Maps and guide books - do you really need them?
I used to think that money spent on maps and guide books was completely wasted. What changed my mind was browsing ordnance survey maps and reading some guide books before going on holiday.
What I found was that when I arrived I knew that there was a particular feature and something about the history of it. When walking the public footpaths I could recall that they have been in existence for hundreds of years and were used by the common people to walk from farm to farm and village to village.
I was no longer tramping a path but communing with those who had gone before me. When you combine that with a little family history research you soon acquire an acute sense of continuity and empathy with the land. In my case I found that my ancestors were farm labourers so now when I walk a field path I think about my ancestors and how they must have done the same thing.
I urge you to do some reading about the local area before visiting, even if you're only going for a day, it will increase your enjoyment enormously.
There are a few essentials that you need for an enjoyable visit to the lake district, you might think these are a bit boring, but maps and reading books.
Why maps? - Well it's great fun to browse over the Ordnance Survey maps of the area where you will be visiting, especially if you intend to do some fell walking or climbing. The level of detail is unparalleled, you can see the footpaths, country lanes and farm tracks. Once you understand the symbols, and they're all listed on each map, you can plan you own walks. When you read descriptions of walks you can follow them on the map and see where they go before setting foot on the ground.
Two other sorts of books you need - factual books about the area and a 'good read'. Sadly the lakes are there because of one thing, rain. Sometimes it comes down in buckets, then unless you're an all-weather walker your best option may be to curl up with that good book that you've been meaning to read. This can be a really enjoyable pastime, especially if you had an exhausting walk the day before. So . . . sort out that book now and order it from one of there suppliers.
Finally, a word about making the journey there and back more pleasant if you are taking children, why not surprise them with some new reading books for the journey. You can keep them hidden until you get that inevitable question . . . "Are we nearly there yet ?" Then surprise them with a couple of new books, pick the right ones and you've a ready-made source of reading for the holiday. You can pick educational ones - like guides to wild flowers and plants, children really love it when you spend time with them identifying plants and trees.
Alternatively think about Peter Rabbit, visit the area where the stories were written - the possibilities are endless.
