Category: Living With Cancer Strollers

Why Walk?

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WHY WALK?

As the nights draw in, as the clocks go back, as the blue skies are replaced by grey clouds, as the drizzle is replaced by rain, as the shorts are replaced by waterproof trousers…….it is easy to think that your walking days are over for this year! Since COVID restrictions were lifted earlier in the year, the Living with Cancer Strollers at Cosmeston, Carers walk at Barry Island and Stress Buster stroll at the Knap have welcomed new members and everyone has been enjoying the benefits of being outdoors.

 

Anita Sethi, who wrote a book about walking along the Pennine Way, Britain’s oldest long distance footpath, has written: “Walking does wonders for well being and I walked until I could feel my limbs, the bones in my body, my heart beating, telling me I’m alive. When walking, I feel the emotions of anxiety and depression shift and lift…”

The walking groups do not tackle the 431kms of the Pennine Way, but there is no need to walk huge distances to feel the benefits of walking….in all weathers. So grab those walking shoes, a waterproof coat and bobble hat and join these strollers. ALL are welcome…come rain or shine!

 

 

A Stroll Around Cosmeston

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

A Stroll Around Cosmeston

A grey day did not dampen the spirits of the living with cancer strollers as they set off around Cosmeston. Two of the strollers were enjoying chatting so much, the rest of the group had to keep stopping to allow them to catch up….but isn’t that the point of these walks, to chat, to stroll, to get some fresh air and exercise? See you next time in Cosmeston at 10 30, the first Thursday of every month.

 

 

A Floral Safari

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

The strollers were promised a flora safari and were not disappointed with the multitude of flowers found in the fields around Cosmeston. Orchids grew in abundance next to the footpaths, and the more knowledgeable botanist walkers pointed out the different varieties. The warm, wet weather seems to have made it a bumper year for orchids. Take a look next time you are in Cosmeston, or join us on our next safari…who knows what we might find?

 

 

 

Strollers Under Blue Skies

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

The Living with cancer strollers met under blue skies and enjoyed the woodlands, wildlife, grasslands and lakes that Cosmeston has to offer. The group were chatting so happily as they stretched their legs, they did not even notice the extra steps they accomplished this month! Or did they? Ask them on the next walk, next month!

 

 

 

 

 

Cosmeston At Its Best

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

Able to meet for the first time since December 2020, the Living with Cancer Strollers gathered at Cosmeston under a clear sky.

Setting off around the country park, people chatted happily enjoying each other’s company after a long break. Cosmeston was at its best: calm waters in the lakes, birds swimming lazily through the water, dry paths underfoot and bluebells nestled in patches in the woods. May promised us voles and orchids and although lakes were inspected and hedgerows explored, neither could be found…..but there is always next month!

If you want to join this friendly group on a Cosmeston safari, meet us at 10.30am on the first Thursday of every month.

 

 

The Last Stroll Of 2020!

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

A robust, resolute, determined and committed group of walkers didn’t allow a bit of rain, a lot of puddles and a large amount of mud to get in the way of their last stroll of 2020! The strollers were surprised when they assembled at Cosmeston to find a man in a red suit with a large white beard and a horse trying to join the walk….he was allowed in the photo but not on the walk, as he should have been busy delivering presents!! Dodging mud and skipping over puddles seemed to be the main activity on the walk, though in a dry interlude mince pies were shared.

If you want to walk off the excesses of the Christmas season, meet us at Cosmeston for a relaxing walk in good company on the first Thursday of every month at 10 30am.

 

The Living with Cancer Strollers would normally enjoy a Christmas lunch together, but 2020 has not been a normal year, as everyone knows. So a Christmas stroll was planned to an eerily quiet Cardiff bay, where social distancing was easily achieved. We enjoyed the walk, but enjoyed the coffee and stollen, provided by Jill, overlooking the still waters of the Bay, even more!

 

 

November walk…in October

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

A gloriously sunny day greeted the Strollers as they gathered at Cosmeston for their November walk…in October. The walk was brought forward due to the “firebreak” announced by the Welsh Government coinciding with the date of the November walk. Everyone was pleased to have been given the opportunity to meet, to chat and to walk before the imminent local lockdown. Indeed, there was so much chatting going on it was difficult to keep everyone together!

There was some discussion about the world puddle jumping championship, which due to Covid restrictions has had to go virtual! The event is usually held at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, but this year entrants will have to submit videos of themselves jumping into puddles they have made or found. Entrants are judged on jumping ability, enthusiasm and splashing distance! Walkers were encouraged to have a go but no volunteers were forthcoming….

The Valeways walking programme has had to be suspended for the 2 weeks of the lockdown. However, for strollers that are lucky enough to live in the Vale, there are plenty of walks to go out and enjoy…and we will all meet up again soon!

 

 

Hippocratic Sense

Walking Is Man’s Best Medicine.

Hippocrates lived a long time ago, but he spoke a lot of sense when he said, “Walking is man’s best medicine.” All the women who met at Cosmeston for the Living with Cancer Strollers, under a bright blue sky in glorious sunshine, would definitely agree with him.

In the uncertain times of a Covid 19 pandemic and the restrictions placed on people by local lockdowns, the certainties of the benefits of a walk in beautiful countryside can be reassuring.

In the photo accompanying this article, you can see some members of the walk deep in conversation, and I promise you this wasn’t posed! It’s what the walk is all about: relaxing in good company, chatting and laughing together, feeling the warmth of the sun (or the wet rain) on our face and feeling energised and a boost in mood when the walk is over. Come and join us!

 

 

Living With Cancer Strollers – September Walk

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS – September

The wipers were rapidly moving across the windscreen as I hurried to Cosmeston for the first Living with Cancer stroll since lockdown in March. Fortunately, on arrival and for the duration of the walk the rain stopped, and the walkers enjoyed a dry stroll.

Two new walkers were welcomed to the group. They had enjoyed walking during the lockdown and now wanted to join a group and explore new areas. With most children back in school, Cosmeston was quiet and it was easy to follow Welsh Government guidelines to socially distance when around other people. The group enjoyed catching up and sharing lockdown stories.

Cosmeston is ideal for a circular walk as there are many routes through the trees and fields and around the lakes. Wildflowers, squirrels and birds are also in abundance. Many of the group do not realise we go on different routes as they are too busy chatting, and openly admit they probably would not be able to find their way to the car park if they were abandoned! Join us next month, if you want a short stroll in friendly company and you will never be abandoned!!

 

 

Valeways Guided Walks

GUIDED WALKS

The Guided Walks programme organised by Valeways started again on 9th August. All government guidelines regarding Covid 19 and walking safely will be followed, so walkers can once again enjoy a safe walk in the countryside in good company.

Valeways is an independent volunteer run charity created to promote health and well being through walking and proxies guided walks for all ages and abilities.

The full and varied programme of walks for August and September can be found on the Valeways website.

As a Valeways walk leader (you may have read about my adventures in previous editions of What’s On.), I offer two walks:-

  • Living with Cancer Strollers, the first Thursday of every month at 10.30am, meeting at Cosmeston Information centre
  • Carers walk, the last Thursday of every month at 10.30am, meeting outside Barry Island train station

All are welcome to both walks. If you walked regularly during lockdown and want to meet a friendly, sociable group of people for a walk and a chat…..please, join us.

 

 

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