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Foot and Boot Conditioning
Eileen Dorman.
Just over a week ago was the first time in nearly 4 weeks that I did a “boots on walk” . I was anticipating that my route across fields would be muddy and some parts a bit tricky since there had been some flooding and erosion along the brook. Until then I had been wearing Skechers (other trainers and shoes are available) and walking on pavements or paths. The route wasn’t muddy, mostly flat but by the end of the 5.5miles my feet and ankles were feeling very tired and sore – no rambler’s rash though!’ Time for summer boots methinks. The others have been thoroughly cleaned, conditioned and put away.
A non-rambling friend once asked “do you wear those great big boots and socks when you go on your walking holidays, even in hot countries?” “Yes – of course. Every day”, I replied. For all the reasons fellow Ramblers will know.
I have now decided to wear boots for most walks and when working/walking in the garden for any length of time. Just to keep my feet and ankles in condition and used to wearing great big boots! I did a longer walk the other day, in boots, and all was fine.
Several years ago, I had terribly hurty knees and very painful awkward walking. After various consultations, physio, exercise regimes and fancy shoe inserts to not much avail, I was referred to a podiatrist. His recommendation was to “get rid of all that stuff, walk with your natural gait and massage down the length of your metatarsal bones using some nice lotion. It reduces inflammation and improves circulation”. It works for me.
So the moral of the tale is look after your feet and your boots will look after you. Condition, condition, condition. Search out the little gift packs, you have put away, containing soothing foot gel and minty balm and give your feet a nice massage treatment.
And don’t forget to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, especially as a heat-wave is coming.
Now I am wondering whether I should also be carrying a few bricks in a rucksack when I go out?
Tips from Ramblers:
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/walking-gear/how-to-look-after-your-walking-boots.aspx
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/blogs/2020/february/dont-let-your-feet-fail-you.aspx
Exercise during the lockdown
Helen Lea.
I know that some of you, like me, are using the allotted exercise time to remind yourself of walks in your local area. We are fortunate to live within a very short distance of open country, no need to drive miles to enjoy a walk.
For the past 10 days I have been revisiting the footpaths around Shavington. These walks vary between 1.5 and 4.25 miles and have been refreshing. Some of the footpaths I've not walked in a long time but others have been walks with my WI group or as part of the Ramblers short afternoon walks. Each time I've been out though I've noticed changes; hedges greening up, wild flowers appearing, pussy willows, birds singing, a path being enclosed by fences and even more houses being built. But the biggest change is NO MUD except by Wybunbury moss. The fields are certainly drying up. When I get home from a walk it's so good not to have to wash the mud off boots and spats.
Let's hope this pandemic runs its course in time for us to enjoy mud free walks.
Keep exercising everyone. Helen Lea
Carole Bentley.
It’s not the life any of us is used to, or wants, but it is the life to which we must adapt. So how do we then accommodate our desire to be walking in the great outdoors under the current restrictions?
Well, we’re clearly not going to be driving to those lovely places where we normally walk so we’re going to have to look closer to home. Much closer in fact. Walks from the front door basically.
You may think you’re familiar with your local territory but looking at the OS map can be a revelation. You may well find paths that you didn’t know about, that link up with ones that you do, that then make a new, circular route for you.
Rae and I have in the past done lots of local walks in Wistaston but in these difficult times we’ve not only discovered new paths but also local woodland we’d never explored before. It’s been quite a revelation.
We’re still trying to work out new routes but are taking added pleasure from the old ones by spending a bit longer looking at our surroundings. On our rural routes we’ve seen a field of fieldfares, heard a woodpecker and watched spring flowers blossom. On the urban routes we’ve seen some stunning cherry blossom and lots of interesting gardens. One other positive is that we’ve never needed to carry backpacks on these walks
The enforced quietness means the bird song seems louder this year and, yes, more cheerful. The birds, thankfully, are going about their business and when we emerge from this lockdown they’ll have young to feed, or possibly the youngsters will have flown.
In the meantime we must strive to keep fit, keep healthy and keep the boots clean!
We look forward to seeing you all as soon as it’s safe for groups to meet again.
Carole Bentley
