*Video taken during a walking interview
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"I turned up 15 minutes before the walk was due to begin and immediately noticed a few other people waiting near the station, but no one spoke or appeared to recognize each other. It's a bright and chilly day in December, and everyone is wrapped up warm in coats and scarves. Soon, Bethany, the walk leader and Meetup host, emerges from the station and waves to some waiting people, and we all begin to gather around her as she takes our names and payment. Bethany gives a quick overview of the route we will take and tells us to enjoy the walk. In a group of around 15, we walk from the station into the park and begin our route. One of the walkers has brought his dog, Lexi, and she runs around sniffing happily."
(Fieldnotes, 7 December 2019)
"Whilst we trudge through the park, I chat to people. The group is a mix of ages. Some are chatty whereas others seem content to listen and walk. Often, people strike up conversation by asking, 'Have you been on a walk with Bethany before?'. I fall into conversation with Richard, a man in his 40s who is a regular at a few different Meetup groups."
(Fieldnotes, 7 December 2019)
"To me, London is associated with loneliness and business. There's a sense of transience here - people come and go, and it can be difficult to connect with people."
"These walks are great for moving your body and getting outside, and for the human connection. We all have a shared hobby, walking, and we can socialize and build a community around that."
Richard
"We walk for about two hours, with a short cafe break towards the end. On a few occasions, members of the group take out their cameras to snap photos of nature or nice views. People comment on how much they enjoy getting outside and have positive things to say about the power of the internet to bring people together."
(Fieldnotes, 7 December 19)