Indian Summer Nordic Walking

Bellowing in Bushy Park

As we Nordic Walk around London's Parks this month, stags are getting noisier, trying to attract females and deter rivals.

Some have started sparring, but these below are, I think, just playing.

Playful clash of antlers in Richmond Park

 And while we are enjoying the distractions in the park, it's easy to forget the benefits from Nordic Walking - 

• It burns up to 40% more calories than normal walking
• It uses 90% of the muscles in the body
• The chest, shoulder, back and abdominal muscles are all working and being toned as we walk
• It's less stressful on knees, hips, back and shins,
• And it's fun, sociable and suitable for almost all.

Nordic walkers in Lime Avenue, Bushy Park

 We have been very lucky with the weather again, and the walks are now more invigorating as the autumn days cool down.   But the sunshine is still around, and just being out in this weather lifts the spirits.

Autumn sun on Nordic walkers in Home Park

More regular walks will be held this Saturday, 2nd October in Bushy Park, including a "Stroller" group for newcomers and those who prefer not to power walk.

There's also another social walk in the Surrey Hills on Sunday.  Please call or email me for further details.

Peter
07703-404-931

Red Deer rut, and Nordic Walking.....

The Autumn Equinox was this week, but the warm sunny weather continued for a few more days.

Nordic Walkers and the aptly-named Long Water, Hampton Court Palace

 On an evening walk this week in Bushy Park, we finished under the light of a full moon, with bats flying around our heads.   The park is home to 5 species of bat, but we don't get many opportunities to see them.

One park resident we do see a lot of is the deer.  As the rutting season progresses, the stags' behaviour is changing from the docile to the more erratic.   These stags were spotted using their antlers to do some weeding in a stream.....

Stag in stream, Bushy Park

 ... and having a practice tussle with a fallen branch.

Practising antler fights 

Fallow herd, Home Park

 The bracken is quite dense in places.....

Horse-riders in Bushy Park

 ... but there is a danger of stumbling across resting deer, so it's advised to give the bracken a wide berth and keep dogs on a lead.

Camouflaged stag resting in bracken

Deer in Leg of Mutton Pond, Bushy Park

 One or two older and bigger stags have started collecting females.  The younger stags are belatedly realising that they may have 'missed the boat' as very few unattached hinds are available.  In the next few weeks the competition for the females should intensify.  We already hear the bellowing roar of the bigger stags, warning off the challengers, and soon there should be violent, physical clashes to decide who wins the prize of females and the opportunity to procreate.

Deer with young

If you want to see Nature at close quarters, AND have a workout, I'll be leading Nordic Walks in Bushy Park on most Saturdays.  I also organise taster and stroller sessions for complete beginners and  novices.  There's also occasional walks in the Surrey Hills, which can be a bit more energetic, but usually end near a cafe or pub!

If you wish to join these friendly and sociable groups, please do get in touch.

Peter
07703-404-931

Polesden Lacey with Nordic Walking Poles

Nordic Walkers enjoying the Surrey Hills around Polesden Lacey

As our groups of walkers are becoming more adept at Nordic Walking, and wishing to enjoy other locations on our walks, we decided to explore the estate of Polesden Lacey, a National Trust property nestling in the Surrey Hills, near Dorking.

Polesden Lacey details

This glorious place has views 20 miles across London, but looking south, it is just mile after mile of rolling North Downs woodlands.  The house was famous for the parties of the hostess, Mrs Greville, who regularly entertained royalty between the Wars, and the present Queen's parents had part of their honeymoon there.

Sadly, though, antique wooden floors and Nordic Walking poles don't go well together.  So, we restricted our activities to the paths around the large estate.

We covered about 5 undulating miles of tranquil, beautiful countryside in around 2 hours, and the poles did come in handy at times!

Details of our route can be found at  - http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/detail/23218822/

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/detail/23218822/

It's important to stretch the hamstrings after a walk

So, after 11,000 steps, it was into the cafe for a welcome coffee and bacon butty!    Thanks to all who made it so enjoyable.  Must do it again, soon!

And, very importantly, the walkers generously donated £100 in appreciation of the guided walk, and for use of the walking poles.   This sum has been passed on to the worthy charity Help for Heroes, whose rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court, was near our route.   For more information on the work there and how you can help, please go here -  http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

A good turn-out at Polesden Lacey

Peter
07703-404-931

Two Popes in Twickenham...... and Nordic Walking!

Inquisitive squirrel - seen while Nordic Walking

As I write this, the TV news helicopters are hovering less than a mile away,where they are covering the Papal visit to St Mary's University College in Strawberry Hill, Twickenham.

http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/2010-Visit/Visit-event-Information/Itinerary/17-September-2010/St.-Mary-s-University-College

Quite an event for the College, but Nordic Walking enthusiasts may be interested to know that St Mary's Sports Science department recently ran a study into the benefits of Nordic Walking.  They advertised for local volunteers to try the activity for 8 weeks, and also ran a control group of walkers who didn't use walking poles.

The volunteers had lots of tests done to them before and after the course of walks, to check if their body mass, blood pressure, weight, etc, changed during the 8 weeks.  When I find out the results of the 'exercise', I'll let you all know.

Walkers enjoying the sun in Bushy Park

Meanwhile, some of you may be surprised to know that this isn't the first Pope to be in Twickenham.  This area was the home of Alexander Pope - the famous writer and poet.

wikipedia entry for Alexander Pope

There's even a local pub named after him - Pope's Grotto!
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/25/256/


However, back on track with Nordic Walking......I'll be holding the regular group session,  on Saturday morning in Bushy Park, and afterwards, another "Stroller" session - a smaller group for those who prefer a gentler pace or who wish to practice their technique.

If you are interested in joining either group, please let me know,

Peter
07703-404-931

Autumnal Walking Pleasures

Mill Pond, Bushy park

Autumn is with us, and it is a beautiful time to be walking outdoors.  Trees, animals and birds are preparing for winter by stocking up on food.  Luckily, we don't need to do that these days!  In fact, it's probably worth trying to get some extra exercise in now, before bad weather discourages you from venturing outside in winter.

I've been lucky enough to lead walks in Bushy and Home Parks recently with Nordic Walkers who enjoy the tranquil surroundings.  Fresh air, scenery, wildlife, good company AND it's good for you!

Home Park, crowded as usual !

Nordic Walkers at the memorial to US and Canadian troops in Bushy Park

The poplar trees in this photo mark the site of the camp used by General Eisenhower in the run up to the D-Day landings of World War 2.  There were also US and Canadian Air Force HQ in the park.  Hard to believe now that this leafy suburb was once the nerve-centre of the invasion of Europe!

(For more information on the history of the park, try the Royal Parks' website -
http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/bushy_park/history.cfm )

Now, in September, there are a few Bushy Park residents who should be on the lookout for men with firearms!  The annual cull of deer takes place this month and in November.  As there are no natural predators, and my suggestion of introducing wolves is unlikely to be adopted any time soon, there needs to be a cull or else old and infirm animals will die a slow, lingering death.

Stag at Diana Fountain, Bushy park

The stags have been building up their strength for the imminent rut.   The velvet has now gone from their antlers, and they are beginning to attract females, ready to fight rivals to keep them.

A '14-pointer' stag, Bushy Park

Walking in the park may be interesting in coming weeks as we try to avoid the clashes between stags.  Those antlers can be lethal, and we are unlikely to approach the deer as close as we've done previously.

However, with luck , we might still see some wildlife on our walks!

If you'd like to join our walks, please do get in touch.  I am also intending to Nordic Walk in the Surrey Hills in the Autumn, so please phone or email for details.

If you wish to find out more about Healthy Walks in England, try this site -
Walking For Health

To find a Nordic Walking instructor or group near you, go here - http://www.nordicwalking.co.uk/

Enjoy the Outdoors,
Peter
07703-404-931

September Sunshine!

Nordic walkers enjoying the September sun at Hampton Court Palace.

I did say on my last blog - don't worry about the weather!  And the weather has certainly changed for the better this week.  Blue skies and warmth has returned after a cool and wet August.

Nordic Walkers have enjoyed the conditions and walking regularly allows us to observe the changes in our surroundings.  In a few weeks, the leaves will change colour, and the rut will start.   But there are almost constant, subtle changes  in the wildlife in local parks.  For instance, the high-pitched song of the skylark is now a memory.

But, of the resident birds, the Cygnets are almost fully-grown -

Cygnets on Long Water.  Hampton Court Palace in distance.

Same place, 2 months earlier.

The deer are now losing their velvet covering of their antlers -

Strands of velvet on the antlers.

And red deer stags are beginning to bulk up around the neck and chest.  This stag was bellowing yesterday, and in a few days time, stags will start to round up their 'harems' and compete with each other for supremacy.

Stag in Bushy Park

In Bushy Park, there is also a cull in September, which affects access after 10.30pm.  Loads of information on Bushy and other Royal Parks, can be found here -  http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/bushy_park/

A peaceful avenue near Hampton Court palace

Despite our congested surroundings, quiet corners can often be found.  The photo above was taken less than 10 minutes walk from the centre of Kingston-upon-Thames.  Yet no buildings can be seen, nor traffic heard.  You don't need to drive for hours to enjoy countryside, wildlife or tranquility.

If you want to find hidden corners, and get fit at the same time, do give me a call, or look for a local instructor here - http://www.nordicwalking.co.uk/?page=about_nordic_walking&c=2

Enjoy the outdoors!

Peter

07703-404-931