It's been a while since my last post because I don't want a blog full of stuff about what I did [You're kidding. It's full of that stuff! - Ed.]. I also want a bit of philosophy in there. [Oh yeah! Let's hear some then - Ed.] {Please ignore comments from the Editor - Pete}. [Grrr... - Ed.]
Since June I led walks for 2 weeks at Selva (aka Wolkenstein) in the Dolomites (Italy), Neustift in the Stubai Alps (Austria) and back at Glencoe (Scottish Highlands). The second week at Glencoe was the Munrobagging II holiday. Here are just a few of the photos I took that demonstrate what beautiful places they are.
Selva
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| Sassolunga |
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| From the Seceda Cable Car Top Station |
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| Sella Gruppe from Utia Forceles Mountain Restaurant |
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| Sella Hut |
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Neustift
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Below Zwolfernieder Col
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| Below the Hoher Burgstall |
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| Sulzenau Glacier |
Glencoe
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| Binnein Beag and Aonach Beag from Sgurr Eilde Mor |
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In October I led for a week in the Cinque Terra in Italy. We were based at Bonassola. I arrived in Pisa on the Manchester flight and whilst waiting for the London flight I had time to visit the leaning tower of Pisa.
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| Leaning Tower of Pisa |
One of the things I have learnt from these trips is that for me, feeling part of a team is an important aspect of walks leading for
HF Holidays. That is to say, working alongside the other leaders, staff and hotel management to provide a good holiday. It is easier to feel this way when you return to places you've already been. Of course, there has to be a first time, but for 2018, I have applied to lead in places where I have already led.
In a previous blog I wrote about mindfulness and linked to the
NHS website where it says: "Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better. When we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience afresh things that we have been taking for granted."
I have been thinking about this and I agree with it but I don't think there is anything wrong with daydreaming either. Some of my best ideas have come to me when I have been daydreaming. Either whilst walking or in the shower. Sometimes I wake up with ideas so I guess that's nightdreaming.
So my conclusion is that you need both: Mindfulness and Daydreamyness [Is that a word? Ed.] and walking in the mountains gives you opportunities to do both.
