Heaven is.....

What a great thread, so many special times for so many people. I love solitary walks, though they aren't really solitary, as my dogs are with me every step of the way. We live on the edge of the moors, with a number of reservoirs on lower ground. We often meet groups of deer, this year the 6 pairs of herons on the large reservoir all produced large families and last week I caught a glimpse of the Kingfisher, a very rare treat.

A recent heaven moment. Being given my own newly hatched turtle to name and then put on the sand to watch it make its way to the sea safely. Ahh!

Last time feeling heavenly was sitting up at the top of Winnat's Pass in the Peak District on a balmy morning in February (just before the cold spell started.)

I was sitting in sunshine peace and quiet, listening to the sheep and enjoying the lovely moorland smells, which does include a mild whiff of sheep poo. This takes me back to all the hill walking I have done in the past.

I would have loved just to do a walk from there but I was on my way to see DGS and DD who was feeling poorly.

Any time I'm together with my two daughters and their children. Heaven!!

I am cheating because I keep thinking of other lovely times - such as arriving at Nelson airport and being almost smothered in cuddles from my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

Walking yesterday on the fells near Ullswater with one of my dearest and oldest friends.
We paid the price this morning with stiff backs and aching hip joints!

My idea of heaven is to have all my Darling family around me , which will be happening in the very, very near future .

What unadulterated bliss !!!

Jane, did you manage the whole route that you had planned?

Yes, we actually did a little more than planned, as we went up Loadpot Hill by a longer but less steep route! So 11.5 miles and 1800 ft of ascent.
I'm aiming for one more ascent of Scafell Pike before I become too decrepit!

Well done, I am sure you felt good when you reached the summit.

Yes, but even better when we finally got to the village pub and were tucking in to our dinner

There you have me, Jane, I have to settle for a picnic and a bottle of water!

Watching the sun set over Star Lake in deepest Minnesota, with our dearest friends in the garden (runs down to the water) of their lovely house. No street light, no traffic, just the moonlight over the water..

I have seen Star lake it is marvellous !!

jeanainsworth - that sounds a heroic walk, and I'm impressed you are aiming for Scafell Pike. I opted out a couple of weeks ago when my husband and his pal took 17 year old grandson and his pal to "do" Scafell. The boys thought it was brilliant, and one of the highlights seems to have been teasing the two mid 60 year olds, who had proper kit, but whose energy levels weren't quite the same as the lads. So many of the comments here involve people's love of being outdoors, or with family and loved ones. A smashing thread

Iam64 - DH and I thought of doing Scafell Pike a few weeks ago, but looked in the 'Wainwright' and saw it was 7.5 miles and 3100ft of ascent from Eskdale where we were planning to stay.
So we did a somewhat easier walk in Northumberland, but promised ourselves that we're going to gradually increase our stamina until we feel able to tackle it!
I'm finding that one problem of retirement is that there are so many beautiful places to go to in this country, never mind 'abroad'! How to fit them all in!

janeainsworth - yes, we are so fortunate aren't we, to be retired and able to see more of our own beautiful country. We're off to north west Scotland in September, a lovely cottage near the beach, which takes two dogs so we'll do lots of walking, eating, reading and relaxing, bliss

I have found that my heart and lungs are now acclimatised to living at the same altitude as Snowdon, so I have to search for paths steep enough to get enough cardiovascular exercise. When I arrived in the Alps three years ago, I had some arthritic pain in my knees, hips and lower back but I read that exercise is the best treatment and it really works. There is still a little twinge in the knees on very strenuous hikes, but I wear strong knee bandages and use walking poles. I find that wearing a backpack which weighs about 4 lbs. makes me have a better posture and this may explain the improvement in my back.
I just wish I had started walking before I retired - I look back in horror on my way of life when I was working.

Sitting on the patio with a cup of coffee early in the morning, and on one of the many beautiful days we have had recently, looking down our beautiful gardens (communal) that roll down to the Thames beyond where boats are bobbing about in their moorings.

Greatnan, I agree about walking and managing arthritic pain. I have always enjoyed walking and I'm sure that keeping my muscles stronger has eased the pressure on my hip and knee. Bananas - sounds heavenly

Greatnan, I wish you would write a guide to walking for the over 60s. You describe your transition from a comparatively unhealthy middle age to a healthy older age with such enthusiasm I'm sure many would benefit. It's first hand experience people listen to, not some super fit 26 year old who hasn't been there.

I will start a thread under 'Exercise', Micelf, but I am sure there are many members who are much more experienced walkers than I am. I am just a very enthusiastic amateur, but I have learnt some safety tips from experience!

I'm looking forward to that. I have good reasons for needing advice.

MiceElf 'over 60s' sounds very young to me! I am always amazed when I see special housing for the over 55s or over 60s as I wonder why anyone would want to live with a lot of people of the same age when they don't need extra help. We have one being built at the moment near here for the over 70s which sounds rather better but, as DH is approaching 70, it still seems rather young to me.

I wonder if, when I am 80, I will still be asking the same questions? I suppose we expect that all people of our age have the same level of fitness as ourselves?

Moved, I do hope you are at 80 still questioning as you are now. It's great to spend time with your own generation, whatever generation that may be - but I believe we need to spend time with people who are older, or younger than us to keep us all connected and enjoying life