Well the Spring is really here – the flowers in the hedgerows will confirm that – the bluebells are putting on a show to make anyone smile and they threaten much more yet, and the wild garlic is giving off a wonderful aroma and display in the woods near our cottages. And one of my favourites, the red campions are starting to appear daily. And that means that Summer is just round the corner.
And, by the way, this is National Walking Month. National Walking Month is organised by Living Streets and their website has a lots of ideas and free resources for you to access. Find out more by going to: www.livingstreets.org.uk and get yourself out there.
Even the weather is threatening to abate – the rain and wind is easing and temperatures this last weekend were amazing with, again, more sunny days expected from Thursday onwards.
So what can there possibly be to worry about when it comes to getting out there? What could possibly go wrong? Well that depends on you really. Here are a few more tips to ensure that you do not get lured into a false sense of security and be caught out by the improving weather.
Think fitness – it will, hopefully, be a great and long walking season and the last thing you want to do is injure yourself or overdo it right at the beginning and miss out on the pleasure of the great outdoors. Resist the temptation to crack out a couple of quick 10 milers over the first good weekend. The wise walker will tell you that the hills will always be there – so work up your walking fitness and then get the longer walks under your belt later on when you know you are fit enough to complete them.
Check your navigation skills – I use a compass almost every week of the year but you might not have touched yours since last year. Just have a wander down to the local park and one evening on your own and refresh your memory on how it all works. The first time to get the compass out and try to remember how it all works is not five miles into a walk with your partner or your dog looking at you with an increasing look of doubt in their eyes.
Check your kit in general – is everything working as it should; are the batteries still charged; what did you take out of your rucksack at the end of last season and didn’t quite get round to putting back? Just run through it all before the day of the walk, not when the engine is running and everyone is waiting for you! Oh, and don’t forget to clean (shame on you!) and test your walking boots on a short walk to make sure they are still comfortable and waterproof!
Take water and food – if you succumb to the lure of walking greater distances in better weather you need to sustain yourself – drink plenty of water and graze on your way around your route.
Think about your timings – yes the days are longer but 
sitting on a rock three miles from the car and watching the sun go down could end up with you being be-nighted – posh for stuck in the dark without a torch! Either watch the sunset at a point nearer to the car or take a head torch with you (and spare batteries – of course!)
Think clothing – taking a lightweight waterproof top with you and a mid-layer. We had a very quick sun-shower this weekend up in the Preseli’s and when we stopped for lunch and to enjoy the view it was still a little chilly in the wind. Most important, having these layers in your rucksack will just give you the extra confidence in knowing that you have contingency should our contrary weather try to catch you out.
Finally, set yourself a walking goal this year – I love Nordic Walking and this year I want to get out into the Preseli’s – on my own – and use Nordic walking to really boost my fitness. In Nordic Walking you can go up and down through the gears in similar fashion to driving a car. I really want to crack the Preseli ridge-line in top gear before the end of the summer. My other ambition this year is to get my beautiful wife to use her walking poles more often to aid her movement across difficult ground but that is another story!
If you need any help on walking skills, give me a call: I’ll be happy to provide advice.