www.eastofbath.com - East of Bath
Posted 27/06/2020 in Local Experiences

Walking, Talking and Laughing on Father's Day


Walking, Talking and Laughing on Father's Day

Last weekend was Father’s Day.  It was one of the happiest Father’s Days I have for many years.

Unable to celebrate with a meal out or a few pints in the local pub, my two teenage girls asked me what I wanted to do for the day.

I love walking, always have done from being a Scout and Venture Scout to running the Mountaineer club at university.  So it should have been no surprise that I choose “a long walk”.  Can you imagine the delight of two teenage girls! – but it was Father’s Day so off we went.

Instead of walking from the house which I do 2 – 3 times a week, we decided to go a little further out and drove to Rocks East and walked to Marshfield and back in a circular walk.  It was not “long” in my book, but the 5 miles probably took us 3 hours.  We talked and laughed non-stop for the entire time.  The only time phones came out was to either check the map or take photos.  Bliss!

Believe it or not, the best bit was not three hours of quality time with my wife and two girls, wonderful views on paths never walked, a sneaking coffee and cake and SweetApples Teashop in Marshfield (which was very good!), or no phones.  It was that at the end of the walk everyone said they had really enjoyed the afternoon and we had been together engaged as a family!  Even after 14 weeks of being in the same house pretty much 24 hours a day.

It was on the walk that I had the idea of adding walks to the East of Bath website.  I’ve walked these paths for the best part of 22 years and I get the same enjoyment from the view at the top of Solsbury Hill or the bench near the top of Bannerdown as I did when I first found them.  I still find new paths and it is a delight to stop and take in a new view of our wonderful area.

So I urge you to check out the new routes section of the website, grab your boots and go and explore the paths, coffee shops and pubs that make our area so great.   Don't forget to check out the Bath Marches Event - see you there!

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing" 

Alfred Wainwright,  - A Coast to Coast Walk