Welcome to the Great Outdoors!

I had forgotten how much I enjoy walking, especially on my own. I used to walk for a living as  Rights of Way Officer so I was out and about all the time, but since a career change and moving to another part of the country I haven't been out much at all. I joined a walking group to meet people but I just don't like walking in groups. You miss so much! The wildlife runs away, you can't stop to admire a view and you just can't listen to the world around you. Or perhaps I'm just a grumpy bitch. Plus, I can't geocache in a crowd (basically looking for Tupperware in the woods using million pound satellites).

I had just finished reading Simon Armitage's 'Walking Home' about walking the Pennine Way and it really made me realise how much I missed it. The descriptions of the weather, geography and maps flapping in the wind...  I wanted it!!!! I love maps, I'm a bit addicted to the Ordnance Survey.

It reminded me of when I was in the Peak District last year. I wanted to walk the first bit of the Pennine Way from Edale up on to Kinder Scout and back down, but, like Simon, the weather wasn't going to let me.

This photo really doesn't do the weather justice, at this point, it wasn't too bad but the rain soon came in off the moors and lunch was taken hidden under a hedge in full waterproofs and was pretty grim. I never made it up Kinder Scout. 

So, thanks to the little push the book gave me I'm going to try and get out walking once a week. I live in an area where I'm spoilt for choice with the countryside around me. I need to get out and explore whats around me and I'd like to share it with you.

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