As a Yorkshire woman turned Londoner a bit of me will always need a periodic shot of fresh air, horizons, mud, trees and space!

Instead of grumbling with my fellow world weary commuters, I decided to do something about it. Just a small something. I bought a second hand book.

I ended up with a 2005 edition of Timeout’s Country Walks “52 walks within easy reach of London”. The best things about this book: 1. you can get to and from all walks by public transport (essential for us as we got rid of the car years ago) and 2. all walks are designed to stop at a good pub for lunch half way along.

I know there are excellent walking clubs out there, and a wonderful website called Saturday Walkers Club (www.walkingclub.org.uk) but the idea of walking my way through a book appealed to me. Even more so if sometimes friends and family join us. You can’t beat the catch ups you have on a day long hike with someone.

I was once told that you will always have a better conversation with someone if you walk alongside them, as you walk in step your thoughts are more likely to connect and align. I think there’s something in this. (Also – if you’re having a disagreement, it’s worth knowing that it’s also meant to be the best way to get someone to agree with you!)

So, week 1 of the Irregular Walking Club is this Sunday (21st October 2018). I’ve posted details of the walk on my social media, and as with every one of these walks, we’ll just see if we get a nice surprise and see any familiar faces at the meeting point. If not, well, my husband’s not bad company too!

Rather than doing the 52 walks in order – we’re acknowledging that we’re rusty hikers and starting with one of the few slightly-sub 9 mile walks.

Photos and walk info to follow next week.

Quite literally dusting off the old hiking boots!