Having never had the time or inclination to watch day time television last evening was the first time I have watched Countryfile in its new evening slot and I did so more out of curiosity than expectation.  The programme celebrated 60 years of National Parks in England and focused on the Lake District.  A topic familiar to us here at Horton was the first item, erosion of footpaths caused by walkers who will insist on walking on grassy path margins rather than the often uneven path itself.  In the Three Peaks we are plagued with legions of sponsored walkers all intent on doing their bit for a worthy cause.  One or two of these events a year would pose no problem, but over the past ten years or so the number of events has grown to such an extent that almost every weekend from Easter through to Michaelmas sees a virtual army of brightly clad enthusiasts setting off from Horton with a gleam of determination in their eyes.  The cumulative impact of all these feet are motorway sized scars running up the three hills.  From my kitchen window I can clearly see the track coming off Ingleborogh as a wide white ribbon.  I am a passionate advocate of individual freedom and no lover of state control, but I do think that the time has come for some sensitive and sensible measure of limitation on the growth of these events.

Most participants have no real interest in their surroundings.  Their sole objective is to do the walk and collect the cash for their chosen good cause.  You see them, head down, striding forward intent solely on reaching the end of what has often become a waking nightmare.  They have even less interest in the village, it's merely a place to park and change footware.  Very few ever use the pubs or shop.  The campsite gets a bit of trade, but on the whole the impact on Horton is negative.

One way forward might be to levy a small percentage charge (one or two percent) on the gross income of each event to be used on footpath maintenance and to benefit the communities which struggle to cope with this tidal wave of humanity. Contentious I know, but things are getting a wee bit out of hand.

So, what of Countryfile after that digression?  Not as bad as I feared, but it would certainly benefit from an informed presenter such as Robin Page.  The sequence on lambing was good largely because it was done by an articulate farmer who gave a no nonsense demonstration free from the usual banal comments and questions.  Lets see if and how they handle angling and other country sports.

We missed the rain that was promised last night and it's a quiet day here so far with a light north easterly breeze and high cloud.  It may turn wet later on a strengthening southerly wind, but as usual we shall have to wait and see what we get.

Ian