I’m trying this year to get a bit fitter, a mixture of medical issues and lockdowns have had somewhat of an impact on my stamina. Earlier this month I treated myself to a Garmin watch, one of those watches that has GPS so it can track and measure walks (or runs if you’re so inclined!). It’s taken me a while to get used to it – it was a week before I worked out where to find my step count! It even measures heart rate, sleep patterns, energy levels…all very interesting but it was the GPS bit I wanted.
My OH has set up Garmin and Strava on my computer so I can join in challenges and link up with friends. I’ve been trying a few short walks so I learn how to use the watch. Today I did an almost circular walk, I say almost as the rain clouds were gathering as I reached Menston station just as a bus arrived, I took it as a sign and got on for the last half mile home!
Our garden backs on to an old railway track, our side ends just a bit further up the main road where the railway bridge used to be, but the railway line continues on the other side for quite a way. It’s easiest to access it via the golf club, though crossing a golf course is a hazardous task!
Once up on the old line it was lovely and peaceful. The trees have just started to get the lovely fresh spring growth…
There were lots of wild flowers too, I saw bluebells, violets, anemones, celandine, forget-me-nots…there was another pinky purple one which having checked my wildflower books was possibly wild pulmonaria or lungwort. In the photo below you can just see a sprinkling of celandines and anemones.
The railway line took me almost to Burley in Wharfedale where I joined a minor road which turned into a farm track. There were lots of young lambs, still at the spindly leg stage! This ewe looked very proud of her twins…
By the time I reached Menston I was regretting not packing a flask of coffee, so it didn’t take much persuasion for me to take advantage of the village bakery, I sat outside with a very welcome coffee and a slice of cake.
I walked through Menston to the station, planning to cut through the housing estate and home before the rain started, I could see rain on the other side of the valley and the clouds behind me were pretty dark. When a bus arrived just as I was passing the bus stop it seemed too good an opportunity to miss!
Altogether I walked about four and a half miles, not a bad start to my path to fitness!
thecraftycreek 
I couldn’t work out how to use one of those watches, but Strava on my phone works a treat. The Ordinance Survey App is really good as well, if you want to follow a footpath – it has helped me out when the paths are not clearly marked. I love Strava as you can save a map of where you walked.
Isn’t it wonderful that cafes are now open again – so good to be able to take a break with a steaming mug of coffee.
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I tried a tracker using my phone but it either died half way round or lost it’s signal so made it up – one day it had me walking 25 miles in about 4 minutes!! The OS sounds good but I think I need to sort my phone out first! It is lovely to be able to sit outside a cafe with a coffee.
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Lovely walk, and not a soul about. Is it always so deserted, or do we have Covid to thank for that? I use Mapometer to plan my route in advance, which is fun because you can change it if you find it’s too far for your current state of fitness! However, sadly my very basic FitBit has given up the ghost and will no longer talk to my laptop, so I no longer have a step counter, just the distance I’ve travelled on the map.
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If anything covid made it busier as people went outside walking as there was little else to do, round here it’s a matter of knowing the less frequented paths! I had a fitbit first which died ages ago, my phone never had enough power to track a walk, so Garmin was the obvious choice.
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The best kind of walk – one interspersed with cofffee, cake and a bus.
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I used to be known for knowing where all the nice teashops were round Keswick….if we go down the mountain on that path there’s a nice tea shop at the end!!
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What a lovely walk. I always enjoy when you take us along 🙂
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Your walk sounds wonderful, the lambs of course, were adorable!
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4 1/2 miles as a starter. I aspire to 5 miles! I have begun with 2 miles, but it is so good to be out again.
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