simplyNordicWalking: December 2011

York Bay, near Stanley, Falkland Islands

Its 2 years since I became a Nordic Walking Instructor and in January 2010, I started this blog with "New Year, New Vistas" to celebrate my change in career. In January 2011, it was "New Year, New You" to encourage others to take up exercise. In January 2012, I will be setting off for a new life in the Falkland Islands, and things will be different!

Striated Caracara, or Johnny Rook

No more seeing the ring-necked parakeets around Bushy Park. A whole new world of avian life will be on display. The photos here were taken on a short trip around the Falklands in March 2011. The birds have no fear of Man and it was the end of the breeding season, so some were still on land waiting to moult and fly (or waddle, in the case of penguins) off into the unknown.

Albatross chick

Albatrosses, once they've left the nest, might not touch land again for TWO YEARS! So it's no wonder the parents feed the chicks until they are bigger than themselves.

Magellanic Penguins with chick

Similarly, penguins will feed their chicks, knowing that its survival might depend on how much weight it puts on before heading out to sea for the first time.

Me with curious King Penguin, South Georgia

Royal Cormorant and Rockhopper penguin

Rocky the rockhopper, New Island, Falkland Islands

Anyway, looking back over the last couple of years, I can honestly say that I have enjoyed the whole time, especially out Nordic Walking with enthusiastic walkers. Exercise, Fresh Air, Good Company - what more could you want?

I've gathered some photos of the sights in here "A Year in Bushy Park"..........

https://picasaweb.google.com/peteryoung111/AYearInBushyPark?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPjUiuSwm5zTlAE&feat=directlink

In future, I'll also be keepin a blog of my experiences on the Falklands. This can be found here -

http://peterspenguinpost.blogspot.com/

(And, if anyone is looking for a luxury place in Spain, as a base for walking holidays.....one of my walkers has this beautiful house on the market -

http://www.primespanishproperties.com/index.html )

I'd like to thank Kay Speakman for all her support, professionalism and friendship. It's been great fun working with her. Anyone wanting to learn and enjoy Nordic Walking should contact her.

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

And thanks to all the walkers I've met: I hope you got as much out of Nordic Walking as I have.

Hasta la Vista,

Peter

STOP PRESS . 17/12/11 Today's Independent has a travel article on the Falklands... why go? what to see? what it costs? etc.

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/americas/falkland-islands-far-and-wild-in-the-atlantic-6278093.html

How many points on the antlers?

The rut has finished, but there have been some interesting stag encounters in Bushy Park recently. The deer are much more placid now, so closer approaches can be made.

Tree rubbing

However, in my many hours of watching deer, I had never before seen one marking its territory (if that was what it was doing), by urinating on a small tree, then rubbing itself against the tree!

The dry weather has continued in the south of the UK, with many dry, sunny days - ideal for Nordic Walking.

A little bird told me.....

Our groups of Nordic Walkers have been exploring the quiet Home Park, adjacent to Hampton Court Palace, and only 5 minutes from the centre of Kingston-upon-Thames. Yet miles of empty paths....