Exploring a new pathway I was pleasantly surprised to find that it led to one of my special places to ’sit and rest a while’ avoiding narrow routes and routes that are more busy than usual.

This new route has given me many possibilities to get back to my longer (almost daily) pre lockdown local walks, avoiding the busy pathways.

I like to step out and choose which way to go on a whim as I start to walk.

No maps, just me enjoying the local pathways, tuning into nature and seeing how the pathways connect up, enjoying random encounters with strangers along the way.

This morning I woke to bright sunshine which was a lovely change after the rainy windy weather that we have been having lately. I checked my phone’s weather app which advised me that it would rain later in the morning but be sunny and fine in the afternoon.

This led to a morning of household chores and holiday planning leaving the afternoon free for walking. After lunch I donned my heavy duty walking boots and set off for walk in local woodlands that I have been avoiding lately due to rain and mud.

As I walked along one of my local bridle paths I met a young lady with a young child in a pushchair and a dog by her side.

She asked me where the pathway led to, so I told her and asked her where she was trying to get to. She told me where she was heading, explaining that she was new to the area and thought she might have turned off the pathway (that I was heading towards) too soon.

I redirected her to where she should have been. She was happy that she would be able to find her way back from her newly explored pathway without turning round and retracing her steps.

After we parted I had an enjoyable walk around Apley Woods, avoiding the more muddy parts. As often happens on my walks, a dog came to say hello, leaving a tiny muddy paw-print on my leg.

Today there was a brief sunny interlude between the awful gales and rain we have been experiencing lately.

There were some things that I needed to do regarding my late aunts estate but I was able to factor in a short walk along my local pathways. I chose a circular route, starting off on the most scenic pathway.

I was confronted by an unexpected pooling of water. As I approached the water to see if I could walk around it I noticed a dead frog. It was lying on its back with a leg missing. Not the most promising start to walk.

I tiptoed round the water and walked along the pathway to one of my favourite benches to sit and rest a while. The ‘rest a while’ moment didn’t disappoint. I was treated to delightful birdsong and the warmth of the sun on my face.

I continued on my walk and found other watery patches along with delightful signs of spring emerging.

As I completed my full circuit I notice a cat near to the pooling of water at the start of my walk. He looked at me, then made a beeline for me before hopping over a fence to the side of the pathway.

I suspect that he had something to do with the dead frog…

Today is the day! I completed 1000 miles walking in 2019

There were jobs around the house that I needed to do today and I was so close to my target that I didn’t want to risk completing my miles doing housework. Nor did I want to complete my miles on a local walk that I had done before.

So after the postman had delivered some parcels that Mr C was expecting I set off in a different direction hoping for some inspiration. The sunshine was warm and welcoming leading me to find the pathway to Little Apley Pool which I have been meaning to locate for several months. I wasn’t disappointed, the pathway is lovely and the pool was so blue.

It was an added bonus to find out (via posts on #walk1000miles FaceBook page) that the latest issue of the magazine was out a day earlier than usual. I was able to track down a copy and it was a thrill to see my name on the ‘Wall of Completers’ on the day I completed my 1000 miles

Now I just have to complete my personal pledge which I hope to do before the end of the year.