We chatted to regular gA hiker Anne Fellows, who joins the weekly Wednesday evening hikes come cold, rain or shine, and asked her what motivates her to turn up each week, especially through the dark, cold and wet winter months…!
"I come along every week usually because I've said that I'm attending on Spond! I really enjoy catching up with the other hikers. The conversations are positive and inspiring - full of ideas of things to do. It's a rare opportunity to meet new people of different ages and backgrounds."
"Through the winter months, I would often prefer to stay in the warm and dry, but without fail I feel better after each hike. Better for having some exercise and for chatting with other hikers. It provides some headspace from the day and helps me to sleep well."
"I particularly enjoyed our “Hike Club on-tour” summer routes last year. The routes round Peaslake and Mogador were new to me and it was interesting to explore those areas. Esther is amazing with her limitless knowledge of routes!"
"In terms of hiking plans for the coming months, I'm looking forward to the gA navigation training in a few weeks. I've always relied on others to navigate so this will be a good challenge. My husband and I are following the North Downs way in small sections. We started in Farnham and our next walk will take us further into Kent. All the winter walking up the Box Hill lung buster steps help us with going up and down the Downs!"
Our Wednesday evening Hike Club is now “on-tour” again with meet up places and hikes varying each week from Reigate to Peaslake and everywhere in between… Come and join us for a hike one week, or on one of our fortnightly weekend hikes - details on Spond.