SOME people love surprises, some don't. I fall into the latter category. I have never been a big fan of surprises, no matter how big or small.
A few weeks ago, I was asked to take part in a work project which would involve going for a walk with someone whose identity would be revealed on the day. Despite this being my idea of hell, I agreed, outwardly joking about it. Inside, I really was feeling quite anxious.
The plan was to go for a walk in a well known place for the BBC Radio Ulster/Radio Foyle Summer project 'The Big Walk' – the aim is to help and encourage our listeners to get out walking this summer and to invite us along for the craic. This walk was my audition.
As I drove to Florence Court in Fermanagh, the big walk chosen by my anonymous co-presenter, I felt like I was going on a blind date. Reader, my aversion to surprises have never allowed me to go on a blind date for this very reason.
With a belly full of butterflies, I arrived at Florence Court – I met the audio team who gave me a microphone, then off I went to meet my 'date' for the day.
I walked towards the walled garden where they were waiting for me. The only thought racing through my head was who is it? Will we genuinely get on? What on earth are we going to talk about? Standard blind date anxiety.
I walked through the arch into the Walled Garden, looked to my left and there he was. It was (in my best Wagatha Christie voice)... Declan Harvey.
Once we got the awkward small talk out of the way, off we went for our walk.
Tucked in at the foot of Cuilcagh Mountain, surrounded by forests, Florence Court is one of the very grand 'big houses' which populate this part of the world. It was built in the mid-18th century and is now maintained by the National Trust.
There are three different walks, from 2km to 5km, the story of the grounds and some of the historical workings of the estate have been maintained for posterity, giving visitors and idea of what life was like there in the past.
As we walked along under the shade of the horse chestnut trees in bloom, I felt like a child again, going on nature walks with my Granda. He taught me how to identify trees, bushes and flowers when I was younger.
Some of this has stayed with me, and I tried to dazzle Declan with my knowledge - but I would need a refresher course.
We met a few people along the way. While some were too shy to stop and chat to us, others had no problem striking up a conversation.
We spoke to a woman out walking her dog who lives in England and was home for a funeral, and ended up having a very poignant conversation about why the Irish wake is so important.
Another man stopped with us and regaled us with stories of the history of the estate. He was so knowledgeable, I was convinced that the producer had arranged for us to 'accidentally' cross paths – but no, and as he walked on he said, "You just have to see Florence Court in May." He wasn't wrong.
As we walked up to the big house itself, I wondered if Mr Darcy was going to appear walking through the buttercups. It is like something out of a Jane Austen novel.
There were children playing 'rolly polly' in front of the house. I was tempted to join in, such was the giddiness and joy I was feeling from having spent the early afternoon in the company of someone who just two hours previous had been a voice on the radio to me.
On the way home, I made the most of what was left of a beautiful day in May, and headed off on another walk. This time, my Mummy and I went for a coffee in the Moy and then walked along the banks of the River Blackwater and into the grounds of the Argory – one of the big houses in our locality and one of her favourite childhood walks.
As for Declan, well, I'm waiting on him to arrange the second date. I'll keep you posted.
::You can listen to Lynette and Declan's Big Walk now on BBC Sounds.
