…in which we climb one of the Lake District's most popular heights, Loughrigg Fell, to celebrate the launch of a new book, Loughrigg: Tales of a small mountain. In the company of author Eileen Jones and botanist Pete Martin, we consider why this rambling maze of a fell – the classic 'first and last hill’ – holds such a special place in so many people's hearts. Arriving at sequestered Lily Tarn, we survey the rich diversity of hillside flora, from bog asphodel and meadowsweet to grass-of-parnassus and bogbean. Weaving along the ever-popular spine path – past 'Kite Gnoll', 'The Sometimes Pond’ and 'The Knobbly-Bobblies' – we reflect on how memories are grafted onto hills, and how landscapes becomes personal: From the summit, with its repaired – if diminished – trig point (just the right height to perch a G&T) we discuss the changing relationship with ‘local’ that emerged during Covid, before backtracking past the former Ambleside Golf Course, where Eileen recalls ‘vapours’ on Striding Edge, picks Les Mis as a walking soundtrack… and details an unlikely case of happily-ever-after wife swapping at Pine Rigg.
This is the first episode I have listened to, and it was excellent and engaging throughout. During lockdown time I was very glad to be based in Llandrindod Wells, where there is a small lake with access to woodland and on up to an open hill with a trig point and wide views. Not quite Loughrigg Fell, but I identified with the sense of really having somewhere special accessible on the doorstep. Since then I have moved to west Cumbria very close to the national park with access to hills around Ennerdale.
This is the first episode I have listened to, and it was excellent and engaging throughout. During lockdown time I was very glad to be based in Llandrindod Wells, where there is a small lake with access to woodland and on up to an open hill with a trig point and wide views. Not quite Loughrigg Fell, but I identified with the sense of really having somewhere special accessible on the doorstep. Since then I have moved to west Cumbria very close to the national park with access to hills around Ennerdale.
Thanks Andrew. Hope you enjoy the rest of the pods - and good to hear you've made the move. Have always loved the quieter west coast.