Scenes from Nordic Walking

One of the most attractive features of Nordic Walking is that it takes place outdooors, so the walkers have the opportunity to see sights they would miss in a gym.

Egyptian goslings

We see the seasons changing, and feel the fresh air on our faces.  We notice births, growth and decay.

Swan chasing goose

We see animal behaviours, and blossom on trees....

Stroller group in Chestnut Walk, Bushy Park

In the space of a few yards, we can watch deer gallop through ponds, a coot nesting and a heron fishing... all while exercising!

All in all, Nordic Walking is a wonderful work-out, and also a great way to see Nature on your doorstep.

If you want to find out more about it, have a look here > http://www.nordicwalking.co.uk/

If you want walk in the Richmond, Twickenham or Teddington area, please contact me.  Unfortunately, I'll be away this week, so may respond after the 7th May.  Please feel free to contact a colleague, Kay Speakman, who is an excellent Nordic Walking instructor -
http://www.pole2pole.uk.com/


Peter
07703-404-931

Easter Nordic walking



Velvet antlers growing apace.  Easter - a time for new life.

 The word "Easter" is thought to come from Old English for 'dawn goddess', similar to the Roman Aurora.  A time for festivals since before Christ.  A time to celebrate that winter was over and we had survived another year.  Ahead lies Spring, Summer, and the harvest of Autumn.

Symbols of Easter include Bunnies and chicks - young, new life - although they don't have to covered in chocolate. 

Nordic walking in spring sunshine. Spot the heron!

If you've eaten too much chocolate, or perhaps just want to enjoy exercise in the fresh air, you would probably enjoy Nordic Walking.   The photos here have all been taken on Nordic Walks this week and just show what fantastic sights we have in south-west London.

Grey Heron, unruffled by walkers

I tend to lead walks in Bushy Park, but almost anywhere is suitable.  I know one Nordic Walker who keeps a set of poles in her car, in case she comes across a pretty part of the country.  Not only can she explore, she gets fit, too!


Fallow stag cooling off

The picture above of the stag was taken during one of the Strollers walks.  These are gentler than the standard walks of about 3 miles, and cover about 2 miles in an hour.  So you don't have to be rushing around to see wonderful sights. 


Nordic Walkers exercising in the sunshine.

On most walks, we also perform strength and balancing exercises.  Many people have not paid enough attention over the years to maintaining these aspects of their health.  There is no point in having the stamina to walk miles if you are unsteady on your legs.  Similarly, there's no point in being determined to walk briskly, if your muscles can't respond.

I hold Nordic Walking sessions on Saturdays (and on other days, by arrangement) in Bushy Park, including Stroller sessions at 11.30.  If you want more details or want to try the sport, please give me a call or send me an email.

Enjoy Easter, but do heed warnings about the weather - Smog Warning

And if you are taking exercise, do remember a hat, suncream and water!

Peter
07703-404-931

South Georgia - short history & trusting wildlife

South Georgia is a remote island in the South Atlantic.  Although it's the same distance from the Equator as the Isle of Man, it is located in the cold Antarctic waters, resulting in it having about 160 glaciers.   The few flat areas have been  used by people either to process or, now, study whales; or for creatures like penguins or seals to breed.

http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/(h)the_island

Above - King penguins and young fur seals welcoming us ashore on South Georgia.

The island was claimed for Great Britain in 1775 by Captain Cook, who noted the vast number of seals, or "sea bears", as they were called then.  These seals attracted sealers to the region, and during the 19th century hundreds of thousands of seals were slaughtered for their fur and blubber, which produced a rich oil.


As the seals became almost extinct, the sealers turned their attention to whales, and built a number of whaling stations where the catch could be processed.

Again, during the first half of the 20th century, thousands of whales were killed to satisfy our need for oil, and whale-bone corsets!  Around 1960, these stations were abandoned to the elements and are still rusting away.  Whale numbers are recovering, but most species are still endangered.

King penguins greeting us curiously.  (Turn the volume up!)

South Georgia was also the setting of an epic journey by Sir Ernest Shackleton and a few of his party.

At the outbreak of the First World War, Shackleton set off from South Georgia, intending to cross Antarctica on foot.  Two years later....he returns to Stromness, a whaling station on South Georgia, having spent months with his ship, "Endurance", trapped on the ice; endured a 800-mile voyage in an open boat; and finally, a 36 hour hike across the island's glaciers.

Meeting the whaling station manager again after nearly 2 years, Shackleton was congratulated on crossing the White Continent. Shackleton had to explain that he hadn't set foot on Antarctica; he had lost his ship to the pack ice, and that most of men were trapped on Elephant Island, living on seals....

Baby fur seals inspecting newcomers to their beach.

Nordic Walking blogging will be resumed shortly!  If you wish to try Nordic Walking, or chat about penguins, please call or email me!

Peter
07703-404-931

Nordic Walking - watching Nature and avoiding bombs...

At this time of year, I find it a real pleasure to be Nordic Walking in local parks or countryside.


Majestic grey heron

 These photos were taken on one walk last week.  OK, the weather was particularly pleasant, but you can still see wonderful sights in the rain.


Nordic Walking in Bushy Park

Not only do you enjoy the fresh air, and good company, as you exercise, but you also get to see Nature coming out of a long winter.  These deer still have their shaggy winter coats, but are employing a jackdaw to keep them clean!

Stags re-growing antlers

Meanwhile, they are turning their energies into growing new antlers.  At the moment, they are covered in velvet, but growing at a phenomenal rate. 


Young Egyptian geese

Also growing rapidly are some of the first batch of young birds - Egyptian Geese seem to breed very early.  We have also been lucky enough to see swallows this week, a sure sign that summer is on the way!
The weather was particularly sunny on Sunday and Bushy Park was very busy.  If you are visiting, be aware that the Upper Lodge car park is closed for a couple of weeks which means the other car parks are busier.

More details here -

http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/Bushy-Park.aspx?page=transport

Also on Sunday, there was a major alert as a suspect World War 2 bomb was thought to have been found.  It turned out to be a false alarm, and the picnickers were allowed to resume their picnics.  This local website has the details, and is also a very useful  site for news of the area -

http://teddingtontown.co.uk/2011/04/10/potential-wwii-bomb-discovered-in-bushy-park/k

But, assuming Bushy Park isn't closed due to bombs, if you want to enjoy the sights and sounds of a lovely park, and get fit at the same time, why not give Nordic walking a try?

Just give me a call and we'll arrange a suitable time. 

Peter

07703-404-931

April - a time to "open"; to re-new life; and try Nordic Walking

Hampton Court Palace

 It's thought the word April may come from the Latin, aperire,  "to open", and in the Northern hemisphere, is synonymous with the opening of flowers, the buds on trees and new births in Nature.

Egyptian Geese and gosling

Given all the activity in Nature, there is probably no better month to start Nordic Walking.  Many a walker has said recently, "It's such a pleasure walking now.  It hardly feels as if I'm taking exercise!".

Nordic Walking allows you to enjoy the sights of Nature, AND know that you are giving your body and all-over workout.

Deer swimming to pastures new

Nordic Walking can be as gentle or energetic as YOU want.  It is just as good for rehabilitation from an injury, as to get fit for ski trip.

Many Nordic Walkers use the exercise to get fit for sponsored walks or activities.  One of our regular walkers is this week off to Jordan to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.  Not only has Nordic Walking been helpful in getting her fit, but she has also lost a stone in weight in 7 months!

Nordic Walkers in Water Gardens, Bushy Park

 So, whether you want an exercise that won't damage your joints, want to get fitter, or simply enjoy exercising in the open air, Nordic Walking can be the activity for you.

Nordic Walking 'strollers' enjoying the Woodland Garden, Bushy Park

If you wish to try Nordic Walking, taster sessions are only £5, and regular sessions (90 minutes) are £10 each, with every 6th session FREE!

Please call or email for more details,

Peter
07703-404-931
peternotyoung@blueyonder.co.uk