Walking Jubilee

The British have a fabulous habit of walking. And also very many beautiful, historic landmarks and parks. So at the Queen's request the Jubilee Walkway Trust was created to designate new walks to celebrate the Her Majesty's milestones of reign. Well actually, as you know, London is quite old, so no footpaths are entirely new. . .these lovely walks cobble together well-known structures and gorgeous gardens and connect many interesting out of the way places. This is my way to discover local lore, a favorite habit. As I am in London in 2012 and love to walk, I will walk both the Jubilee Walkway {I have walked parts of this many times but never the full walk} and the Jubilee Greenway. 

I am very curious about walking off the main map used by most visitors to London. . .I have a well-used copy of the Central London A-to-Z map--which ends at Regent's Park to the north, Tower Hill to the east, Chelsea Embankment to the south, and Notting Hill / West Kennsington to the west. This covers about 5 miles east/west and about 3 miles north/south, including most of the famous London landmarks and sights. It is where I have spent most of my time in London. Now armed with Google Maps and unlimited data {hooray for UK sim cards in an unlocked US iPhone} and Greenway Markers, I look forward to many new off-the-beaten-track adventures in London.

For the Silver Jubilee in 1977, the original walkway was created to connect the city’s most famous sights, from Buckingham Palace to St Paul’s, including some beautiful streches along the Thames River. Two more loops were added at 50 years's reign, the Golden Jubilee, to wind through Bloomsbury and the City. This walk covers 15 miles. Here is the silver marker to seek for the Jubilee Walkway:

 

Not to be outdone by previous celebrations, in 2012 the Trust designed the Jubilee Greenway, a 60 kilometer trail to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee; one kilometer per year of Her Majesty's reign. (37 miles + as extra loops are included). This walk highligthts the beatiful green spaces as well as architectual and historic landmarks and reaches beyond Central London to the east end, the Olympic Village and Greenwich. Here is the marble marker for this years walk:

 

 Happy Trails!

Wellness success: What works for you?

Wellness ideas are compelling {we all know what needs doing and why} and easy to find {google mania} and almost overwhelming {media saturated} these days. Wellness encompasses so many variables: food, drink, activity, dwelling, attitude, learnability, vocation or avocation, relationships, spirituality, community, environment, resources, and more.

After awareness, one stumbles onto reality: the true how, when, and where of wellness. Change becomes quite tricky as in the actual doing phase. Energy may dwindle or even screech to a halt in the process of creating daily, healthy habits.

Seeking change for lofty benefits that "improve one's future quality of life or longevity". . . Mustering enthusiasm now before a dramatic trigger occurs: new diagnosis, lifestyle disease, or traumatic injury . . .Things are muddling along just fine, thank you very much. How does one gather the initiative to take on new routines? That's hard work.

Despite the daunting task, many triumph at improving health and wellness. I know what's working for me, but I'd really like to know what wellness works for you, and even what hasn't worked. One can learn from both sides of the story.

Post intentions and results, success and failure, cause and effect, favorable or not. I am eager to learn and understand wellness transition and motivation and share it with those who are willing and able. What really work's for you?

London-Ho!

Lucky me. The moon and the stars have aligned and my home-away-from-home is London until October 14. I still find my situation beyond belief, despite writing this from Flat #10 on Great Portland Street after a lovely walk in Regent's Park this afternoon. 

This is my mid-life semester abroad. I intend to go for the gusto and enjoy life here, there, and everywhere.  Join me on my adventure as I write about London, Great Britain, and beyond. I have always been a health nut; so I aim to write about life with a wellness slant, hence the wholesome habits bit.