“Walking is my passion!” Christine Hazebroucq can often be seen striding out along the paths which wend their way through the countryside around her house in Bouvelinghem, near Licques. Whatever the weather, this young woman needs her quota of fresh air. “Walking is an essential part of my life. I don’t walk to keep fit, but to spend time observing nature.”

And this is the way she plans to show her region of rolling hills to walkers and cyclists. With binoculars, a bird book, a camera and lots of patience, Christine offers visitors the opportunity to catch a glimpse of hares, squirrels and mushrooms on excursions that last one to two hours, or even a full day. “There’s a fantastic network of great footpaths right outside my door. I’m not a walking encyclopaedia, but what’s important is taking the time to observe what’s around you. To finish the walk, I know a small place in Alquines which is a bakery and which serves wonderful hot chocolate.”

For Christine, who already acts as a nature guide for her friends and acquaintances, becoming a Greeter is the next logical step in her life. She trained as a guide-lecturer at the Drac (Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles) and has just enrolled in her third year at university to become a tour guide. Add to that fifteen years spent in South Africa and you get an idea of the sort of person she is. And getting away from it all is guaranteed, especially as there’s no mobile signal in the region!