2021 :  A NEW RAMBLING YEAR
Eileen Dorman
So here I am again, in another lockdown, and trying hard to continue walking, as daily exercise.
Re-reading the Blogs that Helen, Carole and I had written early last year gives a sense of deja-vu and time for reflection.  Staying local means walking solo again, but with a quick hello and passing friendly remark to people I now see out and about regularly on the same paths around Haslington.
In spite of everything 2020 seemed to go by very quickly. Depending on rules and restrictions I enjoyed walking with rambling friends; just one at first (again during November) and eventually a few joyous months choosing to stay within the ‘rule of six' and walking in a physically-distanced small group.   (Physically-distanced – who’d have thought we'd be saying that so often ?).  When we could, we didn’t travel very far and soon managed very well navigating to and meeting up at the same car parking place!
The walks were great too.  We always had a designated ‘leader’ and a shared responsibility for safety and risk-assessments.  There were some dodgy stiles, muddy and flooded fields, maize, nettles, overgrown paths, lively livestock. Oh and sunshine.   Self-styled as the ‘last of the summer wine' and ‘famous five’ we took the opportunity to take time to ponder and enjoy the surroundings  never in a rush and to veer onto an ‘unknown' path for a bit of adventure.  Our walks were anything from 4 to 12 (!) miles, and completed within 4-5 hours regardless of distance. A grand day out.  We’ve stood on a bridge and saw the kingfisher, watched boats going through locks, been followed by a herd of ducks, surrounded by cows,  thwarted by path closures and washed off mud and slurry by a quiet churchyard tap!  All of this within a short radius of home.  Quite often someone said “how come I've not been on this path  before?”  “didn’t know this was here",  “not coming here again”, “this would be a nice walk for the Group".
Alas, all good things come to a brief stop or postponement. In the meantime, as Helen and Carole wrote previously  there’s a lot to discover close to home and all looks so different with the changing seasons.  So let's keep ourselves and the boots clean and in good condition until the spring and until enough of us get the vaccination and until we have the freedoms to walk with more rambling friends.
Stay safe, stay well and enjoy a little adventure.
PS.  If you want to share what you have been up to or start a conversation why not submit a blog?