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LETTER OF THE MONTH
We’re all one big team
I tackled Cat Bells today and I can’t tell you how incredibly supportive every other walker was. From the guy who shouted ‘WELL DONE!’ as I reached the summit and then offered to boost me on top of the trig for my picture (I declined, LOL) to the women half way up who pointed out that where I was resting was a perfect shot and would like I photo? We traded tips for the best descent, details on the location of the ice cream van and celebrated every person who joined us at the top – as happy for them as we were for ourselves. Alas no-one commented on my walk1000miles gear, but in my head I decided every one of them was an honorary Badger. What else is a Badger other than someone who moves forward one foot, wheel or hand at a time and encourages the person next to them to do the same?
Thank you, Country Walking magazine, for always providing inspiration and being our biggest cheerleader of all!
A BERGHAUS WATERPROOF JACKET FOR JOELLE!
The letter of the month wins a Berghaus waterproof jacket worth
(£225). The Cornice (men’s) and Glissade (women’s) jackets have been
firm favourites with walkers for decades, are superb quality and always
score highly in Country Walking gear tests. www.berghaus.com
Life rolls on for Russ
This is my dog Russ – he’s a five-year-old Jack Russell who loved mountain hiking around Snowdonia, the Peak District and the Lakes. He’d completed 20 Wainwrights when he was struck down with Intervertebral Disc Disease. This left him paralysed in the back legs with not much hope of walking again. We were all devastated. Yet this is him on top of Loughrigg fell in his wheels celebrating Wainwright Number Thirty! We have to pick the routes carefully and sometimes he needs to go in his sling, but he’s back in the mountains that he loves. IVDD doesn’t mean life ends – it just changes, and with determination, they can do great things (he’s aiming for Cat Bells next year). He does get a few odd looks when he reaches the summit but they are usually dismissed by a low grumble as he’s not the most sociable of characters!
Food for the soul
It was with great delight that on our return from walking the Dales Way I discovered you’d covered part of it in Walk 18 and the article ‘Up Hill, Down Dale’ in the July edition.
It was an amazing walk. Eighty miles for us, from Ilkley to Windermere. My husband and I are 69 and 70 and were looking for a walk that would stretch us a bit but not exhaust us.
We walked it over seven days, wanting to be able to appreciate the varied scenery and make time to enjoy
