Episode 2.46 - Pathways to the Past and Countryside Connections

Join Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin on a breezy mid-November morning at High Ash Farm, strolling along Boudica Way—a historic public footpath turned wide, welcoming trail—amid discussions on evolving access to the countryside, from ancient worker routes to modern stewardship schemes that transformed contentious paths into assets for health, education, and wildlife. Explore permissive walks offering panoramic views of rolling hills, self-seeded woodlands, and therapeutic spots like cancer remembrance seats, while delving into farm diversification through optional sponsor routes, free parking, and optional donations that sustain miles of mown tracks without policing. Witness herring gulls charming worms with foot-patting dances, migratory fieldfares flocking westward in cold-weather movements, and Rat's antics among horses, alongside listener insights on roe deer antlers shed during rutting battles and slime moulds—protozoa mimicking scrambled eggs—that migrate across woodland debris. A thoughtful traverse through rural rights, seasonal spectacles, and innovative income streams, perfect for appreciating the therapeutic tapestry of accessible landscapes.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432378/episodes/18177698-episode-2-46-pathways-to-the-past-and-countryside-connections.mp3?download=true