Much as I prefer walking over mountains, open fellsides and rights of way, I never mind occasional strolls around country lanes – particularly if there’s not much traffic on them. Many of the great walkers of the past – people like George Borrow, Jim Phelan, Walter Starkie etc. (do read their books if you haven’t)Continue reading “Walking the Lanes of the Eden Valley”
Tag Archives: Appleby Gypsy Horse Fair
No Man’s Land
The concept of No Man’s Land seems strange in relation to country walking. Surely it’s a military term, the terrain between two opposing armies, such as on the Western Front in the Great War? Seventy-five years ago, my father was stationed near Battle Abbey in Sussex, waiting to participate in the Normandy Landings. The lastContinue reading “No Man’s Land”
The Hoff Beck Walk
I was pleased to see that the Eden Rivers Trust has created a formal walk – the Hoff Beck Walk – along the lovely little river of that name close to Appleby in Westmorland. The new trail follows the Hoff Beck from Colby to the picturesque Rutter Falls, passing through peaceful and uncrowded countryside. I’veContinue reading “The Hoff Beck Walk”
The Stopping Places
Damian Le Bas, The Stopping Places: A Journey through Gypsy Britain (London: Chatto and Windus 2018). ISBN: 978178471037. Hardback, price £14.99. A review by John Bainbridge. In this fascinating and well-written book, Damian Le Bas overturns many of the public perceptions about modern Gypsies and their way of life, but carefully references Romany heritage andContinue reading “The Stopping Places”
A path that goes somewhere
A few weeks ago, I blogged about the importance of walking paths which come to a sudden halt, suggesting that there is always something to see along the way. There is no such thing as a path that goes nowhere. All paths go somewhere, even if you have to come back the way you went.Continue reading “A path that goes somewhere”
Walking the Old Ways 