Seasons changing...migrating birds...charity walks..

Velvet falling from antlers

After the recent excitement of professional cyclists speeding through Richmond and Bushy Parks, Nordic Walking has resumed its more relaxed pace.  The seasons are changing and the weather has an Autumnal air about it.

Cygnets racing

Walking regularly in London's parks as some of us do, enables us to observe the subtle changes in the seasons.  Young creatures, new to the world this year, are growing up, leaving the nest, or even the country in the case of skylarks, cuckoos, etc

Testing wings

Family portrait, Hampton Court Park

 If you are interested to know where migrating birds go when the leave the UK, then the British Trust for Ornithology has recently tracked 5 cuckoos back to Africa.  You can see their remarkable routes and destinations here -
BTO Cuckoo-tracking

Will they return next year?  How do they find their way here?  Amazing!

Nordic Walkers negotiating deer herd near Hampton Court

Other signs of Autumn include prolific mushrooms, with the recent damp weather.  Also noticeable is the subtle changes in the parks' deer.  The velvet covering the stags' antlers is slowing peeling off, in readiness for the rut!  The stags are bulking up and some are beginning to attract females, which will no doubt be noticed by their rivals....

Velvet on antlers

Watching the walker

If you would like to walk (Nordically or normally!) in the 3 Royal Parks that often feature in this blog, then a local charity, Shooting Star Hospice, is organising several walks around the parks in September.  There are 3, 8 and 15-mile options, so suitable for all.

It's for a worthwhile cause, so if you are interested please go here and sign up!

http://www.shootingstarchase.org.uk/support-us/our-campaigns/three-parks-challenge-and-family-walk%20

If you want to get fit for a specific walk, please let me know.  I have helped numerous people get in shape for the Race for Life (Cancer Research), McMillan's Nurses Walk 10, Princess Alice Hospice Hike the Hill, etc, etc, as well as more famous hikes like Mt Kilimanjaro.

Whatever your health and exercise requirements, Nordic Walking can usually help.  Why not give it a try?  Taster sessions are only £5, and regular sessions usually around £10.

To find a Nordic Walking instructor in your area, go here -
http://www.nordicwalking.co.uk/

Peter
07703-404-931

PS - If anyone is wondering where my brother has got to in the Round the World Clipper race (see "Live the Dream"), you can find out the latest news below.  King Neptune has just paid his boat a visit!

http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/follow/race-viewer/