Bluebells - take in that scent and that sight.

I love bluebells.

As a child I spent so much of my time with my friends in the field and woods behind our house and the woods would be carpeted this time of year with that fantastic blue. Have you ever noticed how often they grow in beech woods and how the colours of the beech leaves and the bluebells complement each other. And have you ever stood there and just breathed in that scent, it's wonderful.

Yesterday I took a detour out of my day to go for a walk in Wanstead Park so I could soak up the bluebell atmosphere and take some photos. Here they are for you to share.

At this time of year there is plenty of opportunity to walk amongst the bluebells. However, with the very cold winter we had some of the bluebells are blooming later than usual. To find out where there are bluebells in your area visit the National Trust site and check in with their bluebell watch - -

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-bluebell-watch

You can also just google "bluebell walks" into your browser or to make it a little easier, here are another couple of sites to visit -

http://www.countrylife.co.uk/countryside/article/443446/The-best-bluebell-walks-in-Britain.html

and http://www.ramblers.org.uk/walkthemes/Themedwalksbluebells

At one point I was lying on the ground getting right up close - good job there weren't too many people around. Is this the view a small creature gets?



I'm off to see how well these wonderful flowers are faring in Epping Forest. Wherever you go, enjoy.

Want to climb Kilimanjaro?

Join the Excellent Development Kilimanjaro Challenge. This is your opportunity to climb Africa's highest peak and raise money for Excellent Development. You will then have the opportunity to go to Kenya and spend a week with a community building a sand dam.

The 2010 expedition leaves on 14th September and they will be signing people up over the next few weeks. However, if you can't make it this year, do not despair as next year's trip leaves on 9th September 2011.

To find out more visit - http://www.excellentdevelopment.com/kili2010.php

Fancy a walk in the Cotswolds?

You may be based in the Cotswolds or fancy making a trip to this lovely part of the world, which ever doesn't matter but I have it on good authority that the Annual Rotary Cotswoldds walk is a great one to take part in and here you have some warning as it's due to happen on Sunday, May 2nd.

Now in it's 20th year, this walk is 7 miles long taking you along the footpaths and bridleways of attractive North Cotswolds offering spectacular views over four counties . It starts just outside the idyllic village of Ilmington in South Warwickshire.

There are choices for you, you can just come along and join in the walk or you can raise funds for your favourite charity (sponsorship forms available). Bring a picnic or enjoy the free drinks & biscuits plus other refreshments at a nominal cost available at the half way point. Marshals located around the course.

The minimum donation is £5 per adult walker and £2 for schoolchildren, all payable at the start.

If you want to know more then check out www.cotswoldwalk.org.uk where you will find a map, instructions and sponsorship forms (if required).

The start is staggered with first walkers setting off at 10.00 and the last at 2.00. Free car park at the start at Foxcote Hill, near Ilmington - CV36 4LD and near Shipston on Stour.

Fabulous April walking.

April's East End Girl's(EEG) walk was held in stunning sunshine for every inch of our 12.5 miles. At last we managed to be able to get out of Mile End tube station before 12.30 ( something that's been impossible due to engineering works for months) so headed off down the canal towards Limehouse basin and the convergence with the Thames Path.


We'd just joined the Thames in this photo, not sure what's being pointed out ahead but behind you can clearly see the familiar outline of Canary Wharf. You do get stunning views from here.

We had 13 wonderful women, one who'd walked with me on a Friday before but was new to the EEG; another who is training for Edinburgh's Moonwalk and came along with Marie and if we could make it possible, the plan was to meet up with Lina, another new lady who is training for the 13 mile Moonwalk in London and who would make the total 14.


Look how calm the river is and with no planes in the sky either due to ash clouds, things were very quiet - well if you forget about the chit chat from such an exuberant group.



Everyone was in good form here and the pace, set by Cajsa and Teresa was pretty brisk. The great thing about a big group though is that it's actually easier to let everyone go at their own pace and stretch out.

At this point we were heading for one of our favourite coffee shops never Wapping Tube. I found this the first day it opened and the coffees, pastries and 'made to order' sandwiches are fantastic. Was a little concerned how 13 or 14 of us were going to all get seated but our timing was superb - did feel sorry though for those coming in for a quiet Saturday morning coffee and a read of the paper. Still it's good for the Deli's business and we only frequent once or twice a year in such large numbers.

Having had a call from Lina, we managed to meet up here and after using all the facilities and having a good battery recharge, we set off heading for Tower Bridge. Here's the motley crew with the famous landmark in the background.


From here our route took us over the bridge and onto the Southbank which at this point was pretty busy with tourists, locals etc . Lovely to see so many people out enjoying the wonderful weather. Being so broad, the Southbank is a great place to walk and there's so much to see as well. Our next stop was lunch - so important to look after yourself when walking and at EAT, just below the Oxo Tower, we found a great sunny spot with plenty of room for everyone. Good food here too and plenty of choice as well.

We were heading for Westminster Bridge where, once across, Barb peeled off to do some stuff around Trafalgar Square and soon after it was Vanessa saying farewell as she headed home to get ready for a birthday do. Helen did a wonderful 7.5 miles leaving us after a bright and sunny walk through St James Park and along by the flowerbeds at the Palace - well done.

The intrepid rest headed up through Hyde Park, still deep in conversation, well 14 people is a lot to get round and as one of the ladies said - "it was an added bonus meeting such an interesting and friendly group"

A loo and ice-cream stop in Regent's park, then up Primrose Hill which was littered with bodies as were all the open spaces and then the final push to Belsize Park tube. Teresa and I did look for a table in the sun where we could all partake a cold beer but none to be had and having finished the spirit was not willing to have to explore too much further. I phoned my husband and asked him to make sure the cold beers were available in the garden for when I got home!

Great feedback since -

"great photos to go with a great walk. It really was so enjoyable, thanks for organising it"

" Heather, thanks for a great day. G"

"Thank you for organising such a lovely walk, I really enjoyed it. Can't make May but would like to do the next one, so hopefully see you all soon."

and it's still coming in.