About Bill
In 1998 at the age of 58 l was fortunate enough to be able to retire early as l felt there were a lot of other things that l wanted to do. At the time of starting this blog some of these have been accomplished but inevitably these have been replaced by others. I am always appalled when l hear of people who have nothing to do as they obviously have a very narrow approach to what life has to offer.
Since a young age l have always travelled and this urge was probably started by my dad who used to take me on bicycle rides from the age of eight. When l was twelve l joined the Clarion Cycling Club and little did l know it at the time but that decision influenced the rest of my life. Many of my current friends who l cycle and walk with now hail from that time. It is difficult to imagine now how quiet the roads were then. Can you imagine a group of twenty riding two abreast down the A1 with no problems?
The increase in traffic density and frequent visits to the nearby Lake District turned many of us into walkers around 1960 and since then l have always been out and about visiting virtually all areas of the UK as a walker as well as a normal tourist and holidaymaker. Around 1980 the development of hatchback cars and having two sons with bikes encouraged me back on to the bike. The hatchback meant l could leave our house on top of a hill (with fine views of the Cheviots) and within less than half an hour forsake the busy roads and be off in quiet lanes.
In the 1960s l became a Voluntary Warden (as we were then called) with the Northumberland National Park and in 1970 transferred to the Durham Countryside Ranger Service which was then being set up and this too was a defining moment as the remainder of my walking companions come from that source.
I try to stay active on both the walking front, being a member of the Ramblers Association and a supporter of the Yorkshire Dales Green Lane Alliance (YDGLA), with another main interest in conservation supporting the Woodland Trust, the RSPB and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust which are all well focussed charities and worthy of your support.
It was an easy decision therefore on retirement to extend my DCRS activities into the Guided Walks programme and many of the walks on this blog are walks which l have led for Durham County Council and which are open to all members of the public. The biannual programme can be obtained from most Public Libraries and from County Hall (Tel 0191 3834144).
Another easy decision was to embark on some long bike rides in Europe and particularly France and details of some routes may appear here at a future date. Long Distance Walks in Europe have not been neglected and we have walked the King Ludwigs Way in Bavaria and the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail in the Auvergne and Cevennes.
To return to the walks on this blog, whilst they may involve substantial ascents, no rock work other than easy scrambling is included on any routes. I have deliberately not included walks in the Lakes as these have been so well written about there is little need to write more. Alfred Wainwright’s superb Guides are unbeatable and Lakeland reading for me is books such as Heaton Cooper’s “The Tarns of Lakeland”. Incidentally all lovers of the Lakes should become members of the Friends of the Lake District who strive to preserve the beauty and integrity of most of Cumbria.
The DCC walks often have a theme and a principal one is Conservation and Land Reclamation where Durham is the national leader. Another theme is Pack Horse Bridges where l can probably be described as ‘an anorak’ but they give you a purpose to visit many new places often in very attractive locations. The CROW Act opened up new terrain for us and l now include the Durham 2000ft hills which are (for England) quite remote. I am endeavouring to complete the Buxton and Lewis list and have about twenty to complete the list of approx 250 hills. Another theme is the Weardale and Teesdale Ways which are fine walks in good country following the Courses of the Wear and Tees although the latter has a “duff” final day to the sea. These should be promoted more than they are to bring much needed revenue to these fine dales.
Finally we always endeavour to round the day off with a visit to a local pub and partake of some “real ale”. There is only one rule, no hand pump no sale!
My descriptions of the walks are not of the sort to tell you exactly the route in specific detail as l believe that all walkers should carry the relevant OS Explorer map and a compass or GPS, preferably both should your batteries run out! Our OS maps are the best that l see in whatever country l visit and we should use them.
My final comments relate to some walkers who only take out of the pastime; try to put something back and work to improve our rights of way and countryside, fight unneccessary diversions which detract from the enjoyment, do some practical footpath work such as repairing stiles or vegetation clearance. In essence contribute as well as enjoy and l can assure you that you will find it fullfilling!