Who Likes To Walk And Where Do You Like To Walk?
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
January 12, 2007 7:07pm CST
I love to walk, and take in nature's beauty. I go to several different places.
I like to walk locally, through the woods and fields, especially to the millponds, of which we have three about half a mile from here. I love the sunlight and moonlight playing through the leaves on the trees, the animals and birds, and I like to sit by the millpond, reflecting on my life and listening to the church bells in the distance. I even saw a kingfisher dive into the first millpond one time. Geese come to an island in the middle pond, and have their young in the spring, then migrate in autumn, and swans nest on an island of reeds in the first millpond. Deer are roaming the woods and the fields, and rabbits scurry in and out of the hedgerow, feeding on the wheat. lol.
Sometimes, I like to walk on the South Downs, a range of chalk hills stretching from East Sussex to Wiltshire. I don't walk that far, naturally, but I like to take a section of the South Downs Way each time. There's so much to see up there, and such marvellous views over the Weald and the English Channel. All that can be heard is the sound of the skylarks and distant echoes of leather on willow, on a cricket field below. There are hang gliders, Jack and Jill Windmills, Devil's Dike, (I had to spell that wrongly because of Mylot guidlines. lol. It's spelt with a y, not i), Chanctonbury ring... all manner of things to see. I just love the tranquility and you can even see planes taking off from Gatwick on a clear day.
Then, there's the beach. This is the place I like to walk at Sunrise and Sunset. There's no grander sight than the sun rising out of the sea or setting into it, and the rays which radiate over the rippling water. I prefer to walk on sandy beaches, without shoes, feeling the cool sand between my toes, and paddling at the water's edge. But there is something about sitting on a pebble beach and hearing the draw of the waves on the shingle. That's a wonderful sound and seems to block out every other sound around you.
Do you like to walk, and if so, where are your favourite walking places, and in which country are you? I'd love to hear your stories.
1 person likes this
11 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 07
I used to love walking as a Child I used to walk round a big Pond surrounded by woods with a Family Friend she was a lovely Lady and it was not so dangerous then And whenever I could when I had the Kids I used to take them for a walk
Now I can't walk that far anymore because of my Illness but if I get to move into my new Place then I will be walking as I have no Garden so I have to walk my little Dog I will have to find a Park lol and take a Doggy bag with me lol
But again I will have to be careful with the walking
@Darkwing (21583)
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13 Jan 07
The walk around the big pond sounds wonderful, Gabs. There are at least two ponds like that close to hear, one in Slaugham, which is three-quarters surrounded by woods, and the other in Tilgate Park, which is more a lake than a pond, but it has the Park on one side, and again, three-quarters encircled by woods. Tilgate Park is another great place to go, but it gets really crowded as it's a lovely, rural part of a big town, called Crawley. It has an Inn in the middle of it, which serves food both at lunchtime and during the evening. There is an animal and bird enclosure, a peace garden and a walled garden, together with play parks for the kids. I often go there with the grandkids, but although we always walk around the whole park, we keep stopping for the kids to play and for a picnic, so I don't regard it as a walk, as such. Two of my grandkids live in Crawley, and three in Brighton, a few yards from the beach. I got it made!!! :-)
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@Bizziebod (3497)
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1 Feb 07
Hi Darkwing, I like going out walking now and again although I must stress it's not a regular thing (i've considered asking the doctor to surgically attach the car to me!) There are some lovely walks around where I live in Exeter, my favourite ones are down the canals as they have a good couple of pubs to stop in on the way down. I enjoy walking down by the sea as it blows away the cobwebs and always makes me feel calmer (being a leo and a fire sign!)
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@Darkwing (21583)
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1 Feb 07
Oh yes, Bizzie... it's nice to stop off in the pub, especially on the way back. I do that a lot.
Yes, the sea air does blow away the cobwebs, but so does walking on the hills. The last time I want up there, it was a job to hang on to my wig. (My blonde one that is)! lol.
@minxy67 (2707)
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18 Jan 07
I also enjoy walking, where we live it is very built up, so there is not very many scenic places to walk, although we have Richmond park that is close to us, It is full of deer and it is very pretty, but it also gets very busy, I was bought up in the country side and I miss my walks over big fields and through wooded areas, also I miss walks along the ocean front, I often go walking when we visit family in Devon. You can't beat breathing in the fresh air, walking is a real chance to blow away the cobwebs and clear your head. :)
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@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
16 Jan 07
I also love to walk. I have 2 little ones, so the temperature must be nice in order for us to go. We live in Oklahoma (united States) and it's actually quite beautiful. We go to a park down the road from our house, and walk around a lake. It's beautiful to watch the trees change color in the fall, and to see how the sun illuminates each golden leaf. It's absolutely breathtaking. It's a long walk around (3 miles) but very enjoyable, especially when my husband comes with us, we get a chance to enjoy an intimate talk. There's something about nature that tends to make someone very introspective, don't you think so?
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@Darkwing (21583)
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16 Jan 07
From what pictures I've seen, of Oklahoma, it indeed looks a very beautiful place to be. It sounds as though, like me, you like the Autumn season, or perhaps it's just that the weather is more comfortable for walking. I don't know, but your description is wonderful, and I certainly agree with you that there's something about nature that tends to make one very introspective.
Thank you very much for such a descriptive and thought-provoking respnse, wmaharper. Brightest Blessings and Happy Walking. :-)
@sidneysoad (101)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Walking is the only exercise that doesn't bore me. I walk my dog every morning, as often as I can. I live in the country and we have a lovely back road close to my home with beautiful views. When I have extra time, I really enjoy hiking with my husband and kids (and our dog). Luckily, I live close to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, which has a variety of hiking trails. My favorite time of day to hike/walk is the early morning, right at sunrise.
@Darkwing (21583)
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15 Jan 07
Oh, that sounds wonderful Sidneysoad, especially the early morning walks in the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'm dreaming now. lol.
I too live in the country... in a little village in England, and there are some really good places to walk, some with views, others without, but there's never a shortage of things to see in nature. I love walking... it makes me feel happy to be alive.
Thank you for your very interesting response. Brightest Blessings.
@garimabatra (58)
• India
19 Jan 07
Love walking!
Can walk anywhere, be it the city roads or a park! On the roads there is so much to watch- the people, the places, the hoardings on the streets, etc.!
A walk on the beach is pretty soothing though the city that i live in doesn't have any beaches, so I make it a point to visit a beach whenever I'm in a port city!
Walking is an immense pleasure since it gives you time to think about different things; it gives you some moments with yourself, i.e. if you're walking alone!
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
13 Jan 07
I love walking, but the climate here goes against it, unless there is plenty of shade - change that to ALL shade! The only time to walk here is before the sun rises, and even that can be way too hot. (The extension lead on my fans wouldn't be long enough) We have a wetlands area almost on our doorstep, but most of the walking there is in the sun, so it is only for winter in the early mornings.
When I am holidaying in England, I walk everywhere: no buses. My husband always has trouble keeping up with me. He says I run. The only time I really get to walk here is at our children's holiday camps. These are often at mountain areas and in cooler districts, down south. Our last camp was in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales and the weather was wonderful for walking.
My favourite walking spot is the Grampian Mountains in Victoria. The rock formations, mountains and valleys are amazing. My favourite spot there is on "The Balconies" a rock which juts out and overhangs a deep valley. I loved it there.
I've never been keen on beaches, although a moonlight walk there can be refreshing if there is a breeze. I do enjoy cliff top walks, looking down on the sea crashing onto the rocks, but there again, these are on the southern coast of Australia and I'm way up north.
Thanks for the good memories - and the wishful thinking.
@Darkwing (21583)
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13 Jan 07
You're very welcome Cloud and thank you too, for a very interesting and detailed response.
I've never been to Australia, the heat being the main reason, and also the reason I went to Oregon in Autumn rather than Summer. Autumn in the mountains there is beautiful. All the colours half way up and then snow, at the top. A wonderful mix of colour.
I guess our seasons are more defined in England, although becoming warmer now. Seasons seem to be muddled, sometimes starting a little later than normal. For instance, we had very strong winds and some heavy rain this week... October weather! It doesn't look as though 2006/7 is the year for snow, so, roll on Spring and I can get farther afield and see the rebirth of the natural world.
My Downs walking is usually undertaken early to mid evening in the Summer months, when it is a little cooler. I just like walking, period, I guess. At the moment, it's just around the village but that's nice too. :-)
@OOHCUTE2340 (761)
• United States
18 Jan 07
I too enjoy walking. It's the greatest pleasure one can have that doesn't cost you a dime to do. I like to walk anywhere and everywhere, my most walks are the ones in the woods, that wind around along bubbling brooks, and through meadows. I enjoy mountain "hiking" walking and the rewards of great views and vistas to enjoy. When in Florida I enjoy the sandy beaches early, early in morning as the sun is coming up and the world is starting to wake up. I enjoy when in the city walking the busy streets and see the sights and window shopping. I enjoy walking for exercise and a healthy mind. And when I just can't get outside, I even enjoy walking on the treadmill and watching the activities of the wildlife out of my backyard window. I enjoy night strolls after dinner with my husband. I just plain enjoy walking - thank you for letting me share :)
@Darkwing (21583)
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18 Jan 07
It sounds as though you enjoy all the same walks as I do, Cute. The woods are best though... I love the scent of the woodland.
There's something really special about sunrise and sunset too, I feel.
Thank you for your contribution... you had me in dreamland! :-)
@serene2 (278)
• New Zealand
15 Jan 07
I used to walk everyday morning and enjoyed it, then I stopped.
I really started walking to lose weight, and I did.
When I reached my goal, I kept losing weight and couldn't stop the weight from coming off and so I stopped.
And so did my early morning strolls.
I would walk anywhere my nose took me.
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@Darkwing (21583)
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15 Jan 07
That's great. I want to lose weight this year, and have arranged to go walking locally, each day, with my next door neighbour. It's a bit wet in the woods and fields at this time of the year, but there are plenty of walks around the lanes locally.
You did well with your weight loss. Well done!!! Thank you for your response and Brightest Blessings to you.
