By Hannah - Sovio UK

At last the World Cup is over, so I have now officially re-gained my living room and space in the fridge.

As much as I enjoyed the World Cup (England aside) it did limit the amount of time my partner and I spent outside our flat enjoying this gorgeous weather. Night after night we have been on the sofa indulging in unhealthy treats, watching football matches that we had no interest in. Why keep watching after “our” team has been knocked out?

On Saturday (the only day I could free him from sport) we got out to our local nature park. We decided we would do the 2.5 mile walk as the other two were under a mile, and didn’t feel they would test our fitness as much. The first mistake we made was not bringing a refreshing drink on our walk; the temperature must have been in the high 20’s, so I felt constantly thirsty.  Secondly we didn’t pick up a free map, which will make it obvious to you all now that we got lost! We followed the blue footprint signs that directed us up through the woods, past the children’s outdoor adventure playground and up narrow wooded walk ways until we came to a crossroads with no signs.  Officially lost was the word to describe the situation, as thirsty as I was, we carried on, following the never ending cycle path. Eventually after walking the long route back, thirsty, tired and hot, we found the place where we had started. I decided that my extra long walk deserved a small treat; an ice cream. It was the best, most refreshing ice cream I’ve had in a long time and definitely worth the extra walking distance for.

I think this walking could become an activity I do to relax and unwind, a way to love myself more by looking after my health. Walking is free, even better, and it’s a great way to chat and put the world to rights at the same time. One thing I have learnt from the experience though was to carry a bottle of water with me as I walk…… I’ll save the sparkling wine until afterwards, when I’ve got home.