star chat By Jane Oddy walking has kept me sane during the rendezvous with Jack Stein, the chef son Covid-19 crisis. I know many people of restaurateur Rick Stein. s she strides along stunning have keyed into the importance of green She says: “This series was such a cli!s and spectacular spaces and how therapeutic they are joy to make because along the way I coastlines for her new for us. We have realised that is what we also got to interview people who care walking series, it’s need in our lives.” passionately about the countryside, obvious that the popular However, making the eight-part our food and nature. I discovered TVA presenter Julia Bradbury is in her ITV series last springtime was not that people who live by the sea, element being back in her hiking boots. easy to achieve. Julia explains: “We and in coastal Despite continuing tight coronavirus environments, restrictions Julia was determined to ‘It has been fantastic to get are healthier bring some of the UK’s most beautiful the series out at a time when and sleep better. places to life for viewers during the it is most needed’ There are such gloomy days of January in a glorious positive e!ects celebration of nature. "lmed between lockdowns when TV on wellbeing that Julia (50) is stepping out again in a programming was allowed but most of it’s called the Blue Julia exploring the coastline new series, Cornwall And Devon Walks the "lming was done outside which was Gym e!ect.” for her new ITV series, Julia has loved Cornwall and Devon Walks With Julia Bradbury. incredibly helpful.” Julia has walking since “It has been fantastic to get a series Julia started out from Land’s End been an outdoor she was a child out at this time when it is most needed. with a cli!top walk from Porthcurno to enthusiast since in the Peak District when I was about Xanthe and Zena (5), she It’s very positive in its outlook, is Sennen Cove and in later episodes her she was a small child, inspired by 11. I am thankful to him every day for is even more aware of beautiful to watch and features such adventures include walking the dramatic her dad’s passion for walking. “I was introducing me to it as it’s such a great her health these days. invigorating walks. I have to admit that Atlantic Highway and a culinary striding out on big, long walks with Dad joy in my life. If I am feeling crowded In 2019, she had in by anything or have a problem, I a triple hernia yet will always go for a walk. It invigorates recovered incredibly With Nicky Campbell and Paul Heiney on Watchdog, me and makes me feel better. When I quickly and puts it left, and Matt Baker and come back, I can tackle the issue with a down to her healthy John Craven on Country!le healthier mind.” lifestyle. “I’m not unduly ‘ We need nature But it was by chance that she ended cautious, but I keep on top of and I do yoga almost every up becoming the poster girl for rambling it with ‘MOT’ checks. I certainly day. And I do my chanting – – Britain’s favourite pastime. A producer don’t feel my age at all,” she says. a$rming positive thoughts.” asked her if she was interested in walking Julia has been using her local park for She adds: “When the pandemic in our lives’ as he was researching a series re-tracing her daily exercise during the pandemic, "rst started I was frightened, I’ve got Alfred Wainwright’s famous walks in the posting live walking therapy sessions children, older parents, friends with With a new walking series just started on TV, Lake District. “I was very enthusiastic with her friend, psychotherapist health problems, but I found having a Julia Bradbury tells why she’s so passionate but no one knew that it would suddenly Jonathan Hoban on her website timetable and ticking o! lists helped. It’s mushroom from nothing.” theoutdoorguide.co.uk and he is good to stick to a routine for your kids. about the great outdoors... Her "rst series Wainwright Walks featured in her new series. “There have been so many fun, family was such a huge hit, that it has She says: “After the pandemic, I think times in the last few months. There have since spawned numerous walking there will be an explosion of mental been days I haven’t even got out of my programmes such as Britain’s Best Walks health issues such as depression and pyjamas! We’ve been watching movies and seen her exploring landscapes all together and we get down to their level over the world. ‘If I am feeling crowded in by and play with them to make up for the She reveals that her all-time favourite anything or have a problem, lack of playtime activity with their peers. location was in Iceland’s most famous I will always go for a walk’ “Overall, I’m incredibly lucky. We hiking route, a trail which ends at the have a garden and space in our house. huge volcanic crater at the centre of the anxiety but there will also be a huge I talk to my parents all the time and I Eyja#allajökull glacier. backlog for professional help. We are get cuddles from the kids every day. We Laughing she says: “I even learnt going to have to do a lot of self-care but have managed. But I haven’t been out how to pronounce the name. The walk nature is one tool that we can all use.” and I haven’t seen my friends socially. was the toughest of my life and when I Keeping to a structured routine at her Like everyone, I can’t wait until I can hug was being helicoptered to the top of the west London home has kept her strong them and my family again!” crater there was a real sense of danger.” during the last year. Cornwall and Devon Walks is on ITV on Julia says that as a mother of three “I have increased my exercise to at Wednesdays at 8.30pm. If you missed the young children, Zephyr (9) and twins least "ve times a week; cycling, walking !rst episode catch up at the ITV Hub PICS: BBC, ITV, SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL SHUTTERSTOCK ITV, BBC, PICS: 16 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 17.