Having finally negotiated the great British suburban obstacle course, Christine and I arrived at the home of my old friends Kerry and Trev.

They were my neighbours more than 40 years ago, and although an awful lot has changed around this part of Hampshire, I’m delighted to report that these two haven’t changed a bit.

Welcome to the Fit Family.

Now, most people have a fairly relaxed approach to their daily activities.

Perhaps a morning walk, a bit of gardening, a round of golf or a game of tennis.

Not this family.

Why play tennis once a day when you can squeeze in three games?

Then perhaps a round of golf.

Walk the dog.

Another walk.

Maybe a bit of cycling, including unicycling.

And somewhere in between, organise the next week’s activities.

I don’t think Kerry and Trev actually understand the concept of sitting still.

If one of them sits down for more than ten minutes, I suspect the other checks for a pulse.

And they’re both so annoyingly fit!

Long, lean, energetic and apparently capable of carrying on like this indefinitely.

I feel exhausted just listening to their plans.

The Secret Superfood

And then there’s the tea.

Good God, the amount of tea this family drinks!

I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Cups of tea before going out.

Cups of tea while they are out.

Cups of tea when they get back.

Cups of tea between activities.

Cups of tea while discussing the next activity.

I’m fairly certain the kettle is the hardest-working member of the household.

And yet, despite consuming enough tea to keep Yorkshire in business for the next decade, they remain ridiculously fit and energetic.

Which has led me to one obvious conclusion.

Tea is clearly a superfood.

Forget protein shakes, energy drinks and expensive nutritional supplements.

Apparently all you need is a kettle, a box of teabags and the ability to drink approximately 400 cups a day.

I’m seriously considering taking up the regime myself.

Although I suspect I’d spend considerably more time looking for a toilet than playing tennis.

And this enthusiasm for being active has clearly been passed down through the generations.

The grandchildren are already getting involved in cycling, rock climbing, triathlons, sailing and table tennis.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they start organising family decathlons before breakfast.

But it’s genuinely lovely to see children so enthusiastic about getting outdoors, trying different sports and being active.

And I have to say, staying with this family has certainly kept me moving.

Twenty thousand steps in a day.

Yes.

Twenty THOUSAND.

I normally consider ten thousand a respectable achievement.

Apparently, that’s just the warm-up around here.

Rediscovering the Hampshire Coast

But what wonderful places we’ve been walking.

Living so close to Hamble means there are some absolutely beautiful routes right on the doorstep.

We’ve wandered through woods, around Victoria Country Park, along the banks of the River Hamble and on stretches of the England Coast Path beside the Solent.

Sometimes accompanied by their lovely black Labrador-cross, Sienna, who appears to have inherited the family enthusiasm for exercise, especially swimming!

Sometimes with the grandchildren.

And always with somebody who seems perfectly capable of walking another ten miles after I’ve decided we’ve probably done enough.

It’s been lovely rediscovering this part of Hampshire on foot.

There are wooded paths, open views across the water, boats everywhere and all those little corners you simply don’t notice when you’re driving.

And then there’s Hamble itself.

What a gorgeous place.

Yachts, Gin Palaces and a Tiny Pink Ferry

Hamble is one of those lovely old English villages that has somehow managed to retain much of its character.

Narrow streets, old buildings, little shops and pubs.

And then you reach the waterfront.

Oh, the boats!

Rows and rows of yachts.

Some very beautiful ones.

Some very expensive-looking ones.

And some enormous floating gin palaces that probably cost more than an entire street of houses.

I have absolutely no idea what people do with all that space on a boat.

Perhaps they need somewhere to store their other boats.

The marina is quite a sight.

And amongst all these impressive vessels is something rather wonderful.

A tiny pink ferry.

Yes, pink.

It potters backwards and forwards across the River Hamble between Hamble and Warsash.

While the enormous yachts sit there looking terribly important, this little pink ferry just gets on with the job.

I rather like that.

I was also lucky enough to visit Hamble when the village market was on.

Stalls selling all sorts of food and other wares, people wandering around having a browse, and that lovely atmosphere you get in a small English village when everyone seems to have come out for a nosey.

It was delightful.

And the whole area is just beautiful.

The Solent, the river, the old village, the boats, the woods and the coastal paths.

I’d forgotten how much there was to enjoy here.

Still Going Strong

It’s been wonderful spending time with Kerry and Trev again.

More than 40 years since we were neighbours, and here we are, still enjoying each other’s company, still laughing and now exploring the beautiful Hampshire countryside together.

Well, they’re exploring.

I’m occasionally trying to catch my breath.

But I have loved it.

The walks, the conversations, the gorgeous coastline, the grandchildren, the dog and, of course, the endless cups of tea.

And it’s lovely to see how their enthusiasm for life and getting outdoors has carried on through the family.

I arrived expecting to catch up with some old friends and enjoy a few pleasant walks.

I seem to have accidentally enrolled in a residential fitness programme.

With unlimited tea.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed rediscovering this beautiful part of the south coast, and I really couldn’t have asked for better company.

But I’ve learnt one very important lesson.

If the Fit Family invite you out for a little walk, pack provisions.

And possibly a sleeping bag.

You could be gone for days.

Although, knowing Kerry and Trev, they’ll probably have the kettle on before you’ve even taken your boots off.