Nature and outdoors

Q: Do you spend much time outdoors? A: Less than I'd like, if I'm honest — most weekdays are spent indoors between the flat and the office. I try to compensate on weekends, though, usually with a walk somewhere green, and I've noticed I'm noticeably better company after I've had some fresh air, so I'm trying to make it a habit rather than an occasional thing. Q: Where do you go to see nature? A: There's a park about fifteen minutes from where I live that I default to most of the time — nothing spectacular, but reliable. For something more substantial I'll drive out to the hills at the edge of the city every month or two, which is a proper change of scenery rather than just a change of air. Q: Did you go outdoors more as a child? A: Enormously more, yes. I grew up somewhere fairly rural, so being outside wasn't really a choice — it was just where you ended up after school, climbing trees or messing about near the river with the other kids. Looking back, I think that unstructured time outdoors is something I've never quite replaced as an adult. Q: Is there enough green space near you? A: There's some, but it's not exactly generous. The park I mentioned gets quite crowded on sunny weekends, which tells you something about demand outstripping supply. I'd say it's enough to get by on, but I do envy people who have proper woodland or open countryside within easy reach.