It's Good to Walk!

Murphy - Sunset at 'The Edge of the World'

Hi, everyone! So glad you could join me this morning. I've just been listening to the latest health news on the radio; apparently a 20 minute walk a day is the key to longevity and it got me thinking.... 

I have to agree; never mind the benefit to your heart and cardiovascular system, walking has always been my way of sorting out life's problems. Every step taken, seems to put so much distance between you and what's on your mind. It's a theme explored in the new Reese Witherspoon movie, 'Wild', where she tells the true story of Cheryl Strayed who walked 1,100 miles of America's West Coast on the Pacific Crest Trail, after losing her way in life. Subsequently she finds ultimate healing through the experience.

Murphy

Of course, most of us won't ever feel such a need, but it does help demonstrate my point about the therapeutic benefit of walking.  I don't know about you, but I am sure most of us have a favourite place to walk, where we feel a spiritual connection with our surroundings. If you have read, 'Bonjour Darling', you will be aware of my constant companion, 'Murphy' the West Highland terrier, he and I spent a lot of time exploring the Charentaise countryside of south west France and shared a very special destination for our walks.  

We christened it, 'The Edge of the World'. It is briefly mentioned in chapter seventeen of the book. Before arriving at our destination, we would follow a slowly ascending track about a mile and a half long. On our left, rolling hills were dotted with terracotta roofed farmhouses and to our right the valley dropped away below us. Murphy always ran ahead, both of us separate, but always connected, until we reached the end of the track. The summit was marked with a cross and around it on either side the land dropped away, giving us 360 degree views that seemed to stretch to the edge of the world. We would sit down together, letting the silence and space take away all our cares. 

   

The Edge of the World!

It lead me to thinking; Do you have a special place to walk or a special companion?

If you would like to join Murphy and me on more of our French adventures, the book of our true story, 'Bonjour Darling' is available on Amazon. Rated 5 Stars. Just click on the book image top right, to read reviews and order your copy.

The countryside around our village in France