my knee injury distracted me from the routine of updating after a walk.
I've had some wonderful walks since then: a couple with a new charity client, a couple with an old charity client, many with my folks enjoying the absolutely beautiful, if short, autumn we experienced in 2010, a few good hills and stunning views and some wonderful miles on my boots. I've a general list somewhere of my walks, stripped from Facebook status updates and my sketchy memory, and I'll be sure to add the mileage and an indication of where the walks were when I get broadband sorted at home - hopefully tomorrow!
I really want to keep this log up-to-date because it's absolutely fulfilling to come back and read about past walks. The mental imagery floods straight back and gives me inspiration to keep on walking whenever I can.
Unfortunately as I experienced last year, the short days of winter at this latitude limit my walking to weekends only. I've fallen out somewhat with walking on my own, especially during the winter; people used to ask me if I got bored doing mile after mile on my own, and I'd always say "No!" I think if I were never asked that question I'd never have noticed, but particularly now I've done the majority of paths around this small town and between the local villages, treading the same paths can be a little tedious if I've not got someone to share it with. I may have been spoiled with the company of clients and my parents on various walks, so going back to solo walking seems a little empty. I'm sure that once spring comes around and I get a chance to do some longer solo walks from places I've not done before I'll get right back into it. The prospect fills me with glee, I must admit.
Finally, I've planned a group walk for my birthday this Saturday. There should be thirteen of us! That's considerably more than I'd hope for and if it comes off without a hitch I'll be incredibly proud of myself. The walk promises to be cold and damp with possible ice and snow, maybe a touch of rain, but a much more reasonable southerly breeze than the bitter easterly we've been having recently. Three kids, the rest adults, some seasoned walkers, a couple less so, many from town but a few from further afield, all gathering to help me celebrate my 35th birthday by walking six miles around the Chilterns in the wintery grip of early December. How exciting!
I'll post after that, hopefully with some photos and an account of the day. Until then, I'm determined to keep this up-to-date and log my walks after each trip, to keep this record of my adventures with walking.
