As
a writer, I’m often sat at my desk for most of the day and I find
that long periods of time spent at my computer causes me lots of problems. I get
sore eyes (I have to wear reading glasses at the computer) and I get a stiff
neck (I find myself hunching over the keyboard sometimes) and I have had a few painful
bouts of repetitive strain syndrome in my shoulders and wrists. And all that’s
before we go anywhere near the expanding waistline and bottom syndrome!
I've always enjoyed taking a brisk mid-morning walk on most days, but now I’ve stepped things
up a bit and I go for a run. Running loosens up my muscles, fills me with oxygen,
and helps me to either think or to empty my mind – whichever is needed the most. I run
for three miles in a circuit around the cottage and, now that I’ve being doing this
for a few months, I sometimes manage five miles!
This
morning’s run was particularly enjoyable. Autumn has arrived here in my part of
Scotland. It was dry and mild and the leaves on the trees are just starting to
turn golden. Mushrooms and toadstools lined the verges of the lanes along my route
and the brambles are ripe and asking to be be picked and made into jam.
I
had my phone camera to hand today and took these photos. I thought you might
enjoy them too.
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| My running route away from the cottage |
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| Woodland Toadstools |
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| Love these colourful ones - so pretty - but probably highly poisonous! |
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| The high stretch of land between the Nith Valley and the Lowther Hills |
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| A rewarding view from the top of the tough uphill stretch! |
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| Looking over Durisdeer and the Lowther Hills |
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| Brambles in the hedgerow - but no time to stop and pick them! |
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| The home straight! |
I
have a busy week ahead filled with writer’s meetings and speaking events. Why not
check out my Author Facebook Page which I update several times a week with
all my writer news, authorly views and book reviews!
Haste
ye back here next Friday!
11 comments:
Phew! Feel exhausted just reading that!
These pictures of the countryside are beautiful. Our autumn here in Florida is still quite warm but not as hot and humid as the summer months. But that's why I moved here from the cold northeast!
Ha-ha! Yes, it is all rather tiring Sara - not to mention sweaty!
Hi Barb - thank you for your lovely comment. I didn't realise you were in Florida! I love Florida and have been there many times on holidays - love the humidity and the heat and the gulf coast beaches. I haven't been as far south as the Keys yet though, and would love to do that one day!
Janice xx
Wow, gorgeous! It makes me want to come bounce around Scotland for a while! It looks like a fantastic place for a bicycle tour!
Indeed, Kenneth, you could cycle for many miles around here and hardly meet a soul or come across a vehicle. I do love that about this part of Dumfries and Galloway. It's exactly 60 miles south to Carlise and the border to England. Edinburgh is the same distance north East and Glasgow the same again north west and there's not much except moorland and hills inbetween. It seems to me that I live in the centre of the world!
Janice xx
Wow, sounds very peaceful! A great place to get some writing done, I'm sure!
Lovely post, Janice. One I can so identify with, as I've been upping the "brisk" walks I take too. I've had niggles in my shoulders and back and have really felt the benefit of the extra exercise. Love your photos too! :) x
Haha - Kenneth, I've found that it can be as peaceful as you allow it to be!
Thank you Jan, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. I find the downside of being a writer is the niggles in the hands, wrist, shoulders, and this is something we must try to guard against!
Janice xx
Absolutely LOVE the new look Janice! Sparkly and bright - with a romantic edge!! Fab photos too, I'm just about to start exercising again after a break. Being on the computer all the time and sitting down for hours on end isn't great for the waistline...ha! ha!
Oooh, Janice, now I'm feeling guilty. More running less sitting, I think is order. Fab pics! :) xx
Lovely pictures Janice - reminds me of the countryside I used to ride in when I lived in my homeland of Wales. I think Wales and Scotland are similar in sharing lovely peaceful landscapes, mountains, rivers and moorland. Thanks for sharing.
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