Still on the topic of making the most of our days before the summer ends and school starts again, this weekend we did quite a lot of walking; yesterday, on the North side, in Malahide village and around the castle grounds, and today, on the South side, in Glendalough and Bray. Thanks, Cristina, Isabel and Irene!
(Landscape picture from this morning, with the ruins of Glendalough monastery in the distance.)
The truth is that Ireland, when the weather is good (and even if it´s drizzling a bit, right girls?), is a fantastic place for walking, whether it´s trekking along one of the many tourist routes available or simply strolling in a local park. There are cool things to see everywhere, many of them blue and green.
The most outstanding colour we saw, of course, was green; no wonder we live in the Emerald Isle. It was a stark contrast with our homeland, Extremadura, which gets so dry during the summer (and this summer in particular, unfortunately, not only dry but also burnt). The blue hasn´t been very intense these days, with the sky as cloudy as it was most of the time, but we enjoyed it all regardless, coming across lakes and water streams, a little waterfall, and to top it all off, the sea. The more serious note was provided by the stone grey in castles and monasteries, and the touch of colour and joy, by the many flowers adorning the streets, the houses and the fields along the way.
As I said, fantastic place. Also because walking has a therapeutic effect, enhancing our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
I have to admit that I generally find it difficult to leave the house, especially during the winter, and also that I´m not a huge fan of nature and adventure. But once I´m out, I find that I love walking; it makes me feel so much better (which probably happens to everyone). So, knowing what I know, I look for strategies that help me get out even if I don´t feel like it, because I know that it will be good for me, and that I will be thankful for it in the future.
Even Seneca said it, several centuries ago:
We must go for walks out of doors, so that the mind can be strengthened and invigorated by a clear sky and plenty of fresh air.
This school year, my goal is to keep a habit of going out for a walk every now and then. How about you? Are you in?