Outside in all weathers as a tour guide, I like to think I know a thing or two about battling the cold weather.
In this short series for January I'm sharing my winter weather tips with you hardy punters who join me rain or sleet in the winter months.
I'm beginning the series with…
Jumping Jacks
Keeping warm on a winter walking tour? Two words: Jumping Jacks.
This is my tried-and-tested method of keeping my walkers warm on winter walking tours. I have been working this into my winter walks for six years now.
Admittedly the walkers with whom I have been jumping have mostly been under the age of 7 on schools walking tours – a demographic that can really take Jumping Jacks in their stride.
One Saturday I led a group of adults and children celebrating a 40th birthday with a walking tour of Bankside. A very jolly bunch despite the perishing cold.
One-and-a-quarter hours in to the tour, with a stiff easterly punching at us, there was only one thing for it. I gave a short explanation and launched in to a demonstration. My group needed NO encouragement and within seconds we were all jumping up and down on the spot between the site of the old Rose and Globe theatres.
It was a lot more successful than my previous attempt – on the Rock'n'Roll London Walk – where a group of walkers simply stood and watched while I did jumping jacks on my own in Frith Street. Luckily for my dignity's sake, it was Soho and my behavior was the least outlandish thing on display.
Earlier this winter I even tried it with my students on the Westminster Guiding Course. They joined in – but I get the impression that they felt it was compulsory.
I will no doubt be busting this move again before the winter is out. So if you're unsure how to do Jumping Jacks, here's an instructional video (costume and false moustache optional)…
My Public Scheduled Tours for January 2020
16th January 2020 – Inside Covent Garden – 10am Covent Garden Tube
16th January 2020 – Old Kensington – 2pm High Street Kensington Tube
16th January 2020 – Jack The Ripper – 7.30pm Tower Hill Tube (by the tram)
SOLD OUT
18th January 2020 – London Horror Story – 7.30pm St Paul's Tube
30th January 2020 – Old Kensington – 2pm High Street Kensington Tube
30th January 2020 – Jack The Ripper – 7.30pm Tower Hill Tube (by the tram)
31st January 2020 – Beatlemania! The Beatles In London 1961-65 – 10am Embankment tube
31st January 2020 – Rock'n'Roll London – 2pm Tottenham Court Road Tube (exit 1)
My Public Scheduled Tours for February 2020
1st February 2020 – London Horror Story – 7.30pm St Paul's Tube
2nd February 2020 – Beatlemania! The Beatles In London 1961-65 – 10am Embankment tube
13th February 2020 – Inside Covent Garden – 10am Covent Garden Tube
13th February 2020 – Old Kensington – 2pm High Street Kensington Tube
13th February 2020 – Jack The Ripper – 7.30pm Tower Hill Tube (by the tram)
14th February 2020 – Beatlemania! The Beatles In London 1961-65 – 10am Embankment tube
14th February 2020 – Rock'n'Roll London – 2pm Tottenham Court Road Tube (exit 1)
15th February 2020 – Beatlemania! The Beatles In London 1961-65 – 10am Embankment tube
27th February 2020 – London Horror Story – 7.30pm St Paul's Tube
27th February 2020 – Old Kensington – 2pm High Street Kensington Tube
27th February 2020 – Jack The Ripper – 7.30pm Tower Hill Tube (by the tram)
28th February 2020 – Beatlemania! The Beatles In London 1961-65 – 10am Embankment tube
28th February 2020 – Rock'n'Roll London – 2pm Tottenham Court Road Tube (exit 1)
29th February 2020 – The Beatles + The Rolling Stones in 1960s London – 10.30am Leicester Sq Tube (exit 1)
29th February 2020 – London Horror Story – 7.30pm St Paul's Tube
Keep In Touch…
