I'm so glad that I live up a hill as the rain has continued, although there was a glimpse of sunlight, and I mean just a glimpse for 5 minutes.
Now I want to ask you all for YOUR ADVICE and I am serious in this request. As you know my love is to get out in the countryside like walking on this secluded riverside. My problem is that next year I will be 70 years old and my stability is not as secure as it was.
As I go out on my own my family are concerned for my safety, yes a couple of years ago I was grateful of having a phone signal and was rescued from a ditch that I had slipped into by the ambulance services. They are also concerned who I might meet in these lonely places and to be honest I'm beginning to get nervous myself.
So my friends what are your thoughts and advice, and of course do you like my capture from last Thursday.
Even at the young age of 44 I dont wear certain shoes in the rain because id slip on my back if I stepped on a manhole cover or yellow lines. So good footwear is essential, along with a good walking stick. Dogs are likely to pull you over and not help you much unless its lassie.
70! Is that all! You'll need to run to catch me up! I walk by myself but I always have a dog or three. However I do tend to steer clear of woodland and usually walk in open fields by the river. There are very occasional other walkers but I usually know them at least by sight. My husband (under instruction!) bought me a monopod which can also serve as a walking stick as my Christmas present. I haven't tried it yet as all fields are under water and I am exercising the dogs on a friends fields up the hill. I understand that you are getting more nervous. I don't go to places that I would happily have gone to a few years ago. Perhaps I read too many detective stories!
No point in doing what worries you. I don't listen to my children but I do listen to myself:-)
I've got a little way to catch you up Heather but like you, I am more concerned about where I walk so I only really go to places that I know really well or go to places where I know there will be people about. I have got a personal alarm but I'm afraid I often forget to take it but I ALWAYS take my mobile phone and hope that I get a signal. Vodafone is not terribly good round here. Good shoes are essential as Andy has said. I really don't have a lot more advice although if you are worried about a place, listen to what your head is telling you. Good Luck and this is a nice capture.
I think you need to use your own instincts but I'll admit that I am probably over cautious. I stick to trails where I know there are people. Perhaps makes for less interesting photos but at least I have some sense of safety. Walking sticks are helpful for those places off the beaten path. Yes, this is a nice capture.
First of all, a lovely capture which I must fav for its peacefulness. Secondly, I'm a big advocate of walking for the health benefits, as well as the emotional benefit the outdoors bring.Perhaps walks closer to home and the less adventurous trails would be the way to go.And I agree with the others about good walking shoes and a walking stick! And your phone. Always your phone! Have I given you enough instructions today? LOL!
A walking partner, or at least someone to check in and out with when you leave home. Oh, and someone who won't mind you check in calls. A Golden Retriever would be a good dog to have around, one that can be trained well (we had one that had a mind of its own, even with training)
Firstly, this is a lovely rural riverside image, nicely taken. Second: take care! I'm male but now I'm 74 I don't much like isolated places. Take photos of those lovely Cotswold stone buildings by car, park nearby where you can. And village life. Otherwise go with someone else to more remote spots. And some tabletop shots of your super collections. :)
Oh Heather. All advice above wonderful...may I throw in another thought? Life is for living, at 70 as much as any age, no one knows what tomorrows brings, keep doing what you love for as long as you can, if you stop early will there be a bit of you that goes and gets left in the countryside? Oh its so hard. Do you like me throw your windows open to just smell the fresh air even when wet and cold outside just to have that connection to the outside world? Lacking anything useful I feel here to help you but just a long ramble. Sorry!
Well lots of advice here Heather & good sound advice too! I walked along the canal bank today & it did cross my mind for the first time that it was a bit isolated. No other person in sight so I might be apprehensive to meet a lone man for instance. Can't add much more except I bought my grandaughter at uni in Manchester a watch type alarm that she wears on her wrist. She just has to press a button for it to make a loud noise. You could wear one of those very easily on your wrist. Amazon sell them for under a tenner. Even if you fell you could let it off for help. A whistle too might be good & lightweight walking poles are good but so get in the way when you have a camera. Hope you're not put off as my husband always says..use it or lose it......walking is such good exercise.
A lovely shot. I go out on my own all the time. The only place where there aren't people about, is on my canal walks,especially in winter. I'm 71now and have quite bad scoliosis, so I have to walk at my own slow pace, so look out for any hazards on the ground.
Actually if you don't do yoga, you should! Its great for strengthen the muscles that help you balance! The other thing is to go along these sort of paths during the day and not early or late. You could get a dog who would just love to walk along this beautiful path!
Many footpaths are improving, but a long way to go yet. During the winter this path looks lethal,I would wait til Summer to walk this one. Just do what your heart tells you, but keep safe. Sunshine and showers this morning made some beautiful rainbows.
All the advice above seems very sensible. My advice is more or less the same as above. Wear sensible non slip shoes, take a big stick both to keep you steady and to fend off any unwanted intruders. Stick to sensible paths and above all take water with you to keep you hydrated. We always carry water, even in winter. Keep walking though.
Tell a neighbour or friend which route your taking and roughly what time. Carry a mobile phone and a whistle. All the advice above, and Keep to places you know, and try not to walk late afternoon during winter time. Keep walking though! Lovely picture of riverside path.
Beautiful path. Can't really add much to what's already been said. I say get out and do what you can for as long as you can. Just take extra precautions and go slower if you need to. I don't walk very fast when I have my camera, might miss a photo op.
Wow! Don't think I've ever seen so much advice - you sure opened a can of worms :) All I can say is 70! That's not old :) Enjoy life is all I'll say, like @newbank - life is for living and smiling :)
What a truly beautiful riverside scene! Big fav!
I basically stick to places where I know there will be other people! There's solitude in these places such as the public gardens I go to, but people are nearby. I'm definitely less daring as I get older.
Oh sad isn't it that we have to think of these things; I have stopped a walk I used to do regularly because it was isolated, although my neighbours do jog the route. I hope you can find a resolution you are happy with.
Take care cx
January 11th, 2016
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No point in doing what worries you. I don't listen to my children but I do listen to myself:-)
how about the pocket finder ? to go with your geocash device
or a Dog as you don't jet set any more
I basically stick to places where I know there will be other people! There's solitude in these places such as the public gardens I go to, but people are nearby. I'm definitely less daring as I get older.
Take care cx