Well there were plenty of trees in grove-like assemblages and bluebells and wild flowers, and (odd that you should mention it...) I did happen to be singing along to Christy's Nancy Spain in the car yesterday!

The hiking poles work out your upper body, especially arms and shoulders. They help to maintain a good, upright posture,good for the back, and they take the strain off your knees and hips, especially when walking downhill. They give you stability and confidence on uneven terrain. I'm a novice and I'm still researching good technique, but one thing I have learned is that cheap poles are a complete waste of money which will have you thinking that poles are useless. Also, you don't need poles with built-in shock absorbers, any more than you need a springy mattress saddle on a bike.

On the food front I'm starting to try to shed a stone. It'll be Mondays and Thursdays on very frugal rations. I'll be aware of, but not counting, calories and the only thing I'll be cutting out is snacking. In the long term I'm expecting portion control to be the key to keeping it off. And those hiking poles. I did this before, but over the years I've put about a third of my lost weight back on.