Nordic walking round Henley

What a wonderful spring we have had with blue skies and warm sunshine – everything has been looking amazing. The lockdown with Corona virus has meant less air and road traffic and sights rarely seen like a deserted riverside at 8am. The birdsong is incredible and the night skies so bright.

Scents that I rarely notice like hawthorn blossom, cow parsley and horse chestnut flowers make you want to stop and sniff them. Foraging too has been a real bonus as we try to avoid supermarkets.

Ways to use nettle shoots apart from soup – nettle souffle was quite a hit, Dandelion leaves instead of rocket, wild garlic adorning salads, risottos and anything else. http://www.foragingcoursecompany.co.uk

No boats on the river means many more swans and other birds. Last year at swan upping there were very few swans so this is good news.

Pictures in the Quaker garden – a haven of tranquility

Henley is supporting key workers and vulnerable people during this pandemic. there are many gestures that raise a smile and the town has been divided up so that each neighbourhood has a support network

to support those self isolating or vulnerable in other ways. Surrounding villages are doing similar things

and many local suppliers are rising to the challenge. We are lucky to live in a beautiful and community spirited place – well done Henley https://www.henleytowncouncil.gov.uk/

 

Alternative uses for Nordic Walking poles during Corona shutdown

Obviously the best use for your poles is using them for Nordic Walking for your daily exercise quota. By using your poles you are getting more exercise than without and this time is an ideal opportunity to hone that technique to get the very best from it.

Our group so far have come up with dog agility, opening a gate with no hands to avoid contamination,Playing with the baby, using the poles to carry the foraging bag, beating the brambles and doing a sword dance using poles instead of swords.

file:///C:/Users/Anthea/Pictures/Uses%20for%20poles/Using%20poles%20during%20Corona%20Virus%20Shutdown%20-%20sword%20dance.html

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dVdo54Vhsp6LiHZL7

 

Uses for Nordic Walking poles during the Corona Virus shutdown

Our group is coming up with innovative ideas all the time. Obviously to get the most benefit from your

daily exercise allocation it is ideal to use the poles for what they are designed forĀ  but in more relaxing moments they can come in handy for many things.

If you have a dog you can use them as part of the agility course and many thanks to Eileen, Helen and Hector for sending photos of this

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9cASjsgBN4f4dhLe7

 

and to Bridget for these – make a shelter, garden noughts and crosses,

hanging out the washing

and from Linda – how to keep the baby amused

and from Glynis – how to open a gate without touching it

 

and my efforts so far – sword dancing, foraging and beating back the brambles

 

https://photos.google.com/u/2/share/AF1QipPGz0seHhE6Fk9gwF6_2ZtwvFUO5uTQevdjOIVGNRFQ4P_fbebtxtKmX_npTY9Y4A?key=UTBDM2xFajhJdmhmdkFVTGN6aFRGZTFYRUU1cC1B

Open day at the Friends meeting House Henley

Once a year the Friends meeting House https://midthamesquakers.org.uk/henley-meeting/ – home to the Quakers in Henley on Thames opens its gardens for the snowdrops.

This is a real oasis of calm in Central Henley. We started our walk from Badgemore golf club https://www.badgemorepark.com/

and wended our way down past Friar park – home to Olivia Harrison, widow of Beatle George Harrison to reach the Fairmile, entrance to Henley from Oxford.

We were warmly welcomed at the gardens which were looking wonderful. Cake and tea completed the treat before walking back via the historic Lambridge woods.