Wonderful Winter (Nordic) Walking Weather

Panoramic views from Canopus Hill

The recent snow has melted, and Nordic Walkers have enjoyed crisp days and cloudless skies this week.  Visibility has been superb, too, and so we have trekked up several hills around Stanley.  Not very high hills, but they have all-round views of the area, and the slope has added a more demanding dimension to our workout.  

A chance to see your style

 The dunes around Yorke Bay have been frozen, and give an opportunity for undulating scenery and great Nordic Walking.  There's also some wildlife still around.....

Local residents soaking up the sun.....

Powering up the dunes.

 So, there is no need to sit round the fire all winter.  Wrap up well, and enjoy an invigorating walk with others around Stanley.  You will soon warm up!  

And you could be contributing to making your shadow smaller!

If you would like to try Nordic Walking in and around Stanley, do please get in touch,

Peter
21178

White-out Work-outs....

Before the snow disappears, here are a couple of photos showing how our Nordic Walkers coped with the difficult conditions.

Although I wouldn't normally walk on ice, there was sufficient covering of snow last week to make it very enjoyable, and it demonstrated how we could have a work-out in white-out conditions.

Even though my water bottle froze in the car, keen walkers managed a brisk two-mile Nordic Walk along the Racecourse.

 The dry, still weather was ideal for steady, rhythmic Nordic Walking, and we were soon pausing to release heat from under jackets!  90% of our muscles were working!

Another great bonus was the superb view of the snow-covered hills.  Far better than sitting indoors!

If you wish to join us, keeping fit around Stanley, please get in touch.

Peter
00500 21178

More snow....less sand! Nordic Walking continues!

Once again, the weather hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of Nordic Walkers in Stanley, on the Falklands.

Striding out on Surf Bay

There's been a chill in the air most days recently, but this often makes for ideal walking conditions.  Nordic Walking uses most of the upper body muscles, and these large muscle groups soon generate heat.

So, even when the wind is blowing , it's possible to practise this all-over exercise.  In fact, leaning into the breeze can often make it a better work-out and improve technique!

Certainly, the recent converts to the sport have been finishing with a warm glow after an invigorating hour exercise.

Disappearing dunes!

Where the weather has had an impact is the removal of tons of sand dunes on Surf Bay, making it tricky to walk up and down the dunes!

But even in the snow, the walkers have been able to get out on the beach, and onto the Racecourse.

The views to the snow-covered hills have been delightful recently,  and are a reminder of why this sport is booming in many countries.  Whilst taking exercise indoors will always be popular, there is added benefit from an outdoor activity.

To the hills!

No sign of the Beacon!

The scenery is constantly changing; we are aware of our surroundings; we observe the changing seasons, and often catch glimpses of wildlife such as dolphins and seals, as we walk.

Tramping through the kelp.

If you would like to try this sport on the Falklands, please do get in touch.  My advert is on the back page of Penguin News, and my number is 21178.

Peter

Sun, Snow and Sand - Nordic Walking in the Falklands

Or should it be "Austral Walking"?

Sun, Sea, Sand, Snow and Kelp

Anyway, having landed in sunny Stanley in January, I've spent the last few months unpacking, exploring the islands, trying to identify the exotic wildlife, and learning to bake.

A new dawn, around 9am!

 Perhaps I was wrong not to publicise Nordic Walking during the dry-ish summer that the islands have enjoyed, but the recent downturn in the thermostat has reminded me how invigorating it is to Nordic Walk in the cold!

Three happy walkers

May 2012 saw Nordic Walking being introduced to Stanley in the Falkland Islands.  A small advert in Penguin News, squeezed between that for a Nail Salon and the AGM of the Horticultural Society, produced about 10 responses from people who were keen to learn, and enjoy the outdoors.

Dolphins are often seen from the shore.

One slight drawback of the area is the lack of paths.  Whilst there is plenty of open space, the ground cover is mainly low, wiry bushes, similar to heather, which trap the poles and trip your feet.

Getting into their stride

However, there are two excellent spots - Surf Bay, a long crescent of sand, sheltered from the prevailing Westerlies by a ridge of sand dunes; and the Racecourse, which is a long flat strip of grass not far from the Leisure Centre.

Both these areas are flat and free of undergrowth - rare on the Falklands.  And the locals who have signed up have enjoyed reasonable conditions to learn this great activity.

A dusting of snow on the Racecourse.

This weekend sees the celebrations of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and there is a giant beacon on Surf Bay which is to be lit on Monday evening, followed by a barbecue.  I just hope they don't frighten the dolphins!

Enjoy the celebrations!

Peter

So long....

Sunny Scarborough, on the Cleveland Way

Hi,

I'm currently packing up in preparation for an imminent move to the South Atlantic!  For more details see -

http://peterspenguinpost.blogspot.com/

I may resume this blog later, but in the meantime, I'd like to thank all those wonderful people I've worked with in the last 2 years.  It really has been a pleasure.

I've received many kind words of appreciation from those who have benefitted from Nordic Walking, so that has made my role very rewarding.  I've also received this message (below) from the Lensbury - a private club in Teddington, where I started 2 years ago, with 2 clients, in the snow!

==================

To Whom It May Concern

Peter Young has conducted Nordic Walking sessions to our members for the past 2 years. The offering is for complete beginners to a high physical standard. He is professional, friendly and motivational and employs empathy when required. The numbers to our classes have grown significantly over this time and he has worked tirelessly to ensure the benefits, both physical and social are educated to all our members.
We wish Peter all the best in his new venture and hope that we have the opportunity to work with him again in the future.

Yours in Health

Jo Howitt
Leisure Manager
The Lensbury
=================


So, many thanks for all the lovely messages and wonderful moments.  Please continue (or take up!) Nordic Walking.  You WILL enjoy it!  Especially if you learn from Kay Speakman!
http://www.pole2pole.uk.com/index.html

And Elin Sandal and Charlotte Rehn are also great Instructors, in the Richmond/Surrey area.

And, as a penguin might say - So Long and thanks for all the fish!


Peter

"Has he gone yet?"

New Year, New Hemisphere!

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

Winter Nordic Walking

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....

November sun in Home Park

Long Water, Home Park

Strollers reflecting

Water Gardens this week

December 2010

Let me know if you wish to try Nordic Walking in Richmond or Surrey, or contact Kay Speakman
http://www.pole2pole.uk.com/

Peter
07703404931