I hate walking on my own

Afraid I don't understand the judgement on women who walk alone.
I can't see anything weird or crazy about lone walkers.
I often see people wlking about by themselves in the village i live in.

What I do feel is envy. I haven't been able to go for a walk for 30 years due to ill health and disability.

Trust me you would have far more to complain about if you could not walk anymore so enjoy it while can!

However do not wear headphones as I had a friend was killed out walking wearing headphones, by a man on a stolen motorbike.

In my area, not many people go walking, even though it’s rural. Women certainly don’t go walking and never alone.
When I need a walk, myself and my friend get a train to a nearby big city and walk on the flat amongst people there.

I did more walking when I lived in London.

My daughter walks a nice dog which belongs to her neighbour who works. She takes the dog out on long walks 3 times a week and gets paid £25. The dog loves it and so does my daughter, as she enjoys the dog's company and does not have
to pay for his food and vets bills.

I used to walk my big alsatian most evenings after work in a nearby woodland. It used to get dark but I was never afraid with a big dog, and rarely saw anyone.

Romola, it's not the dogs that are at fault, it's the owners. I was sent a photo of a very sad dog recently, with the caption " I didn't mean to be a bad dog, you just didn't teach me how to be a good one ". Too many people tar all dogs with the same brush whereas the responsability always lies with its owner. I'm afraid too many people just aren't capable of looking after a dog & some charities, in their haste to rehome them, don't investigate whether their new home/owner is suitable.

Like you I found walking at the beginning of lockdown a chore. I no longer have a dog so the walks seemed aimless. I do walk with friends once or twice a week but the rest of the time I felt lonely. Then I noticed a butterfly I didn’t recognise so I photographed it. Now I’m on the lookout all the time. Things I didn’t know, trees, insects, birds, butterflies. I was stunned to find out that there were over a hundred different types of bee. Now that autumn approaches there are lots of different fungi, some weird some beautiful. I have several different pocket field guides dependant on the time of year.its amazing what you can learn, so this old dog is learning a few new tricks. Best of luck.

If you like dogs and want to walk one but not own one, the Cinammon Trust is always looking for people to help out. It's an organisation that helps folk who for any reason need help with their dog.
Sorry if someone has already suggested this. I'm a bit under the weather and haven't read all the answers here.
All the best.

I joined Meet Up and found people posting a gentle walk in the local area now and then, as well as other activities. You can join the website for free and find out what is happening in your area, including walking. www.meetup.com

It seems to me that in our area, far more people go walking on their own now, since lockdown began. I often meet other solo walkers and nobody seems to think it odd if you're out walking on your own. My daughter, although working full-time from home, has at least one walk a day now and looks slimmer and fitter as a result. She takes her phone and uses the after-work walk to catch up with phone calls as she walks.

I agree with the OP, and suggest if she lives or can drive to a coast/river/canal etc. taking a Camera. This gives you the chance to stop and take photo's or just rest. You need not walk far and can simply return after what ever time seems suitable. Try different locations for variety!

I help with walking for health and they are designed for people like you - short walks with company - they have started up again. Ours had become very sociable with people going for coffee after.

would join you But I'm in Lancashire as I hate walking on my own too

I am not a walker to be honest, but enjoy walking where there are other people, I live in a country where we are surrounded by forest, accompanied with wild animals, deer ,elks etc and wouldnt dare to go for walks on my own.I dont mind walking alone as long as I see someone around,at a distance I might add.

I walk alone most days. Sometimes if I’m somewhere quiet I feel a bit nervous but usually am ok. Walk a lot on cycle paths so there are people about. I wouldn’t go anywhere too isolated on my own.

Maybe break it up a bit as others have suggested, particularly if you have access to a car. One day you could walk to the shops and back. If you want a longer 'green' walk, and prefer to be inconspicuous when you walk, perhaps you could visit a garden centre, a local beauty spot, or NT or RHS property, where everyone is a visitor, if you have one nearby. Also, if it's bad weather, how about visiting a shopping mall - you may have a large one nearby if you're near the Peak District. You could walk the full length and back again. We've just visited our local one and it's one way at the moment and we felt quite safe, though it can be a bit hard on the feet and maybe the purse! You could ask your daughter if she wants to visit any of the above with you if you want company and she might not go striding out so much if she has distractions. Intersperse with occasional gardening, if that's an option, or a day out now and then to the coast, or maybe something you enjoy in the open air such as horse racing (beginning to open again now). There are lots of options without dogs but I do like being on my own sometimes.

When out on my walks I curse the number of dog owners out with their often badly behaved pets. It regularly spoils my walk to have a slobbering pooch rushing up to me who the owner hopelessly attempts to retrieve or simpers that her dog really loves people. I do wish that dog owners a) trained their dogs to behave and b) realised that not all people love dogs, even theirs.

justwokeup when I go to the supermarket I always make a point of walking up and down all the aisles, then reversing the process. It’s surprising to see how many steps it takes, and all whilst keeping warm and dry.

Like grannyticktock, I’ve noticed a lot more people walking around here, with or without company. I enjoy both, and often just nip out for half an hour if I’ve had a day in and feel the need for some fresh air. I was once stopped by a dog walker who asked where my dog was. I thought she’d mistaken me for someone she knew, but no, she said she just didn’t realise that people without dogs went for walks. Quite bizarre, I thought!

Whitewavemark2, that's a lovely idea about walking the homeless dogs.

2 years ago I had an abdominal operation. My consultant told me that it was very important to walk daily to speed up my recovery. Although there are parks nearby I prefer the streets. I walk to a local cafe and sit outside with coffee and the paper or I walk to the library or local bookshop to look round for a while. I don’t care what other people think about me when I walk. I do this for my own health and sanity. I’ve been meaning to join a group for a while and will look for one now that restrictions have eased.

I should also have mentioned that sometimes I get the bus or drive to another area for coffee, a walk and some window shopping.

So many great ideas, thank you, I am glad I started this thread.

I know it wouldn't suit you Cabbie, but to any others who miss having a dog to walk people like me would take your hand off! I still walk my dog most days, but it's often a struggle and I can't go far. He'd love a human friend to go out with so he could go further.

As so many GNs seem to be frightened of walking in the countryside, I thought I'd mention that women (unlike men) are more likely to be attacked indoors rather than outdoors and by men they know. The few random men who want to attack women, whether it be a sexual, theft or any other motive, attack in areas they will find victims. They don't generally hang about remote areas as there are very few potential victims. On a personal level, I'm much more confident in the dark in the countryside than I am in towns even though I would be considered very vulnerable. Perhaps it's because I'm a country lass who feels more at home in the great outdoors.

My advice is that it isn't wise for any woman to walk alone in isolated areas. In my village there is a group called "walk for health" where the able bodied take those less able for a suitable walk - some in wheelchairs. Perhaps you might want to think about starting one near where you live so that you have company on your walks.

RSPCA and Animal shelters appreciate volunteer dog walkers Cabbie21 if you're interested.

I love walking alone but I wouldn't walk anywhere that's isolated.
I do envy my OH who can pack a rucksack and head into the mountains near us.