Our boots were made for walking...

“Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grasses and gentians of glacial meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of nature's darlings. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but nature's sources never fail” – John Muir (Wood, 2019).

Cleaning boots after the latest adventure (CT).

Many Field Studies Council staff members enjoy going for a walk, whether it be in their local area or further afield, often citing reasons of exercise, enjoyment or to explore new areas for partaking in this type of recreation. The FSC Preston Montford team are no exception to this.

May was National Walking Month and so we decided to discover some of our staffs' favourite walking locations to share with you:

Liz (Office Team)

Favourite Shropshire walk – Mortimer Forest, Ludlow because I use to go there as a child.

Favourite UK walking site – The Lake District because it’s so beautiful and pure escapism.

Looking towards Blencathra from Castlerigg Stone Circle (CT).

Derwent Water Lake (CT).

Jon (Education Team)

Favourite teaching site walk – Cwm Idwal or work site [Preston Montford Estate], because they are awesome sites.

Favourite UK walking site– The Cullins on the Isle of Skye. I’ve only been once but again an awesome location.

Linda (Hospitality Team)

Favourite Shropshire walk – Nesscliffe Hill. Kynaston Cave use to be open when I was a kid and it was great fun playing hide and seek around the hill.

Favourite food to take with you on a walk – Sandwiches, crisps and biscuits.

Views from Nesscliffe over the rolling Shropshire landscape (CT).

Humphrey Kynaston's old hide out (CT).

Vicky (Education Team)

Favourite teaching site walk – It’s between the Stiperstones (for the view) or Blists Hill (good fun).

Favourite UK walking site - Not really been to many places around UK for walking but the Peak District is lovely. It has amazing views and is Elizabeth Bennet’s landscape.

The Stiperstones NNR (CT).

Mark (Associate Tutor)

Favourite teaching site walk – Llanymynech because there is good flora and fauna, industrial history and views.

Favourite UK walking site – Beechfield Dingle, Worthen, or Benthall Edge woodland.

Phil (Education Team)

Favourite teaching site walk – Cwm Idwal. It’s a dramatic location and the lake is very nice.

Favourite UK walking site – Probably Ennerdale. It’s in the Western Lake District and is mostly wooded, and the work that Wild Ennerdale do there to rewild the valley is great – removing boundaries and allowing the river to be free-willed. They also have Galloway cattle roaming free, so it’s fantastic when you stumble upon larger herbivores just roaming around! It’s also away from the tourist hubs of Windermere and Keswick.

Cwm Idwal - a dramatic glacial landscape in winter (CT).

Jenni (Growing Confidence Project Officer)

Favourite UK walking site – Northumberland Coast or Scottish Islands for the feeling of remoteness and wilderness. West-Coast woodland for feeling of connection to nature.

Favourite item to take on a walk with you – Rosie, the dog, because she is a good excuse to go for a walk.

Rosie (CT)

Charlotte (Education Team)

Favourite teaching site walk– The Stiperstones because the landscape is so dramatic and I love it when the Whimberries (Billberries) come out. I also enjoy the folklore that surrounds this site.

Favourite UK walking site – Anywhere with a coast path! Particularly Pembrokeshire or Dorset. I just love exploring hidden beaches with their amazing rockpools and admiring stacks/arches that have stood for hundreds of years.

Rockpool find - Strawberry Anemone (CT).

Durdle Door and Man O'War Cove (CT).

Angela (Hospitality Team)

Favourite Shropshire walk – Going along the canals because it’s flat and I don’t have to go over stiles – my knees play up a bit now. Plus, it’s very peaceful.

Favourite post walk treat – Lemon drizzle cake or fruit scone!

Ian (Estate Maintenance Team/Associate Tutor)

Favourite teaching site walk – Venus Bank sand quarry because it’s fab for my favourite buddies [Bees and Wasps].

Favourite item to take on a walk with you – Hand lens.

Where have you been walking this month? Does your favourite walk match with any of ours? Where will your next walk be? Why not have a look at the FSC’s General Natural History and Walking Courses, https://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and-families/natural-history/exploring-the-natural-world/general-natural-history-and-walking.aspx, to see if you can find your next trail adventure.

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Sources

Wood, H. (2019). Quotations of John Muir - Writings - The John Muir Exhibit - Sierra Club. [online] Vault.sierraclub.org. Available at: https://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/favorite_quotations.aspx [Accessed 31 May 2019].

Photo credits

CT = Charlotte Timerick