urban fitness trail

Anniemay is so thoughtful - she always has my best interests at heart.  We always try to go out for a walk on Fridays, but the cold air is a problem for my lungs at the moment.  So she comes up with an alternative, which is to walk from one end of the Milton Keynes shopping centre, to the other and then back again.  It’s all indoors and there are plenty of rest areas, so I think to myself - why not?

But then again - why? “there’s nothing we’re going to buy is there?” “No” she says, just a little too quickly;  “It’s just like one of our usual walks, but indoors.”  I’ve watched too many crime programmes to be taken in.  But I go along with it anyway.  

We start at the Western end and head due East, which will eventually bring us to John Lewis.  I think we’re going there for a coffee break.  We are, but not until we’ve passed through the ladies shoe department and searched for a pair of boots that were first seen and admired, but not purchased, around Christmas time.

It’s surprising just how much energy is expended in trying on shoes - holding handbag, fetching assistant, sitting down while they’re tried on, standing up thinking we’re going, sitting down again because the size/style/colour is wrong …… 

We eventually get our coffee break (see photo) having successfully negotiated womens sportswear, menswear and the camera department.

There are even more diversions on the return leg and I’m exhausted by the time we get back to the carpark.  It turns out to be about 4700 steps (3.5km) in all, which is about the same as our last walk around Stowe Gardens.  But a bit more expensive.