To find what’s happened to Michael Mosley quite anxiety provoking

It's not a crime by any means ( it's perfectly legal) while it's totally fine for anyone going for a walk alone in a shadowy area on the south of France it's quite risky in Greece under 40 degrees and in a cliff area while carrying no phone. Maybe a young person with no health issues would have been fine but an older man who is not used to high temperatures with health issues is playing Russian roulette.

The story sadly reminds me of the lady who did a solo hike in America a few years ago. She went unprepared. She nipped into a bush to do a wee, stood up and couldn't find the path again. She was found dead about two years later and about 150 metres from the path. That story didn't add up either.

@TwixOwl could you explain what you mean by "That story didn't add up", please? Do you mean you think she wasn't really lost?

Ultimately MM was a clever man who normally gave topics a lot of thought.

Something has happened that has disrupted his decision-making - probably heat, or feeling poorly, or politeness/feeling he couldn’t tell the hosts the beach was minging and boring him or whatever - and he’s made an error of judgment.

We all do, all the time. Fortunately we normally get away with it. Unfortunately he didn’t.

It’s just very sad and I’m not really sure anger etc it’s fair - though it may be natural to a degree.

The 'same route' risk mitigation is an interesting one, given that lone female runners are advised to vary their route to protect them from would-be attackers. When there are competing risks associated with the same activity, it's not as straightforward.

Wow, I'd hate to be an old man being analysed on Mumsnet. Going for a walk whilst on holiday is not usually considered such a terrible crime.

I'm from a mediterranean country and during summer we don't plan outdoor activities under the direct sun during 12 noon and 4:00 pm, we stay indoors or in shadowy places just chilling, and it's not because we're lazy, there's a strong reason for that. If it's not safe for us (olive skin toned people) with bodies used to high temperatures I don't want to think the effect this has on a British man who is not used to it, specially at 2:00 pm when the heat is at it's strongest point, it's utter madness.

Mine have in my forties. I definitely notice not getting thirsty.

Yes but equally people are quick to assume that not eating well is all upfs and Twix.

In reality a lot of the most delicious foods ( I’m thinking oozy upf free cheeses - vacherin! Yum! - creamy truffled gratins, Armagnac soaked sponge with chocolate delice topping etc) would for many people give a Greek salad a run for its money without a upf in sight. I’d pick a salad over a twix or McDonald’s any day. But over a truffled porcini risotto… not so sure …

The problem is that in our minds, we are still much younger in how we think of ourselves than our bodies have aged (if that makes sense?). So many people would happily think they could cope with doing potentially risky things, based on getting away with doing such activities at a much younger (decades!) age. But in one's 50s, 60s or 70s one might come a cropper, as did poor Michael Mosley.

Central thirst receptors also deteriorate with age - starting in the 50s - so that older people are more prone to unknowingly becoming dehydrated because they don't feel thirsty in the same way

Yes but actually I wasn’t entirely sure as not a medic but you have said the same so I think it is the case.

Expierenced mountaineers with all the gear and know what they are doing and dont take chances have accidents and die.
Dog walkers who are a couple if times a day on the same route can trip and fall.
Inexperienced unfit people can make it to the top of Hellvelyn with no issues.

The lady that said she sticks to the same route, could easily slip and bang her head. She may be on the same route but nobody goes past and dh doesn't know anything is wrong because she within her normal walking time.
Anything can happen to anyone even if you have prepared well.
Shit hapens as some may say.

Is just a roll of the dice what happens to you.

@Goldenbear sorry we cross posted.

@GingerbicciesPlease Our temperature regulation depends on our autonomic nervous system. This deteriorates as we age. Being fit is good at any age. It does not eradicate all of the impact of getting older.

Isn’t it the case though that heatstroke is more detrimental to the person In their 60s than their 40’s however fit you are as the central nervous system starts to deteriorate in your 60s.

Risks mean different things to different people. Many people fail to assess the impact of accumulated risks from eating badly or lack of exercise. It is these accumulated risks that ultimately kill more people in the UK than accidents or risky hobbies. The BHF estimated that over 30k people died from obesity last year and this is likely to be an underestimate as it is linked to so many diseases.

I was very anxious waiting for a hospital procedure. I read somewhere..a coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man dies but once. That thought at that time helped keep me calm. Not a panacea but works for me sometimes.

This!

I wanted to say the same but was struggling to word it myself. I much rather have greek yog or dark choc than a donut or Twix.

You see it here all the time, that healthy living is dull and something to be endured. But people are ignorant and just assume it means tomato soup and beansprouts. But it’s nothing like that, we eat exceptionally well as a family and I still use many of Clare Bailey’s recipes from Fast800 books. I just make the portions bigger as we are not trying to lose weight anymore. The cook books also have a great selection of puddings and treats, I highly recommend them.

There are thousands of car related deaths every year, yet no-one stops driving

Times subscriber here and that isn't corroborated by any direct quotes, unlike the "he went for a walk" quote from his wife.

I agree with you that it is a good idea and it is certainly something I encourage with my eldest who is 17 but he is always going off piste and will just text me DW (don’t worry), he must take after my Dad who I mentioned upthread and definitely is characteristically this way inclined. I am already getting worried about his first holiday with his cousin and friend the same age as I am worried about swimming in the sea etc. his cousin is very sporty and I feel he will get swept up with this over confidence. DH tells me that it is ok as he has friends have kids of similar age going abroad, probably drinking in very hot weather so it could be worse. I was similar though and never told my Mum where I was really going, this makes me worry more!

But an ageing body depends hugely on all kinds of things.

I have friends in their 60s who are very fit indeed and far fitter than many 40 year olds who are overweight and obese.

I know someone in their mid-60s who runs marathons all over the world each year.

Fitness is a spectrum at all ages.

It's easy to measure fitness with tests for heart and lung health, and muscle strength.

I'm sure MM had done all of those at some point but that doesn't mean he (or most people) wouldn't succumb to heatstroke in those conditions when they didn't have enough water or ways to cool down.

My ex boyfriend's sister did exactly this and was hit by a car and killed. She was only 21.

I understand you OP. I am only in my 40's but since having kids am a lot more risk averse - its just not worth the risk, but then you think 'he was only going for a walk on holiday'! However he was very irresponsible in the way he did it - 67 years old, no phone, small bottle of water in 37 degree heat (and the heat in that part of the world is fierce) and on his own. That's a recipe for possible disaster if ever I heard one. The thing is, if we borrow trouble from tomorrow all the time it ruins our todays - I guess we have to try and strike a balance but yes, the unpredictability of life is terrifying frankly.