I had a baby just over a year ago. And I really went through the wringer with post-partum physical and mental health problems. ‘Getting out for a walk’ was quite frustrating advice at the time. There’s only so much a walk can do in some circumstances! But I diligently went out every day with my son. And while it didn’t solve everything, I truly believe that daily walks are key to helping new mothers survive the difficult bits – whatever those are for each of us.
These walks became a staple in our new routine. Sometimes they helped my little one to fall asleep. Other times they were a great sensory adventure for him. Every time, it was a chance for me to get out of the house, breathe and enjoy the nature around me.
But we did face one problem. When we picked our house, we did so for its proximity to nature. The busy road to the front with narrow pavements didn’t matter, because from the back of our house you could walk for miles and miles. Quite literally! The footpath we live on is part of The Monarch’s Way, a 625-mile route used by King Charles II in 1651. So, what’s the problem? The access to the path is so overgrown that it’s barely wide enough to fit a person, let alone a pram. And even once you’re through the gate, the path is muddy, slippy, narrow…
