SUNSHINE IS GOOD FOR YOU!

After Jo put us through our paces last time, today's walk was much shorter and more of an amble!  To get some nature on our doorstep, we went up to Barren Down again, admired the views and came back through the High Street, where the market traders were setting up, and then back home through Collett Park.  It was a beautiful morning with heavy dew but brilliant sunshine.  Glad I was wearing my waterproof winter boots as we trekked through the long grasses!

Barren Down in the early morning sunshine.

Jenny has boot trouble!

Here are Jo's words on her views on walking - "walking is a wonderful and free activity that exercises the body as well as relaxing the mind.  It's a time to take in what's around you and think more clearly, erasing worries and concerns as well as improving your physical fitness, mobility, heart, lung, body and mind health.  We have such fabulous countryside outside our doors here in Shepton - how lucky are we!"

She also makes the point that walking in the sunshine is an ideal opportunity to get a dose of Vitamin D, something which we as a nation are sadly lacking.  This lack can lead to a number of mental and physical health issues.  In the press lately there have been a number of articles saying that most people in this country need to take Vitamin D supplements - The Independent  and The Telegraph - or at least eat some foods, such as oily fish, which contain the vitamin or get out into the sunshine!

Above are some images from Collett Park.  I hadn't noticed this carved stone lady tucked away near the duck pond, until Jenny pointed her out.  The inscription on her face reads - FEEL HER BREATH IN WINDS, FEEL HER STRENGTH IN TOUCH OF STONE, LET HER LIFE TOUCH YOURS.  Underneath are initials J & S.  I know nothing about her - a Goddess, perhaps.  Would love to learn who carved it and who she is!

 

JO JOINS US

Here we are up high above Shepton with fantastic views.

Special day today, our guest walker was my good friend Jo...Helen and myself were interested to hear all aspects of her work, as a Health Co-ordinater and Fitness Instructor ..and a three way conversation worked better than I thought.!

We spoke on how fitness levels are vital to your mental health as much as physical , and Jo explained that a good walk was as good as any high impact exercise for raising endorphins ..Hope she comes along again very soon..

Here we are back in Shepton.  Jo tried to befriend a cat and we saw graffiti, council style!

One footpath we followed took us through a field of maize - I almost disappeared - you can just see my hands!!