Happy April 1st! Another month gone already and spring is definitely in the air. March has been a bit up and down for me - but sadly not due to the hills! But a new month is beginning and who knows what it will bring. Generally things are going well and I'm losing more weight, learning continuously and having a great time.

At the beginning of the week I had some bad news about my muscle injuries which did put me in a pretty foul mood for a while - Sturdy was sulking! But being the generally bouncy type and not one to get too downhearted for too long I soon began to look at making positive changes so that I can carry on following my passions safely and enjoyably.

I've invested in some custom made insoles to help correct my alignment, have started a beginners Pilates class as recommended by my Physio and am following the stretching routines given to me on Monday. I've also resisted the urge to undertake any long walks, keeping distances short and sweet and will continue to do so this week. And I can already feel a bit of a difference. Great.

Last week I completed an HSE First Aid at work course - updating my basic skills and having some good practise sessions involving the inevitable arm slings and staunching of wounds. Although this doesn't cover practical skills for out on the hills, the basics are the same wherever you are, pretty much, and now I can supplement the basics with specialised info. The Hillwalking manual gives some good tips, as does Ciccerone's 'Mountaineering' book. The things you can do with gaffer tape!!! If you get the chance to take this course at work, I highly recommend it. Not only do you get to provide a service to your colleagues, you're also learning valuable skills for yourself, your friends and your family.

But what's the cry for help....I hear you cry..! Well, it goes like this. I spend most of my time walking on my own - not necessarily through choice but because there seems to be a distinct lack of people in my normal circle of friends who want to explore the outdoor world like I do. I don't mind most of the time, and actually quite enjoy it - the sense of peace and tranquility, time to ponder on life, the universe and everything, a bit like Jean Jacques Rosseau in his 'Reveries of a Solitary Walker' or Wordsworth. But sometimes I find I'm more like one of Proust's characters - walking along 'talking' to an imaginary companions - the perfect walking partner. No, I'm not totally insane, it's just that sometimes, when things get a bit challenging and I'm a bit anxious I think about how those I admire might handle the situation. It would probably go something like this; 'So, Miss Potter, how would you traverse these slippery rocks and muddy puddles?' 'Well, Miss Sturdy..I would first ask Benjamin Bunny to hop across carrying my rucksack, then to send Jemima Puddleduck over to float me across...." Hmm. Or Mr Mears, what would he do. It would probably involve some kind of fire - the right sort of course and building a bridge out of twigs and tarp. Or Bear Grylls! He'd probably suggest throwing yourself into the mud with great gusto and crawling across whilst eating some poor creature, raw, en route! I could think about Mr Simpson's musings on fear - about how when we choose our fear and step up to it, we take control - a philosophy I try to apply to daily life most of the time. But you know, ever now and again, all I really need is somebody else there to share their experience and knowledge, offer support and to be there to giggle as I slip around whilst trying to maintain my cool exterior. But I don't know about others out there but I'm finding it really hard to find companions of this sort and if I'd really like to have the benefit others wise words and support in order to continue to explore my hillwalking, tackling some of the routes I'd like to try - like Striding Edge etc - which I don't really want to do on my own.

So here it comes....brace yourself...a genuine call for help.....If you are an experienced hillwalker and would be willing to help guide (in all senses) this eager walker please let me know. I'm looking to find people to walk with, people to talk with and people to laugh with. And don't worry, if you don't want to be mentioned in my ramblings that's not a problem. But I need help - and for a Sturdy Girl like me...that's really hard to admit! And if others want to meet up to walk, that's good to. So, please do get in touch and let me know if you're willing to share in this adventure that I'm on. You can leave a comment here but if you don't like that idea you can email sturdy_girl@hotmail.co.uk. These emails will be monitored of course, as there are some strange folk out there - and I don't mean hillwalkers, climbers and mountaineers!! And if I'm walking with others safety protocols will be in place - for your benefit and mine!

To kick things off then - I'm going 'Up North' at Easter to Yorkshire. I'm going to be walking some kind of gentle route at Osmotherly on Saturday 7th (Easter Saturday). If you want to come along meet outside the YHA about 10.30am. If you're reading this - you'll recognise the mad hair when you see me. And I'll be at Robin Hood's Bay on Monday morning - meet outside Boggle Hole YHA at 10am.

So, let's start hearing from all you experienced, friendly walking types and help me on my quest.

All for now.

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