Lisa Oxenham

Marie Claire UK

When Eliza was 14 months old I took her to Gran Canaria. Every morning before sunrise I strapped her to my chest and off we would go to hit the highest point of the peak and watch the sunrise together over the ocean.

This year we returned. I strapped my now three year old daughter to my back and off we went – getting to the top and then roll down the dunes together, take our trainers off and paddle in the sea all the way back to Seaside Palm Beach Hotel. These times have been probably some of the most beautifully fulfilling memories I have with her. Since we’ve been in lockdown I’ve been walking cross-country carrying her every day for seven weeks and not only has it helped with my feelings of stress and it’s a positive start to the day for both of us, I’ve also noticed an incredible improvement in my cardio endurance and strength. I can’t wait to get back to Gran Canaria and do it all again – we miss the ocean and the dunes too. It’s the sort of thing I would love to do with Eliza every year – although I’m not sure how long I can go on carrying her for – but we are never too old to roll down the dunes.