We were lucky enough to be by the sea on the best day we’ve had in the UK so far this year. As I took in the glorious blue sky and the bright sun, I smiled to myself. A perfect day for a walk.
But apparently not everyone feels that way. More specifically, teenage boys don’t feel that way.
As we strolled off on our 7 mile walk around the shores of Bosham, the dialogue went something like this.
‘Just look at the sea. Isn’t it beautiful?’
‘My legs ache.’
‘Fill your lungs with that wonderful fresh air.’
‘When are we stopping for lunch?’
‘What a pretty scene. So typically English. It’s like a postcard.’
‘How much further do we have to walk?’
As you can see from these photos, the scenery did us proud and I found it really hard to understand why my sons couldn’t see what I did. But then I remembered me as a child. I hated walking. In fact I can recall crying all the way along the Long Walk one memorable Boxing Day (here it is, looking down on Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2014 – when I enjoyed walking it!).
So my question is, when do the walking genes click in? I’m hoping it isn’t a sign of middle age, but rather a sign of a mature, wise person who appreciates the value of nature and exercise. And the fact that walking is free.