I hate walking on my own

Locally to us we have a Walking for Health group. It’s a very mixed bag of people and the walks are not arduous but they do get us into the countryside. Try googling them to see if there is a group local to you.

For years we’ve belonged to aU3A walking group which finished each walk with a pub lunch! We made friends and contacts, after a while both of us found the walk too much so just go to the lunch now ??

I fear U3a Or other walking groups would be too strenuous For me and too regimented.

Possible your fears are totally without ground, but you will never find out unless you make contact and enquire. You may be missing an opportunity for a new hobby and new friends.

I am sure you would not be the only member of a U3A group with bladder problems - think of all the male members with their prostate problems, not to mention female members who have coped with urinary problems since they had children.

The worst that can happen is that you will discover that your fears were well grounded.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Get a dog or borrow one. I think there's a group called borrowmydoggie.

Tired legs last night after a long walk of 2.5 km each way there and back. I did the first section on my own then met up with my daughter.
I realised how stiff and unfit I have become recently. Waiting in for a delivery now but I must get out again soon, even just round the block every day would help.

Is there anyone near you who needs someone to walk their dog? This would give you a purpose and they are also lovely company. You meet more people too.

kittylester

Our village have 'Walking for Health' groups. There are 3 different lengths and are led by council trained leaders. The routes vary from week to week.

I know lots of Councils organise these. Are there any near you.

Alternatively, what about a playlist and headphones?

Walking for Health groups are in several places throughout the UK. There is also an organisation called The Cinnamon Trust. They have volunteers walking dogs for owners who are unable to do this themselves. Perhaps a canine companion might be the answer.

How about starting your own walking group? That way you can set the rules so to speak - you could create a Facebook page and if you get people interested pair up into different abilities etc xxx

I bought an electric trike and my husband has an electric bike. He is losing motivation but I love mine. I can go up to 45 km but generally a lot less. I can bike to our village and cafes or a bike into the country. I love it as its exercise but not taxing. I feel so free and I enjoy looking at houses and gardens and all the animals in the country. If you run out of energy you can.use the power to.get home. Really recommend it. Having a trike is also a conversation starter.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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