Saturday 15 November 2014

This Weeks Walk :: my first group walk

Hello Lovelies,
thank you so much for all your encouraging comments on my pre-walk post, you are so thoughtful.

Sorry I didn't get chance to write this post sooner. On the day I felt a little guilty for spending the whole day walking and blogging........I know I'm lucky to be able to indulge my interests like this. Then yesterday I was at work.

So, how did it go? Well, better than I had dared hope actually. 

The  pace was fine, maybe a little slower than I would have walked alone, but not much.
The grey weather was uninspiring for photography, but not unpleasant for walking, despite the mud...........


The route was lovely. I particularly liked this part along a raised ridge.........


It was breezy and slightly bleak.........


 I loved the views across the rolling hills............


But the nicest thing about the walk was the company.
 They were SUCH a friendly group. I think I got chance to talk to about half of them as we walked, then picnicked, then walked further. Everyone was so welcoming and easy to talk to...........


My photos are not great. I didn't get chance to take too many pictures this first walk. I was self concious and it was rather dark, but I knew you lovelies would like to see a little of the landscape and colour..........


we walked through pretty villages........


 over foot bridges..........


and across fields...........


the route was well planned and to was so nice to be able to follow others and not worry about getting lost.............though it did go by in a bit of a blur of watching where I stepped and chatting with lots of different people. I'm sure it will get easier to notice my surroundings  and  take the photos I like as I get used to group walking..........


Because I LOVED every minute of walking as part of this group and I can't wait for the next one........

We did eight and a half miles and my feet were sore at the end.

Thankfully the rain held off all day. Most people went to a cafe for a cup of tea and a slice of cake afterwards......a yummy hunk of Victoria sponge with jam and fresh cream. It tasted so good after nearly five hours outdoors.
Jacquie x

31 comments:

  1. Glad it all went so well ~ your photos are lovely too. I particularly love the one with the red berries hanging in front of the bridge. Hope you have a very lovely weekend :O)xx

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  2. Brilliant, Jacquie! I meant to post last time, wanted to encourage you. Glad you have taken this step! Looks like you had a nice time! Here in Belgium there are lots of walking groups, and often they organize public walks (You don't have to be a member). These have a starting point, where you can register, have a drink or some soup, then get a simple map which shows the marked walks, and there are different lengths you can choose. They usually go through different terrains, such as woodland, heather, some quiet streets, footpaths etc. I like the fact that there are markers everywhere, so you know you are on the right track and there are plenty of other people doing the same walks! At the end you return back to the hall/place where you started and can take a well earned refreshment break! :)
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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  3. Looked, and sounds like, you had a great time. Great pictures too.

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  4. Nice walk! Well done!
    Through your pictures we could enjoy the scenery as well.
    Thank you!

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  5. So glad you enjoyed walking with the group. Despite what you say, your photos are lovely - I particularly like the ones with the berries :) Elizabeth xx

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  6. So glad you enjoyed the walk with the group. I felt sure you would. I love the way walking groups encourage people to move about and talk to each other. I don't know if you know of the radio 4 programme Ramblings with Claire Balding. Many of her walks are with groups and I love listening to that programme. There is a big archive of past episode on I player and I love listening to them as a way to unwind through the headphones if OH is watching something on TV that doesn't appeal - this is the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006xrr2/episodes/player
    Elaine

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  7. How lovely that you have found a group to share your love of walking with. The fact that they were so friendly and welcoming will added that extra level of enjoyment. And to round it all off with a piece of cake - perfect x Jane

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  8. It sounded wonderful! Wish I could join you!

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  9. Just perfect. Thank you for sharing your footsteps !

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  10. So glad it was a success....and safer walking with company at these quiet time of year too. X

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  11. I'm so pleased you enjoyed walking as part of a group it sounds lovely
    Jackie x

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  12. Fabulous way to get exercise and see your beautiful area. Good for you!
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  13. I'm so pleased you had a good walk with lovely people. No blisters either. Result!

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  14. I don't know how, but I missed your last post so I couldn't wish you good luck, anyway I'm happy to read that it all went well and you had a good time! The landscape looks lovely as usual, in some pics it's so similar to what I see around here that is seems almost unreal... : )

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  15. So glad it turned out great! Really enjoyed the photos, that one hedge looks like it could have came out of a Harry Potter movie.lol Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Good for you to try something new and make a good go of it! Making a new set of friends is always a good thing! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  17. It sounds like a fantastic day, well done you for joining in with a group. A great way to find some new walks. CJ xx

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  18. I'm glad that you enjoyed it so much! xx

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  19. Well, I enjoyed your photos and narrative, Jacquie, even if your photos were not all you hoped they would be. I am so glad that you enjoyed the companionship of those walking with you, and that you enjoyed the territory you explored as well :)
    [And how lovely that you can look forward to future treks!] xx

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  20. wow what a great day, you made new friends and fab photos to share with usxx. now just look forward to next timexx love your blogx

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  21. That really is a relaxed pace! Unless you were walking around in town here, the distance between places would have been boring. It's 8kilometres from my house to the first suburb one encounters of the town I live outside of. And there's not a lot to see, apart from the industrial estates on one side, and the outer western suburbs so disparaged on the other.
    A cuppa and a piece of cake would have been a lovely reward though! And your photos were really nice.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Robyn, the time included meeting up, a coffee stop and a picnic lunch so it wasn't as slow as all that.It does take time to pick your way around puddles and queue for stiles. Next time I'll have to wear my gps watch....then I'll know for sure :0)
      Always love to read your comments.
      Jacquie x

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  22. It's always fun to share the joys of the countryside with other like-minded people!
    Jacqui x

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  23. Glad you had fun and the group of people a fun bunch, lovely to meet new people and exercise to boot.
    Helen

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  24. I have taken part in several charity treks abroad. A few of us made a small group and used to to go walking all day once a week. I hadn't realised how much I missed those walks until reading your blog. Perhaps I should contact a local group. So much more fun than a gym. Thank you for the confidence to make that call x

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  25. If one day I were to take up the brush, for sure will inspire me to one of your photos ... they are too good !!!

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  26. I missed your last post, I'm sure it didn't show up on the blogger dashboard at all for me, but I'm glad you're first group walk went well :)

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  27. such a nice thing to do. You know at first I read this as you had led the group walk! I think you could you know. X

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  28. Brilliant! I knew you'd love it. I'm sure you are really looking forward to the next walk.

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  29. Thank you so much for picking my card as one your winners from the teddies challenge, it is such an honour.
    Thank you for all your hard work in making the challenge so successful, it's a shame that the challenge is ending but I can totally understand your reasons and wish you all the best.
    Sue xx obat penggugur kandungan

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  30. Seem to have lost my comment ... shall try again. :)

    Wow, that's a great walk! Having others around makes the miles go more quickly.

    Sometimes I think grey days are better for photography, as then you don't have to contend with the glare of the sun. Love the shot of the tree on the hillside, and the berries (hips?) with the viaduct in the background.

    Thanks for taking us along, and have a great week. :)

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