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Stephen Rickerby – Sigma Press £6.95 |
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I have had a good look at this book and even tried some of the walks and do you know what……. I really like it. Now I’m not just saying that because I don’t want to upset my publisher and sponsor! I really do like it.
Firstly it’s a simple easy to read layout; a little summary about the area and when the walk is at its best, information on refreshments and toilets (essential when kids are involved!) and then short and clear directions. However, the best things about this book are the interactive features designed to get the kids excited and stimulated about the walk. Now you are probable wondering what I am harping on about – interactive what! By this I mean that the book has a series of prompt points which give the parents ideas of things to talk about or spot on route. Now let’s face it on some days it only takes 10 minutes with the kids for all parental brain power to cease and for boredom to set in with horrific consequences, so having entertainment ideas in a book in front of you is fantastic. Other interactive features include small quizzes and also eye spy sections with boxes to tick when you spot it (these are fantastic for toddlers)!
My only grumble about the book is the pushchair information. I can only assume that they used a standard 4-wheeler and not an ATP as they seem to suggest that none of the walks are suitable. But hey I know what you are thinking…… yep that’s right if you want to know where to go with an ATP you would buy ‘All-Terrain Pushchair Walks – Yorkshire Dales’ (Rebecca Terry, Sigma Press £7.95 – also available on Amazon.co.uk). Well I had to get a plug in somewhere!
So overall a great book containing 21 short walks spread throughout the wonderful Yorkshire Dales. So if you have toddlers and older kids and are heading for the Dales get yourself a copy, you won’t regret it!
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Rebecca Terry - Sigma Press £7.95 |
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'Our books appeal to a wide range of
walkers not all of which have pushchairs! Here is a review from Ms Billy
de Goede and her elderly dog Mal.
As some of you will know, me n 'The Malc' have covered hundreds of miles walking the Peaks, Wales and wherever else took our fancy. Mal is now a senior gentleman, and the back legs aren't what they once were; he can't make it over styles anymore, or at best with difficulty on a good day. As long as he doesn't have to negotiate those, however, he's still up for a good ramble about (about 3.5 hours over the moors and in the woods today, still going strong towards the end! But obviously, if going for a walk in the country side, you are bound to run into styles. Or you're reading the walk description and it says "climb a ladder style" here and "go over the style" there, and you know that that walk will just be out of your (older) dogs league. In my particular case, add to the above a very fit and able bodied, but nevertheless not-so-very-young (nearly 76 year old) mum, and you know you'll have to plan your walks very carefully. By chance I found a copy of "All-terrain pushchair walks in the Yorkshire Dales" in a bookshop, the week before we were going on holiday. Being totally without kids, I'd normally not even look at books like that, but all of a sudden a little light came on: what is it that you're not likely to encounter in walk descriptions aimed at people pushing a pram? Stiles!! So got the book and we've ended up using it every single day for our walks during our holiday, it was great! The walks aren't very long, between 1 and 4.5 miles - exactly what a not-so-young dog could manage - and there was all of one very low style in all the walks that was quite easily avoidable as well.
I've just had a look on amazon, and thought I'd share the link with you to the page with all the "All-terrain walks with pushchairs" publications on it. I'm ordering a few more for sure, so that Mal will be able to keep doing exciting new walks. Totally recommend them! |
Ms Billy de Goede (and Mal!) |
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Alison Southern - Sigma Press £7.95 |
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A collection of 23 walks, between 1-4 miles in length, around reservoirs, woodland, farmland and disused railways with a good spread throughout the Peak District. The book's introduction provides a very good guide to purchasing all terrain pushchairs. There is also an excellent description of the stiles that can be found in this region. The stiles present in each route are detailed in the walk summary which means the walker knows what to expect before they set out and can plan accordingly.
Each walk has handy details such as grade, distance, total ascent listed at the beginning along with information on how to get there, refreshments and toilets all of which is vital when you have little ones with you. At the end of every walk there is additional information on what to see and what to spot. This combined with a guide to the common trees in the area in the back of the book is a lovely way to teach toddlers about the natural world.
One thing that we did find a problem was the maps. They provide very few details of landmarks and the routes are not numbered or the direction indicated making it difficult to link to the walk instructions. Many of the roads are not numbered, forests and relevant buildings are missing and there is no indication of scale and, therefore, the map is of very little use so make sure you take the relevant OS map with you.
Overall, a lovely and varied selection of pushchair walks made all the more interesting with the fauna and flora information.
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Norman Buckley - Sigma Press £7.95 |
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This is the latest in Sigma's popular All-Terrain Pushchair Walks series and contains 30 walks with a good spread across the whole of Cheshire . The routes range from 1 to 4 miles and encompass a variety of environments and terrains including canal towpaths, country parks, stately home parkland, woodland, hills and even the novelty of Chester town walls! All walks are graded by difficulty and the amount of ascent is given as well as distance. A summary of the grading is given in the introduction to the book as well as general outdoor safety consideration.
Each walk description is clear and comprehensive and accompanied by a sketch map, though, as there is no scale on these, it would be an idea to take the relevant OS Explorer map along as well (map number given). The introduction to each walk includes parking locations (with grid reference), refreshments and a brief introduction to the area of each walk including points of interest, though I personally like these within the route description so you know what you're passing as you walk along. The path types and any obstacles are highlighted as well as being mentioned in the route description, so there are no nasty surprises.
All in all, a good introduction to Cheshire, not only for those with pushchairs but for anyone who wants to get to know the Cheshire countryside. |
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A great collection of 30 walks spread throughout the varied countryside of Lancashire . This county has more to offer than many people realise and the routes in this book take you through country parks, across wild moorland, along disused railways and canals as well as around forests and reservoirs there really is something for everyone. The walks are between 1.5 16 km in length and in most cases the longer walks have options for shortening so you can do as little or as much as suits your family. There are also easy routes for both the gentle stroller and strenuous slogs for those who are up for a challenge. All these walks have minimum obstacles and so are perfect for all terrain pushchairs.
This book, like all the books in Sigma's all-terrain pushchair series, comes with clear details such as grade, distance, time, how to get there, refreshments and toilets as well as information about ducks, parks etc which are vital for entertaining the kids. Each walk is also packed with information about the area and the wildlife you might see as well as suggested activities to do after your walk. Although the book is well illustrated with both photos and maps it is a shame that there is not a photo for every walk as these give a great visual perspective on the route and those routes without photos seem less appealing. In addition, in the text the route instructions are numbered, but these numbers are not present on the maps making cross referencing difficult. There are also no start points indicated on the maps which makes things a little tricky when there are multiple car parks marked.
Overall A great book with some cracking walks and lots of information to entertain and educate both adults and children.
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Eva McCracken - Cualann Press, £10.99 |
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As far as we're aware this collection of 50 trails isthe only book on walking in Scotland for wheels of any type. The book aims to give wheelchair and electric scooter users a taste of what the Scottish countryside truly has to offer. As it's for wheelchair users, there is information on inclines and path widths, which is very useful for double or triple buggies. The author is very experienced in wheelchair walking and has consulted on new access routes, so you know that where she recommends really is suitable for wheels!
There is a good spread of walks across Scotland, apart from the far north and islands. The walks are graded according to electric scooter difficulty, and each walk is sub-divided on the map with awkward sections highlighted as a harder grade very handy to help you know what to expect! Each walk has a route map and photo, and clear information on start point (with grid reference), relevant OS map, distance, toilets and local landscape. There are details on path types, any nasty surprises like hairpins, notes on the countryside and interesting local facts.
The one thing lacking is a route description for many of the trails, but the route maps are very high quality with main features highlighted, and we had no problem following these on the routes we attempted. Several of the trails have multiple options and this book is ideal for wheel-based exploration of an area you know the paths are wheel-friendly and so you have a degree of freedom to get to know the area rather than following a fixed route. One word for pushchair users; some of the routes are very long up to 12 miles one way but with 12 miles of wheel-friendly terrain, again you have the freedom to pick and choose which bit of the route you do.
This is an invaluable book for those wanting to explore Scotland on wheels and I will certainly be visiting some of the trails as I get to know the country. This book is particularly useful for those with strollers and double buggies as all the routes are suitable for you, unlike volumes written for off-roaders!
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Zoe Sayer and Rebecca Terry, Sigma Press £7.95
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Extract from an article by Ian Parri, Daily Post, April 25, 2006
While many ramblers and walkers traditionally felt they had to forego the pleasures of the open air once kids came on the scene, the advent of all-terrain pushchairs has made that argument rather old hat. The 131 page volume offers tips on buying ATPs and on preparation for any 3-wheeled rambles and gives an insight into the sights and the history to be encountered en route. Zoe says she had to do a great deal of research before even setting out on the walks, not least in picking out suitable routes without too many obstacles like stiles.
She's undertaken all the walks herself to try them out. What I wanted to include were walks that were safe enough for general walkers who know their fitness levels are OK. We try to limit walks to less than three stiles and ideally none. Some of the walks are really easy and I'd be quite happy taking a tiny baby on them, but others are very tough and you need to be very fit if a walk involves a 4 hour push. Grandparents can find walks they can tackle as can frustrated hill walkers."
Her book is also an ideal guide for those who love the idea of taking in some country air but can't quite work out a route which suits their fitness levels and the time they have available. |
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Norman Buckley , Sigma Press £6.95 |
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This book covers the area of the Lakes south of Haweswater to Kendal, though it has to be said that most of the walks are around Windermere. The book contains a variety of walks from easy lake and forest wanders to more strenuous routes in mountainous terrains.
Each walk has distance in miles and km and approximate time required to do the walk, as well as information on height climbed. The introduction to each walk includes information about the area and a brief description of the terrain to be encountered. Starting point with grid reference is provided and walks are graded by difficulty on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being an easy, flat stroll.
Routes are clearly laid out with sketch map and detailed description making them very easy to follow. There are no symbols, but obstacles are outlined in the introduction as well as detailed in the text, so you know what sort of terrain and difficulties you might encounter. In addition, he details refreshment stops around the walks - always very useful!
The main downside of this book is the limited area covered by the walks. The book is great if you are holidaying in the popular Windermere area, but if you're anywhere else there is little to offer and absolutely nothing towards the coast past Coniston.
The book lives up to the high quality we've come to expect from Sigma's ATP series, but we can't award more than 3 stars due to the limited area it covers.
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Ruth and Richard Irons , Sigma Press £6.95 |
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This was the first book of ATP walks and covers the north of the Lake District from Haweswater to the Skiddaw area north of Keswick. The 30 walks have an excellent spread across the whole area and cover a wide range of difficulty from gentle strolls to remote mountainous rambles.
Each walk has a sketch map and detailed route description with distance in km and the estimated time. There is a clear symbol key showing wetness and type of ascent to be expected on the route, whether 2 adults are needed (either for lifting, sharing ascents or remoteness) and seasonal conditions suitable all giving a quick look guide to whether the route is right for you. The only slight criticism is that most of the routes are there and back, but they still enable you to experience all the quieter North Lakes has to offer.
Additional information is provided in the introduction including starting point with grid reference, relevant OS map and terrain and path details. There is also brief information on the area you will be walking in.
Routes are clearly described with points of interest mentioned in brief within the description. Very easy to follow instructions with significant points numbered on the map. It also appears, from the photos that all routes have been done with a double buggy, if so it is the only book of its type! (If the authors are reading this please let us know
.!)
Overall an excellent book providing an introduction to the area for both ATPs and other walkers.
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Fieldsman Trails: Tactile Maps
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Fieldsman Trails specialises in increasing accessibility in the countryside, not only for the less mobile but also for the visually impaired. As OS maps aren't exactly easy to read for those with less than perfect eyesight, Colin Antwiss of Fieldsman Trails has published a series of tactile maps.
Printed on A3, softly textured paper, the maps are available both in large print text and Braille format. Map features are raised from the surface, with different symbols denoting towns, major peaks and lakes and different line weights and textures to show roads, coasts and other linear features such as long distance paths. Tactile maps are available for Snowdonia National Park , Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Brecon Beacons and the Lake District National Park. There is also a series relief maps of The Lakes, Snowdonia and the British Isles with smaller regional relief maps on request. Not only that, but should there be sufficient demand, other National Parks will be added to the list!
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Fieldsman Trails: Clear View Maps |
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Another series of maps for the visually impaired from Fieldsman Trails. The Clear View maps are A3, brightly coloured maps with the main features picked out in bold lines and large print. The maps are obviously simplified to remove the visual cluttering of standard maps, and show coast, roads, lakes, mountains and towns, National Park areas and long distance paths.
Maps are available for Snowdonia National Park , Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Brecon Beacons and the Lake District National Park . Though I'm not visually impaired, I am very short sighted and found these maps very easy to read without specs on! The maps only cover large areas though, and so wouldn't help with route finding. That said, anything which helps enhance enjoyment of the countryside is a Good Thing, and for more detail they produce a series of Talking Trails...
A bit of background: The maps were inspired by Colin Antwiss's grandchildren who used to lay an OS map out on the floor and set up farms and villages with models and push "dinky" cars along the roads. It became obvious that there was too much info on the O/S for our needs, so we designed a map which is clearer to use and understand. Visually impaired people were then involved to get the colours and fonts right for maximum visibility.
So, be inspired - get the kids involved in maps from an early age and use them as a playmat!
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