Walking guides, podcasts and Linescape art
14th October — Once the home of seven farming families Dowthwaite Head rests quietly by in the upper Aira Beck valley, seldom appreciated by walkers and almost never by the general tourist. Recently sold, its future hopefully secured to sustain the traditional pastoral setting and nurture the valley as a haven for wildlife.
14th October This last weekend we gathered at the Malham Tarn FSC Centre for our annual Big Event – a rare opportunity for fellow professional writers in the great outdoors to meet. Saturday morning we set off under the guidance of Colin Speakman (right) to board a DalesBus towards Langcliffe from where we returned over a typical Yorkshire Dales limestone plateau landscape in time for the later afternoon AGM.
In the group shot are l-r: Jan and Dennis Kelsall (guide authors), Sue Viccars (Dartmoor Magazine editor) Martin Andrew (author), Gill Jenkinson, Kevin Freeborn (Pathfinder guides editor), Andrew Jenkinson (Scenesetters author), Vivenne Crow (multiple guides), Chris Howes (Descent editor), Andrew McCloy (chair of Peak District National Park Authority, with multiple walking guides to his name including the England Coast Path), Jacquetta Megarry (Rucksack Readers owner), Judith Howes and Colin Speakman (founder of the Dales Society, Dales Way and staunch transport campaigner). There were a comparable number of members engaged in other activities (out of shot) a star-studded membership of great writers and photographers – we are always looking for new professional members who’s passion is to interpret and share the wonders of the great outdoors across the globe.
13th October — walking down from Malham Tarn by upper Gordale, one can either scramble down the perilous ravine or more calmly follow a pasture path that brings one down by ancient field systems. The interface between limestone scars with their vibrant green alkaline pasture and the sour-soiled shales is starkly seen in this photo. Observe also the strip lynchets, cultivation terracing. In the foreground see remnant Iron Age field bounding stones.
11th October — A lovely weekend just passed at Malham Tarn FSC centre with fellow members of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild, which included the annual AGM and awards event. Two grand circular walks in the immediate vicinity a great inspiration with wonderful mountain limestone features such as Gordale Scar and Malham Cove. No greater inspiration the Guild’s extra special Golden Eagle Award for lifetime achievements and contributions which this year went to my good friend Colin Speakman. Attributed to his name a multitude of important outdoor and heritage books along with pioneering initiatives, including founding the Dales Society, creating the Dales Way long distance path and championing public transport for walking.
7th October — Crossing the River Esk beside St Catherine’s church at Boot, a lovely set of stepping stones. In more normal conditions a doddle (though the middle stones are rounded), but not on this Tuesday! It is always wise to reflect on the catchment of some of Lakeland’s great rivers, the Esk draws down from the eastern heights of the Scafells and the southern slopes of Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags. A great bowl of mighty fells ensuring a fantastic volume of flood water in any storm.
6th October — One of the most impressive stations of vantage for the river is that from the viaduct footpath linking Great Corby with Wetheral Station. The view extends to the hills above Liddesdale. Took a few minutes out from a trip to Carlisle to consider the path as an important link in a potential linear twelve stage 80-mile long Ticket2Stride station-to-station country walk between Carlisle and Newcastle.
5th October — A long drive in consistently damp weather took my wife and me to Boot for the recording of episode #66 of Countrystride. A wild walk over the fell by Eel Tarn with David Felton, bracketed with lovely conversations with author Patricia Nolan at the Boot Inn and Noel & Janet Baines at Hows Farm.
3rd October — Another day rent with rain and brilliant sunshine. Yet as the afternoon advanced I made a sortie along Hadrian’s Wall to capture the classic view eastward from Steel Rigg. White and black Galloway cattle adding to the age-old pastoral essence of a stunning view of the craggy Whin Sill escarpment.
2nd October — Meeting up with my great friend Paul Weston from Bath University, who made a special trip up from his holiday lodgings in Ravenglass. I took him to visit the Roman Fort and survey the fabulous landscape setting. Like me Paul soaks up heritage landscapes with keen-eyed relish. We glanced at the post-excavation covers on the eastern extra-mural settlement from this last summer’s dig. Then considered the marriage of nature and classical remains, so well observed at the East Gate of the fort where an aged ash tree forms such a harmonious tonal foreground to the lichen-covered fort walls and gateway – aligned to the Hadrianic era turf wall of Hadrian’s Wall.
Mark Richards: Outdoor Writer