Regatta

Guide to summer walking festivals

Are you a keen walker looking for new places to walk? Or perhaps you’re new to walking, and hope to pick up a few tips and ideas about fantastic places to walk. Then again, you might also be a solo walker looking for likeminded people to walk with. Whatever your reasons and aspirations for walking, a walking festival is a great destination.

Across the UK the number of walking festivals is on the up, and many festivals have seen fast growing numbers of walkers attending an ever-widening range of walks. 

Why go to a walking festival?

Walking festivals offer the opportunity – among many other things – to:

• See a new part of the country
• Follow walking routes you may never have even thought about
• Push your walking ambitions a little further and a little higher
• Learn more about navigation
• Have the benefit of an experienced and knowledgeable guide
• Meet new people who also have an interest in walking
• Find out about the history, geology and wildlife during a walk
• Keep fit and active

The range of walking festivals

From small-scale walking festivals in out-of-the-way places to walking festivals with a wildlife, literary or history, to grand festivals that see return walkers year after year, there is a festival to suit all.

Join a walking festival this summer

Here we bring you a list of some of the walking festivals taking place this summer:

Llanelli Festival of Walks

Where: Carmarthenshire

When: June 1 to 4

What: 18 walks to suit all abilities. The festival, which is organised by the Llanelli Ramblers Group, aims to promote the many opportunities for walking in the region and the importance of protecting the countryside and footpaths near Llanelli.

See: www.llanelliramblers.org.uk

Wild Lochaber Festival

Where: Fort William, Scottish Highlands

When: June 1 to 9

What: This is where you’ll find Ben Nevis, which, as you’ll know, is the UK’s highest mountain; a designated Geopark and mile upon mile of fabulous landscapes. The Wild Lochaber Festival will be celebrating the scenery and wildlife of this area with guided wildlife tours, scenic walks and informative talks.

See: www.outdoorcapital.co.uk

Anglesey Festival of Walks

Where: Anglesey, North Wales

When: June 2 to 17

What: The Anglesey Festival of Walks focuses on coastal walks in celebration of the launch of the Welsh Coast Path. There will also be lots on offer for families and school children.

See: www.angleseywalkingfestival.com

Stalham with Happing Festival

Where: Norfolk

June 2 to September 30

What: Eight “water to land” walks will make the most of the Norfolk Broads and coastline. There will be knowledgeable walk leaders offering historical info along the route.

See: www.stalhamwithhappingfestival.co.uk

Bishop's Castle Walking Festival

Where: Bishop's Castle, Shropshire

June 12 to 14

What: Explore the Shropshire Hills with a wide range of walks. You might even like to try some wild swimming at this event!

See: www.walkingfestival.co.uk

Herefordshire Walking Festival

Where: Herefordshire

When: 16 to 24

What: The 10th Herefordshire Walking Festival will include more than 40 guided walks of varying length, difficulty and theme.

See: visitherefordshire.co.uk 

Ramblers’ Summer Evening Walks Festival

Where: Nationwide

When: July 1 to 31

What: This is a new festival for 2012. Volunteers will organise short, easy and family-friendly walks that can be fitted in after work.

See: Group Walks Finder

Conwy Walking Week

Where: Conwy, North Wales

When: July 4 to 11

What: Expect a varied programme of walks from professional walk leaders. The festival will take in fabulous coastal scenery and the historic walled town of Conwy.

See: www.conwy.gov.uk

Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Walking Festival

Where: Perthshire, Scotland

When: Sept 13 to 16

What: Lots of A to B walks (transport included in walks) to make the most of the wonderful scenery. There will be seven new walks in 2012. All led by an experienced guide.

See: Blairgowrie Walking Festival

 

Related articles

• Put your best foot forward & discover a host of walking festivals in Wales (visitwales.co.uk)
• A Welsh wander: Tackle the 870 mile-long Wales Coast Path a little at a time (independent.co.uk)
• Guides: Best in Wales: You perfect holiday in Anglesey (walesonline.co.uk)

T-shirts and kit for sunny days

The sun has got its hat on – and we’re all rejoicing in a little warm weather fun. But outdoors activities in hot weather do bring a few hazards, not least “sweating”! While sweating is a natural by-product of enjoying your time outdoors in the sun, few of us will welcome the other side effects, including dampness, clamminess and odour.

That’s why outdoor clothing for warmer weather is made with magical breathable fabrics. With Regatta outdoor clothing, look out for a range of fabrics that are used in warm weather garments, such as t-shirts.

Comfort Control: Made from synthetic blends, Comfort Control fabric is both comfortable against the skin and highly effective at wicking moisture away from the skin. What this means is that when you sweat the vapours can evaporate through the fabric. Another advantage of Comfort Control fabrics is that it’s quick drying.

Carbon bamboo: Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, and boasts amazing technical qualities such as keeping your body dry by allowing sweat to escape and sun protection of SPF 20+. The bamboo fabric is also great at keeping body odour at bay thanks to natural anti-bacterial properties. Genius, eh?!

Another feature to look out for is SunShade. These are Regatta fabrics that offer sun protection of 20+ to 40+

Great t-shirts for sunny days

For women

Ecoland T-shirt Feminine fit and made from Carbon bamboo. This t-shirt comes in slimming black or fun bright colours. Lovely!

 

 

Adventura t-shirt Fabbie feminine-fit in a technical performance t-shirt. You’ll love bodymapping design detail and the colour range!

 

For men

Ecoland t-shirt A carbon bamboo wick-away sweat t-shirt.  Natural antibacterial properties are ideal for hot days of walking, travelling or running around with your kids playing football.

 

Adventura T-shirt Guys like a bit of colour in their t-shirts and this Adventura t-shirt comes in lots of colours! It’s also lightweight and quick-drying with a great bodymapping design.

 

For kids

 

Speedway t-shirt Kids like to have all the latest kit and this Speedway t-shirt ticks the boxes. It's a sporty design in great colours, and has a technical wicking fabric. This is the ideal way to keep the kids happy while they muck about in the outdoors.

Other dangers on sunny days

Sunburn and dehydration are two other hazards. Make sure you always apply lots of sunscreen and keep sipping on water. 

And don't forget the advantages of a sun hat for keeping the hot rays from your face and neck. 

Sun hats that look good and keep you cool

Head cool bucket hat comes with mesh ventilation for keeping your head cool on even the hottest of days. And there's no excuse for leaving this hat at home because it easily compresses so it's simple to stow in your rucksack or handbag. 

Pioneer hat: For times when you want to keep the sun off your face and your neck. It evens boasts an anti-mosquito finish, which makes it a great travel hat.

Dasher hat keeps kids cool, too. The cap is adjustable so it will fit a rnage of different ages.

 

Lighter weight summer outdoor clothing

Warm and sunny. Windy and wet. Heavy rain, then drizzle, then sunshine. Have we ever been faced with such changeable weather in summer? But just because Mr Weather seems to have slightly lost the plot it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy being outdoors this summer. It’s simply a case of being dressed for all seasons!

Today's lighter weight summer outdoor clothing makes perfect sense for the recent changeable conditions. Temperatures are mostly higher than during the winter months (unless you're walking at great heights in Scotland!) and although the rain does seem to occur frequently it is not as prolonged as during the wettest winter months.

But outdoor clothing does need to be able to cope with warmer bodies in summer. Whether you’re walking, cycling or running, we will all perspire a bit more and so layers, from baselayers through to outers, need to be breathable. This means that you should look for fabrics that allow sweat to escape as vapour molecules from your body and through the layers to the great outdoors.

Modern outdoor clothing fabrics are magic

High quality outdoor clothing fabrics allow sweat to escape but also keep the rain and wind out. This is vital if you want to stay warm and dry, even on a warm summer’s day.

Dress for all weathers

We recommend that you start with outdoor trousers that have the option to zip-off to become shorts or three-quarter length trousers. For example, Medina zip off trousers for women or Lattice zip-off trousers for men.

Add a t-shirt base-layer and then a long sleeved base layer. A lightweight jacket can be added on top, or else stowed in your rucksack fro use if/when it rains. Throw in another baselayer, such as a lightweight fleece, if you’re planning to be out all-day or walking at heights where temperatures will drop.

For lightweight jackets form women, check out the Packaway II or the Moriah jacket. For men, see the Padget jacket and the Jarrett Packaway.

A few accessories

You might think that hats and gloves can be left at home but not if you’re walking the UK’s mountains. Many hills still have snow on top and they can be very exposed and blowy. A hat and a pair of gloves do not take up much room in a rucksack so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 Add waterproof over-trousers, too. These can be put on if needed or kept in your rucksack if the weather stays dry.

What to wear on your feet

It really depends on where you’re planning to walk. Walking shoes and mid-height boots will be fine for lower level walking and on drier days. Walking boots are a must if you plan to walk at higher levels or where the ground will be muddy and rocky. See our guide to the right walking footwear for you.

More summer outdoor tips

Bright ideas: Brighter clothing means that you’ll be easily spotted if you ever get into trouble or danger.

Made to fit: In general, men will suit male fit clothing, while women will be better suited to the female physique.

For sporty types: Regatta's Isotex 5000 stretch waterproof fabric is great for items that require a bit more give when taking part in activities, for example brisk walking, running or climbing. It's waterproof, breathable and stretchy all in one.

Happy summer days!

Guide to buying walking boots

Taking your much-loved walking boots from the back of the cupboard, dusting them off and giving them the once over for a planned early summer walk, you realise, with something of a heavy heart, that it’s time to Buy A New Pair.

“But my old boots fit so well,” you lament. “The have walked so many miles with me… and I can recall the pain of walking those boots in. I can’t face the hassle of making a new pair of walking boots feel comfy.”

But, deep down, you know the time has come. So where do you start? A glance at the walking boot stores reveals hundreds of different boots, in different styles, coming in at a wide range of prices. There are leather boots, part leather and canvas, full-on Gore-Tex, full height walking boots, mid-height boots and walking shoes. There are also walking boots made for mountains, hills, trails, winter and summer.

So where do you begin in your quest for the perfect walking boot? Here we bring you a guide to walking boots.

Comfort: Believe it or not it’s possible in the modern world to buy a pair of walking boots that will not cause blisters and days of discomfort until they are “worn in”. Modern materials and designs mean that your boots or shoes should be ultra comfortable from the moment that you pop them on.  If they don’t feel comfortable, don’t buy them.

Try on in the afternoon: Your feet swell during the day. It’s the same for everyone. And your feet will swell while you’re walking in the countryside. So try on your new boots in the afternoon for the best fit.

Wear your walking socks: This might seem obvious, but the best socks to wear when trying on your walking boots are your favourite walking socks. You could even treat yourself to a new pair of walking socks for extra comfort.

Leather or fabric?: For many years leather was the material of choice when manufacturing outdoor footwear because leather is tough, durable and breathable. These days many more walking boots are now made using new fabrics that offer toughness, durability, breathability and comfort. Modern fabric footwear will not be as tough or durable as leather footwear but they will almost certainly offer better comfort and breathability.

Fit for purpose: Be guided by the manufacturers recommendations. A walking boot that is suitable for mountain walking will be heavier and offer much more stability and grip than a boot that is suited to countryside rambling. Generally, the sturdier a boot the more expensive it will be. If you plan to walk at different times of the year and on different terrains you might need to buy a couple of pairs of boots. Walking summer hills in a pair of mountaineering boots is tiring and less than comfortable.

Full height v mid-height walking boots: The difference between these type of boots is the height of the ankle support. If you have weaker ankles or you plan to be walking on rocky or rough terrain, full height walking boots are the best choice. Mid height walking boots are more comfortable because they are not as rigid around the ankle area but they offer less in the way of support. Mid-height walking boots will be suited to easier-going terrain and for shorter distance walks where the gradients are not to severe. The ankles of boots also offer protection from mud and rain.

What about walking shoes?: In the summer and on countryside rambles, many people prefer to wear walking shoes because they allow more freedom of movement and feel lighter. Walking shoes are best suited to leisurely walks with the family, regular dog walking or walking on terrain that is solid underfoot. Remember that mud and rain will more easily get into your shoes because you do not have ankle cover.

Walk the boots in: It is commonsense that you should allow you feet time to become used to your new boots. Buying a brand-new pair of boots and then setting off to walk 20 miles over hills and valleys will lead to discomfort. While modern boots are generally very comfortable they do need a bit of walking in. Wear your boots for everyday trips such as walking to the office or going shopping. You can even wear them around the house. In this way the boots will feel more comfortable when you head into the hills.

What to look out for in boots: Modern walking boots come with lots of features, such as eye locks for keeping laces tight once they have been tied; different types of soles for different terrains; orthotic insoles for improved comfort while walking; plus cushioned tongues and ankle support. It’s worth looking around and checking out the wide range of features before deciding on the right pair of boots for you.

English dog handling team selected

On Saturday 21st April, at Drakeshead Kennels in Lancashire, invited handlers and dogs stepped up to the challenge of selection for the England Team. Successful handlers and dogs will compete in the CLA Game Fair at Belvoir Castle in July.  Many had an early start with some travelling from Sussex, Northumberland, Cheshire and Lincolnshire, to take part in what turned out to be a very tough day for all.                          

As is normally the case, the tests had been well thought out by the vastly experienced John and Sandra Halstead.  Nothing was as simple as it might have first appeared. Derek Caple and Gaynor Gent were tasked with judging this year`s selection and they did an assured job with 6 dogs surviving at the end of the day.

The water tests  proved difficult for all dogs. There was a pre- nominated exit point and strong handling was required to push the dogs between two tempting islands at a tricky angle for a blind retrieve.

After due consideration, the following handlers were selected for the England Team, at the CLA Game Fair, captained by John Halstead:-

John Halsted Jr

David Latham

Lee Hartis

Brendon Kelly

Nicola Rudgard

Reserve: John Halsted Jr (second dog)

Later in the week John Halstead decided upon the England Team for the Skinners World Cup Retriever event at Highclere on 26/27 May 2012 as follows:-

David Latham with FTCH Delfleet Neon of Fendarwood

Lee Hartis with FTCH Lowforge Aragon of Leacas

Brendon Kelly with Buxbury Bathsheba

Nicola Rudgard with Waterford Featherman

Reserve: Mark Demaine  with FTCH Calderhey Adder

The Team will be wearing Regatta for the 5th year. With the weather as it has been, we are sure the wet weather clothes in particular will be put to good use.

Watch out for more updates on the team`s progress.

Picture shows Nicola, Lee and Mark after a training session at Drakeshead.

Where to walk amid glorious blossom trees

It all happens so suddenly doesn’t it? One moment the trees are bare of leaves, the next there are stunning blossoms. Blossom is actually the term given to a cluster of flowers that bloom on any plant - so that includes magnolia, hawthorn and blackthorn, as well as the more traditional cherry and apple blossoms.

In spring and early summer, it’s the blossoms of the cherry, plum, apple and pear trees that say “Summer’s here!” (Although in parts of the UK right now, it might feel more like winter again!) But, still, the blossoms offer the promise of a beautiful summer ahead.

The pink-flowered trees, commonly planted in towns, are Japanese ornamental varieties, whereas the UK's native wild cherry has white flowers. 

In Japan, the cherry blossom is revered and symbolises clouds, and is a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life. The country is known for its annual cherry blossom festival Hanami.

 A cherry tree blossom study by The Natural History Museum has found that Japanese cherry trees are the second most frequently recorded of the cherry blossoms in the UK, after the wild cherry. The most popular setting for cherry trees is in private gardens.

The many types of blossoms

•  Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is one of the first trees to flower in spring. It has gorgeous white blossoms. In autumn it bears sloes.
• Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) blossoms in early April. Flowers are white or pale pink. Later in the year these trees produce small red fruits. 
• The wild cherry (Prunus avium) produces cup-shaped white flowers in April even before its leaves. This is a tree that is common in woodland.
• The winter-flowering cherry (Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis Rosea') actually reveals blossom during mild weather from November through to March. The blossom is a lovely pale pink hue.

According to the experts the last three blossom seasons have been patchy, and while it may seem like blossom was early this year, in fact the season is right on time.

This month we’ve seen lots of ornamental plum trees, as well blackthorn blossoms. Hawthorn blossoms are due about now in some parts of the UK. Scotland tends to see blossoms coming through a bit later, and just now the pinks of the cherry blossoms are glorious. Next up will be apple blossoms.

Where to walk amid glorious blossom trees

Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Why?: This fabulous garden claims the largest collection of great white cherry in the UK

The Cherry Walk at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, London.

Why? The Japanese cherries have long been synonymous with Kew and they first arrived in 1909.

Silk Wood in Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

Why?: Take in a semi-natural ancient woodland and some of the earliest flowering cherries

Brogdale Farm in Kent

Why?: Home to the National Fruit Collection, the Blossom Walk  here is truly memorable.

Big Tree Country, Perthsire

Why?: Perthshire in the Scottish Highlands boasts a wonderful array of trees and is much renowned for both pink and white cherry blossoms, as well as the world's tallest hedge.

Tatton Park, Cheshire

Why?: Just gorgeous! That’s why.

Valley Gardens, Windsor Great Park, Windsor

Why?: Beautiful blossoming trees have been part of the landscape here since the middle of the 18th century

Ness Botanic Gardens, South Wirral          

Why?: See a wide selection of blossoming cherries along with other flowering trees and shrubs.

What to wear to walk amid blossoms

Don’t forget to dress for a range of seasons this summer! With ever changing weather you’ll need to be prepared for rain, wind, sun – and even snow. This isn’t a problem if you have the right outdoors clothing.