walkerscoach

I had my last walk of 2005 on New Year's Eve when I walked up to our wonderful local Belgian deli to get freshly baked croissants and bagels for breakfast. Having been away for Christmas this was the first chance we had to savour one of our favourite breakfasts. As I was getting ready I pondered what route I would take as the most direct route is pretty boring along a straight road lined with houses. The alternative is a more round-a-bout way but takes me up to Woodford Green, along the green itself and then down more interesting roads. I still had not fully decided as I set out but ended up going the direct route and planned to return the other way.

It felt really good to be out again and I was also delighted to see that the Christmas eating and drinking had not slowed me down too much. In fact I did the walk faster than usual and it didn't feel boring at all. As well as croissants etc. I also needed to get some milk and I added some lovely fresh granary bread to the order too, forgetting that this had all to be transported home again! It was heavy but manageable, however, it did affect my choice of return route and I did a bit of a detour to start and then joined the straight route again phoning when I was a few minutes away to ensure the coffee was ready when I walked in the door.

Yesterday, being New Year's Day we planned a family walk. I am gently encouraging Ellie to see the delights of walking too. With Epping Forest so close it seems a shame not to sample the delights of walking in the area. However, having got the boots, coats etc on, we opened the door to pouring rain. In the Lakes, there would be no excuse but it seemed to make no sense at all to get soaked and perhaps damage the enthusiasm. Instead I curled up on the sofa with my daughter and introduced her to the delights of 'Gone With the Wind'.

As yesterday was Sunday, I did not feel guilty about the absence of a walk; it is usually my day off anyhow. Today though was the first walk of the New Year and I found myself really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Ideas for the new walking initiative were buzzing in my head as well as copy ideas for the website which has got to take priority over the next few days. I wish I could concentrate on walker's coach and nothing else but that's not possible so I shall have to schedule in specific blocks of time to work on it. I also need to find my new pedometer, hidden somewhere within the piles of things to be sorted and also learn to use the recorder facility on my new mp3 player so I can capture all the ideas and thoughts.

We went bowling and had lunch with my friend and colleague who is handling my PR for walker's coach today so inevitably the conversation moved in that direction. In fact she was the second person today to inspire me with even more ideas and possibilities. It is so useful to discuss work and ideas with friends as being a little more removed means they see things you are too close to.

Later this afternoon, Alan and I were tidying the book shelves and I came across lots more walking suggestions that I had forgotten about. More reading and research - that will keep me out of mischief for a while longer.

posted by Heather @ 12:31 PM