I go walking most days around McMahon Park or further afield and into the mountains at the weekends with different groups. It's my way of unwinding and sometimes of thinking in relative silence, except for the birds and the wind or rain. 

I set up GOA Claremorris as others were also interested in walking and we're still doing it everyday in our way. Not always together or at the same pace or even in the same direction but that does matter? Not really unless we're trying to create awareness and that's something I'm immersed in.

Awareness of our environment, our heritage, our culture and our sense of identity as part of a local and global community is partly the reason and the other is that it's a healthy exercise and necessary for me to get away from the noise. I don't always succeed as I'm often accompanied by concerns or walking for a reason.  

In the last month I've walked for Parkinson's and Pieta House, with GOA Claremorris, The Lake District Hillwalkers, with GMIT Guiding course group, with Pat Keane from Claremorris Historic society and on my own through woods and forest paths in Mayo. 

It's good to walk in the company of others and also by myself but what I'm often not aware of is the beauty that surrounds me and I don't know if it's because I'm too concerned about myself or preoccupied with the meaning of it all.

It's Wednesday, which means I'll be walking again with the local group. Some of us were dancing Salsa last night so we may be walking differently this evening to get those bums moving with some rhythm. I'll leave the music for the birds and trees and the sound of our feet to accompany us.