One of the delights of my life is presenting this podcast in harmony with producer/director David Felton. We began in late summer 2018 and have kept up a steady flow of episodes. We have now produced well over a hundred episodes, which is no mean feat for self-financed production.
Episode 113: Why we run (Danielle Ledbury)
The focus of this episode was the book ‘Why We Run‘ written and illustrated by Danielle Ledbury and published by Inspired by Lakeland. Danielle shared the conversation with two close friends Chloe Thwaites and Jacob Tonkin as we wandered up and down the fabulous Glenderaterra valley from the Blencathra Centre. The six-mile wander was windy but dry. Though throughout the duration of our walk there was much rain in evidence to the south as we gazed through the wide gorge in the direction of High Rigg and Thirlmere.
The three guests finished the walk at a steady jog, while Dave and I strode at our normal handsome pace. I teased with our guests that I might try a spot of fellrunning, though I suspect the most likely ‘jogging’ I’ll do is with my memory! This liberty gave Dave and I the freedom to wrap up the podcast in the peaceful wooded dell close to Glenderaterra Beck.
Owing to the scheduling, we also used the situation to record the top and bottom of episode 112, as Dave had been down to Hampstead the previous day interviewing Melvyn Bragg returning in the evening – showing his dedication to the CS cause.
Episode 114: Fell Foodie (Harrison Ward)
Super day out on Monday 27th November with Fell Foodie Harrison Ward on Silver How, sampling his cuisine alfresco on the fells above Grasmere. We started appropriately from the door of Sam Read’s Bookshop admiring a signed copy of Harrison’s book Cook Out. We then made our way up by Allan Bank venturing by a walled lane duly enjoying the wild cooking kitchen moments in the wind sheltered Wray Gill to reach the summit. Cloud on the higher fells did not completely frustrate our eyes as we gazed 360 degrees at a wonderful panorama of mighty fells. The highlight of our walk and recording the feast Harrison prepared in-situ within the tight ravine of Wray Gill sheltered by holly and juniper. It was a convivial half-hour with delicious and warming plate of veggie stew putting a smile on everyone’s face. This episode will go live on Friday 8th December.
We recorded our Christmas episode of Countrystride at the Shap home of Ivan Day, the food historian and polymath. Sharing the limelight Helen Rebanks, author of the Faber book ‘The Farmer’s Wife’. This magical episode goes live on 22nd December providing warmth and festive cheer with authentic and hugely tasty Cumbrian food prepared on the coal-fired range. We will be recording our Review of our podcasting year on 13th December to go live on New Year’s Eve.
Mark Richards: Outdoor Writer 