Walking-A Beginner’s Guide
by James Carron

James Carron, based in Scotland, specializes in active outdoor pursuits including hill-walking, mountaineering, mountain biking, backpacking and camping. He writes for a number of walking, outdoor and travel magazines,
books and the Internet.

I received a copy of this book by James Carron for review.  I found it entertaining, easy to read and pitched at just the right level for all (young or old) who have decided to take up walking as a hobby.  
The introductory chapters give persuasive reasons for taking up walking, ideas on getting started and useful hints for those with health problems. Concise help on boots, clothing, rucksacks, basic equipment and food and drink is collected together in an easily read style.
Places to walk, walking with children (I got a few ideas on walking with my grandchildren), choosing maps and guidebooks and estimating walk times are all covered.
A short chapter on responsible walking is filled with useful advice. Access situations in GB are briefly covered and I might add that our and antiquated access situation in Northern Ireland gets a mention. 

“There are very few public rights of way in Northern Ireland and access to the countryside relies heavily on the goodwill of landowners” . 

Countryside codes, Leave No Trace Ireland, and walking with dogs are all discussed in this chapter. 
The book provides a concise treatment of basic navigation, use of maps in the hills and how to stay safe while walking. 
There is a chapter on “Great Walks in Great Britain”, including three walks in Northern Ireland, all with basic route information.  Another on ideas for walking holidays abroad, and a final chapter with lots of information on mountain walking in GB -including our own Slieve Binnian. 
The book concludes with a most extensive help list.  Around 70 web sites all useful for walking (including Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs) are listed.
I was impressed with this book.  It is not designed to get you a mountain leadership qualification but is nicely written and a goldmine of useful information. An ideal book for those who have recently decided to “get into” walking.
All clubs have minor problems helping “new recruits” become familiar with walking knowledge and walking rules to observe. This solves that problem. 
“Walking-A Beginner’s Guide” is a book which clubs could well recommend to new members or perhaps buy a few club copies for general reading.

Walking-A Beginner’s Guide is published by Need2Know and is available from Need2Know website  www.need2knowbooks.co.uk  or by calling 01733 898103 or emailing  sales@n2kbooks.com . The book is also available through Amazon and all good book shops ISBN: 978-1-86144-101-0
 

National Trails Day ~Sunday 3 October 2010

National Trails Day is a celebration of Ireland’s wonderful variety of trails and a chance for everyone to enjoy some of our most beautiful countryside, forests, mountains and lakes. CAAN will be leading the organisation and marketing of National Trails Day for Northern Ireland in partnership with funders D.of C.A. & L., N.I.E.A., Waterways Ireland and partners National Trust.  
National Trails Day 2009 was very successful in the Republic of Ireland,          
Events included “bat walks”, mountain bike cycles, family orienteering, horse riding, try canoeing, heritage walks and just plain ordinary walking! Several events were held in Northern Ireland.  This year we hope that in all areas of Northern Ireland we can have a fantastic range of interesting and exciting things on a trail, be it on land or water. The next get together of the Volunteer Rangers will be on Sunday 3rd October, to coincide with National Trails Day.

A walk from Rathlin Harbour to the newly designated RSPB Roonivoolin Nature Reserve on the south east tip of Rathlin Island has been organised in partnership between CAAN and the RSPB.
The walk is testing out a new walking route to the nature reserve and should last 4-5 hours. The group will meet at Ballycastle Harbour, get the ferry over to Rathlin and meet with the RSPB who will give a guided walk down to the reserve. The winter timetable for the ferry crossings has yet to be published, but current estimates are leaving Ballycastle at 10am and leaving Rathlin Island harbour at 5.30pm, a 45 minute journey each way. I will confirm times with you if you would like to attend. The cost of the ferry travel will be provided by CAAN, but if you are lucky enough to be in possession of a smart pass, I would be grateful if you could let me know this when booking your place and if you could bring it with you on the day. You will also be required to bring suitable clothing, a packed lunch and enough water for yourself for the walk.