Ramblings of a Rambler

I sat looking at the washing up and decided enough was enough. Ken was playing cricket and our three teenage children were pursuing their own interests. So in 1981 I plucked up courage and joined the SE Hants Group of the Ramblers Association, and have not looked back. 25 years ago the men wore string round the bottoms of their old trousers, now everyone has designer gear for walking!

Walking is such a lovely pastime - the fresh air, exercise, wonderful views, and good company. The colours of the trees in the autumn are just wonderful, especially last autumn as we did not have much wind and the leaves stayed on the trees longer. Every season has its beauty, in summer we linger longer over our packed lunch and admire the views, in winter you can see further through the trees and, when frosty, everywhere looks like a Christmas card. Spring is special when the sap is rising and the birds are nesting - Hampshire has so much variety - the New Forest, the South Downs, the agricultural farmland, ancient meadows, sheep and dairy farms, bluebell woods, pretty villages, old churches (many village churches are still open) rivers and streams, chalk and sandy areas.

The first walk I led was only six miles and I took a wrong turn as I was chattering too much - however I said nothing and found a way back so no one was any the wiser! Ken and I always do a "reccy" (a practise walk) about a month beforehand, to check out the paths and stiles, and ensure they are not blocked with brambles and nettles. Any problems are reported to the Footpath Secretary who passes them on to the Rights of Way Officer at Hants CC.

We have walked with our Group in the Tatras Mountains in Poland, which meant travelling for 36 hours by coach, (and we had a short walk as soon as we arrived!). We have also walked in the mountains of Switzerland, Italy, Majorca, Spain, Wales, and Scotland.

There have been some memorable walks, good and bad - two days after the Great Hurricane in 1987 we did a walk near Arundel. We had to climb under and over trees and branches, and the sight of whole woods decimated was dreadful. Once a horse looking over a gate sneezed all over a rambler's lunch, he was furious at the time, but we laugh about it now.

There are two evening walks every week throughout the summer, some stop at the pub afterwards. I recently led a walk from Selborne via two interesting churches - Upper Farringdon and Newton Valence. The Marden churches are worth a visit and are always open, East Marden, Up Marden, and North Marden, but it is quite a hilly walk to visit all three.

I am so fortunate to be able to walk so much and often say a quiet prayer when I see the beautiful countryside.

Adina Burton