Blogs archive

For decades the Ramblers have poetically spoken of the ‘refreshment of spirit’ brought about by walking, not only in remote places but indeed just about anywhere.

Physical inactivity is killing more people than smoking and getting more people walking is vital to fix this problem. Our paths are the first place people turn to go walking. Despite this, funding for our footpaths has been cut again and again.

Last year the Ramblers helped 1200 people to safeguard their local paths, including most recently the historic Mud Lane, at Purton in Wiltshire, which had been neglected for decades.

Spring is always an exciting time to be out and about looking for birds – and one of the best ways to enjoy birdlife is to visit distinct habitats.

As Spring approaches the first sign of the impending abundance wild food is often Wild Garlic. Lime flowers are usually found later in the Spring, and can be used in soothing herbal tisanes.

For many people spring is a favorite time of year - new growth gives the countryside a fresh green hue and new life evident almost everywhere you look!

Although not particularly bright, Polaris lies in an area of sky devoid of bright stars and therefore stands out quite well.

Q is for quicksands – The oddest place I’ve ever walked, by a country mile, is that ‘most dreadful gulfe and shippe swallower’, the Goodwin Sands.

The unadorned Essex coast may lack the huge cliffs of Cape Wrath, and the dunes of Norfok or Lincolnshire. But the sights from Dengie’s uninterrupted sea wall conjure an atmosphere of their own.

The feel of the sun soaking through my coat is a joy I'd almost forgotten, as I make my way to Hampton Court to meet the London Strollers. This afternoon they are walking to Richmond, via Kingston, following part of the 184-miles of Thames Path.