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Carers walk report
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CARERS WALK
Dull, dark, dismal skies did not dampen the enthusiasm of the walkers on the Carers stroll. 3 new walkers joined the group, and although views across the Channel were lacking, conversation and bonhomie were in plentiful supply!! Italian ice creams at the end of the walk seemed to revive any weary limbs!
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CARERS WALK
Grey skies, black skies, blue skies, sun, wind, but no rain meant the Carers enjoyed a brisk walk around Nells Point to Jackson’s Bay and then back along the promenade. Watching a ship attempting to get inside the harbour wall was a highlight of the walk …. or was it the ice cream!!
Unfortunately, ‘A’ had to miss the walk because of his caring responsibilities, but hopefully he will manage to re-join us next month. It is not always easy to find time for yourself as a carer, but carers do need to look after their own health and wellbeing as much as possible and walking with a group is a great way to have some ‘time out’
and then back along the promenade. Watching a ship attempting to get inside the harbour wall was a highlight of the walk …. or was it the ice cream!!
Unfortunately, ‘A’ had to miss the walk because of his caring responsibilities, but hopefully he will manage to re-join us next month. It is not always easy to find time for yourself as a carer, but carers do need to look after their own health and wellbeing as much as possible and walking with a group is a great way to have some ‘time out’
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VALEWAYS STROLLERS
Autumn has arrived but the Valeways strollers have been bathed in sunshine. The Living with Cancer Strollers welcomed a new walker at Cosmeston, and she found herself immersed in conversations with other walkers, as they enjoyed the lakes, trees and fields. Leaves were on the ground, but luckily dry paths were underfoot.
The Carers group enjoyed an exhilarating walk between Friars Point and Nell’s Point, along an empty Whitmore bay: the day before all the dogs were allowed to descend on the beach for the winter season. The rain stayed away which made chatting and catching up easier.
The Stress Buster strollers certainly had any cobwebs blown away as they walked through the Parade gardens to the Old Harbour, along the Cold Knap promenade and around the harp shaped lake.
Sunshine and cloudless skies cannot be promised, but a relaxing stroll in good company can be guaranteed! Join us!
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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!
AUGUST CARERS WALK
It was appropriate to be holding a walk for carers in the week of world friendship day. Being a carer can be a lonely and isolating occupation with very little time to spend outside the responsibilities of caring. This walk gives people a chance to chat, meet other people and enjoy the beauty of the Vale coastline.
If you’re wondering why this walk is illustrated by a circle of feet…the walk leader miscalculated the tide at Jacksons Bay and to get around an outcrop of rock wading became necessary! The wet feet didn’t stop people enjoying an ice cream when the walk finished!
JUNE CARERS WALK
The walkers gathered under a bright blue sky at Barry Island and after the relentless rain throughout the month of May, there was a holiday mood as the group set off for Jackson’s Bay. Chatting happily and enjoying the warmth, paddle boarders and swimmers greeted the walkers as they turned into the Bay. A new carer joined the group and she was soon involved in the conversations that were taking place. Dazzling sunshine cannot be guaranteed on every walk, but we do promise splendid company and the opportunity to get some some fresh sea air and gentle exercise!!
MAY CARERS WALK
On the same day that the world’s longest pedestrian bridge opened in Northern Portugal, the Valeways Carers group met once more for a leisurely stroll over Barry Island.
Welsh Government Covid restrictions were eased at the end of April, and meant organised groups could meet up outside once more. It had been nearly 5 months since the walkers had met together and although there was no pedestrian bridge to navigate, the stroll around the headland and along the promenade certainly blew cobwebs away and allowed people to catch up. If you would like to join an informal, friendly group for a walk and a chat, meet us at Barry Island train station, 10:30am, on the last Thursday of every month.
DECEMBER CARER’S WALK
Dazzling intense sunshine, glittering sand tranquil sea: these are not phrases normally associated with the Carers Walk at Barry Island at the end of November. Fortunately, this is what the group were lucky enough to experience as we set off around Nell’s Point to Jackson’s Bay. The cloudless skies meant the views across the channel made the English coast appear to be in touching distance..or swimming distance! As we enjoyed the picture perfect scene of Whitmore Bay a familiar voice called out to us….Helen had been waiting at what she believed was the starting point for the walk, at Barry Station. When nobody turned up she decided to drive to Barry Island anyway and luckily found us as we strolled leisurely towards the beach!
If anyone would like to join our friendly group, we meet at Barry Island Station at 10:30 on the last Thursday of every month.
Christopher Columbus’ Carers
On September 23rd 1493, Christopher Columbus embarked on his second expedition to the New World, setting sail with a fleet of 17 ships. On September 23rd 2000, members of the Carers walk, discovered one of Columbus’s ships in the Old Harbour at Barry Island! The ship was certainly a colourful sight and looked like it had survived many voyages on the seas, as can be seen in the photograph.
Our voyage around Barry Island took in both Nells and Friars Points and a stroll across the almost empty, freshly groomed golden sands. We are lucky to live in the Vale and during our local lockdown to have such a wonderful beach to walk on. Come and join us.
