{"id":25601,"date":"2023-05-09T13:36:25","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T11:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=25601"},"modified":"2023-05-10T11:13:48","modified_gmt":"2023-05-10T09:13:48","slug":"walking-in-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2023\/05\/09\/walking-in-the-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Walking in the country"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pictures \u203a Wildlife \u203a People & Places \u203a Country Know-how \u203a Food<\/p>\n\n

THE BIG PICTURE <\/h4>\n\n
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Magic Malverns<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Dividing the counties of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, the Malvern Hills ridge path offers gorgeous panoramic views and a sense of loftiness usually associated with higher peaks. From 27 May, Malvern Walking Festival celebrates this AONB with nine days of themed and guided walks, from stopping in at a brewery on a hop farm or finding the most majestic trees of the Malverns to exploring routes off the beaten track (malvernwalking.uk). See page 10 for more walking festivals to try this spring. <\/p>\n\n

THE MERCURIAL CUCKOO <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
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\u201cThe cuckoo comes in April, sings his song in May, changes his tune in the month of June, and then he flies away.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Now on the red list of endangered species in the UK, cuckoo numbers have dropped alarmingly in recent decades, but if you\u2019re walking on Dartmoor, in the New Forest, the Brecon Beacons or the western Highlands of Scotland, you should see one. A notorious brood parasite, the cuckoo lays a single egg in the nest of another bird, which then raises the chick, thinking it is one of its own. Preferred foster parents are dunnocks, meadow pipits and reed warblers. Because cuckoos take no part in rearing their young, their breeding season here is very short, arriving in April and returning to Africa by as early as late June. <\/p>\n\n

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JOIN IN <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Walking Festivals<\/h4>\n\n
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Is there a more uplifting time to be out exploring the British countryside than that sweet spot between spring and summer, when the hills, woodlands and riverbanks are at their lushest? It\u2019s a period to celebrate, and a host of walking festivals do a fine job of this. Here are a few to look out for… <\/p>\n\n

May: National Walking Month <\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n

19\u201321 May Winchcombe Walking Festival<\/strong>
This year, the Cotswold festival is offering 21 walks, each led by knowledgeable leaders. Learn about local history and farming, discover Winchcombe\u2019s lost pubs, hunt for orchids, or take on the popular \u2013 if a little gruelling \u2013 21-mile challenge. There\u2019s even the opportunity to try your foot at Nordic Walking. winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com<\/a>

20 May \u2013 4 June Guernsey<\/strong>
Join expert guides on coastal hikes, quiet lanes or in the beautiful island capital, learn about the German occupation of Sark in the Second World War, and discover Herm\u2019s flora and fauna. visitguernsey.com\/see-and-do\/eventsfestivals\/spring-walking-festival<\/a>

12\u201318 May Newton Stewart <\/strong><\/strong>
Enjoy the wonderfully unspoilt landscape of Galloway in the week-long Walkfest, which offers 30 routes, transport, guides and evening social events. walkfestnewtonstewart.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n

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FIVE MORE WALKING FESTIVALS <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

5\u20139 May Kendal <\/strong><\/strong>
kendalwalkingfestival.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13\u201321 May Isle of Wight <\/strong><\/strong>
isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13\u201325 May National Forest <\/strong><\/strong>
nationalforest.org\/visit\/national-forest-walking-festival<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13\u201328 May Suffolk <\/strong><\/strong>
suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

19\u201321 May Prestatyn and Clwydian Range <\/strong><\/strong>
prestatynwalkingfestival.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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MUST READ<\/h5>\n\n

SPRINGWATCH: GREAT BRITISH WALKS<\/span><\/strong>
100 wildlife walks through our beautiful countryside <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
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Springwatch: Great British Walks by Luke Waterson (Penguin, \u00a318.99)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

This book of hikes from BBC <\/em>Springwatch <\/em>takes you into some of Britain\u2019s most special wildlife habitats. There\u2019s a good range of short circular and full-day treks, with practical information \u2013 such as start and end points, distances and accessibility \u2013 in the order you want it. With basic route maps and wildlife illustrations, it has some lovely colour throughout: \u201cAt the end of this glorious stretch of ancient woodland, eventually tapering almost to a gorge, is Janet\u2019s Foss waterfall. Janet, queen of the faeries according to legend, lived behind the falls at this enchanting spot.\u201d Useful and inspiring. Reviewed <\/em>by <\/em>Tanya <\/em>Jackson <\/em><\/p>\n\n

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This month on the Plodcast <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
New season of Plodcasts for you to enjoy \u2013 for free <\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Our new season of the award-winning Plodcast is all about making the most of spring. Join the team and special guests including Mike Dilger, Charlotte Church and Sabrina Pace-Humphreys as they head out on quests to find wildlife, explore historic sites and capture stunning birdsong. It\u2019s the perfect escape into the countryside whenever you need it. Find the Plodcast on Apple, Spotify and all good podcast providers. <\/p>\n\n

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FEEL-GOOD TRIAL BARS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By Margaret Bartlett<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fuel your next walking adventure with a batch of these delicious low-sugar energy-giving snack bars, crammed with nutritious seeds, nuts and dried fruit. Adapted from a BBC Good Food <\/em>recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MAKES 12 BARS<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 50g butter, plus a little extra for greasing <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 3 tbsp golden syrup or honey <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 1 ripe banana, mashed <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 1 apple, grated <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 250g rolled oats <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 1 tsp cinnamon <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 85g dried apricots, chopped <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 50g raisins <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 50g cranberries <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 85g mixed seeds (we used sunflower, pumpkin and sesame) <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 50g almonds, roughly chopped <\/strong><\/strong>
\u2022 50g dark chocolate chips <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Heat your oven to 160\u00b0C\/140\u00b0C fan\/ gas 3. Grease then line a 20cm square tin with baking parchment. Heat the butter, peanut butter and golden syrup or honey together in a small pan until melted. Add the mashed banana, grated apple and 100ml hot water, and mix to combine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Tip the oats, cinnamon, dried fruit, seeds and almonds into a large bowl and mix together. Pour in the combined banana and apple and stir until everything is coated by the wet mixture. Add the chocolate chips and stir again until combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Tip into the tin and smooth the mixture out to level the surface. Bake for 55 mins until golden. Leave to cool in the tin, then cut into 12 pieces to take with you on the trail, or store in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for up to three days and taste even better the day after they\u2019re made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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bbcgoodfood.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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ACCESSIBLE BRITAIN<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Five great resources for wheelchair users<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We all have the right to experience the beauty of the British countryside, from its high hilltops to its sinuous shores. For wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, access to these special places can, however, be difficult, with uneven paths, stiles and a lack of facilities making exploring challenging. Online resources detailing easy access routes and days out are, therefore, a valuable tool. Here are a few to check out:all true lovers. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourism for All <\/strong>tourismforall.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit <\/strong>England <\/strong>visitengland.com\/access-all<\/a> Countryfile.com<\/a> <\/strong>countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/walks\/<\/a> wheelchair-friendly-trails <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The <\/strong>Outdoor <\/strong>Guide <\/strong>theoutdoorguide.co.uk\/walks\/<\/a> wheelchair-friendly-walks <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get <\/strong>Outside <\/strong>(OS <\/strong>Maps) <\/strong>getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co<\/a>. uk\/guides\/best-stile-free-walks-in-britain <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

LEARN A SKILL<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

HOW TO READ A COMPASS<\/h4>\n\n

Carrying a compass and knowing the basics of how to use it is a valuable skill when out walking in the countryside, even if you usually use a mobile device to navigate. Fi <\/em>Darby, <\/em>navigation <\/em>specialist <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Relate your compass to your map <\/strong>Once you know that north is at the top of your map you can work out the other directions. When you\u2019ve done this, you can use your compass to help you face the way you want to go. <\/p>\n\n

Use a compass to face in a particular direction <\/strong>Whether you\u2019re in the middle of nowhere or at a path junction, your compass can help you travel in the right direction. You can choose any direction but it\u2019s easiest to start with the main cardinal points. <\/p>\n\n

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2 Turn the bezel of your compass so the direction you want to travel lines up with the index line. For this demonstration we\u2019ve chosen E for east. <\/p>\n\n

3 Holding the compass perpendicular to your body and flat in front of you, turn your body until the red end of the floating magnetic needle is inside the orienting lines (or arrow). You\u2019re now facing east. <\/p>\n\n

Walk the way you want to go <\/strong>Once you\u2019re facing the right direction, you can start walking. If you keep the magnetic arrow inside the orienting lines as you go, you\u2019ll be walking a straight line. But looking at the compass all the time isn\u2019t practical. Instead, pick an obvious point ahead of you in the direction your compass is telling you to go. Walk to that point then line your compass up again and pick the next point to walk to. <\/p>\n\n

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Countryfile on TV<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
BBC ONE, SUNDAYS <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14 May <\/strong>Charlotte Smith and Adam Henson present an episode focusing on rural mental health awareness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

21 May <\/strong>Young shepherdess Sammi Kinghorn helps out on Katie Laidlaw\u2019s family farm in Cumbria. Aged 16, Katie is farming mad, so how is she going to juggle GCSEs with her love of working outdoors? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

28 May <\/strong> Matt Baker and Charlotte Smith are in Teesdale to catch up with 98-year-old botanist Margaret Bradshaw, who\u2019s on a mission to save the region\u2019s rare flora. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

ID guide<\/h5>\n\n

SIX COMMON UMBELLIFERS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Delicate clusters of flowers are dotting our verges and field margins. Tiny petals are balanced on short stalks, neatly splayed as though arranged by a florist. They are Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, commonly known as umbellifers, comprising more than 3,800 species worldwide and one of the earliest identified plant families.<\/em> Words by Kevin Parr | <\/span>Illustrated by Lizzie Harper <\/p>\n\n

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WILD CARROT <\/span><\/strong>
Daucus carota <\/em>Rarely exceeding 60cm in height, wild carrot has three forked bracts (small, leaf-like structures) that form beneath the flowerhead; a tight cluster of crisp white flowers, often with a deep-red central flower. The leaves are slender but robust. <\/p>\n\n

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COW PARSLEY<\/span><\/strong>
Anthriscus sylvestris <\/em>Come May, cow parsley seems to line every path. The flowers are small and delicate, with five creamy-white petals on short stalks, arranged in groups of up to 10 to form an umbel. The leaves are green and feathery, and the stalk is striated.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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HEMLOCK<\/span><\/strong>
Conium maculatum <\/em>Hemlock contains coniine, which, when ingested, can be fatal to humans. To identify it, look to the leaves, which have a slightly glossy sheen, while its stem has distinctive purple blotches. Hemlock has a foul \u2018mousy\u2019 odour. Look but don\u2019t touch.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n

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GROUND ELDER<\/span><\/strong>
Aegopodium podagraria <\/em>Ground elder is so called due to the shape of its leaves, which are triangular, toothed and ternate (arranged in threes), and the delicate white flowers that combine to resemble the elder tree. Its rhizomes grow sideways through the soil.<\/em>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n

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HOGWEED<\/span><\/strong>
Heracleum sphondylium <\/em>Hogweed grows tall, as high as two metres, and the stem is thick and robust with coarse and conspicuous hairs. The umbels consist of as many as 45 rays, while the white flowers sometimes carry a slightly pinkish tinge.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n

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GIANT HOGWEED<\/b><\/span><\/span>
Heracleum mantegazzianum <\/em>This enormous plant can grow up to five metres tall, with vast umbels (up to 60cm). The stalk is ridged with purple splotches; the leaves deepgreen and lobed. Can blister skin if touched.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Photos: Naturepl.com, Alamy, Debbie North-BBC<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dividing the counties of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, the Malvern Hills ridge path offers gorgeous panoramic views and a sense of loftiness usually associated with higher peaks. From 27 May, Malvern Walking Festival celebrates this AONB with nine days of themed and guided walks, from stopping in at a brewery on a hop farm or finding the most majestic trees of the Malverns to exploring routes off the beaten track <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":25586,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"6","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"6","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_6-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_6-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"Special-2023","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"Special-2023","purple_external_id":"Special-2023-6-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"Special-2023-6-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000084069||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000084069||","purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.203","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.203","purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.203","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.203","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"91da22fd-9e7f-40d1-a93f-fc46e9516d91","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2023-05-04T16:44:56Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"06a0cf56-5758-4fd0-a094-a9b4ef609d19","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-05-08T06:46:01Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADw==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/ABqDPVldYT9CglKm072CdGQ","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[19],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/d6e5089e-6f9b-4855-8cac-a952f85e23d2.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"9","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/d6e5089e-6f9b-4855-8cac-a952f85e23d2.jpg",2047,1636,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/d6e5089e-6f9b-4855-8cac-a952f85e23d2-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/d6e5089e-6f9b-4855-8cac-a952f85e23d2-300x240.jpg",300,240,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/d6e5089e-6f9b-4855-8cac-a952f85e23d2-768x614.jpg",768,614,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/d6e5089e-6f9b-4855-8cac-a952f85e23d2-1024x818.jpg",800,639,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/d6e5089e-6f9b-4855-8cac-a952f85e23d2-1536x1228.jpg",1536,1228,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/d6e5089e-6f9b-4855-8cac-a952f85e23d2.jpg",2047,1636,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Dividing the counties of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, the Malvern Hills ridge path offers gorgeous panoramic views and a sense of loftiness usually associated with higher peaks. From 27 May, Malvern Walking Festival celebrates this AONB with nine days of themed and guided walks, from stopping in at a brewery on a hop farm or finding…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25601"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25601"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28356,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25601\/revisions\/28356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}