I’m thinking of meadows after reading about them. These are the best, they say in The Times, for good summer walks. Different parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. The person who wrote it is not speaking from experience but finds them on the internet. That means two things. There will be better meadows inevitably, and local meadows more convenient. But it’s a start. There’s one in Cheshire I will visit.
Snowdonia, the Lake District and Scotland are adventurous so if I’ve walked Scafell Pike twenty times or Moel Siabod fifteen, it’s still fun. I don’t visit Scotland too often because of weather, travel, and midges. Early June and it’s too late. My bite record was I think 140 in one night and that was in a large valley tent with room to maneouvre, good zips, impenetrable mesh, a sealed door, garlic, Smidge, Skin So Soft, essential oils, vitamin B, and smoke repellent. A wild camping tent would be delirious hell. There’s still much for me to explore in Scotland. I’m nowhere near the repeating walk experience – nor the cloud of Glen Etive midges which flew at me like a horror film.
Other walks tend to be familiar and less adventurous, pleasant but unexciting. This applies to the Peak District. My favourite is Kinder Scout (I was there a few days ago) with the climb from the reservoir and descent from Kinder Low. It’s a Lake District feeling I have on those paths, with good views to enjoy. I’ve walked there about five times which is significant. Another five – I’ll do it again this year – and the feeling will change. From Edale, up to the Kinder plateau, I’ve walked about twenty times. It was my first Peak District discovery and I kept returning.
The thrill starts to fade. I love hill walking and still do it but it doesn’t feel the same in some places. A meadow walk is a ‘country walk’ which is different and expands the genre. In the Pyrenees a few years ago I came down from summits and walked through beautiful Spanish countryside. I was aiming for a village near the Ordesa Canyon for supplies and a bed. There was a camp site in the area (which I prefer) but I missed it and the shops were convenient. It’s not easy as a vegetarian, in Spain especially. What I usually do is buy lentils, cheese, salad, fresh bread, peaches, rice, yoghurt, and eat outside in the evening. It’s relaxed, without the complication and formality of a restaurant.
My rucksack was heavy but on flat ground it’s an easy load. I was tired and wondered about a long walk without climbing, meadows more than mountains. The Camino de Santiago for example, although I wouldn’t do that because of the crowds and religiosity. I love wild flowers and often take local walks to find them. Bistort, ragged robin, orchids, cowslip, cuckoo flower; I know nature areas like a back garden. Fletcher Moss Gardens is where the RSPB was founded. It’s my favourite local area with a buttercup filled meadow and a wild field thick with my summer favourite: the Queen of the Meadow. Last year it was startlingly profuse because of rain and floods which must bring nutrients. For about a week you couldn’t walk there because of two feet of water. The flowers are beginning. I’m watching them, looking forward to another wonderful scented sight.
There’s a meadow near Dockray (above) where you see Place Fell in the Lake District distance, below which is Ullswater. That’s another favourite walk, starting with a river and woodland path. I climb the high places then have a rest, read on a camp site, wander the fields, enjoy the flowers. There’s a Cheshire field I photographed a few years ago in exquisite light (above) demonstrating the idea that light makes a good photograph.
If I don’t feel like a big walk, camping walk, or high level walk, I think I’ll start having afternoon or evening trips to meadows. It will supplement the big adventures, expanding the idea of easy local walks. Summer is a luxuriant delight. I find it strange when people say oh no, start dreaming of dark winter, welcome it later in the year. The flowers know. This is the good time which we celebrate with pink, gold, red, blue, violet, white and almond scent. Even green flowers, I forget what they’re called, but saw them last week.
I write like this is a magazine column. With research, references, and a lot of time. If you like it, perhaps you would support me.