Over the past few years we have walked the Thames Path and the Ridgeway as well as walking long stretches of the Pembroke Coast, Offa's Dyke and the South West Coast path. These trails are funded and managed nationally but the government is proposing local management which is opposed by The Rambler's Association amongst others. More than 7,000 people have signed their petition calling on Natural England - the Government body responsible - to rethink their plans for National Trails but the decision will be made next month. Local responsibility for the trails will almost inevitably mean less investment , a decline in quality and possibly commercial involvement that could be detrimental to their natural beauty.
These pics were taken last summer on the South West Coast path - the red sandstone cliffs near Sidmouth - very steep walk! - and the chalk harbour at Beer - very good crab & chips! Please sign the petition.
A fabulous walking day. We took the bridle path behind the Bridgewater monument and down to Barleycoombe, skirting Aldbury to Clipperdown and back along the Ashridge Boundary path. About two hours in glorious autumn sunshine. The apple tree on the old drover's road was laden with Coxes Orange pippins and we managed to scrump a couple. In the distance the bleached grass blew and shimmered on Pitstone Hill and the Ridgeway beckoned. And good company: one of those perfect times where we finished each other's sentences, discovered we like all the same things and thoroughly enjoyed sharing the countryside we are so blessed with only 25 miles from London. In amongst the debris of the wheatfield these little wild pansies or Heartsease (sigh) and Speedwell.
