Life can be hectic, life can be stressful and usually we put our needs last. But sometimes you just have to say today my health is at the top of the 'to do' list. After a big operation last year and a huge operation the year before my fitness has suffered. I have put on weight and I just can't do what I did before, but I hadn't realised how little I exercise now. Gone are the early morning run/walks the insomnia has seen to that, but even walking has suffered. On my new phone I have a little app that tells me how much I walk, it not completely accurate as obviously I don't carry it around in the house but the average over a day is less than 5000 steps a day. when I was easily managing 10,000 before. So things have got to change! I woke up to a gloriously cold blue-sky day on Friday with a beautiful mist hovering over low lying areas. I decided to head to the river at Malpas where the mist would be lying in the valley. Wow, I am so glad I did. It was one of those magical days, I took my camera so I will share the beauty with you.
My beautiful home city
These beautiful swans were swimming along beside me as I walked along the path, what better company could you ask for.
As they swam into the distance they all took flight, sadly too far away for me to get a photo of the beautiful sight.
The icy mist was lying along the water, making the boats looks ghostly.
By the time I returned the tide had gone out so the birds were searching the river bed, though this trio decided to chance their luck on the cricket field.
Oystercatchers
I hope you are all having a great weekend,
Chickpea xx
What a beautiful walk - you are so lucky. My fitness has dropped off in the last couple of months too - it's not easy when it's so cold outside. But I've just charged up the activity monitor I got for my birthday last year and am aiming to hit the 10,000 step per day goal again. Good luck with your plans.
ReplyDeleteStunning!!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, I have to make more of an effort, I think I will start going out first thing before I start getting carried away with other things.
ReplyDeleteWow that was a magical day for your walk! I m familar with your walk but is was lovely to walk it again with you as our guide. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteA lovely walk, thank you for taking us along with you. I love the boats in the mist
ReplyDeleteIncredible photographs. They could be picture postcards.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful city you life in and such wonderful walk with swans.
ReplyDeleteI used to live by the ocean and walking on the beach was like magic to me.
Your last to photos reminded me of those day.
cheers, parsnip
Great views, I love the walks around here but still have to get more steps in.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning photographs. What a beautiful part of the world you live in. I hope your walk lifted your spirits. X
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures and I'm very happy you are well!!
ReplyDeleteSandra
Those photos are absolutely beautiful!! I'm struggling a bit too with fitness and ever-tighter trousers but I'm still young (ish!) and don't have any excuses at all... I really need to get moving and shed a few pounds, I don't know what has happened to me!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images ... I almost feel I'm there!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful walk - your photos are fantastic. X
ReplyDeleteLove your pics of the birds. The mist looks so great. I too hve slowed down but must get back into the swinfg of things and go for more long walks. No more excuses.
ReplyDeleteRosezeeta.
Wow! Incredible photos! Glad you went out for a walk and shared with us. Happy, healthy wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteLoved your walk and photo's, but the water looks so very cold. Like you I can barely do 4000 steps a day and excess weight slows me down, I am wearing my pedometer each day, slowly building the steps.
ReplyDeletegorgeous pics. x
ReplyDeleteIncredible pictures - so atmospheric - and to have the swans alongside you too! Sounds to me like you are doing just the right thing regarding your health - listen to your body and you will be okay x Jane (P.S. I had the videos on the wrong setting - they should work now - newbie error!)
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing! Beautiful photos. It's always lovely to walk alongside water. We have canals, rivers and of course the majestic Thames near us, which is great, but I do miss the sea. I try to walk 3 or 4 times a week. It's not only good for your physical health, but also your mental well being too. Hopefully as the weather improves, you'll have many more opportunities! Thank you for sharing your photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day for a walk! I'm so glad you were able to get out and enjoy it. Thanks for taking your camera along and capturing the beauty to share with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat incredible photos! I came to you from John's blog. Off to read and catch up on your adventures! And by the way, that photo of the sun's rays coming through the trees, looks like a postcard!
ReplyDeleteSuch an incredibly beautiful walk, especially with that incredible flock (?) of swans to accompany you. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments everyone, it would be difficult to take bad photos on such a beautiful day. Good luck to all of you who will be joining me on trying to increase your activity. Let me know how you get on xx
ReplyDeleteThose photos are just amazing you should get some framed. You certainly have a beautiful setting to take your walks in, I'm sure it will get easier as the nights get lighter and you also don't have to contend with icy paths. I went out for along walk today but week nights after work it is dark and just not the same. Bring on the spring. xx
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous! I almost expect to see The Lady of the Lake handing out Excalibur. The oystercatchers are handsome birds- they look like they are going to a formal dinner party... with oysters as the main course.
ReplyDeleteOh that sun shining through the trees has to be my favourite, what a gorgeous shot and perfect for a calendar. You are so lucky to live in such a wonderful part of the country x
ReplyDeleteHi,Your photographs are absolutely STUNNING,thanks for sharing them with us.I do hope 2015 is good year for your health and in the future.
ReplyDeleteHi Chickpea :o)
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I managed to miss this post, the photographs are absolutely beautiful. I'm not an expert on waders but those last birds do look like the Black-tailed Godwits I saw today and they are in the right place for them- narrow estuaries is their preferred habitat at this time of year. Hope that helps. CT xx