Two sunny walks...in March!

What a week...the hottest March on record in Scotland. Whilst the week days have been spent inside working hard, last weekend I finally got out walking. Now, I'm not too comfortable walking (or doing anything) in heat but it was just too lovely to miss out. I know 17/18 degrees is not that hot but even a hot shower makes me panic. Also, if I can sweat so much when it's minus 5 and snowy, then what is the sunshine going to do to me?

But I was really excited to have the opportunity to get out and about. On Saturday I headed to Peebles and met mum and dad for a walk through the 'gypsy glen' towards the Yarrow Valley and Kirkhope Law.

The trees were lovely at the start, and the forest got denser as we walked on. We then started climbing uphill and things got sweatier. But it was short, sharp pain and uncomfort; soon forgotten when we cleared the trees and got the views:

It was simply stunning. There were ripples in the hills ahead of us, and it looked much like a painting...the haze, the shapes. Wonderful. We stopped for a short lunch break, and took in the views.

We then shimmied down one of the ripples we'd been aiming for earlier. There was barely any noise, no people, no wind, just peace and silence. At the bottom of the hill, we could see the path on the other side of a river. It didn't look like a particularly wide river but a hop, skip and a jump was required to get over. Or, alternatively, find a handy branch...

A great walk, around 7 miles, celebrated by cakes and scones back at Granny's at the end. Braw.

Sunday continued in the same vein - gorgeous weather and the need for another walk. So myself and Dave headed out from our flat, and walked up the canal to the Water of Leith visitor centre. 

We then joined the Water of Leith at Slateford and followed it all the way to Balerno. I just love walking along the Water of Leith; to be honest we usually go from Roseburn to Leith, and then get the bus back up (after food at Teuchters Landing - yum!). I enjoy Roseburn, the Dean Village, and Stockbridge, but then there are some dodgy bits too. The first time me and Dave walked it together, we saw drugs being consumed nearby, which was slightly unsettling...

I was wary of changing my 'routine' initially, but Dave's suggestion to go up towards Balerno was a good 'un. We saw lots of lovely places on the way, beautiful flowers, lots of people enjoying the sunshine. We saw the Territorial Army out running carrying their guns. We strolled happily through the gorgeous village of Colinton - getting slightly lost until a handsome Irish chap helped us out. We saw so many dogs, and chatted to a number of people. It was a lovely day, and a lovely walk.

So no Munros still, but the first walks of the 'season' and it was good to warm my feet back up again. Urging to get back out there...

Tempus fugit...

Time, literally, flies.

The past three weeks have been spent planning walks for other people, and not doing any myself! I'm certainly not complaining - I love it - but as always, I'm itching to get out there with the masses.

There's been a few short strolls; dog walks, hangover-curing walks, and fast-paced focused walks to the shops, but nothing substantial to blog about.

But I wouldn't want you to think I had abandoned my writing-therapy altogether. After all, as much as this blog is about walking to 'cure' anxiety, of course it is the writing that provides me with the most pleasure. I write great novels in my head all the time. I write as much and as often as I can.....which these days is about as often as I walk, but...I'm trying. I just love to write. The first word is my biggest stumbling block (hence why I can let three weeks go by without blogging), but once that first word is down...just try and hold me back. Knowing when to stop is more difficult.

Sometimes this is great problem to have. Sometimes I solve all of life's problems with a magnificent letter - generally these letters are never penned but is there not a certain therapeutic quality about pounding the pavements as you stride home, hammering out a letter about this or that injustice? It never really needs to be penned; by the time I've got home, I'm sorted. I count that in my writing repertoire.

But recently I've been adding more to my repertoire, and in a shameless plug, I'm going to link them here. Just so you are assured that there is life and mettle in my fingertips these days...and I hope this will get to my feet eventually...

The writing is about walking, so it all makes sense to include it here. A piece about long distance walking - here. And a piece about rest days whilst walking - here.

Enjoy!

And now the Six Nations is over (phew), I hope this weekend will bring a walk...watch this space...