Hampton Court hotting up.

This week saw another visit to Home Park, which fills the space between Hampton Court Palace and the River Thames, up to Kingston Bridge.  Apparently, it's also known as Hampton Court Park, if Wikipedia is to be believed -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Court_Park

We're having an old-fashioned heatwave in southern England this week.  Beautiful weather for walking, but do please remember to take precautions against the strong sun -

• Use suncream, lip salve and clothes to protect from UV rays;
• Wear a hat, preferably with wide brim to protect the neck;
• Always have sunglasses to protect the eye, and 
• Drink LOTS of water.

[Some Nordic Walkers enjoying the weather by the River Thames]

Fallow Deer keeping in the shade, as golfers warm up on Hampton Court Golf Club. Only the tees and greens are watered, and the fairways are extremely dry. Not that I was on the fairways much when I played here recently....  And all this less than 500 yards from Kingston-upon-Thames!

http://www.hamptoncourtgolf.co.uk/]

The long, white building in the distance is one of the huge marquees being set up for the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, starting 6th July.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2010/Plan-your-visit

[Fountain on Long Water, Home Park. 

Hampton Court Palace in the distance]

[Flower border at Hampton Court Palace gardens]

Away from the bustle of the Flower Show preparations, there is always tranquility in Home Park.  If you are walking around it in the near future, please be aware that there are temporary car parks, buildings and fences, which can interfere with following your usual route (grrrr!).

If you wish to Nordic Walk in the Bushy and Home Park, please do call or email to arrange a demo (taster sessions, £5).

Enjoy the weather,

Peter

07703-404-931

Midsummer Nordic Walking in Beautiful Surrey

Many people unfamiliar with Surrey are surprised to learn that, despite being adjacent to London, it has some of the loveliest countryside in England.  The Surrey Hills have unspoiled woods and estates with miles of paths which are a delight to walk in.  Plus there are scores of pubs and tea-rooms to refresh the body after the walks.

This week, some of us were fortunate enough to walk at Denbies Wine Estate - a large vineyard nestling in hills, just north of Dorking.
http://www.denbiesvineyard.co.uk/

There's plenty of room to walk amongst the 600 acres of vines, and there are extensive views across to Box and Leith Hills.....

Meanwhile, in Bushy Park, the antlers continue to grow on the stags, 

.... and more people think it's OK to feed the deer.

The Woodland Gardens, above,  are still attractive, and the tranquil Thames riverbank can seem miles away from the bustle of nearby Kingston-upon-Thames.  Just after this photo, below, was taken our group watched a Great Crested Grebe feed a fish to its offspring.  You won't see that in a gym!

The weather has been beautiful for walking all week, and on the 23rd June, dozens of Nordic Walkers met in Richmond Park to celebrate Midsummer's Eve.  This is a big celebration in parts of  Europe, especially Scandinavian and Nordic countries, where pagan rituals were commemorated with bonfires and burning of witches (centuries ago).

I haven't checked the small-print of Richmond Park's regulations recently, but I'm pretty sure those activities are banned!

[Heading towards The Royal Ballet school, Richmond Park]

[Skirting Pen Ponds]

So, after the pleasant exertions, we confined ourselves to an enjoyable picnic...chatting to new friends, and perhaps swapping a Scotch egg for a mushroom and ricotta tartlet, or the ubiquitous strawberries for some raspberry and vodka jelly.  Yes, the food was good and varied, like the walkers.

[The picnic beckons...]

The walk in Richmond Park was facilitated by local Nordic Walking instructors - 

Charlotte Rehn  ...   http://www.gonordic.co.uk/

Elin Sandal ......  ...  http://norsknordicwalking.blogspot.com/

Kay Speakman ...   http://www.pole2pole.uk.com/

and myself. 

Do contact any of us if you wish to experience Nordic Walking in south-west London / Surrey.

So, there's a world of lovely countryside on our doorsteps.  Let me know if you would like to explore it, and get fitter at the same time!

My next taster session - Bushy Park, 11.15, Saturday, 26 June.  Please call me for details.

Peter

07703-404-931

Birds, birds, birds....

Some people have mentioned that there isn't much about Nordic Walking on these blogs!  That's partly because there is a limit to what can be conveyed via the Internet.  It's much more understandable when you experience Nordic Walking at first-hand, rather than reading about it, or watching a video.  If you would like details on why Nordic Walking is good for you, or where you can participate in it, please go to theses sites -

Metro article

"Shapely arms and pert derriere", Daily Mail article

Nordic Walking UK organisation

If you would like to try a taster session, I am holding one at Bushy Park on Saturday 19th June, around 11am.  Please call me for details.   07703-404-931.

Meanwhile, continuing a theme about what makes Nordic Walking enjoyable for many, I have to agree that one major source of enjoyment is  seeing the nature around us as we walk.  I recently posted photos of the many deer we see.  This week is a collection of photos of birds that we have been lucky enough to see.  We see lots more birds that are too fast or small for my camera, like woodpeckers and ring-necked parakeet , the UK's only naturalised parrot!

[Swan and cygnets in Long Water, Home Park]

[Egyptian geese and goslings]

[Red-headed Pochard]

[Tufted Duck]













Also, being Spring, I've been lucky enough to have some Blue and Great Tits nest nearby to my tiny suburban garden, and the parents have been teaching their fledglings how to cope with bird feeders.   All went well until the starling chicks fledged.  If anyone has any suggestions for breed-specific bird feeders, I'd be happy to hear from them.

[Blue Tit fledglings]

[Blue Tits - so delicate compared to starlings]

[Not yet spotted in Bushy Park or my garden, but the African Fish Eagle is one of my favourites.  Such a wonderful bird, with an evocative call....
listen here ]

Enjoy your walking.

Peter
07703-404-931

Deer Insights.

Walking around Bushy and Home Park regularly, gives Nordic Walkers frequent sightings of the parks' deer.  I've seen many deer in Scotland, but normally only on the horizon of some distant hill.  This one, below,  was an exception - spotted in a layby near Glencoe.  Probably past his prime with some of antler points missing.

At this time of year, the females are about to give birth and can be nervous, but the stags are relaxed and focus on building up their strength for another rut in the autumn.

[Chewing the cud, and growing the velvet antlers.]

Stags can be identified by the number of points on their antlers.  This set could develop into a 14-pointer.

[Right - The same animals about a month ago .........]

The antler velvet is highly-prized in parts of the world, like China and Korea,  for its medicinal and performance-enhancing properties.
You can see the rapid rate of antler growth in these red deer.

Fallow Deer are also found in Bushy and Home Park, and have smaller, but flatter antlers.  They are smaller than red deer and have white spots on their back.

Whether in parks or on the hills, deer are wild animals.  We can get close to them in parks because they are habituated to people.  However, we should never change their behaviour by letting our dogs chase them, or feeding them.  This lady thought it would be OK to feed some carrot to a deer.....

..... but within minutes, the whole herd were looking for treats, and the picnic had to be abandoned.  The deer now associate people with food, and this may lead to problems in the future.

There will be a Nordic Walking taster session in Bushy Park this Saturday, 12 June at 11.30.  Please contact me for details.  I can't guarantee deer, but I'm sure you will enjoy the fresh air, and learning a new skill.

For a recent article on the popularity and benefits of Nordic Walking, just click on the link....
Metro article

Peter

07703-404-931

Royal Mistress, David Cameron and Bushy Park

Another lovely day for walking, with plenty of shade in Bushy Park to bring relief from the hot sun.  The legendary giant Egyptian Geese were strolling about as if on the banks of the Nile....

While our group was gathering at the Pheasantry Cafe, I noticed a poster for an open day on Saturday June 12th, for  Bushy House gardens.

 Many usually-hidden London gardens and squares are open to visitors next weekend.  Ever wanted to see round Eaton Square, Chelsea Physic Garden or HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs??  For full details of events and sites, please go here  -
http://www.opensquares.org/

Bushy House is a former Royal Palace and the original building for the National Physical Laboratory.  As we were walking past the House, I was trying to remember which Royal mistress had been its occupant, when a more erudite member of our group informed us it was Mrs Jordan - William IV's long-standing companion while he was heir to the throne.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothea_Jordan

They had 10 illegitimate children there, before the Duke of Clarence (as he was then known), married Princess Adelaide, and became King.  (The Princess Adelaide is remembered locally through a friendly pub of that name selling a range of real ales, and good food...  There's a Duke of Clarence pub nearby, but I can't recommend it.
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/11/1103/Adelaide/Teddington  )

What must have been a fascinating life is recalled in the Claire Tomalin book, "Mrs Jordan's Profession" -
Link to Amazon and book details    .  Again, thanks to a Nordic Walker for this information.

The many descendants of Mrs Jordan have become famous in their own right.  According to Wikipedia, even our new Prime Minister, David Cameron,  is descended from her!

Meanwhile, we pause to drink in the restored Water Gardens......

So, in the course of an hour or so, I learned a lot about local and English history, and why so many local pubs seem to have royal names.   I also learned a bit about Tanzanian schools (more of which in another post), and a host of other interesting subjects.

It's amazing what you can learn while Nordic Walking.....

If you want to try it, there will be a Taster session in Bushy park on Saturday 12th June at 11.30.  Please give me a call if you want to improve your health, fitness or mind!

Peter

07703-404-931