Newsletter > Newsletter archive > December 2022

December 2022


Best wishes for 2023
We hope you have been enjoying the Christmas break and have managed to get out for a decent ramble, in spite of the somewhat damp and blustery weather. All the team at Walkingworld wish you the very best for the New Year.

Our plans for 2023 include some relatively minor adjustments to the Walkingworld app, primarily to keep it well up to date with the lastest Apple and Android operating systems. We also expect to start making some changes to the website, to make the opening pages at least and the subscription process more friendly for devices with smaller screens.

Finally we look forward to using our 'real world' venue, The Old Forge in Kirkby Stephen, for more events, walk meets and navigation workshops. In April, for instance, we plan to have screenings of the very best flms from the Kendal Mountain Festival, along with a guest speaker. This is very likely to be over the Easter weekend. This is a good time to visit Kirkby Stephen anyway as it is also the time of the Cumbria Easter Rally, when dozens of classic and vintage vehicles descend on Kirkby Stephen and neighbouring Brough. Even if you are not particularly into old cars and buses it's a fun couple of days when there is lots going on, much of it free.

Slow the Flow
During the last few days all of our local rivers have been full to the brim, with their brown peaty waters flowing rapidly on their way through the Eden Valley towards Carlisle and ultimately the Solway Firth. It can be worrying time for those living near the river further downstream. However since the major floods in December 2015 various projects have taken place to mitigate the effects and, with luck, protect people's homes and businesses.

Some of the focus has been on what can be done right upstream, in the many tributaries flowing down from the Pennine and Lakeland hills and feeding into the main rivers of Cumbria. Cumbria Wildlife Trust has an interesting selection of projects, along with some explanatory short films by the Environment Agency, that demonstrate how quite simple measures can make quite a difference. It's interesting that, as well as helping with flood protection, these projects are also very good for the native flora and fauna.

Walkers are Welcome in Newton Stewart
Galloway is something of a hidden secret in terms of walking destinations in Scotland. We have found some very pleasant walking immediately around the town of Newton Stewart itself and in the forests and on the coast nearby. There are also some fabulous historical sites close by, such as the Neolithic chambered tombs at Cairn Holy. If you are after something more challenging there are several groups of hills just inland, with such forbidding names as 'The Awful Hand' and 'The Dungeon Range'.

The Newton Stewart Walking Festival takes place next year from Friday 12th to Thursday 18th May. There are over 30 guided routes on offer plus a programme of social events. The programme is still being planned and actually the festival has been pushed back a week following the announcement of the coronation of King Charles. If you wish to attend it will be worth keeping an eye on the Walkfest website and get your bookings in early.