Shanksey's Pony

MATH

For those of you who havn't a clue what I'm talking about it is a midlands expression meaning 'getting there on your own two feet' ie walking.

Some of you may know I've given up smoking after 20yrs cuffing away, wasting money and doing myself no good at all and part of my quitting routine is to start walking. For me it meets three aims:

1. It improves my health and controls my weight.

2. It is very MSE. ;D

3. It has no enviromental impact

The things that have surprised me since I have been walking everywhere (started in October) is

1. I have just as much time now as when I used my car

2. I talk to the kidz about their day, thoughts, worries etc much more than I did in the car.

3. I'm saving a fortune in petrol.

4. I'm much more inclined to use local shops for meat 'n' veg etc rather than load up at Tesco.

5. I live in a very beautiful part of the world.

6. Every trip out is a ready made opportunity to teach the kids something about nature, animals, the weather etc.

7. I'm relly enjoying it. So much so that I'm considereing keeping my car for a couple of months to make sure and if I'm still not using it I shall sell it

Anyone else giving this Ol'Style transport a go?

catznine

MATH You have shamed me! I use my car too much! But work is a long way to walk in the winter! We walk to the pub though does that count? ;D

VickyA_2

Wow MATH, you really are a credit to us all. Unfortunately the only local shops in my village are a butcher's, a chinese restaurant and 3 pubs. The nearest town (and Tesco!) is 5 miles away along a very busy main road and my college is 45 miles away and I have to drive there. I feel really ashamed now after having read your post!

I do try to do more exercise and you've spurred me on to dig out my exercise books and walking boots.

PS Well done on giving up the fags!

maryb

I used to drive the girls to school then drive to the station and park before catching a train up to London. Now we walk 1.5 miles to school and then it's 3/4 mile to the station. Someone else picks them up so I wal straight home in the evning - about 3/4 mile.

what astonishes me is just how much money i am saving - at least one fill-up a month at £45 plus I don't have to pay to park - and that's just gone up to £3.10 a day- plus I have cancelled the gym membership I never used but felt guilty about!!

the funny thing is it doesn't actually take any longer than driving because the traffic is so bad that you end up queing for ages. One of the other mums who drives to the station offered me a lift from the school to the station but i said no thanks and I actually got there
before her

course it helps if it's not raining!!

culpepper

We used to walk to school (me with 2 kids) and quite often got comments like 'oh but its a long way isnt it?' (it was about 2 miles, so no).One neighbour whos son was in the same class as my son,used to keep offering lifts and thought I was being unfriendly when I refused.
We would never have got to play snowballs when it snowed or stroked a baby squirrel if we had gone in the car.

maryb

the girls used to fight all the time when we drove to school but walking seems to really calm us all down (although we still start out with me shouting will you come on!!). I like it because I get to spend a good chunk of time with them when I'm not too tired from a day's work

Jay-Jay_4

Well my car went in the garage today and may not be ready for over a week :-/

I'm secretly a tiny bit pleased because I'll HAVE to do some walking

So budge up on that pony MATH, I wanna get my leg over too ;D

madmummy_2

LOL @ Jay Jay ;D

Sarahsaver

I do not have a car, couldnt afford one. I got halfway through learning to drive then stopped. Why bother? I live in a city, 15 mins walk from the centre. I think more people should try to live without cars, they dont really need them, just think they do. I often walk to town then get the bus back. Its great exercise and the kids are much happier too.

MATH

Do ya still hitch up ya Wally Trolly, SSaver?
Since I've been shopping locally (although I do have tesco deliver some things - I'm not a saint ) I have been taking some lingering looks at the odd shopping trolly as it rumbles past with oap at the wheel. Hmmmm :-[ Is there a helpline I can contact?

Sarahsaver

I do! and my 3 year old thought it was great fun.
Our local market is SO cheap i can fill it for a fiver ;D
I am not the only person I have seen with a wally trolley who is under the age of 70!
mine IS a wheeled bag really, rather than one of those trolleys with a frame. I used to do the same as a student but with a rucksack. Lurked around town til the market was closing and get all the cheapies as the stalls were closing.