Spring! The Perfect Time Of Year For Walking In The UK
After a few false starts, it really is Spring in the UK. It’s a beautiful time of year to get out and about walking.
Here’s a bit of inspiration – the Brecon Beacons offer wonderful walking for everyone from leisure strollers to all-day-in-the-wild wanderers. Here’s a pic to whet your appetite, taken on route ‘Crib y Garth’ researched, recorded and photographed by author Bob Greaves who knows this area like the back of his hand.
This route climbs steadily up the Olchon Valley and returns along the narrow, most easterly, of the Black Mountain ridges which is popularly known as The Cat’s Back. The pic was taken half way along this ridge. It could be you in that landscape!
More info at http://www.dwgwalking.co.uk/brecon%20beacons.htm
La Gomera – thanks to ‘Inspire Our Trip’
La Gomera – on Walk 31 (from Walk! La Gomera by Charles Davis). Image courtesy of ‘Inspire Our Trip’.
‘Inspire Our Trip’ on twitter said:-
“Brilliant hike and a great day walk. Thank you Charles Davis for Walk 31.”
Charles Davis is the author of Walk! La Gomera:- see http://www.dwgwalking.co.uk/walkla.htm
https://twitter.com/InspireOurTrip/status/455766577577988096/photo/1
Mallorca: Update on the GR221 – thanks Eryk Grant
These notes were sent by Eryk Grant re the GR221, while using Charles Davis’ book ‘The GR221 – Mallorca’s Drystone Way’
http://www.dwgwalking.co.uk/mallGR221Spec.htm , notably the stretch between Esporles and Valldemossa.
“Hi Charles
Walked this section last Sunday (6th April) without any problem.
The Mallorcan town of Valldemossa
There were five other walkers on the route and it looks like the obstructions placed by the landowner (notices and fence) are largely ignored. I saw no attempt to ‘repair’ the fence and it was easy to negotiate-there are cairns galore and helpful green/yellow spots on rocks. The track has not become overgrown suggesting it is really well used. There is also a shiny new GR route map in Esporles town centre showing the route going through and all the subsequent wayposts except one refer to it. I guess there may be some tacit acceptance that walking will continue and I would not hesitate to walk this part again.
Up by the Tossals refuge there is a fair amount of building material but not much sign that anything is happening! Last time we stayed there in 2012 we had a conversation with a Dutch couple who were using your DWG guide, and making their way based on “what does Charles say?” – your directions and supporting commentary have never let us down either and in fact have really added to the enjoyment in places.”
Thanks Erik – feedback from walkers who’ve been there is valuable both for those who come after you, as well as providing us with valuable information for new editions.
Madeira: Good news – PR1 high altitude route re-opens
The route to Pico Ruivo
Madeira’s majestic high-level mountain route, the PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, has re-opened to walkers.
Landslides that had damaged the route have been cleared and fencing replaced.
This is the BIG one for high altitude afficionades!
(Image, thanks to Shirley Whitehead, walking researcher and author) – see http://www.dwgwalking.co.uk/mad.htm
Lanzarote Report (and what’s a thingy?) – thanks, John and José
Manrique’s Monument to the Campesino Thingy
John and Jose sent this great email after their walking holiday on Lanzarote. Their comments about the Lanzarote ‘Thingys’ raised a smile!
5 April 2014
Hi there,
We just like to say how helpful the walking guide for Lanzarote (Walk! Lanzarote) has been to us.
We’re just back from this gorgeous island and `did lots of walks from the guide.
Lobster Traffic Island Thingy
At times that we lost our way or got confused, it was always our own fault, misreading or misinterpreting the directions. In hindside we’d say: “it was actually in the guide!” and “Yes, they did warn us it might be confusing”.
We also enjoyed the humour in the guide. It was like having the writers winking at us, giving us encouragement.
We had some trouble with the name ‘Thingy’ for all the sculptural-roundabout-objects, but could not come up with a better name either, so
Lanzarote Toast Rack Thingy
Thingy it will be now for us too 😉
Best of luck with future guides, we will definitely look for one again on our next walking
holiday.
Kind regards, John and José (Wicklow, Ireland)
discoverywalking 