From Egyptian Geese to Chestnut Sunday to D-Day Landings

[Egyptian geese - with swans in January; and now with goslings in April. Bushy Park]


Another fine weekend, with lots of sun to encourage walkers (and runners in the London Marathon). For those who came round Bushy Park, we did about 3 miles (7,000 steps), so, "Well Done!"  Everyone is making progress, even if you don't always think so. As a recent beginner said to me on Saturday, "At first, I didn't think I would last the session. Everyone seemed so much fitter. Now, (after 4 weeks), the sessions whizz by!"

I've found the benefits of Nordic Walking come slowly but steadily.  Quick fixes tend to be just that.  Your body has taken decades to attain the condition it's in.  If you want to fix parts of it; increase your fitness levels; or lose weight, it's not going to happen overnight.  The beauty of Nordic Walking is that you can exercise your whole body during regular, sociable walking, almost without noticing the effort you're putting in.

If you want to find out more about Nordic Walking, I can point you towards a respected author and Nordic Walking expert, Claire Walter. Claire sent me a lovely email last week, and you can read  Claire's multi-faceted blogs, if you go to her site -

http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com/2010/04/volcanic-ash-affects-nordic-walking.html

I will be away on May 1st, so no Walking class then, but hope to be back in time to see Bushy Park in a different light. On the 9th May, the park holds Chestnut Sunday. Prior to global warming, the mile-long avenue of chestnut trees (designed as a grand entrance to Hampton Court Palace) would be awash with white chestnut blossom around the beginning of May.

Nowadays, the timing of the blossom is a bit unpredictable, but the festivities will be going on regardless. One of the highlights is the parade of Second World War vehicles, which emphasise the link with General Eisenhower. Dwight's Supreme Headquartes, Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) - the nerve-centre for the D-Day landings - was situated in leafy Teddington - in Bushy Park! There is also street called Shaef Way, running alongside the park wall.

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/events/event.cfm?id=1863

If any visitors see me in the park on Chestnut Sunday, and wish to know more about Nordic Walking, do please ask me.  I'll have a T-shirt on with "simplyNordicWalking" on it.  Whatever you do, enjoy it.

Peter

Nordic Walkers enjoying the Spring sunshine in the Woodland Garden......