This fabulous free magazine dropped through my letterbox this morning – Totally Telford (The great outdoors edition).

It is the first issue of a magazine produced by Telford and Wrekin Council.It has lovely ideas for places to walk, cycle and generally enjoy the outdoors. There are features on local towns, local shopping opportunities and a couple of local celebrities.

The ‘your photos section’ features photos from Shropshire 1000 milers.

It has given me inspiration for some of my next local adventures.

I set off in the afternoon sunshine for short walk. It turned out to my least enjoyable walk of 2021.

I chose what is normally a quiet route and found it to be busier than usual. I was OK with that until I came to a narrow part of the pathway where a young man plowed on rather than waiting to one side so that we didn’t pass by each other on the narrow part of the pathway.

He was half wearing a face mask, I turned my head away so as not to breath on him as he passed by. As he reached me he coughed in my face and I was surrounded by what looked like smoke from a cigarette. That would be disgusting at the best of times, but especially now.

If it was just unfortunate timing, there was no apology.

I didn’t really enjoy the rest of my circular walk back home.

Due to the current situation Baeur Media is struggling with some of its magazine sales and may have to stop print publication of some magazines.

Country Walking Magazine a perfect resource for walkers, travelers and dreamers is not currently on the list.

It is the home of the fabulous #Walk1000miles Challenge. Promoting; walking, health, mental health and well-being one step at a time.

How's things? from Country Walking on Vimeo.

It would be great if those that don’t already purchase or subscribe to the magazine would consider doing so. It is a joy to read.

https://www.walk1000miles.co.uk/articles/subscribe

After many sunny April days the sun was tired and put its hat in a box to recharge its batteries.

This meant that the ‘Boris’ walkers rather than regular dog walkers and walkers stopped at home giving me a window of opportunity to venture out on a much missed local walk.

The pathways were back to how I love them, apart from one occasion when a runner was charging (huffing and puffing) towards me with no care for anyone but themselves. No slowing down or moving to one side to let me pass by. I had to step around off the pathway to accommodate the runner.

I walked along my special off route path to see the Wisteria and Laburnum arches sprouting their blooms. And in that place where I have a special bench I was amazed to see that the lime tree (I think it is a Lime) was now in full leaf as were the pollarded limes that surround the trees location. I didn’t linger there as I normally would.

It was lovely to walk along my local pathways again. I have come up with a potential route, avoiding the ‘Boris Walker’ crowds to visit my local woodland area.

Steven Wright

After lunch I donned my #walk1000miles 2020 badge and set off on a local walk. Due to having guests for an evening meal to celebrate New Year’s day I wasn’t able to venture further afield.

Along the way I was able to sit on one of my favourite benches and watch the antics of the ducks and geese. Whilst I was sitting I was treated to the delight of seeing the resident Heron in flight before he alighted on his lofty perch.

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.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

I have been busy walking during the past couple of days but I don’t have a single photo to share!

My first walk was a meet up with Linda, a fellow #Walk1000Miles walker to walk stage 4 part 1 of the T50 50 mile trail. Along the walk we had a random encounter with Naomi Wrighton, one of the people that helped devise the trail. I walked to the start of the walk and back home after the walk and was surprised to find that had clocked up just under 9 miles. A first for me

My second walk was today with my hubby. Taking advantage of the sunny weather we had a leisurely drive followed by a walk around Stow on the Wold. We had an even more leisurely afternoon cake and cup of tea. After waiting over 30 minutes our order had not arrived. we learned that the couple who were sitting next to us had been waiting 50 minutes! Mr C got up to find out where our order was and the couple next to us left. Apparently, although our order had been taken it had not been placed with the kitchen!!!

We left and found another tea shop where we were served within a few minutes. I enjoyed a slice of apple and blackberry cake accompanied by elderflower presse.

As there are no photos of my walking adventures I will leave you with a photo from earlier in the week when I was enjoying lunch on the patio.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe