Rambling in a winter wonderland
Tuning in to the news these days, you’d be forgiven for thinking the snow currently wafting down was made of sulpheric acid and highly hazardous to human health, such is the level of high drama. The Beeb had no fewer than four reporters dotted about the country this morning, while warnings like “Don’t go out unless absolutely necessary” mingled with horror stories about councils running low on grit (some have even resorted to pillaging beaches), stranded motorists eating their maps for sustenance and 30 poor souls being stuck in a pub for 72 hours.
While it’s inevitable there will be much travel misery and more than a few injuries, the snow is also a great chance to see the world differently – and make an ordinary walk into something special. Even the light dusting we’ve had so far in London managed to transform my hike to work completely, turning the generally treacherous Regents Canal towpath – where cyclists and pedestrians engage in a deadly battle for supremacy – into a tranquil stroll past miniature icebergs and confused coots pecking at the ice. Islington’s churchyards looked more like country parishes, while the parks of Bloomsbury were dead quiet except for birdsong. And if dreary old London can look beautiful, I can only imagine what it’s like out in the countryside.
So – with the usual common sense warnings about dressing warmly, telling someone your route and making sure you don’t underestimate the weather – I’d say forget about staying in. Get out there and walk, sledge and ski your way around while you can – and spare a thought for those of us stuck in the office!
Chris Hatherill is web editor of walk
ps. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures – you could win a Nikon camera in our Winter Photo Competition.
- This entry was posted on: Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
- Filed under: Blogs
- Tags: Blogs, competitions, humour, Photography
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