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-in-Westmorland
Walking the Roman Road
The Romans put a road through the valley, crossing the Pennines via the Stainmore Gap. A famous road even in later years, where the Viking king Eric Bloodaxe died bloodily. Much of the road’s now incorporated into the present A66. Look at the Ordnance Survey map and see the many Roman forts along the way.Continue reading “Walking the Roman Road”
Winter Walk with Ammil
On Dartmoor they call it the ammil – the moment when ice captures surfaces in the landscape, transforming the slightest twig on a tree and even spiders’ webs into something white and other-worldly. Ammil is only a Dartmoor term as far as I know, and there must be many variants – let me know belowContinue reading “Winter Walk with Ammil”
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”
Walking the Old Ways 