December was okay as far as my walking goes, I think I managed four or five 5 – 10 milers, so not record breaking but not as sedentary as can happen some years. I do aim to do at least four ten-milers per month as well as any night-time walks I can manage to fit in for 2025 and going onwards, we’ll see how that resolve perambulates …
With the awful, icy and freezing weather heading into defeat I donned my walking trainers (they are far more comfortable than boots) and took to the streets to blow off any cobwebs and, well ‘cos it’s good for me to get out of the house. I have a bit of a stomach thing whereby it manifests as either a slight burning sensation in my upper right navel or a pinching sensation in the same locale. Doctor internet will have one penning one’s last will and testimony in anticipated response to the inevitable stomach cancer diagnosis. Doctor internet should be struck off! All the same, a large dose of ongoing exercise is required if I want to enjoy the odd glass of Port each Christmas, and I surely do!
It has to be said that there wasn’t much to be seen. No breath-taking cloud formations, no flocks of birds amassing, not even a rainbow. These are accessories to a good walk, sometimes, no, most times, the highlight of the walk is the act of walking itself – why else would I traverse Liverpool Road a few times per year – there’s truly nothing to see. I do crave for the rural, the yomping around the West Pennines but with regard to that particular locale I’m afraid to admit that I do now consider myself to be a fair-weather, West Pennines Wanderer – and that’s just not a catchy moniker for a web site!
I was impressed that I never fell over as there was still the odd patch of ice and even some black ice around. However, I did stumble twice – once in Kew Woods: on the flattest stage and again on the Hospital path – the irony was not lost on me. This took a little over ninety minutes, I had intended going a lot further and making a whole Ainsdale route the night before but the nagging stomach issue put paid to that plan, Ainsdale’s going nowhere so I’ll see if I can get out to there next weekend. So for now, it’s a case of the exercise over the scenery, it’s easier, quicker and cheaper – plus I get all the eco-virtue-signalling-points, for all they’re worth!
More updates this year than last, I promise!