Wohlen

January 10: Jogging in the forest can be dangerous

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Not bad weather here today, so finally had the chance to go jogging (or shuffling as I like to call it) in the forest near our house – my first shuffle of the year.

The view to my right when I run up the lollypop stick, heading into the forest

The view to my right when I run up the lollypop stick, heading into the forest

This 4km path is like a lollypop – I run up the very long stick, around the left perimeter in a sweet little loop, and then back down the stick again to home. It’s a pleasant mix of wide road and trail running, surrounded by farming fields, and it’s also reasonably flat.

It looks dark in there! Will I be in for a surprise?

It looks dark in there! Will there be a surprise?

I like running on the dirt path more than the beginning of the ‘stick’, which is a mix of gravel and bitumen sections. The bitumen part goes past one of my favourite working farms, which usually has cows you can pat. Sorry, I was so into the run, I forgot to take a photo of the calves. Next time.

On the left turn, once in the forest proper, the mood was lovely. Didn’t have any music today but that was no great loss. (I use the MapMyRun App on my phone to track the distance and split times and normally run with tunes, but today it wouldn’t play anything). It was peaceful.

A wonderful place to run. Got to keep on eye out for all the tree roots though

A wonderful place to run. Got to keep on eye out for all the tree roots on the path though

The second kilometre was flat and a bit muddy, but very doable and pretty.

There's a few of these bird houses scattered through this forest

There’s a few of these bird houses scattered through this forest

After 2.7km, I picked my way carefully through more mud and I could smell the finish line. I had this lollypop loop licked … but the trail had the last laugh. Timber!! I was really starting to shuffle along at this stage, clipped a rock in the path, and went down knees and hands first. After walking for a while to catch my breath and stop laughing, I arrived home after 31 minutes. Maybe without the walking (and falling), I would have finished in about 28 minutes. So that’s something to aim for next time. And lifting of the feet, oh yes, that’s something to aim for too.

Over she goes! Lucky I was wearing long pants, so no grot in there luckily

Over she goes! Lucky I was wearing long pants – no forest dirt in there

January 6: Walking to the Wohlensee

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A 30 min walk to the Wohlensee for a picnic lunch, followed by a one hour walk home

A 30 minute walk to the Wohlensee for a picnic lunch, followed by a one hour walk home

It’s amazing how sunshine can lift my mood and affect my plans. Best intentions went out the window today!

I thought I would walk to Koniz (about 3 hours) to check out a second-hand bicycle store, because I’d like to buy a bike. After seeing how much of the walk would be in shade (where’s it about -2 degrees), I decided to make the most of the sunshine and stop after 30 minutes at the Wohlensee for a lunch break on the pontoon.

With my gloves under my bum for added warmth (TRUST me, not enough coverage), I munched on my cheese, tomato and salami sandwiches, some grapes and a triangle of Toblerone (hey, I’m in Switzerland – it’s not a lunch without cheese and/or chocolate!) and a handful of my last Chicos (an Australian lolly) while listening to the ducks and reading my book.

I love ducks. I think of ducks on a daily basis – how they waddle, how they’re always in pairs, how they’re so inquisitive but also nervous. There was an almost perfect line of them sleeping on the bank. One duck on the lake cracked me up with it’s hacking quack, which reminded me of how loud I laughed at my niece’s wedding when the best man started his speech with, “Melissa chose well for her first husband.” I don’t understand why no one else found that as funny as I did. 🙂

How's the serenity ...

How’s the serenity …

But I digress. After 30 minutes on the pontoon, I realised sitting on top of water for much longer probably wasn’t a great idea, even if it wasn’t frozen, so I resumed walking … on the sunny side of the lake for home. I couldn’t waste that sunshine and freeze in the shade! The bike will have to wait for another day.

The homeward track went through a small village, up a hill into the forest, and took an hour. I know that path well, and was pleased the firing range was quiet (the random shots put me on edge – not for fear of being hit, just for the noise!). It was good to come home and play around on the blog … and drink a warm tea and put my feet on the heater.

Because our house is in such a quiet and beautiful setting, I forget the lake is just a short walk away and tend to stay home when I want to relax. With my new mantra of fitfor15in15, I’m looking forward to making more visits there to read and watch the birdlife. It’s worth the effort.

Do you have a place you often forget is wonderful?

January 1: Happy New Year walk around Wohlen

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Claudia, Leo, myself and Dani on our walk around Wohlen

Claudia, Leo, myself and Dani on our walk around Wohlen

Happy New Year! Today is the first day of my attempt to get fitfor15in15.

Leo and I and our friends Claudia and Dani walked off the minimal excesses of the previous night with a walk around our neighbourhood. It was cold but sunny and a great way to spend an hour.

Claudia and I walked and talked together, probably slower than what could be classed as exercise, but we had a great time. The previous evening I had tossed up the idea of fitfor15in15 to her while taking another walk, and it’s slowly taking shape in my head.

Who knows what the year will bring? Hopefully a fitter and healthier me!