A POPULAR rambler has stepped down as the lead of group walks.

Ron Bond, who provides a regular walking column in the Advertizer has been leading walks for decades, but has decided to take a step back.

The 85-year-old even wrote a book on his escapades as a leader.

He said: “It is with great regret and sadness that have decided that I can no longer lead groups of walkers. I now cannot walk far enough nor fast enough to lead groups.

“I can go walking with my wife to test out various short walks, but I have to divide longer walks into short sections for my own consumption.”

Over the years Ron has led over 2,000 walks with groups of people, completed all kinds of terrains and distances from three to 25 miles daily.

He has also led walks over many days covering many miles in countries including Italy, Croatia, Austria, Borneo and Kenya.

He continued: “I led high level walks for HF Holidays until I was 73 and then middle level until I was 75.

“I continued to lead local walks until I passed the 80 mark but now at 85 my walking is limited.

“I have written four books of local walks and last year I wrote a book entitled A Walk Leader’s Tales which is still on sale at Booka, Stan’s Supermarket, the library and the Heritage Centre.

“I was an active member of the local ramblers and worked for 25 years as a volunteer to clear local paths and to keep an eye on planning applications to ensure that paths are not lost.

“The work still continues now in other capable hands,” Ron added.