SI Northampton
Women Walking for Women Saturday 23 September 2006
"It was a misty 'moisty' morning when 11 SI Northampton & District members, 1 daughter, 1 grand-daughter and 1 female dog, plus 2 spouses, met in Salcey Forest at just after 9 am. All the females (except the dog) donned our blue and yellow SI teeshirts. I was being interviewed 'live' via mobile by BBC Radio Northampton about the walk. I don't think the interviewer knew what hit her! Now she knows about Soroptimism, about Project Independence, about other projects SI undertake, about our club, Region and Federation. A lot to pack into just 15minutes - however I managed it.
"At 9.30am prompt we all set off on our walks - we had decided to cover 2 walks; 1 mile and 6 miles. We ventured up the famous 'Tree-top Walk' in Salcey Forest - which was paid for by Lottery Funding. It's a very gentle walk up wooden platforms (made specifically accessible for wheel-chairs) until you reach the very tops of the trees. On a clear day it is said you can see for miles - on this misty morning we could see, perhaps, 100 yards horizontally however we could see straight down to the ground VERY clearly. It was brilliantly exhilarating!
"Back to the walk, the 1-mile journey turned at this point to go back to the meeting place and the rest of us trooped onwards. The ground we covered was typical woodland, with beautiful ferns and bushes growing at the sides of the paths. There was an abundance of acorns underfoot too, as the oaks had been very prolific this year, AND it was also rather muddy in places due to the recent heavy rainfalls - all good for the reservoirs.
"Each of us moved around the group, who were now walking in line due to the narrowness of the trodden paths; however it allowed us to talk to each and everyone of us. We were so engrossed in chatting that we kinda missed our way only a couple of times and only went about 100 yards off the route! Even hubby (who was a Marshall) got to know our members better by finding out about them, NOW they're people and not just names to him. He enjoyed the walk too - it's interesting how much we enjoy something that we don't do very often - even in the misty moisty morning.
President Christina, SI Midland East Region President
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