Whinlatter Forest

It must be five years since I last went on this walk and unfortunately it has changed for the worst. The first section hasn't altered one bit, using an old forest road to take you in and around Revlon Moss and this is a joy in any weather. All the way round you have the call of the many species of birds ringing in your ears and the surrounding woodland is quite varied and, in its own way, quite pretty.

It is the second section which has changed beyond belief. They have done massive tree clearances all up the fell sides and have just left the ground to regenerate naturally over years to come. What used to be a lovely seclude valley with a beck and cascades running through has now turned into an unkempt mess. The impression it left on the friend I was with, who hadn't been to this area before, was far from favourable.

Many years ago, if you were lucky, you could even catch a glance of one of the deer which resided at the head of the valley but I don't think there are any about these days. This is due to the forest now seemingly catering more for cyclist and adventure seekers than for the wildlife that the many people like me, just wanted to enjoy it in peaceful surroundings. Now all you hear is the sound of the people on the Go Ape Adventure Centre up at the Visitor Centre or the many bikers shouting at the tops of their voice to each other as the speed along the plethora of man-made tracks. Maybe its just me who hasn't moved with the times and who is slowly turning in to a grumpy old man, I don't know!

Grizedale Forest has gone the same way as well. The only wooded area which hasn't been developed in some way, shape or form is Dodd Wood, which I think, and hope, is too steep sided for any sort of structure (I'll make an exception for the exquisite cafe).

We still enjoyed our walk but I think that was mainly due to us liking each others company so much. It was certainly not due to the work of the Forestry Commission. Its only saving grace was that all the clearing had been done well away from the road and was hidden from the main Visitor Centre area.

This is the second negative blog I have done in recent weeks, I do hope our natural wild areas are not slowly being eaten up by profiteering.