Public rights of way

The U.K. has a web of public rights of way spread across it. These are footpaths across private land over which the public are legally able to walk. Land owners are required to keep such paths accessible both in fields and where they cross into other fields by gates or stiles. Most do this well: others make little effort, and a few are deliberately obstructive. I saw these walkers from the summit of Coombe Hill, near Wendover, in Buckinghamshire. The farmer had done a great job marking the path in his carefully prepared field and the walkers were sticking to it - a win win situation. It also made for an interesting photograph.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Bracken and horizons

The ascent to the summit of Sugar Loaf takes the walker through an area of bracken with grass tracks criss-crossing it. On the day of our climb the unseasonal weather contrasted with the brown of the fading plants. However, it did make for great skies and successive, beautiful and subtly graduated horizons. I took this shot from about half way up and included my wife and grand-daughter for scale and as a point of interest.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

Malvern Hills walkers

The Malvern Hills that border the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire offer a relatively gentle stroll with a few steepish climbs to summits that give magnificent views over the surrounding farmland, woods, heaths, villages and towns. Consequently it is not unusual to see a rather higher proportion of older walkers exercising their limbs, hearts and lungs, and taking in the prospects on offer - particularly on a beautiful September day as shown in the photograph.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10