"Did Gump walk or run across America?" A moments doubt told me to text my son Simon. He "just felt like runnin" came the answer. Oh dear, that's the problem with blogs isn't it? I knew I should have used Pilgrim's Progress! Anyway this Gump will walk, that's for sure!

I did something unusual for me. I had to be in Peterborough so I took half an hour to walk. For some no big deal, but not for this workaholic. What a reward. The October sun shone benignly. I strolled around a boating lake and took time to watch the swans, Canada Geese and seagulls. Suddenly a heron swept down gracefully and landed on the path in front of me. When it saw me approach it started to walk like Max Wall. And those strangers with dogs,on bikes and even the man carrying a canoe actually spoke, as though it were the most natural thing to do, rather than look at the ground. Is this a sub-culture, a subversive group in the hectic twenty first century that only half an hour of walking has uncovered?

My only trouble was that I was wearing shoes for a towny and trousers which tickled my right knee, driving me mad. There's a lesson for the big walk; suitable clothing!

I must pluck up courage and write to Delia tonight. Her moral support would be great for the cause.