Tuesday 13 March 2012

February 2012 -There's No Stopping Us!







                                                                                                                              February 2012

The Leggies in Motion 
One Tree Hill -  Langdon Hills

Accumulative miles walked 463
Total Calories Burned 463
Total kcals burned 4504

The Alternative Olympic Legacy 

Number of Free tasters given 16
Number of Free tasters remaining 955


February came, the snow came, the snow went again, and then it felt like spring, my thermals were on and off and then on again, it was all such a busy blur!  Walking in the snow was...er...interesting! Langdon Hills had a good 4 - 6 inches ' in places, and negotiating the slopes that had been turned into sledging runs was seriously taking you life in your hands, and in my case ending up on my backside a couple of embarrassing times! It did not however put off my hardy Nordic Walking Technique Course participants with Rachel Kemp, Mick &  Maureen Saunders   and Pauline Fielder who all  graduated this month in spite of their slippery intro, and they are now Nordic Walking pro's, with some Nordic Ice & Snow walking skills under their belt too! Out of the five of us I was the only one to fall over, ' teacher... teach thyself!'

Seriously,  well done to them and it's great to have them joining our group walks in March.

The snow did put a little bit of a kybosh on the number of Free Tasters I could do this month although I am happy with the way I am chipping into my target. I am now looking for some big events to attach myself too as that's where I can get bigger groups and spread the Nordic Walking Word.  A BIG THANK YOU to Rachel who  linked me up with the organisers of the Scout and Guide  International Jamboree that is held in Chelmsford during August. There will be up to 10,000 visitors to the event and I will there 3 evenings, my poles are gonna be smokin'!  

(NB.  I am looking for any volunteers who would be up for a fun couple of hours helping me to give Free tasters at this event,  speak to me if you would like more details about dates etc).

Walk of the Month.
This is a place that is really growing on me and fast becoming a favourite, Wat Tyler County Park. The council is doing a lot of work to make it an interesting and educational place to visit. The walk around the park is mostly flat, which actually makes a nice change as we can stride out a bit and easily walk the parameter taking in The Explosives Trail that features  information panels that explore the history of  the park.  There is a World War 11 Trail, A Sculpture Trail and more recently added, a sensory education area, still a work in progress and fascinating to see the developments each month. I am hoping to organise a guided heritage tour for us all in the next couple of months, maybe finish off with a picnic in the designated area by the thatched cottages. There is also a lovely cafe in the Visitors Centre that has great views over the park, especially if you can nab a window seat . Keep an out for this walk on the monthly schedule. SH




The silvery banks carve a shimmer & sparkle across the wharf at
Wat Tyler Country Park


"When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body.  I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out". 
 Ralph Waldo Emerson