White Nordic Walking Christmas....

Saturday saw our last organised Nordic Walk of the year in Bushy Park.  We had a great turn-out, despite the cold.

Curious swan in Bushy Park

In these conditions, it's important to dress well - stick to layers: windproof outer, warm middle (eg fleece), and thin layer next to your skin; with hats and scarves that make it easy to adjust your temperature without fiddling around with jackets.   I also recommend always warming up your joints and muscles before heading off.

Striding out.

 However, after about 30 minutes, the snow that was to paralyse Heathrow Airport arrived suddenly - about 3 inches in an hour.

Into the blizzard

This made walking a challenge, but the poles came into their own.  Using 90% of the body's muscles soon warms up Nordic Walkers.

Happy walkers

 Walking through the park was a joy, despite the weather.  The snow soon covered familiar landscapes and trees, allowing us to enjoy the park anew, and get fit.

Woodland garden transformed

Avenue of coppiced hazel trees

With temperatures below zero, the snow settled and provided good conditions for Nordic Walking.

Lime Avenue

Palms in the Woodland Garden, Bushy Park

But some of the park's residents found the conditions difficult...

Stag struggling to find fodder

Frozen pond, Bushy Park

Fallow stags in the snow

I do hope if you are travelling at this time of year, that you get to your destination despite the weather.

Do enjoy the Festive Season, and I hope you will enjoy Nordic Walking in 2011.  Please contact me if you wish to try, or continue, this healthy and fun activity.

Peter

07703-404-931

Swans, Swann and Swan River

I'm not sure why, but we've been seeing a lot of swans on our Nordic Walks recently.

Swans and Egyptian geese

Perhaps their numbers have been added to by migrant swans trying to escape the Arctic winter.

These beautiful birds were seen around Hampton Court Palace, where they were once a delicacy at feasts for the court of Henry VIII.

The Tudor kitchens of the Palace still recreate the days of cooking for 600 courtiers.  For details of live demonstrations, see the Palace website -
http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/WhatsOn/tudorcookery.aspx

I sometimes think that Nordic Walking is a bit like swans swimming!  Although it's not obvious, there is quite a lot of effort going on beneath the surface.  To someone not aware of how it works, it's difficult to realise  how much effort is being expended by Nordic Walkers as they glide rhythmically along.

Nordic Walkers and frozen pond, Bushy Park

The walkers themselves know, however, as many have said recently how invigorating it is walking in the cold,  winter air, and feel their bodies warm up.  A real glow is experienced.

Cygnet at Hampton Court Palace

Coincidentally, I woke up this morning hearing about the exploits of Graeme Swann, a superb bowler in England's cricket team which is playing for the Ashes in Perth, Western Australia.  More details about Swann can be found here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graeme_Swann
including his recent brush with the law, when trying to rescue his cat from under the floorboards...

The lovely city of Perth is reckoned to be the most remote city in the world, and sits on the Swan River.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth,_Western_Australia

Its remoteness was to its advantage when the astronaut, John Glenn, was orbiting the Earth in 1962, and NASA wanted something for him to observe during his passage over the 'dark side' of the Earth.  The citizens of Perth switched on all their lights to brighten up his journey.

Diana Fountain, Bushy Park

Not sure what this has to do with Nordic Walking, but it may come in handy during a Christmas Quiz!

My  last Nordic Walk of 2010 will be in Bushy Park at 9.30 on the 18th December, so I hope some of you can make it, and enjoy the weather, the scenery and the swans.

If you would like to join us Nordic Walking in 2011, please do get in touch.

Peter
07703-404-931

Snow scenes - plus win a free Nordic Walking session!

Red and fallow deer waiting for food supplies

The many rabbits need to eat every day

 Last weekend saw a couple of inches of snow in the South-East of England.   Not as much as other parts of the country, but enough to transform the familiar landscapes.

I've been walking in Bushy Park and at Leith Hill
 in Surrey, and have tried to capture some of the 'new' scenes.

Red Deer searching for food

Nordic Walkers in the snow and mist of Bushy Park

Nordic Walking has been great fun - so warming, and now the poles are really coming into their own.  They act as extra propulsion, and help with balance on the slippy surface.  "4x4" for walkers!

American visitors at the USAAF memorial. 

We also met some visitors from the USA in Bushy Park, who were intrigued to find several links with US forces from World War 2.   The site of the office where General Eisenhower planned the D-Day landings is easy to find, with a large white flagpole marking the spot.   But other plaques and memorials are tucked away in corners of Bushy Park.

Near Leith Hill

 On Sunday, a few of us ventured to Leith Hill, near Dorking.  http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-leithhill At just under1000 feet above sea level, it is the highest point in southern England.  It's steep and heavily-wooded  slopes are popular with many outdoor enthusiasts....

Extreme cycling

Quad bike fun

 The surrounding hills are a mecca for walkers, cyclists, and, as we discovered, quad bikers!.

Leith Hill Tower, highest point in Surrey

Friendly local, Leith Hill!

 To finish the 'snow report', can anyone suggest what these Nordic Walkers, below, were up to?

Answers on an email or text, and a free Nordic Walking taster session to the first correct answer!

Introductory taster sessions are usually only £5.  Let me know if you would like to try this invigorating, and sociable, sport.

Stay warm

Peter
07703-404-931

Nordic Walking - wrap up warm!

Winter is here!   Enjoy it!

Shelducks slipping on the ice

As temperatures plummet in the UK, there are few better activities than Nordic Walking to enhance the enjoyment of your exercise.  Despite the chill, Nordic Walkers know they will warm up in minutes, as almost every muscle in their body is working to propel them forward.

A crisp morning in Richmond Park

 On a sunny morning, it is quite invigorating to stride around the beautiful parks and countryside available to us.  Forget for a while the news of stuck trains and traffic jams.  Breathe in the crisp air, and feel the blood pumping around your body.

Sharp frost in Bushy Park

Almost everyone, from teenagers to pensioners, can enjoy Nordic Walking.  It can help you recover from an operation more quickly, or to get you fit for the ski-ing season, or simply to enjoy an energetic walk with friends.

Skaters at Hampton Court Palace

I, with colleagues, lead walks in the Teddington, Kingston and Richmond area of south-west London, and further afield.  Places like Hampton Court Palace and Bushy Park feature on our walks.

Braving the elements!

Nordic Walkers, Bushy Park

This week has seen some very cold conditions.  Please do remember to wear several warm layers of clothes, as well as a hat and gloves.  A scarf is very useful for regulating your body's temperature.

Striding down Lime Avenue, Bushy Park

But once you've conquered the conditions, and are feeling pleased with your efforts, there's usually time to relax over a warm drink.......

Feel the glow!  Contact me if you want to enjoy Nordic Walking,

Peter 

07703-404-931

More Autumn misty walks....Bliss!

Following on last week's theme of Autumn Mists, this week has seen beautiful misty mornings most days.

Woodland Walks in the mist

Many walkers have this week stated how invigorating this time of year is.  The temperature is cool and you really feel your body warming up as you walk along.

Then, as the sun burns off the mist, the autumn sunshine lights up the landscape and deer.

Misty sunrise in Richmond Park

Of course, there are downsides to the mist.  Sometimes leading groups can be challenging....

Have we lost anyone?

But the advantages far outweigh the minor issues.  The air is still, and seems to cover the walkers like a blanket.  Sound doesn't seem to travel as far, so dampening the noise of air and road traffic.

Fallow stags

I hope you can enjoy some Autumn Nordic Walking.  Instructors in the UK can be found from this site -
http://www.nordicwalking.co.uk/  -  where you will also find details of walks, gear, and the benefits of Nordic Walking.

If you want to join my walks in Bushy Park and other venues, please get in touch.

Peter
07703-404-931

Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness....

"Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run."

"To Autumn", John Keats

Some Nordic Walking "Strollers" enjoying the autumn sunshine in Bushy Park

These 2 photos, taken in Lime Walk in Bushy Park, show how quickly Autumn can turn.  The above photo was taken October 30th. The one below on November 9th.  

Within 2 weeks, every leaf had fallen from the lime trees.  Around the park, the mushrooms had disappeared, the chestnuts have been gathered and the deer rut had finished......

Nordic Walkers heading towards Diana Fountain, Bushy Park

As the rut finishes, so things settle down in the deer world, or so the deer would hope......

Fallow deer grazing in November sunshine, Bushy Park

The stags who were not successful in the rut face an uncertain future.  Without predators, there is the risk of over-population in a confined space.  Food might become scarce, or older animals might be injured and endure prolonged pain.  Either way, it's a man-made situation brought about by enclosing the park, centuries ago.  

The solution to these problems is also man-made - a cull.   During November, marksmen will select deer that are to be removed from the herd.  This will help ensure only healthy animals breed in the future, and that there is not too much pressure on grazing within the park confines. 

Well-camouflaged stag in the bracken, Bushy Park

My own solution to the problem of over-population would be to introduce a small pack of wolves, but I'm not sure this would go down well with my fellow Nordic Walkers, never mind Royal Parks management!

However, it has been mooted that wild wolves be reintroduced to parts of Scotland.  It's doubtful whether these beautiful animals will ever be seen again running across the heather, but what a sight that would be....

http://www.wolvesandhumans.org/wolves/wolf_reintroduction_to_scotland.htm

If you wish to enjoy local parks and countryside AND gain the benefits of Nordic Walking, please contact me.  I organise sociable groups of walkers several times a week.  Please call for details,

Peter
07703-404-931

The variety of Nordic Walks

The rut in Bushy Park and elsewhere continues.  This stag had found the cricket ground a good place to defend his herd from the raids by other stags.  Good pasture, great view to see rivals approaching, and a good fence around it to limit the hinds wandering....What more could a stag want?

Mute swans

The weather has been good for Nordic Walking - mild and dry.   The gates at Hampton Court Palace have recently reopened, allowing easy access to Home Park and more variety of routes around the area.

A group of Nordic Walkers this week started in Bushy Park, enjoyed the formal gardens in Hampton Court Palace, walked through the quiet of Home Park, then striding for  about half-a-mile along the Thames riverside, before posing with a guard waiting for Henry 8th, and one of his wives!

Hampton Court Palace formal gardens

Hampton Court bridge and River Thames

Palace guard and Nordic Walkers

An amazing variety of sights and scenery in just over an hour, and 3 miles of walking!

If you are interested in trying Nordic Walking in such lovely surroundings, please do get in touch with me.

I hold regular Saturday walks for differing abilities, including beginners and "Strollers".  All walks are sociable and enjoyable,

Peter

07703-404-931

Autumn Watching, and Nordic Walking

Nordic Walkers in Chestnut Avenue, Bushy Park. 

Autumn is in full swing, with leaves and conkers dropping from the trees in the parks. It's a beautiful time of year to be Nordic Walking.   However, the chestnut trees in Bushy Park, and across the south of England are dropping their leaves early due to a leaf mite.  This problem first appeared in Wimbledon a few years ago, and is slowly spreading across the country.  My thanks to a walker, Jackie, for alerting me to this.  For more details, see the Forestry Research site -

http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/website/forestresearch.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-68JJRC

We regularly Nordic Walk in Bushy Park, where there is a mile-long tree-lined avenue (Chestnut Avenue), which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren to be the grand entrance to Hampton Court Palace.  Although not used as such now, it is still an impressive sight, especially in spring and autumn.  The chestnuts are flanked by six rows of lime trees, all neatly cropped by the deer.

Tree stump, Chestnut Avenue.  

Also impressive are the masses of mushrooms that have recently emerged.  At times, we have been walking over a carpet of sprouting funghi.  I know little about funghi so if anyone knows what these are called, I'd be happy to hear.  My mushroom book suggests they might be of the species Gymnopilus!

Abundance of mushrooms

The other major event that's happening in Richmond and Bushy Parks, as well as in the wild, is the annual deer rut.  Photos can't do it justice, so I'd encourage you to visit these parks and see one of Nature's free shows for yourself.

Red Deer stag with fallow deer behind

 There's nowhere else you can see stags battling for supremacy, at such a close quarters.

Some stags are used to people being close, but don't approach during the rut.

But you don't have to take my word for it.  The BBC's "Autumnwatch" programme returned last night and featured the rut in Richmond Park.  Go to the site (www.bbc.co.uk)  and find it under "iPlayer" if you missed it (UK only).

[The other wonderful animals on the programme were otters from Shetland, which I was lucky enough to see in the summer. See the "Shetland Safari" entry on this blog for more details.]

Lastly, if you are fed up with deer photos, here is one of an elephant, taken on a trip to Botswana.

You can learn more about elephants, Botswana, deer and mushrooms AND get fitter, if you care to join me for Nordic Walking sessions!

Please call or email to find out more.
Peter
07703-404-931