Newsletter > Newsletter archive > September 2021
September 2021
Autumn news
This autumn we are starting a new partnership with our local outdoor retailer, Mad about Mountains. It's not really a new relationship at all, as we are in and out of their shop all the time and some half of their team is in the local Mountain Rescue team alongside our own David Stewart. As well as the shop Mad about Mountains has a pretty substantial online retail business running out of a warehouse in Kirkby Stephen. More importantly we know they have stacks of expertise on all kinds of outdoor kit, so it makes sense to provide you with an avenue to that knowledge. Their team will be contributing every month to this newsletter with advice, opinions and more. They introduce themselves below.
On the app front, we have had to do a quick update to the place name and postcode search as the service we use from Ordnance Survey has changed. It has taken a few attempts to get it right. The new routine is currently only running in the Android app; you may have noticed a couple of updates in quick succession as we fine-tuned it.
The Apple iOS app update is rather more complicated, since as well as the search routine change, Apple no longer support the database we have used until now. More details about the update schedule are given below. With this update we are also introducing monthly in-app subscriptions rather than the annual one. So you will have the choice between a monthly recurring in-app subscription at £2.49 or the normal annual subscription through the website. If this proves popular we'll put it on the Android app as well. If you have an annual in-app subscription it will carry on running until you cancel it.
Warning: Apple iOS app update
We have scheduled a major app update for next Tuesday, 28th September. Because the existing app database will be replaced all your saved data will be deleted. Hence you will need to sign in to the app again with your Walkingworld membership details and re-download any walks you have saved. We hope that by scheduling this for mid-week it will impact as few people as possible. There is a warning on the home screen of the app to remind you. In the meantime we would suggest only downloading walks you are just about to do.
Most people have automatic updates turned on. The Walkingworld app is very small (about 4.5MB) so it will download and update very quickly. You will know if it has happened because you will not be signed in - the app will prompt you to do so.
If there are any changes to this schedule it will be shown in the message on the home screen of the app. If the date of the update passes and you haven't had to sign in again we would suggest going to Play Store and initiating a manual update.
Time to reconnect with Portugal
As the curtain comes down on Britain's summer, it's time to turn our thoughts to extending the walking season and reconnect with Portugal. Year-round walking weather and an impressive diversity of terrain are hard to resist, and with Inntravel you will discover a very different side to the country.
Step into the last refuge of the Iberian wolf in Peneda-Gerês on Inntravel's High Paths of Northern Portugal walking tour. The country's only national park, high plateaus and mountain lakes lie concealed within jagged peaks where granite hamlets lie untouched by the hands of time, and wild horses roam free.
The Arrábida Natural Park borders a ravishing coastline on the Setúbal peninsula south of Lisbon. Inntravel's From Cape to Castle itinerary partners panoramic walking in this land of convents, castles and vines, with a bounteous larder of wine, cheese, fish and seafood.
In the Minho, arguably Portugal's prettiest region, you will find its oldest towns and finest aristocratic houses set amidst vineyards alongside the meandering Lima river. Inntravel's Manor Houses of the Minho hike provides gentle waterside walking and sojourns in splendid homes.
Head to the Algarve's wild side on Inntravel's Algarve's Coast & Hills holiday - you will enjoy stunning coastal walks, timeless villages and the forested hills of Monchique, all still glistening in warm sunshine.
Endorsed for the last two consecutive years as the only Which? Recommended Provider for Self-Guided Tours, contact Inntravel's expert team to discuss your Portugal travel plans directly - either online or by telephone on 01653 617034.
www.visitportugal.com
Mad about Mountains introduce themselves
At Mad about Mountains we are happy to be working with Walkingworld. We are an independent outdoor company with two stores, a great online presence and a wealth of outdoor experience which we look forward to sharing with you.
We are more than just a shop, we are a team of climbers, walkers, runners, run leaders, mountaineers and mountain leaders who are all mad about the mountains and outdoors. With over 30 years outdoor experience we pride ourselves in not only supplying great kit but the best advice and support to others wanting to enjoy the outdoors as our team does. We are blessed to live in and around Cumbria's Eden Valley so get to use our skills and regularly test out kit, not only in this local area but all over the UK and internationally.
We are excited about contributing to this newsletter with advice on the right kit, safety outdoors, some great offers and our adventures. However if you have a kit question feel free to contact us direct at sales@madaboutmountains.co.uk or on 017683 72525.
Navigation training
In the spring we said that we hoped to provide some navigation training workshops based in the Upper Eden Valley. We have run these in the past in partnership with Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team, with all the proceeds going to the team. Unfortunately, although most public Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, the team, like most in the emergency services, is still operating under quite strict Covid-19 protocols. This means that team members cannot spend extended periods of time with members of the public, unless we are actually rescuing them! With luck we'll be able to organise something in 2022. If you emailed to express an interest we still have your details and you'll be the first to know.