Welcome to the Walking Channel

I have two doctors, my left leg and my right - G.M. Trevelyan

There is nothing quite so invigorating as a walk. It affects every part of you, your body, your mind, your health, your relationships and your spirit. In this channel we will be looking at the benefits walking can bring, talk about equipment and describe some great walks that you can do.

If you have got a favourite walk why not submit it to us for publication. Send it to editor@aboutmygeneration.com

Video - Walking is the Spice of Life In this video, Coast presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff is encouraging people over 60 to get out and about, and enjoy the British country. Health professionals have long been saying that walking is one of the best forms of exercise and it would seem that people in their 60s would agree – in a recent survey*, over two thirds said that walking was their favourite way of exercising. However walking needn’t be limited to your local area. The beautiful countryside and towns in the UK provide the perfect back drop to a great walk, many of which can be easily reached by train. For more information and to watch the video click here... _________________________________ Carters World Tuscany - May 2009 Rambling holidays are a great way to enjoy your hobby.  But what if you and your travelling companion do not share the same enthusiasm for walking or any other hobby?  The perfect solution could be a holiday that combines activities that interest you both. This could be cookery, painting, sketching, horse riding, photography or even bridge. Well-known broadcaster and long-time presenter of Wish You Were Here and the BBC Holiday programme, John Carter talks about combination holidays and how he cooked up a feast in glorious Tuscany Click here... for more _________________________________ Lyme Disease Peter Morrell recently met a sufferer of this little known disease.  He warns that mis-diagnosis could cause serious damage to your health Anyone who visits areas inhabited by sheep or deer could be at risk of contracting Lyme disease. And it is not just hikers and ramblers in remote parts of the countryside that should be aware. It can also be caught in urban areas such as Richmond and Bushey parks that are popular spots for family picnics.  Click here... to find more about the diagnosis and treatment of this disease that is almost unknown even to the medical profession. _________________________________ Top tips to get in shape without going to the gym According to Joanna Hall, one of the UK’s leading fitness and walking experts and co-founder of Walkactive,: “Walking at the right pace and with the right technique can reduce the risk of many diseases and painful conditions. Whether someone is completely new to fitness, wants to firm up, lose excess Christmas pounds, or just get fitter and healthier, walking is the perfect activity.”  Walking has few side effects and can be done by almost anyone, anywhere. Click here... to read Joanna’s top five tips and start stepping into shape. _________________________________ Nature Valley launches great new walking web site As we are a bunch of keen walkers at AMG, we were interested to hear that Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars have launched a website that details 1100 of the best walks throughout the UK which you can download for free.  You can search for a walk in a chosen area by entering your own criteria. Click here... to read more _________________________________ Walking - the cheap and easy way to stay healthy That Sunday afternoon stroll could be doing you more good than you think. Walk to better health by clicking here...

Walking on Water The best of both Worlds Walking enthusiasts looking for a slightly different holiday may be interested to know that Ramblers Worldwide Holidays has teamed up with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines to provide a range of holidays featuring the luxury and comfort of sea voyages with wonderful walks on terra firma. At each new port of call a Ramblers Worldwide Holidays Leader will accompany clients on a walking and sightseeing programme making the most of each new location. Now there’s the added bonus that decreased fuel charges means a reduction in brochure prices and on board spending money is provided with selected cruises. For more details of Walking on Water cruises click here... _________________________________ The South West Coast Path Guide by The Virtual Book Company The South West Coast Path is in a series of fully interactive, living books in a combined DVD/online format from the Virtual Book Company.  Here we go online to take a look at the features of the guide and explore one of the most spectacular walks along the South Coast – The Hall Walk at Fowey.  For more details click here… _________________________________ Explore the UK’s most famous National Trails with DVD guides from TV Walks. If you need inspiration to get your walking boots on, look no further than the DVD series of guides produced by TV Walks that cover the major long distance National Trails of Hadrian’s Wall Path, The Cotswold Way, The Ridgeway and The South Downs Way.  For more information click here... _________________________________ The Penshurst Circular This beginners walk has everything. History, views and a great pub at the end. To follow the trail click here... _________________________________ The Shipbourne Spectacular This is a great circular walk, relatively short but cramming in two historic houses, a church with an interesting inhabitant and finishing at a pub that serves very good food. For a stroll through history click here...