Kestrel, cuckoos, "King's Speech" and ferrets

Nordic Walking in the evening in Bushy Park is a small luxury, enjoyed by a few who can afford (or make) the time.

Why is it different from Nordic Walking at other times?  Well, it just is - the light is lower; there are fewer people around; the animals more relaxed, and the sights can be different.

I wish I was this flexible!

This week, for instance, our group of Nordic Walkers came across an infestation of Cinnabar moth larvae.  These are really striking creatures -
Cinnabar Moth photos

A few moments after the moths, we caught sight of a kestrel watching us.  Only the second kestrel I've seen in the park.   If you want more information about Kestrels or other birds, please look at the BTO site below.   It also has a unique tracking of 5 cuckoos returning to Africa after breeding in the UK.  If you have ever wondered where these amazing birds go, then this is the only place to find out!

http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking

The birds below are the young Egyptian geese that hatched around March this year.  It will be interesting to see if they all stay in the park as they grow older.  Could they become as common as the parakeets?

Eye, eye, eye.  Egyptian geese, and fallow stags.

 Talking of birds, there was a showing of Hitchcock's classic film, "The Birds", last night in Bushy Park.  Nomad Cinema has a programme of film showing in many London locations this summer.

What about "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in Richmond Park, or "The King's Speech" at Hampton Court Palace.  More details here -
http://www.whereisthenomad.com/royalparks/

Glowing Nordic Walkers

What these happy walkers, above, realise is that not only do they keep fit by Nordic Walking but they also catch up with local events; find out what are the hot tickets in theatres or which pubs or restaurants are worth visiting.

If you want join us, please do call or email me.  Oh, and the ferrets were on a lead, being walked in Bushy Park, but I didn't get close enough to stroke them!

Peter
07703-404-931

Bushy House - Nordic Walking through history...

I recently had the opportunity to visit Bushy House - a striking building in Bushy Park.  When Nordic Walking in the park, we pass it often, and walkers are usually curious as to its history and purpose.

Bushy House lawn

Originally built for Edward Proger, as reward for his support for Charles II, it was the palatial house of the Keeper or Ranger of Bushy Park.

The Orangery at Bushy House

Bushy House is owned by NPL, used as conference centre and has small museum.

The Orangery

It has been the home of minor and major royalty down the years, including a Prime Minister (Lord North) and the heir to the French Bourbon monarchy.

Bushy House gardens

But it's probably most associated with the Duke of Clarence or William IV as he was to become.   Known as the "Sailor King", he made Bushy House has family home and, with the actress Mrs Dorothy Jordan, had 10 illegitimate children here.  No papparazi  in 1790!

Temple to Horatio Nelson

However, before ascending to the throne he separated from Mrs Jordan and married Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.  It's rumoured that money was the motive for the marriage, and some of the children continued to enjoy royal patronage, but Mrs Jordan died penniless

View from Bushy House to Bushy Park

Signpost to new Bushy Park car park at NPL

On the death of his father, George IV, on 26 June 1830, it's reputed that William when told of the news that he was now king, replied that he was going back to bed, as he'd never slept with a Queen! 

By the way, that photo also shows the way to a new car park for Bushy Park.  It is approached through the main NPL gates off Queens Road Teddington.

References -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushy_House

http://www.npl.co.uk/history

http://www.fbhp.org.uk/

http://www.fbhp.org.uk/

If you would like to learn more about Bushy House, Bushy Park or Nordic Walking, please do get in touch.  Keeping fit can be fun!

Peter
07703-404-931

Antlers galore!

 These photos were taken recently in Bushy Park, Middlesex.

 The stags' antlers are now coming to full size, but still retain the velvet covering, which will be discarded soon.  This velvet, like the antlers, is a prized ingredient in Chinese medicine...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_antler

 The deer are eating well and growing in bulk to prepare for the annual rut in the autumn, when the winners will pass on their genes to new generations.

Cooling off in a wallow hole

Relaxing in the grass

Where's my other antler?

How many points?  How many stags?

Relaxing, chewing the cud

Like cows, deer have highly-tuned digestive systems which cope well with grass and vegetation like leaves.  It does not cope well with carbohydrates, so people feeding them picnic sandwiches are putting them at severe risk.  I've even seen the deer eat the plastic bag around the sandwiches.  Please DON'T!

Relaxed deer

20 points!

Will be impressive, and dangerous, in a few months time!

"Look at YOU!"

b

Antlers a few months ago.

Deformed antlers

All these deer can be seen regularly during Nordic Walks that take place in Bushy Park.  Research has shown that exercising outdoors is beneficial for the mood as well as the body.  Seeing wild animals at close quarters is always a thrill.

If you want to try Nordic Walking in Bushy Park, do call or email me to arrange a taster session, or to join one of our regular group sessions.

Peter
07703-404-931

Polesden Lacey, Surrey Hills

Last week, some Nordic Walkers decided  to venture further afield from the usual haunts and walk around the estate of Polesden Lacey - a mansion hidden in the beautiful Surrey Hills....
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-polesdenlacey

The estate has panoramic views north to London, but nestles in some hidden valleys where you feel the scenes haven't changed for centuries.

From this signpost, you can see Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport about 20 miles away!

The day was one of the hottest of the year, and one of the walkers kept cool by diving in every cattle trough en route.  (Don't forget to keep dogs on a lead when livestock is around).

  Other walkers made do with traditional methods of keeping cool - water, sun-cream and hats.

The route was undulating, and partly open countryside and partly ancient woodland.

The Nordic Walking poles were ideal for helping on the hills

Polesden Lacey in sight across the fields.  Did I mention that they serve delicious teas there?

If you would like to explore the Surrey Hills with Nordic Walker, do get in touch.

It's a wonderful way to stay fit,
Peter

07703-404-931

Midsummer Nordic Walking, Richmond Park

It's been a busy week.  Am now trying to catch up with the blog.  Although we (in the south of England) are currently basking in glorious sunshine during the Wimbledon tennis tournament (can Andy Murray do it?), last week was a different kettle of fish.

The view to the city of London

But despite the weather, a group of Nordic Walkers gathered in Richmond Park to celebrate the Midsummer Eve.  This is a festival in Scandinavian countries, and as Nordic Walking and a couple of Nordic Walking Instructors also hail from there, it seemed a nice idea to join in the celebrations!

Instructors Charlote Rehn ( http://www.gonordic.co.uk/ ) and Kay Speakman (http://www.pole2pole.uk.com/ ) and myself, led the walkers across parts of the park rarely seen by visitors.

Nordic Walkers at the Royal Ballet School

As well as meeting new walkers, the other delightful aspect of the walk was how quiet the park was at 8pm.  Very few other people about.  We had the place to ourselves.  Richmond Park is also a bit hillier than Bushy Park where many of us regularly walk.  At least it kept us warm!

Climbing from Pen Ponds

At the end of the walk, to complete the celebration, picnics were spread on the rugs.  Some people had obviously put some effort into the food, and after expending all that effort in the Nordic Walking, no-one felt guilty about indulging themselves.

An amazing spread!

If you 'd like to learn how you can combine great scenery, good exercise and delicious cup-cakes, please get in touch with me or one of the other Nordic Walking instructors.

Peter

07703-404-931