Talking the walk "I can only meditate when I am walking," said philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
According to Rebecca Solnit, American author of Wanderlust: A History of Walking (Verso, £7.99), nature became an aesthetic cult in the 18th century and was an established religion for the middle class by the middle of the next century.
"Going out into 'nature' was a devout act for those English, American and Central European heirs of romanticism and transcendentalism," she writes.
Drawing on a huge array of literary and historic sources, her book traces the evolution of walking as a recreational pastime, its philosophical qualities, and how our attitude to walking has shaped the cities we live in. However, she sidesteps the whole issue of how cars have come to dominate in many urban and rural areas, making it virtually impossible for people to take a gentle stroll.
She suggests, though, that walking has both an inherent personal and political power, which the world is crying out for us to reclaim.
Spot the whale . . . Looking for a new way of enjoying the fresh sea breezes this weekend? How about joining in one of the land-based whale and dolphin watches held at 13 locations throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland tomorrow afternoon?
The so-called National Whale Watch Day is organised by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and each lookout area is supervised by a member of that organisation. Outdoor clothing is essential and binoculars are recommended. And although there are no guarantees that you'll see one of the 24 cetacean species that can be seen in Irish waters, you can at least enjoy the views.
Locations of whale watches include Ardmore Head in Co Waterford, Galley Head in Co Cork, Loop Head in Co Clare, Bloody Bridge in Co Down and Killiney in Co Dublin. Details: 023-38761 or www.iwdg.ie.
. . . and do the dolphinathon Meanwhile, the Stena Line ferry company, together with the Welsh Sea Trust (the marine section of the Wildlife Trust), is conducting a "dolphinathon" on the Rosslare-Fishguard route from August 12th to 16th.
Organised as part of Stena Line's celebration of the centenary of the Rosslare-Fishguard sea crossing, the dolphinathon will involve hundreds of volunteers counting dolphins, porpoises and whales on the daylight sailings from each port. The Sea Trust will also give lectures and show films on marine wildlife on board the ferries. For details, e-mail info@seatrust.org.uk.
Nature on the Neagh The Oxford Island Nature Reserve, on the shores of Lough Neagh, is the venue for an environmental fair this weekend. Running from 10am to 6pm today and tomorrow, the activities include guided walks, wildlife talks, workshops, boat trips and lots of stalls and exhibits.
Wildlife 2006 is organised by a partnership of environmental groups, the Environmental Heritage Services and Craigavon Borough Council. Details: 048-38322205 and www.oxfordisland.com.
