Another Grand Day Out

My walking club meets on the second Sunday in each month and December’s trip was to Ambleside in the Lake District. There were a number of walks to choose from and some of the group opted, initially, for the ever so popular Fairfield Horseshoe. This did not appeal to me - the weather was atrocious. I have all the right gear but when the rain is driving into your face, and you can’t see in front of you, you have to wonder whether it is worth it. The forecast gave wind speeds of up to 60 mph. I’ve hung on to the side of mountains before and it isn’t pleasant.

Although I go out walking with a group, I usually find a way of spending a little time on my own - either by striding out in front or choosing a different route and meeting up later. I decided to make an easy day of it and go it alone. I could walk round the edge of Ambleside and perhaps look round the shops later. The blasted rain drove me back into town and into the shops much sooner than I had planned. A book seller helped me to dry off.

By 2 o’clock, the inside of a pub and half a Guinness seemed tempting but could I, as a women, go into a pub on my own? Sod it! I’m a grown up and grown ups please themselves. I could sit in a corner with my book.

The Golden Rule (pub) was packed! Packed full of my fellow club members! :-)

At 5 o’clock we headed back to the coach for the short journey to another pub and our Christmas dinner.

All in all a very pleasant day, in spite of the weather. (or because of it :-))

My new book – ‘Emotional Intelligence,’ by Daniel Goleman.

Goleman explains why emotional intelligence is more important than I.Q. A person with a high I.Q. is not guaranteed to get on in life, whereas a person with high emotional intelligence is likely to thrive.

The domains of emotional intelligence:

1. Self-awareness – Recognise a feeling as it happens. Take account of strengths and weaknesses.


2. Managing emotions – Bounce back


3. Self-motivation – Delays gratification. Gets into the flow.


4. Recognises emotions in others – Empathy


5. Handling relationships – Interacting with others.

People with high emotional intelligence are outgoing, take responsibility, show commitment to people or causes, and have an ethical outlook. They are comfortable with themselves and others and the social universe in which they live.

Emotional intelligence is important in learning, in the workplace, and in the home. It can determine how well a person copes with illness or misfortune.