Havant

Walking

Contact: Peter Newman, 07771 593158 or peter.newman180@gmail.com

Bob led a group of 15 of us along the old Wickham railway line and the surrounding area this morning. Lovely to be joined by Jim and Gina for their final walk with us before departing for pastures new.

We were also treated to the sight of a large tawny owl (yes, even in the daytime), flying just a few feet over our heads. Unfortunately, it all happened so quickly, we didn’t manage to get a photo.

We are seeking walk leaders for the next few weeks so if you have a favourite walk you'd like to share please let me know.

The walking group aims to go out weekly on #Wednesdays. The group size is around 40 and the group is open to new members. We have an average of 8 walkers on a typical walk and some members of the group may do only 1 walk in a year but that is not a problem. Communication is via a weekly email usually sent out on a Sunday, giving precise details of meeting places, length of walk, terrain/difficulty and other practical details, like drink or toilet facilities. .
The objective is to enjoy a sociable experience while helping to maintain fitness and well being. Most walks are about 4 - 6 miles long taking two to two and a half hours but there are occasional longer and shorter walks. Some walkers car share and most walks start within 5 miles of Havant though we have gone as far afield as Chichester Marina.

We meet at 09.55 for a 10.00 start and we ask walkers to confirm their attendance with the leader by e-mail by 18.00 the night before or telephone by 09.00 on the day.

A number of walk leaders put together a varied programme each season though walkers will become familiar with some popular walks. We also welcome suggestions for new walks and U3A members are invited to lead us on their own favourite walk supported, if you wish, by one of the regular leaders.

Meeting points will almost always have easy free parking and there will often be sources of refreshment nearby. If you wish to join these walks you can just turn up but it is always best to let the walk leader that you will be joining the walk.

We would still like to expand our catalogue of walks and recruit more walk leaders and to help potential new leaders, even if it is for one walk only. To this end it would be great if walkers could tell us about one of their favourite walks (that we have not already done as a group). We could then try to include the walk with or without the leadership of the person who suggested it.

Finally, could I remind walkers to let the walk leader if they are planning to attend a walk, it makes life more comfortable for our walk leaders.