Now that the nights are getting darker once again, we are moving back to Maghull, where we will walk on well lit streets.  We will meet every Monday night (except public holidays), at Maghull Baptist Church @  6.30pm, for a 1 hour walk.

We had an enjoyable summer, walking through the Lydiate countryside, with some lovely warm and sunny evenings.  The walks were varied and well attended.  One evening in August, by way of a change, we caught the bus to Halsall and walked back to Lydiate along the path of the Liverpool Leeds canal (see photo’s above).

We also had a late summer picnic, after one of our walks in September, with a selection of pizzas in Brenda and John’s garden.  Unfortunately I was away at the time on a U3A holiday and missed all the fun.

HAPPY NORDIC WALKING,

Ian

The Nordic Walking Group have been walking every Monday evening now for several weeks, in the lovely Lydiate countryside.  Our walks range between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes duration, and are between 4 and 5 miles long.  They are becoming quite popular now that the nights are lighter and warmer.  Last week we saw 18 walkers taking part.  Our best attendance to date.  We will continue meeting throughout the summer period, except for public holidays.  Here are some photographs of the group during this weeks circular walk via Hall Lane, Eager Lane, Church Lane, the Cheshire Lines path, Pummells Lane and Station Road.  Fortunately we made it back before the storm.

Happy Nordic Walking,

Ian

Now that the lighter nights are here at last, we have moved our walks to the Lydiate area. We meet every Monday evening at 6.30pm, at Lydiate Parish Hall car park, Southport Road, Lydiate, for a 1hr – 1hr 30 min (3 to 4 miles approx) circular walk around the Lydiate countryside. The walks will be varied and we will be using lanes, footpaths, canal and Cheshire Lines pathways. Suitable clothing and footwear is recommended. We have recently gained a further two new walkers, who have just completed their Nordic Walking technique course.

Happy Nordic Walking,

Ian

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Our Nordic Walking Group resumed our Monday evening walks on 20th January 2014.  We are still meeting every Monday at 6.30pm (18.30hrs) , on the car park of Maghull Baptist church, for a 1 hour circular walk on the well lit streets of Maghull.

We have a regular number of walkers (10 on the last walk) on our evening walks.  Over 20 U3A members are now trained up, and we hope to gain some new walkers as a result of the ongoing training courses.

If you have done the Introduction course and want to join us, you will be most welcome.  However, if you have not been on the course and want to try Nordic Walking,  please let me know, or better still contact Sefton Active Walks direct at:

Stephanie.Boote@sefton.gov.uk or telephone (0151) 934 2824

in order to put your name down for a free taster session or course.  The first advertised course has already started and I am pleased to say that two of our U3A members are taking part.

HAPPY NORDIC WALKING,

IAN

Our  last Nordic evening walk for 2013 took place on Monday, 9th December, 2013.  After the walk, the group returned to Brenda and John McKenzies lovely home for mulled wine, mince pies and home made goodies.  It was a lovely social evening, which we all enjoyed and a perfect way to end on our first Christmas as a Nordic Walking group.

Our next evening walk will take place on Monday, 20th January, 2014, meeting in the car park of Maghull Baptist church at 6.30pm.  Hope to see you there.

FREE NORDIC WALKING TECHNIQUE TRAINING COURSES

Sefton Active Walks have now released the dates for their Nordic Walking Technique Training Courses for 2014.  There are three courses available with 12 places on each.  You must attend all 4 weeks of the course in order to complete the training.  The courses are free and will each last for 1 hour.  To book a place on the course, please contact the Active Walks Team on (0151) 934 2824 or e mail walking@sefton.gov.uk

Crosby – On Monday, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th February 2014, between 1 – 2pm.

Southport – On Wednesday, 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th February 2014, between 12.45 – 1.45pm.

Maghull – On Monday, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th March 2014, between 1 – 2pm.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 

Ian

The group are still meeting every Monday night, for our 1 hour evening walk around the Maghull area.  Whilst not everyone likes to go out walking in the dark, on a winters night, we try to walk on well lit streets and flat surfaces, where possible.  The weather has been better than can be expected for this time of year and we have only been wet once so far.  Some of the group have now bought head lamps and are wearing high visibility jackets, or light coloured clothing for safety.

For those who do not like walking in  the dark, I am planning some additional 1 hour daytime walks around the Maghull area.  These walks will be advertised at coffee mornings and to the group by e mail, as and when available.

HAPPY NORDIC WALKING,

IAN

Some of the Monday evening group, suitably equipped.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY BREAK

To all our Nordic Walkers.  Please note that our last Nordic walk before Christmas, will take place on Monday, 9th December, 2013 due to the Christmas Holidays.

The walks will resume again in the New Year at the usual time and place on Monday, 20th January 2014.

HAPPY NORDIC WALKING,

Ian

Now that the nights are pulling in and winter looms, we have reduced our walks to 1 hour.  Whilst we are still walking in the Lydiate at present, it is our intention to move back to Maghull from the 30th. September, 2013.   We will then meet on the car park of Maghull Baptist Church.  We will continue to walk every Monday evening, commencing at 6.30pm, as it is the best night for all concerned.  The walks will be a 1 hour circular walk, on well lit roads, around the Maghull area.  This includes the usual warming up and cooling down exercises.  They will continue on a weekly basis, at the above time and place, until further notice.  I am also hoping that I will be able to offer some additional walks during the day, for those who cannot make the evenings.  These walks will be advertised when available.

More of our members are in the process of being trained by Sefton Active Walks and we look forward to them joining us on our regular walks in the near future.  This will bring the number of trained Nordic walkers from our U3A to 24.  One of our members, Brenda McKenzie, has also volunteered to be trained up as a Walking Group Leader, which will mean that I will have someone to lead the walks when I am not available.  She is currently awaiting a course.

Once again, if anyone wishes to get trained up and join us, please contact either myself at iangent@btinternet.com (0151 526 7736 or Stephanie Boote at Sefton Active Walks  Stephanie.Boote@sefton.gov.uk (0151) 934 2824.  All the courses, walks and the use of the Nordic walking poles are free.

HAPPY NORDIC WALKING,

IAN

NORDIC WALKING NEWS

Our Nordic Walking group has been meeting regularly on Monday evenings throughout the summer months.  The walks around the Lydiate countryside, using footpaths and lanes, have been most enjoyable as we have been lucky with the weather so far.  Our walks have now been included in the Sefton Active Walks magazine.

Please note that there will be a Nordic Walking Desert Challenge, on Saturday, 31st August, 2013, starting at Birkdale Beach and finishing at Formby Train Station.  Start time: 11:0am  Lunch stop: 12:30pm approx.  Distance: 10 miles (3.5 – 4 hours).  It is organised by Sefton Active Walks to celebrate 10 years of their newsletter.  It is free and is open to all qualified Nordic Walkers.

HAPPY NORDIC WALKING

Ian