tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691021847279653232024-03-19T12:55:42.931+00:00Broad View from a Small FarmRuth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-40993564882682836192023-04-07T17:22:00.008+01:002023-12-12T20:13:45.239+00:00Getting on with it...<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">A
not inconsiderable bouldery down-climb brought us here.to this photogenic spot, the meteo, lending some extra atmos
.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We'd camped in this valley floor a couple of times before, but no dallying here this
time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp9-OL2F9gmYSYuu8LjrB-iPHdzAEqK8uYFDuK2K12cv-JuWYQT-sAtV3b8cE1tMDFHbaLTdI0-3Dhj2sm5xapZRhZB0hLE4HnOw09Lj98VrN05JufAMy0RdW__dIg12TLBCOTb3sbEg_/s1600/1678175675445433-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp9-OL2F9gmYSYuu8LjrB-iPHdzAEqK8uYFDuK2K12cv-JuWYQT-sAtV3b8cE1tMDFHbaLTdI0-3Dhj2sm5xapZRhZB0hLE4HnOw09Lj98VrN05JufAMy0RdW__dIg12TLBCOTb3sbEg_/s1600/1678175675445433-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Well not <i>that</i> much
dallying</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">A delicious
home made apple cake was on offer at the refuge, and we'd caught up with Estelle
and Orelle, who were busy kit riffling, and planning on cashing extra refreshment from the refuge, whilst sunning themselves on the short turf.</p><p class="MsoNormal">An
afternoon break seemed a reasonable proposition.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">And a chance to admire the view without at the same time having to watch ones footing. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">A lot of this kind of hiking comprises close examination of where your next step lands rather than spending much time appreciating grand vistas.. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Or at least it does if you're not as sure footed as some appear to be.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKZhIONxRB0mS9gxZE4gc2z0nnXdmaSEnLi_unUYyGr8bddUf1n25WAZj4_1Gb91cz8b56bOr7INUicZufoY9Dwor8rJJHfTaiAkmAllizrhRIZLoEdbDez5UZvlJIt3CBxsKoYXfyJZ6/s1600/1678175658674824-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKZhIONxRB0mS9gxZE4gc2z0nnXdmaSEnLi_unUYyGr8bddUf1n25WAZj4_1Gb91cz8b56bOr7INUicZufoY9Dwor8rJJHfTaiAkmAllizrhRIZLoEdbDez5UZvlJIt3CBxsKoYXfyJZ6/s1600/1678175658674824-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>Tiny tiny patches of glacier hang on.<div>But for how much longer 😟<br><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then of course those who have come down.. Must, in <i>this</i> terrain, go back up again. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_taoOWquIIBSrD94XbpYBr9v1nfMErcsKj2sUbum3U0DtJYy-BukIrcTwgOG5FQVGU_iYIics2C9SEio2t0iqa_GTq3Vq2gGCa6je3YlcYofSVujpydA69U9LyCSO6NSxwQCoErlAl2HR/s1600/1678175640521964-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_taoOWquIIBSrD94XbpYBr9v1nfMErcsKj2sUbum3U0DtJYy-BukIrcTwgOG5FQVGU_iYIics2C9SEio2t0iqa_GTq3Vq2gGCa6je3YlcYofSVujpydA69U9LyCSO6NSxwQCoErlAl2HR/s1600/1678175640521964-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>The path back up is a pretty civilised, wide switchback. The GR10 I think<div><br></div><div><br><div>Of course, some of our compadres felt it necessary to make it slightly more exciting by taking shortcut scrambles between the main path.</div><div><br></div><div>And then again some of us <i>didn't</i>.. <br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyXQRVNavPB9F7rGfJCLh89Vids3ArogSXRrOLWADKOKbrhIK7dq170uBwUn2aSja0LtRH2My4yppv-AnnHFmgwTvqdhwm3a1xCWUOwVUpotjhnbnAnl8-55i4NTE0JZ2xZoMLYn8T2ad/s1600/1678175625492881-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyXQRVNavPB9F7rGfJCLh89Vids3ArogSXRrOLWADKOKbrhIK7dq170uBwUn2aSja0LtRH2My4yppv-AnnHFmgwTvqdhwm3a1xCWUOwVUpotjhnbnAnl8-55i4NTE0JZ2xZoMLYn8T2ad/s1600/1678175625492881-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We did go up to the top of the left hand peakon our first trip..</p><p class="MsoNormal">But maybe this time, we'll skirt just a little to the left, as the afternoon wears on, and thoughts turn to days end..</p><p class="MsoNormal">And potential sit down dinner 😊</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszIRO2VXLSiIUKkF0kKDLP5LEiNq6AeTuA33aANxi9LSWtWtjfRVhRhi2ft0fBsvr-_r415Ir7QvYwGaS7mYvQV-Q6rs1cEC9axa8MGKjEhIgRsL7gKE8-WJ9k0pbytfeT4t5ZlrjdR5h/s1600/1678175914984499-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszIRO2VXLSiIUKkF0kKDLP5LEiNq6AeTuA33aANxi9LSWtWtjfRVhRhi2ft0fBsvr-_r415Ir7QvYwGaS7mYvQV-Q6rs1cEC9axa8MGKjEhIgRsL7gKE8-WJ9k0pbytfeT4t5ZlrjdR5h/s1600/1678175914984499-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">More atmospheric posing at the col.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ooo la !! </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwdGsP5zVew-VNtUGQwxrMUavlHxfTO9gJtUfQgHPHOyGi9vBdj0-iJswAvVm6ZEQZK9uL1w5LkorbzVuhE7La_qzJjR3NQ5fc1idHZCdsJR7WbwaAY7p0rRm0DwsqmnKVpiVixwhyphenhyphenU8I/s1600/1678175908132993-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwdGsP5zVew-VNtUGQwxrMUavlHxfTO9gJtUfQgHPHOyGi9vBdj0-iJswAvVm6ZEQZK9uL1w5LkorbzVuhE7La_qzJjR3NQ5fc1idHZCdsJR7WbwaAY7p0rRm0DwsqmnKVpiVixwhyphenhyphenU8I/s1600/1678175908132993-1.png" width="400">
</a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">I decide to give it a try also.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Not too bad but I do really need to watch that tendency towards excessive lordosis </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ah ok, and now down <i>again</i> is it..??</p><p class="MsoNormal">But with the welcome prospect of stopping for the night..</p><p class="MsoNormal">The clouds are starting to look a little more <i>intentional</i>. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVQUfzjN7GbM3jYx13hu2EFiI0NYH6uTVA4NjrFFPyoOhXvyBxKgjrdt90J_rlQKrGt9oelHD9Bq9Ivi7J71vDoUOn72_LEutEPEoyEubITJRHGX7oYksis7MrQ090Dh1eMd3z8yfoVql/s1600/1678176155451649-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVQUfzjN7GbM3jYx13hu2EFiI0NYH6uTVA4NjrFFPyoOhXvyBxKgjrdt90J_rlQKrGt9oelHD9Bq9Ivi7J71vDoUOn72_LEutEPEoyEubITJRHGX7oYksis7MrQ090Dh1eMd3z8yfoVql/s1600/1678176155451649-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOV_t19tLuqrwIaB8sSq0JkalRrMwo3LJkvXhqx2O7ZwG68oeLsSN8_mMKDsjxMg3Lgh6cW-b9PrDwuDbC510sRraddO-3lUD3J8t-Yl7WH1md3sX41Xn9CQ_MKw471_V3UnPoQZucFQ3D7S9_QEjbW0GJhYQdXmdyKxY0OZqMlumhSefLNDTtSAVJOQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOV_t19tLuqrwIaB8sSq0JkalRrMwo3LJkvXhqx2O7ZwG68oeLsSN8_mMKDsjxMg3Lgh6cW-b9PrDwuDbC510sRraddO-3lUD3J8t-Yl7WH1md3sX41Xn9CQ_MKw471_V3UnPoQZucFQ3D7S9_QEjbW0GJhYQdXmdyKxY0OZqMlumhSefLNDTtSAVJOQ" width="400">
</a>
</div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The highly observant (shelter nerds) among you will have noticed that no, this isn't our tent.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">But sturdy pitching advice on tricky ground from an old hand is often welcome, and kept </p><p class="MsoNormal">Far <i>too</i> modest to call himself an 'expert' of course - that task is left to others.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">We (the 'clan' almost by now) decided to treat ourselves to a meal in the refuge nearby, they had space for more diners, and we had space for big dinners.. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">At 2651m Baysellance is <i>one</i> of the, or even <i>the</i> highest staffed refuges in the range. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL1cf1RoULcNeiUxw2O_vx6yWvQFYPARquCreWA2RGkBQ6xVrR1iiWcZal0GVw0IwUnA7sL4yT4H8pZPCB-PEmWHAq8jD7vFhx2TqmZfJDfO6u1VokpIKW1wc37CexXE6FDSHmwiuqxmNYcut3CpM8mgyyvSZABit42K6zoEZtV69E0qbwO1TccO8alg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL1cf1RoULcNeiUxw2O_vx6yWvQFYPARquCreWA2RGkBQ6xVrR1iiWcZal0GVw0IwUnA7sL4yT4H8pZPCB-PEmWHAq8jD7vFhx2TqmZfJDfO6u1VokpIKW1wc37CexXE6FDSHmwiuqxmNYcut3CpM8mgyyvSZABit42K6zoEZtV69E0qbwO1TccO8alg" width="400">
</a>
</div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Quite a feast.. And it looks like I might have <i>said</i> something - -- 🤔</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsscQOs-GG8gYoF5YaabQEmfMfo3Cb6f9vhm9iQCwm6MXtyXRBfpti6nzndAQOwqmIgU6oZfnLzppo213W6xIyIt3VN5Ced8OJOQbs-rWIJPraR32uGzZV1vo6vpEbOcoVe9QaU84qGDm2zzUnQZ8u2iCF16O2byQGT6fpbMDtyFbfuEfr5W9MgqKAzA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsscQOs-GG8gYoF5YaabQEmfMfo3Cb6f9vhm9iQCwm6MXtyXRBfpti6nzndAQOwqmIgU6oZfnLzppo213W6xIyIt3VN5Ced8OJOQbs-rWIJPraR32uGzZV1vo6vpEbOcoVe9QaU84qGDm2zzUnQZ8u2iCF16O2byQGT6fpbMDtyFbfuEfr5W9MgqKAzA" width="400">
</a>
</div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile outside, the clouds rolled in to play.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">That night was a proper noisy storm.</p><p class="MsoNormal">And a full on downpour for several hours .</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">Most of our pitches drained ok, and shelters stood firm. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">Only one camper got unlucky, and woke up almost floating in her own personal Lac d'Estelle. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Thankfully, the next night promised a campsite and a chance to clean and dry some items.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPZUz9N5P6QB_tTn_uXQNYexYTkWyweG2QpVJT3g6Tj9fTroGjAgwIubnIruYTmbe_weJpsDcu2GUwI4k0lMJQUxFDVaS7M2iyRPsxR18DZtAWnwdUbr9cQWGzh81s5Ocyj8j8rF8HGXLbeM7aVbTyaQiCsFsIWZfkqdfwITvUdOtiWakjnvb08HJ_JA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPZUz9N5P6QB_tTn_uXQNYexYTkWyweG2QpVJT3g6Tj9fTroGjAgwIubnIruYTmbe_weJpsDcu2GUwI4k0lMJQUxFDVaS7M2iyRPsxR18DZtAWnwdUbr9cQWGzh81s5Ocyj8j8rF8HGXLbeM7aVbTyaQiCsFsIWZfkqdfwITvUdOtiWakjnvb08HJ_JA" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>That morning the Canadians and continentals decided upon a skirmishes up Petit Vignemale..</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>But having been up before-</div><div>- and still.having a good few hours of walking in front of us.<br></div><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaISMJcZJ8dF9g__9rXkpxL8A-WYZp11ZD6RjXS4BWISvHbrPmayyMIP2JrjbjhIOd8_IvOTXlXpFZaB8rpJvWSzGM0LUJjIZbULBTdZnIDzLatno7h8I8HAkDyRszWMyn3c2YjMZX5B5fedhZFe2W5CXhlaHird4xB0tL5_YFE4RT6orkXJhJdmh26g" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaISMJcZJ8dF9g__9rXkpxL8A-WYZp11ZD6RjXS4BWISvHbrPmayyMIP2JrjbjhIOd8_IvOTXlXpFZaB8rpJvWSzGM0LUJjIZbULBTdZnIDzLatno7h8I8HAkDyRszWMyn3c2YjMZX5B5fedhZFe2W5CXhlaHird4xB0tL5_YFE4RT6orkXJhJdmh26g" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>We decided onwards..Yes ok, it was mostly downhill, but that's not exactly effortless in this terrain.. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFgxSIeHrxyb4yvDNQjOSN4IdchGojDA3o9hI-kQD9UPQdKxIcAyzwCB6BlGIDiN6v4cJ_bmOUnmhAHSGLVLzKGkchsfIRXwUfbp_RTHAzg80LI2jCJYbo4KGgVKHbJVoe0gQ_TjH9Cq3NeR-YnJ8SBz1S61kAGtzhcZdwT8JKza5uas2GOiZi1YhcQA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFgxSIeHrxyb4yvDNQjOSN4IdchGojDA3o9hI-kQD9UPQdKxIcAyzwCB6BlGIDiN6v4cJ_bmOUnmhAHSGLVLzKGkchsfIRXwUfbp_RTHAzg80LI2jCJYbo4KGgVKHbJVoe0gQ_TjH9Cq3NeR-YnJ8SBz1S61kAGtzhcZdwT8JKza5uas2GOiZi1YhcQA" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2r1E9k9VQ2hwHDtEtSAKglH6u4qFEwuSa6BXKmTkbu_6JA2vk0lMO0bidP8eRvQNJNmEs_cmgJaAWNvmaa6NBbLHHX-FBjJk_-Zd5pmGB-56rGuwGswI4reAqdqEy4QJp4xt_VbDO5TsQSjd43WXsoEJSlo64HSRJx7QokT9GA3xmCKoqrE6SXrGXPw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2r1E9k9VQ2hwHDtEtSAKglH6u4qFEwuSa6BXKmTkbu_6JA2vk0lMO0bidP8eRvQNJNmEs_cmgJaAWNvmaa6NBbLHHX-FBjJk_-Zd5pmGB-56rGuwGswI4reAqdqEy4QJp4xt_VbDO5TsQSjd43WXsoEJSlo64HSRJx7QokT9GA3xmCKoqrE6SXrGXPw" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>Towards town it gets a bit more uppy downy, through the meadows, and I believe the last descent towards Gavarnie found me tiring of hot rocks and downclimbs. </div><div><br></div><div>Very poor form I know to get grumpy on ones holidays especially with the prospect of a cold beer not far off.. </div><div><br></div><div>Gavarnie has a very picturesque riverside campsite just a little way up the river from the main town.</div><div>About which some folks can be a little rude, as it perhaps lacks the cachet of other mountain resorts.. </div><div>But then some folks are a bit fussy imo.. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8sap4Iy2TrR6PKleqwB1iBMpkbIm5XBqddT4H8DUhTVRPf-t0Jqoh-Z4ptEYD6f7sM7fydyMAnbAbm3EZtgl2D3BsiqE_T12EDhec26bfAnxAgJWs1OqBz5eMfn2Tcp34W158Ru7CZIac2WWUUzwMF6U2oOSQyEg0M4oN3GWQdj9lSJ5SHmSvVmSWMg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8sap4Iy2TrR6PKleqwB1iBMpkbIm5XBqddT4H8DUhTVRPf-t0Jqoh-Z4ptEYD6f7sM7fydyMAnbAbm3EZtgl2D3BsiqE_T12EDhec26bfAnxAgJWs1OqBz5eMfn2Tcp34W158Ru7CZIac2WWUUzwMF6U2oOSQyEg0M4oN3GWQdj9lSJ5SHmSvVmSWMg" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The prospect of stopping for a couple of nights, cleaning oneself, and ones things was very welcome.</div><div> Simple pleasures such as hot running water, and not having to get up early and pack everything up..</div><div>Highly luxurious . </div><div><br></div><div>The next day was spent washing, eating resupplying and napping, and eating again -particularly lots of salad stuff. </div><div>Greenery being a bit lacking in the 'hill diet' .</div><div><br></div><div>We loafed about, with even the elevation from the washroom to our pitch seeming like a fairly rigorous climb </div><div>But Estelle, being Estelle decided that a day off must have a bit action in it, so went for a minor skirmish up the famous circque (de Gavarnie) and then, as if that wasn't enough up a nearby peak called Taillion - only 4000 m high 🙄</div><div> </div><div>Upon return, one of my favourite deapan statements from her.</div><div><br></div><div>"The wind was <i>so</i> strong up there, I thought I might get blown off the ridge and die -- </div><div><br></div><div>- but I <i>didn't</i> die " </div><div><br></div><div>That was really most excellent news 😊</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-17244355607856894902023-03-05T22:17:00.000+00:002023-03-05T22:17:02.334+00:00Towards that vanishing point - Vers Vignemale on the HRP<p> Movement onwards, is where many of us find our happiness, even <i>if</i> we're <i>not</i> trying to outrun our own selves.</p><p>Especially when travelling through splendours such as this...</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzI1cn32JzHBpcdOf2iY0TMOcM-MrnnVIxSc3sANJge9s3475hoeu6zcpaCTQzDvtiCxDmmeARErH8prlAyEf4pFsmsb0uYUH8Jj-rhZylydcOzfI5ZDaPw8odMFkZzE92C0qBXBl6gZtC/s1600/1676988109610000-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzI1cn32JzHBpcdOf2iY0TMOcM-MrnnVIxSc3sANJge9s3475hoeu6zcpaCTQzDvtiCxDmmeARErH8prlAyEf4pFsmsb0uYUH8Jj-rhZylydcOzfI5ZDaPw8odMFkZzE92C0qBXBl6gZtC/s1600/1676988109610000-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>Made more so, by that sweet repose, when our muscles and mind come together and chime 'thats enough movement for today, thanks.</p><p>So then rest in itself, that sheer absence of effort becomes a total luxury.</p><p>A soft enough surface to lie on, a warm enough.covering.</p><p>And a simple meal, substantial enough to keep a hungry belly from waking one up in the night.</p><p>Very basic needs met, become more than enough.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmfWxaBtFy9BmmUhEH72WECQmREBbiHr6jkkg2OcP6b71UIMnPlCn-05istJA6QNBhwUsJ6n07U4T9cL1tZE8WfRNr51oEEvNuI7cmxhPpqkgKyqg7O0Ld1zj2nXThw1rCFn3Eh-i2sWA/s1600/1677622176921153-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmfWxaBtFy9BmmUhEH72WECQmREBbiHr6jkkg2OcP6b71UIMnPlCn-05istJA6QNBhwUsJ6n07U4T9cL1tZE8WfRNr51oEEvNuI7cmxhPpqkgKyqg7O0Ld1zj2nXThw1rCFn3Eh-i2sWA/s1600/1677622176921153-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>The morning had dawned fair, but promised storms.<br /></p><p>But as the wise sign has it<br /></p><p><b> "If you wait for a <i>good</i> forecast, you might never leave the bistro" </b></p><p>An early enough start saw us leaving Pombie and trundling far down into the valley, where a road crossed longditudanally and shepherds were moving their massed flocks to lower and lusher pastures.</p><p>Doing this transfer earlier in the season than usual, owing to the dearth of upland grass after a droughty summer.</p><p>They too predicted 'dreadful' storms, for that day. </p><p>Dire forecasts seemed to be the standard habit of sheep-keepers hereabouts .</p><p>But what to do?</p><p>Hide out for hours in a roadside shack, just in case ?</p><p>Decided instead to adopt usual.'stoic mode' when it come to rain, and keeping moving. climbing back up into the valley opposite.</p><p>Passing some snoozing hosses.</p><p>I don't think they were doing the classic lying down before the rain comes.</p><p>Just flaked out foals, watched over by their mommas.. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYapSimWQgbxBCcgdppeinWbOqweR4ZMuFwdpaAPBR8DX_RwAJArCRksAN7g1-7xjUpYxu1E6_sthafQ7ALmqE87RPA3A_gTrqwdsTJbCOhKR4_8MZj_1cuAurmX6SI9odtLGpPWPc6j4/s1600/1677622151093827-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYapSimWQgbxBCcgdppeinWbOqweR4ZMuFwdpaAPBR8DX_RwAJArCRksAN7g1-7xjUpYxu1E6_sthafQ7ALmqE87RPA3A_gTrqwdsTJbCOhKR4_8MZj_1cuAurmX6SI9odtLGpPWPc6j4/s1600/1677622151093827-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>Cows behaving 'properly' in the background.</p><p>And soon after, yes, the heavens did indeed open upon us<br /></p><p>A good covering of hail did descend, <i>much</i> thunderousness and lightening occurred too. </p><p><i>If</i> caught out in a lightening storm you're <i>not</i> supposed to shelter under rocks, or in caves apparently, because of the way the lightning can spread across and curve around rock faces when struck..</p><p><br /></p><p>So <i>quite</i> naturally we sheltered from the crashingly loud downpour under a large rock, and had an early lunch.. </p><p>I mean, you would though, wouldn't you..??</p><p>OK, despite our persistent 'aliveness' up to date of publication, it <i>might</i> be best <i>not</i> to take storm survival tips from the likes of us 🙄</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtd83jQIXWbH85cZn_5OxDLUad9UaFS6PjGgI3lxqGLZFXIDIlSLg-FBvKz9pRaIQ2sKt4lgo79uSuSqiANKkS5TFGa6z_KQ3wuJ4RX9B-0PPPmQ9AeLt8OFeswB96TPb9oKba51-frU0/s1600/1676988052513949-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtd83jQIXWbH85cZn_5OxDLUad9UaFS6PjGgI3lxqGLZFXIDIlSLg-FBvKz9pRaIQ2sKt4lgo79uSuSqiANKkS5TFGa6z_KQ3wuJ4RX9B-0PPPmQ9AeLt8OFeswB96TPb9oKba51-frU0/s1600/1676988052513949-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>Darkness cleared away, and now looking back -- behind the cloud just above his head is where we'd camped that night<div><p><br /></p><p>Then up and up, some more -</p><p> I was looking forwards 'most cheerily' to taking the passage de Orteig, that we'd bottled on a previous trip.</p><p>It's only a channel of rock cut into a deathly vertiginous rock face, where you can <i>confidently</i> steady yourself with a chain strung along its length.</p><p>Child's play.</p><p>Although not recommended for when wet, or in potential thunderstorms..</p><p>Grasping electrified wet metal on an exposed rockface - really could amp up the 'fun factor' by several notches 🙄</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAkMCpd9yRj_LUYpAfKCpqS9wkmp2zS0_EgGDY8m9hDNO57FoTMbKcbXRartdnyDzX5vrAUXrUhmAUMxNoT5SY-kMEdGJMjij2DSR7erU_mYvfz6ecnqV-QEpjlLlTQ6KrGsmwbG12xg_/s1600/1677622130011802-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAkMCpd9yRj_LUYpAfKCpqS9wkmp2zS0_EgGDY8m9hDNO57FoTMbKcbXRartdnyDzX5vrAUXrUhmAUMxNoT5SY-kMEdGJMjij2DSR7erU_mYvfz6ecnqV-QEpjlLlTQ6KrGsmwbG12xg_/s1600/1677622130011802-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>Anyhow after a cooling dip here in the Lac l'Arrious (for him) near where we'd camped (again in a thunderstorm) on a previous trip, we set off stoutly to the start of the passage.</p><p>I <i>could</i> do it, for certain, even though the big step up on to the gnarlier part was a bit much for my already tired legs.</p><p>Which suddenly seemed to lose all strength.</p><p>The rock was still wet, and I could tell that <i>my</i> fairly apparent nerves about it were making his carefully gathered courage ebb away.</p><p>It's one thing managing your own fears when they're tested.</p><p>But <i>his</i> having to be 'brave' for two, would have spoiled it for him </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_KUZPDD3QBE4aXf7ORNnKYfnOqLbakvc3xsi8Wg69l40tiV-yHFocFAA5n0VRTe_qnV_0T5hk7ClKsXGmCIgD6dSHDoPHylOSsABFUdf4claG8FW4dCUQywTc1La8JnobLYURTMpD0rL/s1600/1676987910174612-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_KUZPDD3QBE4aXf7ORNnKYfnOqLbakvc3xsi8Wg69l40tiV-yHFocFAA5n0VRTe_qnV_0T5hk7ClKsXGmCIgD6dSHDoPHylOSsABFUdf4claG8FW4dCUQywTc1La8JnobLYURTMpD0rL/s1600/1676987910174612-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>(the path <i>much less</i> travelled - by me at least 🙄) </div><div>Just about visible across the shadowed rockface.<br /><p></p><p>So I decided to go the longer way round..</p><p>Down a rocky path via a gently bovine filled valley and then up again, leaving him free to just 'do it' without thinking too much about it.</p><p><br /></p><p>And what I <i>really</i> enjoyed so very much about this whole scenario?? </p><p>Is that I didn't particularly <i>mind</i> at all </p><p>Once upon a time I'd have given myself a hard time for not pushing myself 'outside my comfort zone' and would have been a bit cross at my 'bottling it'.</p><p><br /></p><p>I mean maybe one day, on <i>another</i> day, I might go across, it's not even <i>that</i> hard. </p><p>But at the same time it's also not 'unfinished business' I'm perfectly adequately happy, having not 'been there'.</p><p>That's such a nice feeling for a hitherto <i>almost</i> relentlessly 'goal orientated' person - </p><p>It's rather lovely to now feel quite <i>adequate</i> already 🙏🏼</p><p><br /></p><p>So our separate paths recrossed just before refuge de Arremoulit, where some of 'Team HRP' had booked themselves in for the night.</p><p>We instead found a bivouac spot amongst the rocks. Encountering a cheery Korean hiker doing same, he (Den) was doing a section of the HRP the 'other way' . </p><p>A quiet night was enjoyed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpJJpF8HlJfcYbwD78c4XS1mYSa4QuwoQLYQIh3bd7JqWHj_yWkiwuSpcs-uFlF6zbtL4fXrOy2BrCOW_Dsww2fUj69V0g_yEO7saqgYj1MRpVAtUCWLnUhaYT5imgDBRP8s-WPR19Qw-/s1600/1677589276945268-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpJJpF8HlJfcYbwD78c4XS1mYSa4QuwoQLYQIh3bd7JqWHj_yWkiwuSpcs-uFlF6zbtL4fXrOy2BrCOW_Dsww2fUj69V0g_yEO7saqgYj1MRpVAtUCWLnUhaYT5imgDBRP8s-WPR19Qw-/s1600/1677589276945268-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>The now 'trusty' X-mid </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF_g9ehvmk3JkDPz0LHjEk2aKyrpa8LbdHCny03fV97-03jzYyMKBAKNoQV5P5twTS0_vlTX_QXfunD8JZAOoxyElfbU1ZEWvI9GLtbssx00qoPX5nzwDG8Oo4KrWp5HlCIncAorcrJas/s1600/1677589254639128-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF_g9ehvmk3JkDPz0LHjEk2aKyrpa8LbdHCny03fV97-03jzYyMKBAKNoQV5P5twTS0_vlTX_QXfunD8JZAOoxyElfbU1ZEWvI9GLtbssx00qoPX5nzwDG8Oo4KrWp5HlCIncAorcrJas/s1600/1677589254639128-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>We sort of set off all together over a different pass.</p><p>The Canadians, and the French.</p><p>Looking back from whence we've come </p><p>A previous trip had us clambering into a valley of rocks via the Port de Lavedan..</p><p>An almost vertical rock chute with a car sized boulder lodged in its maw.</p><p><br /></p><p>This way however seemed <i>rather</i> civilised in comparison.</p><p>Opening onto a succession of scenic tableaux via Lac de Artouste</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dKgjos0uQmOTQSEMs7WUXFx6EKiBTCxyPo5jwpeuHwRQ400z8FjbqQ7LVZzSg5DnytF0K_FB6YKPfGMVPfnNqzPV6aQ9DDdrt-XXfY7depiiKIfZXDRZbXvQXVkOaqLHPgLexSwQHppK/s1600/1677589236443665-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dKgjos0uQmOTQSEMs7WUXFx6EKiBTCxyPo5jwpeuHwRQ400z8FjbqQ7LVZzSg5DnytF0K_FB6YKPfGMVPfnNqzPV6aQ9DDdrt-XXfY7depiiKIfZXDRZbXvQXVkOaqLHPgLexSwQHppK/s1600/1677589236443665-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>Even the Canadians obliged with their own 'scenic tableaux'..</div><div>Just about the correct amount of 'gnarl'🙄</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfWTzGehaf3yef3EQf8H1pOQLczz1YkBlhr4etcXwkejOowi-OvjoD7-R9bZAJIw1lYcexLfuYKuPoT1paulqY4Ajan2kO859P8LlN5IE7SrGHoiXn-fmAVaQ_gu5B0v61OaQzpr2Qi8V/s1600/1677622109966803-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfWTzGehaf3yef3EQf8H1pOQLczz1YkBlhr4etcXwkejOowi-OvjoD7-R9bZAJIw1lYcexLfuYKuPoT1paulqY4Ajan2kO859P8LlN5IE7SrGHoiXn-fmAVaQ_gu5B0v61OaQzpr2Qi8V/s1600/1677622109966803-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcP1EslSWpo2f-uhebH8v5imbnWtd3a1zvaj1YjRiCX_nMNA8DJ9GaPdpSBGWwt2L61EzyEJm7k_OmMB3-iDWr0jKOUSXmbxuaWc7z815k9tWdho7XmdzRgUAyZNswJi7faEVI9btTXru/s1600/1677622678381479-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcP1EslSWpo2f-uhebH8v5imbnWtd3a1zvaj1YjRiCX_nMNA8DJ9GaPdpSBGWwt2L61EzyEJm7k_OmMB3-iDWr0jKOUSXmbxuaWc7z815k9tWdho7XmdzRgUAyZNswJi7faEVI9btTXru/s1600/1677622678381479-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl4HrD-iZKEU7ORd2YNncB9ioPonVR5Ek5mhns3-8v4ZaHao0Zva58tJE2KzM3eN1uxi1UujOf6y4rgpPiOb7jYUKt8wNEr1rUkeVwHy6BqLJLrLeEBdTTQTiRqXLuykRxDRC2FqKqqL6/s1600/1677622637050711-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl4HrD-iZKEU7ORd2YNncB9ioPonVR5Ek5mhns3-8v4ZaHao0Zva58tJE2KzM3eN1uxi1UujOf6y4rgpPiOb7jYUKt8wNEr1rUkeVwHy6BqLJLrLeEBdTTQTiRqXLuykRxDRC2FqKqqL6/s1600/1677622637050711-2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl4HrD-iZKEU7ORd2YNncB9ioPonVR5Ek5mhns3-8v4ZaHao0Zva58tJE2KzM3eN1uxi1UujOf6y4rgpPiOb7jYUKt8wNEr1rUkeVwHy6BqLJLrLeEBdTTQTiRqXLuykRxDRC2FqKqqL6/s1600/1677622637050711-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisprUSoHq8Tlke1gWY0QcmLvHDtzsLRcz6-3RTtsbd_VIdUohwJT6cCA7ZHejOn0xQmvr4GI0R341csRui4pVQxMmhB58TnASPRk4Zbhk8FGGNuZ9TVuVZBDYXbgYhilb_-Tqdc9QvKZ5f/s1600/1677622655876069-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisprUSoHq8Tlke1gWY0QcmLvHDtzsLRcz6-3RTtsbd_VIdUohwJT6cCA7ZHejOn0xQmvr4GI0R341csRui4pVQxMmhB58TnASPRk4Zbhk8FGGNuZ9TVuVZBDYXbgYhilb_-Tqdc9QvKZ5f/s1600/1677622655876069-1.png" width="400" />
</a></div><div><br /></div>Towards Embalse de Respomuso.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9TBHv76-qcQo36akiMv-WgMcv3FW1mXTtRBVpxFQ-QIzNVuJZhMKLIwVfcByMv4iobX1dwn9GmteMh0jLv1gCKZd1CfVkPEnWUUpuW4l1k9Bnzaszcj7Hk14_1Er-6nV8iKPtmDMhhYq/s1600/1677622619857120-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9TBHv76-qcQo36akiMv-WgMcv3FW1mXTtRBVpxFQ-QIzNVuJZhMKLIwVfcByMv4iobX1dwn9GmteMh0jLv1gCKZd1CfVkPEnWUUpuW4l1k9Bnzaszcj7Hk14_1Er-6nV8iKPtmDMhhYq/s1600/1677622619857120-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div><div>Near the refuge where an opportunistic hearty lunch was taken, as it <i>was</i> available, then on over the pass, across the scree, and down down down to refuge Wallon .<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhye4Lb3gLKF8obulQ80jszFKVI2waqUaECsztNU1Vc9UjftDwTzJYiyERQOvL1FEGUsxL9JWs2c1Ch4UB-na-F84llpA31VZeTZDiSj5hlCZbfkNUcZ8VuAr0edZigvwvCfCVQroPL_9/s1600/1677623853558012-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhye4Lb3gLKF8obulQ80jszFKVI2waqUaECsztNU1Vc9UjftDwTzJYiyERQOvL1FEGUsxL9JWs2c1Ch4UB-na-F84llpA31VZeTZDiSj5hlCZbfkNUcZ8VuAr0edZigvwvCfCVQroPL_9/s1600/1677623853558012-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz_RrlEqmrCnEJQa67gpmL3pFexiypde75eLR9HfdqwUfTc2upx4zAjdACJ7XogS8Kc4izy0T5L06FML9GPHSbmUpF5fZL4L91C8Cz-LUa0STjOSvuIbLLeu1IuOAkWZJ3KbWPgnfC3q6/s1600/1678036691658030-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz_RrlEqmrCnEJQa67gpmL3pFexiypde75eLR9HfdqwUfTc2upx4zAjdACJ7XogS8Kc4izy0T5L06FML9GPHSbmUpF5fZL4L91C8Cz-LUa0STjOSvuIbLLeu1IuOAkWZJ3KbWPgnfC3q6/s1600/1678036691658030-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Quite a lot of this sort of terrain.</p><p>Geology Rocks, for sure.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUM8PWKwJYBJNn_rdFUBjMlixvBI2Cc8nJPJdB7BJn90EqYS4f7m7EqHlKlwBidshlQgIDC_SBrAGrgE4K1rOXwCybeFwN44iNezSEG1uWRJdSEYRqROb2c4FDjTEE2mhBJuj7umA4Pq1G/s1600/1677623838915109-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUM8PWKwJYBJNn_rdFUBjMlixvBI2Cc8nJPJdB7BJn90EqYS4f7m7EqHlKlwBidshlQgIDC_SBrAGrgE4K1rOXwCybeFwN44iNezSEG1uWRJdSEYRqROb2c4FDjTEE2mhBJuj7umA4Pq1G/s1600/1677623838915109-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>I'm rather proud of my <i>one</i> single 'hill skill' which is taking an over the shoulder shot of my kite whilst she is aloft.. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeagNzRpblYklZKcfkcbEs_lhazAUN7ECH1gGx2vf9yLXVgSmwyQmi-PyX31Wi8pJmSDDOJDp_sKGR54-BMnBUGENYM_h2tazzkRQtDmcEQvEWHfI6twG2UedJLbDK1fLvoOTKgvZh-LDi/s1600/1677623819690758-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeagNzRpblYklZKcfkcbEs_lhazAUN7ECH1gGx2vf9yLXVgSmwyQmi-PyX31Wi8pJmSDDOJDp_sKGR54-BMnBUGENYM_h2tazzkRQtDmcEQvEWHfI6twG2UedJLbDK1fLvoOTKgvZh-LDi/s1600/1677623819690758-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>A very satisfactory and full.day which did almost feel like a 'walk in the park' - a geological park even.</p><p><br /></p><p>Refuge Wallon has been rebuilt.</p><p>And quite frankly it's a vast thing to come across, after previous modest stone shelters.</p><p><br /></p><p>Architecturally, and ecologically impressive yes.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtblMd6Jj3WynbFXL3hnNHVT88dvKTO6PSWFh-Q0OrsvFmYgfwGRahvQKdC7Axj_P_GdrKmfF7SPNHVAqNJGx-SwvE88PJ8bfLYtqI2CNT5Pfsx3Gr5hPHwxfdT0bFArAB2xVn7zchw0M7/s1600/1678036676454539-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtblMd6Jj3WynbFXL3hnNHVT88dvKTO6PSWFh-Q0OrsvFmYgfwGRahvQKdC7Axj_P_GdrKmfF7SPNHVAqNJGx-SwvE88PJ8bfLYtqI2CNT5Pfsx3Gr5hPHwxfdT0bFArAB2xVn7zchw0M7/s1600/1678036676454539-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>But also huuuge!! </p><p>Its within half a days walk of a road, so has been constructed so to accommodate more people than are usually to be found in these hills.</p><p>Fair enough, I s'pose, can't expect to have the place entirely to ourselves I guess. .</p><p>We availed ourselves of a beer at the refuge shop, but bivouacked a little way off </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqXQ5xOrCxPlVpL6NFuP_bRb7i_4kXzM0ugHRmrTanumua5BvXq7MpRIWMO6ei8zbpE-bxCJ-uDms6aIHxNMrgK1bNGU99NYIKMXKZls6p4hhJaW0Zy-RtwXYZsG5xtmP8nRA_535t3Tl/s1600/1678036656668038-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqXQ5xOrCxPlVpL6NFuP_bRb7i_4kXzM0ugHRmrTanumua5BvXq7MpRIWMO6ei8zbpE-bxCJ-uDms6aIHxNMrgK1bNGU99NYIKMXKZls6p4hhJaW0Zy-RtwXYZsG5xtmP8nRA_535t3Tl/s1600/1678036656668038-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>The morning we ascended though 'alpine meadow' scenes<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJcr0h19e_hBsHSkwWJjrJMbtOaymzzcHaR3Q7txX140Yxde3qlMb6g7ZyatqsTbkxvZg9zdL74UHq3nGTSILYT_nwZnl47ZkBlY5qJFwkY5XO29RtVm_uAWh95cO-hqYnV2fUVuloF-4/s1600/1678039420644080-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJcr0h19e_hBsHSkwWJjrJMbtOaymzzcHaR3Q7txX140Yxde3qlMb6g7ZyatqsTbkxvZg9zdL74UHq3nGTSILYT_nwZnl47ZkBlY5qJFwkY5XO29RtVm_uAWh95cO-hqYnV2fUVuloF-4/s1600/1678039420644080-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>Then having reached a 'significant' height we were 'captured' by a passer by.. </p><p>Pink gaiters still hanging in there. </p><p><br /></p><p>And OK rather a lot of purple 💜💜💜</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp4Thdvs5WlCOP04rue0BgdeX-5-ksWVPZnSvETuOpX0jhm2BMlcqIyFbiXFRjoiHs9vNan7j-VZrTSyelbQZe0hcmqzbOcv4DyWw3UyLJFpNeTzB7ZyAsM9ZKEs-9ZWXXYORdATNsM0J/s1600/1678039399799095-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp4Thdvs5WlCOP04rue0BgdeX-5-ksWVPZnSvETuOpX0jhm2BMlcqIyFbiXFRjoiHs9vNan7j-VZrTSyelbQZe0hcmqzbOcv4DyWw3UyLJFpNeTzB7ZyAsM9ZKEs-9ZWXXYORdATNsM0J/s1600/1678039399799095-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p>Further progress through scree slopes.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeoZgSH4gQgv6w9xqZUUgf5WIUEE2JM5lwAhQ-_PusiCZ_QJHiI0omkmCbOEYZJJSJP5okJIVTqfw4QgFIvhO_xXgObal_2ysnoZJ0-LOIMBUG4Pa2UQKVR29SO8Ie3zGiMSYZz0Xoido/s1600/1678039379564325-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeoZgSH4gQgv6w9xqZUUgf5WIUEE2JM5lwAhQ-_PusiCZ_QJHiI0omkmCbOEYZJJSJP5okJIVTqfw4QgFIvhO_xXgObal_2ysnoZJ0-LOIMBUG4Pa2UQKVR29SO8Ie3zGiMSYZz0Xoido/s1600/1678039379564325-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>Then pausing for an early lunch stop.<p></p><p>The classic 'brew with a view' ..</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE6ao4OeY2sDwgB4fvPfC2SvskoedMNhsugRF7nKrgKz_Ucdqdp01_AC5wGHsJDVjDs7CYjvtmK8laXCVvxcLioUnti6r2q0woZ_meYbrjQal5V2o2BR6R-2LWEjdqIQcv3LPoJGotgZV/s1600/1678039363367382-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE6ao4OeY2sDwgB4fvPfC2SvskoedMNhsugRF7nKrgKz_Ucdqdp01_AC5wGHsJDVjDs7CYjvtmK8laXCVvxcLioUnti6r2q0woZ_meYbrjQal5V2o2BR6R-2LWEjdqIQcv3LPoJGotgZV/s1600/1678039363367382-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Just a first peek of the slopes of (the 'iconic') Vignemale </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGbkj5oFeVpP_mfRW3zayEcOr1_CagOmAMcqrY5iEH_iO1y0-T2gu-W8_kR6DTfNUTeaDHuTjHWAFDKcRQxVNnoDnZ3xyw1CG5XWGpLeLGpSkWuFH0wxpBE0i0_N8C5ctWBrxa_T7ub6o/s1600/1678039349370422-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGbkj5oFeVpP_mfRW3zayEcOr1_CagOmAMcqrY5iEH_iO1y0-T2gu-W8_kR6DTfNUTeaDHuTjHWAFDKcRQxVNnoDnZ3xyw1CG5XWGpLeLGpSkWuFH0wxpBE0i0_N8C5ctWBrxa_T7ub6o/s1600/1678039349370422-4.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>A not inconsiderable bouldery down-climb, the local meteo here lending some extra atmos .</p><p><br /></p><p>We'd camped in this valley bottom before, but no dallying here this time. </p><p><br /></p><p>Well not <i>very much</i> dallying. </p><p>Perhaps just a short break for refreshment ... 🍰</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p></div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-82394236173028128142023-01-31T17:25:00.005+00:002023-02-20T08:45:54.410+00:00Onwards into the East Pyrenees HRP section two, Lescun and beyond. Somewhat footsore and weary from the days exertions. arriving in Lescun, felt pleasantly familiar having visited before<div><br></div><div>Turning right at the first bar shop, and wandering down the hill, we first came across our cheese loving friend Otto, and Estelle, whom we had briefly met at Cabine de A .. </div><div><br></div><div>Estelle was doing an older - more purists? Version of the HRP.. </div><div>Something to do with an old guide book of her fathers if I recall correctly.</div><div><br></div><div>Or at least that was her intent at <i>this</i> point of the trip..</div><div><br></div><div>We got around to discussing what motivated us to keep going on those long hills, and during the more difficult days, when energy was running low and even the <i>possibility</i> of 'completing' seemed like an remote dream.. </div><div><br></div><div>I mentioned that one of my motivators was the poor lost fluffy bunny found on day two, how I'd decided it was my mission to port her, if at <i>all </i>possible to the shores of the Mediterranean.. </div><div><br></div><div>Also that I'd christened her 'Mopsy' after one of Peter Rabbits sisters .. </div><div>Of course 🐰</div><div><br></div><div>"Oh, is your rabbit pale brown, and does it have magnetic feet??"</div><div><br></div><div>Enquired Estelle, her eyes widening.. </div><div><br></div><div>"Er yeah here's a picture"</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8YCXggBc3-LDOZ6RGzXgHBA5TAr-TBmK6FHbsuRYTwo4U8oa3hf4fjFUNrdH7X9lCVy_RnYfUFfQxYciDvLbuuK03I5VnCC8eSHocNWOXfoXd-SgL-4ageR95V6NlxRkllcWQrIc-I0D/s1600/1671403251639656-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8YCXggBc3-LDOZ6RGzXgHBA5TAr-TBmK6FHbsuRYTwo4U8oa3hf4fjFUNrdH7X9lCVy_RnYfUFfQxYciDvLbuuK03I5VnCC8eSHocNWOXfoXd-SgL-4ageR95V6NlxRkllcWQrIc-I0D/s1600/1671403251639656-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>As at the time the actual creature herself was buried deep in my pack with my spare socks. </div><div><br></div><div>After having established the place of her discovery, we realised that Mopsy <i>was</i> indeed Estelles' mascot, too new to yet have been named. </div><div> </div><div>And also too soon rather disloyally jumping ship (or trail) early on in the proceedings.. </div><div><br></div><div>As it was, Estelle was moving on from Lescun that day, and she was happy for me to keep a hold of the fuzzy little turncoat for a little while longer.</div><div><br></div><div>Punishment much for such footloose desertion, to be so crammed amongst my undies.. </div><div><br></div><div>A little further down the street we espied Alberto (Canadian) lately reunited with newly arrived from across the pond - pal Matt (also Canadian)</div><div>. </div><div>The twosome were raising libations to each other outside the lodgings where they were booked in for the next two nights.</div><div><br></div><div>I insisted that they buy me a coffee, <i>and</i> a beer, as I had little doubt as to how much pleasure that would bring them both .. </div><div><br></div><div>Duly refreshed , with promises of a near future rendezvous over maps for the next section, we made our way slightly out of town to the campsite.. </div><div>The last path up to it was pretty much near vertical I swear..</div><div><br></div><div>Much <i>much</i> steeper than in earlier years.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7ePnFll2OTx_DnlE_TGAlbJJGw95KY6uycOEyX9dy_bhFDbbKuqDVB8z-bJmZmu-MEomLNR51IXDr1_M-PHSunppibSQ-jF5DnQFe1v4qAI5Y8zBBRrqRCDuIfiiEz922tlvpdTs8dhl/s1600/1671376161543761-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7ePnFll2OTx_DnlE_TGAlbJJGw95KY6uycOEyX9dy_bhFDbbKuqDVB8z-bJmZmu-MEomLNR51IXDr1_M-PHSunppibSQ-jF5DnQFe1v4qAI5Y8zBBRrqRCDuIfiiEz922tlvpdTs8dhl/s1600/1671376161543761-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>Lescun sits on the side of a pastoral valley surrounded on all sides by craggy heights.</div><div><br></div><div>Our rest day was spend in gentle pursuits such as laundry, resupply shopping, and more eating and drinking out..</div><div>Almost like a 'normal' holiday 😌</div><div><br></div><div>Spanish Alberto joined us briefly, for a cafe meal before going on out of town in search of his preferred cabane accomodation </div><div><br></div><div>Then a few running repairs, some yoga on flat ground (such luxury) and a campsite dinner. </div><div><br></div><div>Next morning was another up and at it early-ish start with a good mileage to cover.. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmUQFSsU8t3uaqI-HeEPOctKq9s-i6MyT0RycLl3O3_UtGUysS-s9R38aVxO7VAnzUDKEoeV5s7WqjQAEVQKRrZKC5cRwzNkV3vhoJ9aeRbTT5tFdlbZ2SW4enQTh-gIm8Iazr6R2lWCu/s1600/1671403622469499-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmUQFSsU8t3uaqI-HeEPOctKq9s-i6MyT0RycLl3O3_UtGUysS-s9R38aVxO7VAnzUDKEoeV5s7WqjQAEVQKRrZKC5cRwzNkV3vhoJ9aeRbTT5tFdlbZ2SW4enQTh-gIm8Iazr6R2lWCu/s1600/1671403622469499-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>So many rocky hills, but not going up <i>these</i> particular ones for this trip.. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDvJgfF-faT9WfCc6ravv5hnWm_XvjyxxlXcoyezbz6zQ44XYgFvu6R6MLcJ6joUkZaaXAXyCGZwQGS24wN-GHhRelknQ-zAnmfTbCyUKpkHPWoPvd3ozSVd_2N7QaGwm6k-V8Na8dn08/s1600/1671403598901544-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDvJgfF-faT9WfCc6ravv5hnWm_XvjyxxlXcoyezbz6zQ44XYgFvu6R6MLcJ6joUkZaaXAXyCGZwQGS24wN-GHhRelknQ-zAnmfTbCyUKpkHPWoPvd3ozSVd_2N7QaGwm6k-V8Na8dn08/s1600/1671403598901544-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Instead ascending here into the national park, towards the borderlands. Many beautiful cows enjoying the grassland. </div><div>We'd walked this track before. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmIEsJsaavvMW_fltScgh8Q_1_7mp4eQH8Nx8aLbSG037_QllAKSf5jntg9f_yCBbNBwZ7EjojvkvbxvCnNXnYecSp1dExFqCrDzvaOIkWCn8vlU9hVguz4hoYyFOo6_a3-580S3OjCBg/s1600/1671403580871295-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmIEsJsaavvMW_fltScgh8Q_1_7mp4eQH8Nx8aLbSG037_QllAKSf5jntg9f_yCBbNBwZ7EjojvkvbxvCnNXnYecSp1dExFqCrDzvaOIkWCn8vlU9hVguz4hoYyFOo6_a3-580S3OjCBg/s1600/1671403580871295-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>And past the seasonal dairy cabin.</div><div>Lettuce were planted on on the roof to protect them from hungry cattle and sheep. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS95eL21Dldgcu1YvYb3lXUPRMNBW_1upk9yBMMhUqIEclfIr_qVQl_eaM9EMVPSH9-h_jiyTG9SmruCyiKonDB_8_FsnH1-kynHfx14Fx0Fd3QuN8SoJxcyctNGmSopoGj3DTriE0tv9/s1600/1671403558031473-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS95eL21Dldgcu1YvYb3lXUPRMNBW_1upk9yBMMhUqIEclfIr_qVQl_eaM9EMVPSH9-h_jiyTG9SmruCyiKonDB_8_FsnH1-kynHfx14Fx0Fd3QuN8SoJxcyctNGmSopoGj3DTriE0tv9/s1600/1671403558031473-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Nearly at the col. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hpiC2wTioxA6QHN4-EtawCk_gM5GNSagoF9qOI_ybEWxzfFG5qonZmVAzFnfAerP2foVVXkNOkz4ZWhz5YXgSr5TV0Hf6JZDoWqGrzd57lXEzj1DAVIgx4AfUjDTg9MDGhVNg_huD-Jm/s1600/1672176940921268-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hpiC2wTioxA6QHN4-EtawCk_gM5GNSagoF9qOI_ybEWxzfFG5qonZmVAzFnfAerP2foVVXkNOkz4ZWhz5YXgSr5TV0Hf6JZDoWqGrzd57lXEzj1DAVIgx4AfUjDTg9MDGhVNg_huD-Jm/s1600/1672176940921268-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Views into Spain at Col de Pau</div><div>Looks very inviting.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBigwN6SMB3xKATt5xQKtPcLkIPRXyP18FeRF6U_36ZY4A0rKbY1Xj6e9EZ5NifizmSDVIORR6a7zx2KtM7uIMbiYXglIeB37VPlpdjA2ki0TlWLznJvNbgoB3gLvG4o60E4nSa5P9La6l/s1600/1672176917127886-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBigwN6SMB3xKATt5xQKtPcLkIPRXyP18FeRF6U_36ZY4A0rKbY1Xj6e9EZ5NifizmSDVIORR6a7zx2KtM7uIMbiYXglIeB37VPlpdjA2ki0TlWLznJvNbgoB3gLvG4o60E4nSa5P9La6l/s1600/1672176917127886-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Naughty Mopsy allowed out to graze a while, at our lunch stop..</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt4Y63O1Y8m00ViZbM2K5_IUrSVvis0RxgyB7KLMMypgT3mR3md3wy8Xtd9XTH2MgEL_UN3RQNkRd4hJYpwp5KSkYx3KEzTfjUybU3pZLcI-ws4weynqA8OCzmfs7CKdCsLaUBulP5NLB/s1600/1672176900752118-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt4Y63O1Y8m00ViZbM2K5_IUrSVvis0RxgyB7KLMMypgT3mR3md3wy8Xtd9XTH2MgEL_UN3RQNkRd4hJYpwp5KSkYx3KEzTfjUybU3pZLcI-ws4weynqA8OCzmfs7CKdCsLaUBulP5NLB/s1600/1672176900752118-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Then on we go - around here Matt and Alberto 'The Canadians' caught us up having made a later 'Hotel Start*' from Lescun. </div><div><br></div><div>*<i>This</i> is the sensibly luxurious diametric opposite of an 'Alpine Start' - Thats the sort of gig where you have to awake before dawn and blearily scrabble around packing up your jumble in a half dark tent in order that you then attain some noble hiking goal for the day<i> before</i> mid afternoon..</div><div><br></div><div><i>Always</i> character building of course..🙄</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg328itCQe6piUkv36vFOVeWUc332u9za4BVzAk8bu6UZTEkijjLehkO2UgJhn2WrWtvHzxng2Pt28N_zab434jmFWQSXYWErj0Oq9ixjmF9a06rZZwHEBRmyGIV-Bjl87LhwugN2Tkr4iM/s1600/1672176879827747-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg328itCQe6piUkv36vFOVeWUc332u9za4BVzAk8bu6UZTEkijjLehkO2UgJhn2WrWtvHzxng2Pt28N_zab434jmFWQSXYWErj0Oq9ixjmF9a06rZZwHEBRmyGIV-Bjl87LhwugN2Tkr4iM/s1600/1672176879827747-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Aww one especially for our <i>horsey</i> readers -</div><div><br></div><div> Quite how the horsies manage to log in with those hooves is a marvel - i suspect they have hooman friends..</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdU6Fyg4nLN2O9maFFsbSS30Pl9DlmKH9cM3k1RGAdD5JPyMU9xSaz1tsqgeK75Xcww2q4rqy3BHM_HmTmKdzo8DaiJTZXqMuCT4_En_qd2CpZgod_u5fNBy_rwrxBbyI42ViESvJdky8/s1600/1672177199304102-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdU6Fyg4nLN2O9maFFsbSS30Pl9DlmKH9cM3k1RGAdD5JPyMU9xSaz1tsqgeK75Xcww2q4rqy3BHM_HmTmKdzo8DaiJTZXqMuCT4_En_qd2CpZgod_u5fNBy_rwrxBbyI42ViESvJdky8/s1600/1672177199304102-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We sort - of kept up with The Canadians on our way towards Lac de Arlet</div><div><br></div><div>Rather unskilfully we'd all underestimated the amount of water we needed to carry for this particular section - and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that we all arrived pretty much gasping for refreshment at the lakeside</div><div><br></div><div>Water was gathered and filtered painfully slowly drip drip drip - before drinking</div><div>Filtering water isnt something we routinely go in for but the lake was low and a bit muddy looking.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We then added to the filth by swimming with others from the sandy beach there - very refreshing 🌊</div><div><br></div><div>Last visit here we'd camped near the lake, but eaten in the refuge nearby . </div><div><br></div><div>It was only <i>afterwards</i> that we discovered that there was a still in operation, clean water tap at the closed for refurbishment refuge - Quite a relief to be amply resupplied for our last push to that nights stopping place. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOJdzWlh2pgtpZL7lUr-8jb5Ycr6zOFDSEeV4QySaVIQfIzGtgNqwYumWiqvrwhudQH1fElp_kKhi1zoJp43ydcUT1NGe41PNalq3Y9Sn-9cUTqRwHsYv4oaf7gYTJyj8-VpfQbTPfIme/s1600/1672177184885543-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOJdzWlh2pgtpZL7lUr-8jb5Ycr6zOFDSEeV4QySaVIQfIzGtgNqwYumWiqvrwhudQH1fElp_kKhi1zoJp43ydcUT1NGe41PNalq3Y9Sn-9cUTqRwHsYv4oaf7gYTJyj8-VpfQbTPfIme/s1600/1672177184885543-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>Through a rather parched landscape..</div><div><br></div><div>Another 3 kms perhaps - </div><div>- along the way i had the <i>slightly</i> startling experience of having sheep chuck rocks at me </div><div><br></div><div> -- Ok exaggeration - they were grazing the steep hillside above and as a result dislodged stones as they moved across the slope.</div><div><br></div><div>One bounced uncomfortably close behind - then another in front onto the path - did they in fact sense how partial to a lamb chop i am?? </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mauV-G04zp46ars8nOw66kmSKXyAgfr3ri-uFolQb8PAkTgZLnqujjSvAlyWNJp_ejnr9Z-5VJv7OoDRceAHLGOh9bEQXIMXBUwcladPbua_gKAsZxv4UpB6m9Qcp7pV31ez3dtyBXB1/s1600/1672177165161758-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mauV-G04zp46ars8nOw66kmSKXyAgfr3ri-uFolQb8PAkTgZLnqujjSvAlyWNJp_ejnr9Z-5VJv7OoDRceAHLGOh9bEQXIMXBUwcladPbua_gKAsZxv4UpB6m9Qcp7pV31ez3dtyBXB1/s1600/1672177165161758-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Somehow we made it here unscathed - if still a teensy bit dehydrated.</div><div>An entirely stone built shepherds emergency shelter situated within a grazing range that is allocated to a particular seasonal shepherd that year - apparently there was a bit of rivalry over whose sheep could go where.</div><div><br></div><div>And after this summers dearth of grass the potential for inter-shephard friction had increased.</div><div><br></div><div>But we were just carefree backpackers untroubled by land rights at this point in time.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouBRZPLDy8BTDIKTB3VJrnFvjmi55lSBaTC9MWxT56P31wEL7mt7h0bP6T3JCKVS9rbPvfsN6U7Jd7m2c8YA3LkuBH-z4RbjYZwMMiQX2ZelMxx1Evj-HwxFwKUJoTmOTLcc60pmv8jmC/s1600/1672177408073332-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouBRZPLDy8BTDIKTB3VJrnFvjmi55lSBaTC9MWxT56P31wEL7mt7h0bP6T3JCKVS9rbPvfsN6U7Jd7m2c8YA3LkuBH-z4RbjYZwMMiQX2ZelMxx1Evj-HwxFwKUJoTmOTLcc60pmv8jmC/s1600/1672177408073332-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Not taking up too much space i hope.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoIpr9wub8AN6BHHGnYQAGzZZ2SOlwiv_3lX0E-_fhNb1yOBOS3vey4bPnRqsRw9WVvRHLMZmN7UtBp-osNi-_m8FMU3r9dkb5dbc_4w41BR_X15BDi8gYUk2ZOAQBONuWSn3xXBkmjXw/s1600/1672177385162577-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoIpr9wub8AN6BHHGnYQAGzZZ2SOlwiv_3lX0E-_fhNb1yOBOS3vey4bPnRqsRw9WVvRHLMZmN7UtBp-osNi-_m8FMU3r9dkb5dbc_4w41BR_X15BDi8gYUk2ZOAQBONuWSn3xXBkmjXw/s1600/1672177385162577-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>That evening we made our first acquaintance with Orelle another Frenchwoman doing the HRP by herself - and a professional singer. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><i>Most</i> of us were generally way finding by maps on phones..</div><div>But it is <i>nice</i> now and then to get a big sheet of paper out and really see the context of where you are.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMVWbBU4FS8L0tIaay4PROFA_1OKQF8NTvvRjP-1lFABUQmtbvDOKlTgo9FjaH2FQyYFXol-L22uW0xj8PkiV7oPfUw87REaqpxf54T7reuGzbwC8Ecu-1vDxYgS6fZ7lrVJeWZUNs-WT/s1600/1672177818988079-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMVWbBU4FS8L0tIaay4PROFA_1OKQF8NTvvRjP-1lFABUQmtbvDOKlTgo9FjaH2FQyYFXol-L22uW0xj8PkiV7oPfUw87REaqpxf54T7reuGzbwC8Ecu-1vDxYgS6fZ7lrVJeWZUNs-WT/s1600/1672177818988079-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Later on in the evening, a couple of the seasonal shepherding assistants brought us very welcome beers and local pate to share.</div><div><br></div><div>All we really had to exchange for this hospitable largesse was chat - and perhaps we offered some chocolate?? - </div><div>But that seemed to be enough to pass a convivial evening together. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Later that night after retiring we had our first 'proper' thunderstorm.</div><div><br></div><div>Something we've grown to be a bit blasé about after many years of camping in them, and somehow living to tell the tale. </div><div><br></div><div>But it was loud enough to have Orelle quit her tent and make for the more solid shelter of the stone built shepherds hut, already occupied by the colonials.. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_QeBrIp8pr570Dd837_LmzZUanjHDz74eM88MvgUpAWLVGxSsAqsEpe4CXj8qFLBZYgGpLCIvt4WNRh4Q1dg8xtwjLUGEV0wVpSSKbd7YM_eo-NlgBIgFB9dTWJF0PvHHNNYfu0jPg9E/s1600/1672177803969694-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_QeBrIp8pr570Dd837_LmzZUanjHDz74eM88MvgUpAWLVGxSsAqsEpe4CXj8qFLBZYgGpLCIvt4WNRh4Q1dg8xtwjLUGEV0wVpSSKbd7YM_eo-NlgBIgFB9dTWJF0PvHHNNYfu0jPg9E/s1600/1672177803969694-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>And then onwards, and onwards the next day.. </div><div>Again it was terrain we had covered before, but it didn't matter - there's enough landscape here to bear revisiting many times over </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00uT9YhcSGeG_1u9fQoBBboBi-Tv0kKwszZQ38zBOAaaTrMh7yEWClyEGTZVLZYw-YlWt242ZHV9GsmTh3F0TUHMPMTO1Vnsp15PgAHRdnjCn9ViL_SZg9AnUttnP8KQ31enzLc92Hkt3/s1600/1672177777592073-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00uT9YhcSGeG_1u9fQoBBboBi-Tv0kKwszZQ38zBOAaaTrMh7yEWClyEGTZVLZYw-YlWt242ZHV9GsmTh3F0TUHMPMTO1Vnsp15PgAHRdnjCn9ViL_SZg9AnUttnP8KQ31enzLc92Hkt3/s1600/1672177777592073-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>And through the gnarly beech woods and up the steep hillside.</div><div><br></div><div>Steeper and steeper</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75T8mR1VpOB_Hbfs_1_8vDxQzxtLe2wuDOnG44_LglDQmZ3WJGQFSS61HNgj9mbYgGPdMYodluG80bFVqpe40uRDczynAxA3aT40AsNOBAFLy3vL93hm4y2jtW8Nad5dPO1kT7MkLm7kF/s1600/1672177758051597-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75T8mR1VpOB_Hbfs_1_8vDxQzxtLe2wuDOnG44_LglDQmZ3WJGQFSS61HNgj9mbYgGPdMYodluG80bFVqpe40uRDczynAxA3aT40AsNOBAFLy3vL93hm4y2jtW8Nad5dPO1kT7MkLm7kF/s1600/1672177758051597-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>A stop for the obligatory 'album cover' shot..</div><div><br></div><div>"Chaps with Packs"</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJeYlAG0DI7JmD77IhUbB6w56aSNXiQHwGzaEGU06cu7TBnY71AMSASg0UWZ_mqWZvAe6IGYEFYL3Tr3pZujbMrK3kprnjjERQcNjbAj-2DAn5qPqdF1F5bV545QQoTTL7heW2Dvtjt4k/s1600/1672177732670852-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJeYlAG0DI7JmD77IhUbB6w56aSNXiQHwGzaEGU06cu7TBnY71AMSASg0UWZ_mqWZvAe6IGYEFYL3Tr3pZujbMrK3kprnjjERQcNjbAj-2DAn5qPqdF1F5bV545QQoTTL7heW2Dvtjt4k/s1600/1672177732670852-4.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>Ascending to Lac d Astanes, the last part of the climb takes you over some fairly 'airy' ladder type constructions .</div><div>Absolutely <i>fine</i> so long as you don't look down through the cracks.. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL7zAeHCy4hj8cxOQWtuMyrsl_SjPgbk57dyrlhU9MMbW-6ZV5zILs7x8pxTglAI3vumtjyO72MbSYckjMkxnU0ZTw7ksvmiP8uojbLepFMLDopOuu2NpfsMf5NkO9xxqJblUDyStD81r/s1600/1672872896149467-0.png">
</a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL7zAeHCy4hj8cxOQWtuMyrsl_SjPgbk57dyrlhU9MMbW-6ZV5zILs7x8pxTglAI3vumtjyO72MbSYckjMkxnU0ZTw7ksvmiP8uojbLepFMLDopOuu2NpfsMf5NkO9xxqJblUDyStD81r/s1600/1672872896149467-0.png" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL7zAeHCy4hj8cxOQWtuMyrsl_SjPgbk57dyrlhU9MMbW-6ZV5zILs7x8pxTglAI3vumtjyO72MbSYckjMkxnU0ZTw7ksvmiP8uojbLepFMLDopOuu2NpfsMf5NkO9xxqJblUDyStD81r/s1600/1672872896149467-0.png">
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yet more lakeside refreshment was had..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch, and a swim for some in Lac Estaens .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDuP7wmIFFw-NrViqWLHEdlhfHanSlx6uzdJ6xc-Aa7BA7D7cQPG7vT6bCQb9bqiBbGJFMkp-0uih8ejTHtUyl3lAITHG6NDgYrNE08OpgqwkNmiZv0_Zg0z1fcpKKifFiId2boz8a-uM/s1600/1672872866677185-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDuP7wmIFFw-NrViqWLHEdlhfHanSlx6uzdJ6xc-Aa7BA7D7cQPG7vT6bCQb9bqiBbGJFMkp-0uih8ejTHtUyl3lAITHG6NDgYrNE08OpgqwkNmiZv0_Zg0z1fcpKKifFiId2boz8a-uM/s1600/1672872866677185-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Down the hill, across the slope through woodland where we viewed the 'path' across the scree slope.</div><div><br></div><div>Face on it just looks like a thin line across a near vertical slope </div><div><br></div><div>Nerves weren't helped by witnessing another hiker falling a couple of metres from the 'access closed' upper path</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q5lZ33D1RODFpaxuZ8CFARgYOZi1b7SCUb1IxdYdu2EnmPKnfml1fqX_n5uU4lO-eam-83AjmkMuE2pVitdZw38e7kXYXytQ_eh7yfYHAO7YQ3h31xnGAn2D0G757jSHkkyVVTowmval/s1600/1672872840700375-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q5lZ33D1RODFpaxuZ8CFARgYOZi1b7SCUb1IxdYdu2EnmPKnfml1fqX_n5uU4lO-eam-83AjmkMuE2pVitdZw38e7kXYXytQ_eh7yfYHAO7YQ3h31xnGAn2D0G757jSHkkyVVTowmval/s1600/1672872840700375-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>But once you're on it it's not nearly so bad, just a tad edgy in places..</div><div><br></div><div>By this time in the trip I'd started to classify any vertiginous paths into either 'potentially deathy' or 'just hurty' in terms of risk factor if fell off of, or maybe more accurately classified the 'fear factor'. </div><div><br></div><div>Ultimately this one didn't really qualify for either. </div><div><br></div><div>And anyhow - spoiler alert' you'll have surmised by now that 'I didn't die' - a happy phrase I picked up from Estelle on the trail.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFPD3Lg_U6_zviWjWYRyValqtznrX77h9VORNXKUJuPGfV7NFMiqF9m_Z1wyUqJEtnj91ptlHnlQUswTYAiciMNaZERfNPMWUqzCwiPOxx2xg3EIMhslgnGPSAtbv_fboe_Ohrsz3olsV/s1600/1672872820336210-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFPD3Lg_U6_zviWjWYRyValqtznrX77h9VORNXKUJuPGfV7NFMiqF9m_Z1wyUqJEtnj91ptlHnlQUswTYAiciMNaZERfNPMWUqzCwiPOxx2xg3EIMhslgnGPSAtbv_fboe_Ohrsz3olsV/s1600/1672872820336210-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>A little bit more up and down and across for another hour or so, saw us approach the unlovely ski resort uglification known as Candanchu.. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWJxo8XeikjlIAS15GCKvi9hhA3-ELRhMf5faxK8Q3z5M4qrOwcO23Oh78sqA1rwpxv8q2gRGTSnvsW8jpbo5-cxzr1i7Tlr_dKp8CvvxOrwPCc3BR3J8hMTw4eqXUXS6ZSTNcMhbpmNP/s1600/1673824614796768-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWJxo8XeikjlIAS15GCKvi9hhA3-ELRhMf5faxK8Q3z5M4qrOwcO23Oh78sqA1rwpxv8q2gRGTSnvsW8jpbo5-cxzr1i7Tlr_dKp8CvvxOrwPCc3BR3J8hMTw4eqXUXS6ZSTNcMhbpmNP/s1600/1673824614796768-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>As we found refreshment and contemplated some extra provisioning for the next part of the trail, it started to chuck it down</div><div><br></div><div>Not content with that, the downpour turned into an absolute deluge, accompanied by all the drama of prolonged thunder and lightning.</div><div><br></div><div>Even the locals said they'd never seen anything like it.</div><div><br></div><div>My slight sniffiness at mountainside developments such as this, quickly evaporated into gratitude for affording such shelter.</div><div><br></div><div>The rain didn't look like stopping, so we decided we would.</div><div><br></div><div>The plan had been to push a few more km up the trail to camp. But ah the joys of having nothing to prove.</div><div><br></div><div>A good value, out of season hotel was found for the night.. With a bathtub..Such luxury.</div><div>And a pizza out with our new found chums.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrddfyXnPElkg2zja_OfYREW5lOB0No9fmzK1IKyQbLI1zu5Ft9W_gl-Sv90KPP-I79wg595GeM_ljC_hfY69paNRtPl6vAIXl4RIyK5BHZza_jzaG56_UL49nb_V52h01W811uCKWeezl/s1600/1673824594731847-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrddfyXnPElkg2zja_OfYREW5lOB0No9fmzK1IKyQbLI1zu5Ft9W_gl-Sv90KPP-I79wg595GeM_ljC_hfY69paNRtPl6vAIXl4RIyK5BHZza_jzaG56_UL49nb_V52h01W811uCKWeezl/s1600/1673824594731847-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>It was a good decision.</div><div>The following morning was much nicer.</div><div>Along the way we caught up with Spanish Alberto, and made our way up the hill to Ibon de Escalar, where delight of all delights he made us proper coffee with his aeropress.</div><div><br></div><div>I traded caffeine for some precision adjustments to his head-balance technique..</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuJ3lmRw8vjo15CCnlKP94G64jCKI6BPSIhbkib2hVcTJl8Ie_VXw8FzreePQhL6caGNZi1f_LjLBoRya9lNOvF117KzeoTwrRekrw5_vSkXtAT4nRaEEo-ZnnSOYM_VnVuXWjyIl8nN5/s1600/1674897614068246-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuJ3lmRw8vjo15CCnlKP94G64jCKI6BPSIhbkib2hVcTJl8Ie_VXw8FzreePQhL6caGNZi1f_LjLBoRya9lNOvF117KzeoTwrRekrw5_vSkXtAT4nRaEEo-ZnnSOYM_VnVuXWjyIl8nN5/s1600/1674897614068246-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Not a bad line I'd say.. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TMkD1UIUqx_hwM1Eot8V59n-O6HMEx3W8dOObDJSon7jdoP1JLi9L9qU9zcgzUlwCMdN83l-ed_PP613z2CJY6dc-TtT9MNHK2WJG2sGuWkLeoBWBDIXwpk1xVgC2bu-n6kiOBfPqLmc/s1600/1673824577560147-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TMkD1UIUqx_hwM1Eot8V59n-O6HMEx3W8dOObDJSon7jdoP1JLi9L9qU9zcgzUlwCMdN83l-ed_PP613z2CJY6dc-TtT9MNHK2WJG2sGuWkLeoBWBDIXwpk1xVgC2bu-n6kiOBfPqLmc/s1600/1673824577560147-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>Then up and over the pass to get our first good view of the iconic Pic du Midi d'Ossau .</div><div><br></div><div>Quite a few others on this part of the trail as it's close to the road, and definitely worth the haul up the hill to see - sitting in its encircling bowl of hills. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5Jsox04pEqxiAoA2kYztUNDtMQW5MRndfSosByO-4Vl5bepIajRETNWvV3-p098FR3Qkm5_U2peMrCoiWVwMWb6pxriKl7mejAkPhyphenhyphenrMbmkBvUoJii6hPwOEx8FEabvZleYtYANf3aA2/s1600/1673824555396593-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5Jsox04pEqxiAoA2kYztUNDtMQW5MRndfSosByO-4Vl5bepIajRETNWvV3-p098FR3Qkm5_U2peMrCoiWVwMWb6pxriKl7mejAkPhyphenhyphenrMbmkBvUoJii6hPwOEx8FEabvZleYtYANf3aA2/s1600/1673824555396593-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>A lunch stop to prepare for the next section of lumps and bumps.</div><div>Yup you guessed it - all the way down then all the way up again..</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobXWNwKiFqLgDvHw3UXUeQ6hUpZeSLZZo2BoVmD5NEU3Ngtn9676ZXrA0q0UJMHt2Lod0U2S_pmFuNRNv7qlvGSQL-r9ZFgGpo09igHPsESIc1nh23G592zeqjZpmCLVqQoD6vG84lndV/s1600/1673824530228126-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobXWNwKiFqLgDvHw3UXUeQ6hUpZeSLZZo2BoVmD5NEU3Ngtn9676ZXrA0q0UJMHt2Lod0U2S_pmFuNRNv7qlvGSQL-r9ZFgGpo09igHPsESIc1nh23G592zeqjZpmCLVqQoD6vG84lndV/s1600/1673824530228126-4.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Looking back to where we;d come.</div><div>Quite a haul up, through flocks of highly unimpressed sheep.</div><div>They do this kind of ascent everyday I expect. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVz3i4xZvIwb4ZsOpRf99xXCA4AVNQbX7NFWdgPvptWHTPyVAHOeIWcqvwQEPyca0Qw7qPO_uIgDyzpuHFGdCVWCMR5y8aN8mE4GJDI_hUA-JRhZ_CeZ6NarVTisaNBjpotU4b88WhNtc/s1600/1674079374833418-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVz3i4xZvIwb4ZsOpRf99xXCA4AVNQbX7NFWdgPvptWHTPyVAHOeIWcqvwQEPyca0Qw7qPO_uIgDyzpuHFGdCVWCMR5y8aN8mE4GJDI_hUA-JRhZ_CeZ6NarVTisaNBjpotU4b88WhNtc/s1600/1674079374833418-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVIC8jNPilfwwZ0FyMlmeulUzN7IP_1SJPY-kXEjsaXFm6ss5e72-D2aRqJ0lt7wc8ADbCubrB5yx04hMKli4duXRpB4GQn5txovgV1KP5FMgCWb_XTJRJ15iiXt8MwC6pYMxqxzlKEss/s1600/1674079352717244-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVIC8jNPilfwwZ0FyMlmeulUzN7IP_1SJPY-kXEjsaXFm6ss5e72-D2aRqJ0lt7wc8ADbCubrB5yx04hMKli4duXRpB4GQn5txovgV1KP5FMgCWb_XTJRJ15iiXt8MwC6pYMxqxzlKEss/s1600/1674079352717244-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Long distance gnarl shot.. </div><div>And another peak for us to skirt around.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOOesG5q2ex9Z5_7TP7Gi-6-Ac232RBOFZ3qdIi37t-cqU3Ux-Zo3Byh7gQfCFL7Kgr1MSBYinq8jyKn10iruWtiqVMmB9LmdTXeSvLPrsrCZ_ElOqAEQYQwWbyZgPs8kXZ2aVy2XQK_Z/s1600/1674079731814042-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOOesG5q2ex9Z5_7TP7Gi-6-Ac232RBOFZ3qdIi37t-cqU3Ux-Zo3Byh7gQfCFL7Kgr1MSBYinq8jyKn10iruWtiqVMmB9LmdTXeSvLPrsrCZ_ElOqAEQYQwWbyZgPs8kXZ2aVy2XQK_Z/s1600/1674079731814042-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Finally past the rather dried up lake, where we'd camped on a previous trip..</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And over the boulders to the Col de Peyreget.</div><div>Despite the daunting first impressions given this can make for a fun way of going, if you're in the mood..</div><div>It feels like a bit of a puzzle trying to make out which rock you're going to hop onto next, but one. </div><div><br></div><div>But once you get into the flow it can feel like quite a satisfying way of making progress. </div><div><br></div><div>There are occasional cairns to mark 'the way' but you do have to hope they've been put there by someone sensible.. 🤔</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9px9gqTanBzRlNxnwgvje9hAKG9LPRlZfrD1eE1_qC_7sJYrsNGNmae4EJTClaPHJHHO_5WScRrPc33qjtm6rGLHE4mvGAiLp-dCuzkWlUeRvYX2oeVFy2r0gJ43Z3KzkTaGqhhLBVpz6/s1600/1674079712236748-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9px9gqTanBzRlNxnwgvje9hAKG9LPRlZfrD1eE1_qC_7sJYrsNGNmae4EJTClaPHJHHO_5WScRrPc33qjtm6rGLHE4mvGAiLp-dCuzkWlUeRvYX2oeVFy2r0gJ43Z3KzkTaGqhhLBVpz6/s1600/1674079712236748-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>And then down and down again.</div><div><br></div><div>Steep downhill at the end of the day can feel as wearying as steep uphill, knees start to grumble - so hurrah for walking poles.</div><div><br></div><div>I know, I know one really mustn't grumble about 'tiredness' on super priveleged holiday excursions.. I do know that.. <br></div><div>But still.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtsoA1nJF3zves8PITtDkzKAKzioR74jez5-ooe6XviBYz09qwAOBlrggGR546qehv0JOWP_IOlt7MnE4mBr3QK8mgd9YuC61hu90KmKbo09dfKP_Pa2oskVptI29LOjvb9kd_Me8OQoD/s1600/1674592726593794-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtsoA1nJF3zves8PITtDkzKAKzioR74jez5-ooe6XviBYz09qwAOBlrggGR546qehv0JOWP_IOlt7MnE4mBr3QK8mgd9YuC61hu90KmKbo09dfKP_Pa2oskVptI29LOjvb9kd_Me8OQoD/s1600/1674592726593794-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div></div><div><br></div><div>Compare the pack size...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqDBq9xRcMWrj5bIgE5G6Miw6kMUUwFEM4TQysFCrIq5-hePNKMXHEjePYjO17xRfthjEWA5vXuOYT_o8CmWybRoeSwo5HrowJY7TSgf3oi-yP2vwQFS4lVCwgwRuTOOAZFS8vdKhE7pG/s1600/1674592701643655-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqDBq9xRcMWrj5bIgE5G6Miw6kMUUwFEM4TQysFCrIq5-hePNKMXHEjePYjO17xRfthjEWA5vXuOYT_o8CmWybRoeSwo5HrowJY7TSgf3oi-yP2vwQFS4lVCwgwRuTOOAZFS8vdKhE7pG/s1600/1674592701643655-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>Its rarely if ever just down and down - there's often a bit more up again ..</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtep67bcit3fTDazu_lJjEDi4hjXiTgiqOT-M_qrURDa2pL0k596ymwhCQv7280w-BFgDxAFZMA8VUoH1ziHwpllnWYHAXc2obLSoc2Qtpr6C54E0rU34mt50oVJSxNq4Y8oiEdccss6o/s1600/1674592685937912-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtep67bcit3fTDazu_lJjEDi4hjXiTgiqOT-M_qrURDa2pL0k596ymwhCQv7280w-BFgDxAFZMA8VUoH1ziHwpllnWYHAXc2obLSoc2Qtpr6C54E0rU34mt50oVJSxNq4Y8oiEdccss6o/s1600/1674592685937912-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>The refuge Pombie is situated by a small lake .</div><div>Some of our company had booked a meal there </div><div><br></div><div>We'd provisioned for ourselves </div><div>But did rather enjoy a beer, in company. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsytQqNXhyphenhyphen8LCFT9kdG61ei3Z-19owtT6jE0H0kJkUO1JWiGvOCxdpCINUqw7q58c8BZICYDycjMdFbFocVmcX0gE80b9hZzgb5b3wLiHj7MDAawJLrQI2i0TTuG6cGsi8tHXdFerNQoS/s1600/1674592673623532-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsytQqNXhyphenhyphen8LCFT9kdG61ei3Z-19owtT6jE0H0kJkUO1JWiGvOCxdpCINUqw7q58c8BZICYDycjMdFbFocVmcX0gE80b9hZzgb5b3wLiHj7MDAawJLrQI2i0TTuG6cGsi8tHXdFerNQoS/s1600/1674592673623532-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>And Spanish Alberto was keen for a bit more yoga instruction..</div><div><br></div><div>This is one of my favourite post hiking poses (that doesn't actually involve lying down)</div><div> Parsvottanasa </div><div>Streches the legs in all the right places, and unfurls the front edge of the spine whilst freeing the shoulders .</div><div>All it takes to effect is a handy, wall, tree, or even a big boulder will do.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking up, and being evenly aligned is really important.</div><div>And of course you do both sides a few times to get best benefit. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9p2gflgD9-Vxc59_qAnu1HxDlWqwI_zRf54AHIZ_TdSTz7buufcsBN9A2SRlNgiNsYZ0XOatv6CUz1JqHlYUlk4ojGtFY2SH1jE1NjYpeGutezeT7O41l36roOns4q_P2XFen14l7O_x/s1600/1674595055143248-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9p2gflgD9-Vxc59_qAnu1HxDlWqwI_zRf54AHIZ_TdSTz7buufcsBN9A2SRlNgiNsYZ0XOatv6CUz1JqHlYUlk4ojGtFY2SH1jE1NjYpeGutezeT7O41l36roOns4q_P2XFen14l7O_x/s1600/1674595055143248-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div>And so once more to bed.</div><div>Little X-mid a home from home by now.</div><div>Putting it up is quick and simple.</div><div>As by this stage of the day there's precious little energy left for any kind of <i>faffing</i>. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySfPPfo5vMfMv_BUfzhJpE4-6SEF65XbV0TZwVX3jHeGsrBKtAwbqhsdLbxXwtmpRA2Fzx_nVnQGKkn37-MaqRwNqpHAzRPnC5VLMVCU0nQt83nOdfEVCDMgKQe53wX8rOCEQx-9QGGCi/s1600/1674595040092256-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySfPPfo5vMfMv_BUfzhJpE4-6SEF65XbV0TZwVX3jHeGsrBKtAwbqhsdLbxXwtmpRA2Fzx_nVnQGKkn37-MaqRwNqpHAzRPnC5VLMVCU0nQt83nOdfEVCDMgKQe53wX8rOCEQx-9QGGCi/s1600/1674595040092256-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>A moody view of tomorrows 'goals' but first a well earned rest.. </div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-11740421674159760092022-12-11T21:30:00.007+00:002023-01-29T22:50:17.411+00:00Not so fast, and certainly not fearless... Sea to Sea via The Pyrenees High Route <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starting somewhere .</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>They say that even the longest of journeys starts with a single step.<div><br /><div>Hmm, seems for me at least, that most trips <i>generally</i> start with negotiating some good farm care.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, this year, the already highly capable 'Team Fresh and Green' were joined for the season, by these two marvels.. 💚💜</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrwel3hPWPf3_7eyso7lUpU9ph1cUA9s0dJuc0eoTIXzedy-5UR8zeThAeaYRiKvMgn7hwPDEi4j8gRyaBl6wvhxM0qCOhj44NA6IkmEtOSIb3t8iVeyh-urvAib0n_dB-jfdSy2jnTjE/s1600/1668544919954700-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrwel3hPWPf3_7eyso7lUpU9ph1cUA9s0dJuc0eoTIXzedy-5UR8zeThAeaYRiKvMgn7hwPDEi4j8gRyaBl6wvhxM0qCOhj44NA6IkmEtOSIb3t8iVeyh-urvAib0n_dB-jfdSy2jnTjE/s1600/1668544919954700-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Here early on in the season, weeding the onions before they swelled to a magnificent girth..</div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst the chickens get some new ground to explore - their containing fence goes up once I've unhitched the house from the tractor. </div><div><br /></div><div>The summers cultivations, planting and picking circle around, week by week, regularly rhythmically. </div><div>It was so very hot and dry, hard work for all of us at times. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tomatoes started to crop heavily - quite delicious.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-ViOX1yMdtbT4viiYY0ztQA9U2vW-7bHQjpFluyObi6Mz1tIM6_WDp4CxhordfFD9gcfD7stlQYBztnhYOTY6j-9-D9CmAu4czFMh-BnwK0VqA_KY4UZgqat1F9Ns7U-kkOFUwl97vXq/s1600/1668883510631208-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-ViOX1yMdtbT4viiYY0ztQA9U2vW-7bHQjpFluyObi6Mz1tIM6_WDp4CxhordfFD9gcfD7stlQYBztnhYOTY6j-9-D9CmAu4czFMh-BnwK0VqA_KY4UZgqat1F9Ns7U-kkOFUwl97vXq/s1600/1668883510631208-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>And we welcome the furry new pest control team, Audré and Bel .</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then suddenly - how can this be??</div><div>It's August!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>One way</i> train tickets are purchased..</div><div>An open ended trip?!? </div><div><br /></div><div>How exciting.</div><div>If a tad daunting. </div><div><br /></div><div>So the usual last minute packing, finding and fettling, and even a couple of new things too. </div><div>Including gossamer light waterproof trousers, and a hooded hiking suntop...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqB2uTC4JEnYU7KGZnoklGG_fTHAPVdj8EJMdY8TyMZ_fyi-Mnon4xOH3mbdcZXRA2DLgciP0keYgIoQIp4WwjHwfXQnRNtdLhas1EdqnuZreKyTfY0KieQDZKX1nHKZbgamSR4IFs53J/s1600/1668544892130001-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqB2uTC4JEnYU7KGZnoklGG_fTHAPVdj8EJMdY8TyMZ_fyi-Mnon4xOH3mbdcZXRA2DLgciP0keYgIoQIp4WwjHwfXQnRNtdLhas1EdqnuZreKyTfY0KieQDZKX1nHKZbgamSR4IFs53J/s1600/1668544892130001-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes I <i>do</i> like bright things.</div><div>I find they help with telling 'this' from 'that' on bleary eyed mornings in a tent.</div><div>And it's just cheery, to have a rainbow to choose from. </div><div><br /></div><div>Later on in the trip a super stylish young Frenchwoman told me she appreciated my colourful outfits..</div><div>I dont mind if she was 'only being kind' - i'll take the compliment as offered anyhow 🌈</div><div><br /></div><div>Dye bath success at turning dull grey nylon trews to purple💜 gave me no end of satisfaction. </div><div>Much less likely to show trail-stains as well as being a prettier colour.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then, after seemingly endless lists, and sublists, making sure everything is sorted on the farm, we're pretty much packed.</div><div><br /></div><div>And ready(ish) </div><div>Experiencing the <i>usual</i> last minute pre departure nerves which over the years I've tried to tell myself is just excited anticipation.</div><div><br /></div><div>But whatever it is, it still feels a bit scarey.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The farm is left in more than trustworthy hands, for sure.. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then a relatively smooth journey, all involving trains yes 😊 - UK to London. Trains - Eurostar to Paris.</div><div> And yet more trains - Metro across Paris then top deck on the TGV to find us arriving in Hendaye on the Atlantic coast, on a dark but warm Wednesday evening. </div><div><br /></div><div>Such a civilised way to travel 😎</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcPQ2yx3XjWpC_IIuIXmY2F-OSx-BNxvhkgWU_wKOOQapmCAYFNpswQbMaiBvzV-k0kS8q2Wtkx-ViHyU_FTHjMJTxQQgH-zD09o-3Wmh25QESxTY94LVwpzxYhjqDF6JeZhIydgBmX6_/s1600/1669364280996119-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcPQ2yx3XjWpC_IIuIXmY2F-OSx-BNxvhkgWU_wKOOQapmCAYFNpswQbMaiBvzV-k0kS8q2Wtkx-ViHyU_FTHjMJTxQQgH-zD09o-3Wmh25QESxTY94LVwpzxYhjqDF6JeZhIydgBmX6_/s1600/1669364280996119-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div> A perfectly comfortable pension with breakfast was secured, just over the border in Irun..</div><div><br /></div><div>But the next days forecast is terrible, and so it proves to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Absolutely sheeting it down, overspilling shop awnings, and sluicing the streets, <i>not</i> ideal for starting a hike.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although in truth the rain also brought some relief.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the bulk of the summer, the whole area had been suffering severe droughts and fires, and the thought of even attempting this coast to coast traverse with very limited water sources, and high fire risk was worrying. </div><div><br /></div><div>So a day spent wandering the dampened streets of Irun was no real hardship.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXrSa4WKeCDicuH1dAGbJZxt6BmgNtSv28PiL2xzMqr3-odaxI_KiXWUUG_n7QobaqMiOtRVu2qMcm5TUdytnwimiV46zdHXCeTtmZNnMbzM3JQwBOqtFerFtKY-LII0eE9rSS-9uRjGb/s1600/1668545638534842-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXrSa4WKeCDicuH1dAGbJZxt6BmgNtSv28PiL2xzMqr3-odaxI_KiXWUUG_n7QobaqMiOtRVu2qMcm5TUdytnwimiV46zdHXCeTtmZNnMbzM3JQwBOqtFerFtKY-LII0eE9rSS-9uRjGb/s1600/1668545638534842-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>And then finally, <i>finally</i>, a brighter day dawns.. The much anticipated <i>beginning</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Traditionally you're supposed to start this hike at the Atlantic in Hendaye.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or even more properly <i>in </i>the Atlantic.</div><div><br /></div><div>So - not wanting to draw down the early ire of the trail pixies by defying convention - we do the decent thing .</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNnsfTkiJTyia5vRlWRATivsb8dbMu_mfIQ63p7s59nmk6nPCwP17S_M64aqvWXNnI9Xt-R4KcqePfnA7hOpXxpClFb9iKlZGU4s7A8b-NUTOf1TkGn3BeM96P7XCVDTUuXajeMAtNZ1E/s1600/1668545627458635-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNnsfTkiJTyia5vRlWRATivsb8dbMu_mfIQ63p7s59nmk6nPCwP17S_M64aqvWXNnI9Xt-R4KcqePfnA7hOpXxpClFb9iKlZGU4s7A8b-NUTOf1TkGn3BeM96P7XCVDTUuXajeMAtNZ1E/s1600/1668545627458635-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>And look! </div><div>New blue shoes too.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Followed by some wriggling back through town, via yet <i>more</i> provisioning, and a cafe for a decent coffee.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Spying as we go, a couple more solitary hikers who appear to be on a similar mission..</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps we shall meet them later??</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps we shall 😊</div><div><br /></div><div>Ascending the town's suburban hinterland, and first foothills already felt steepish, and hottish.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually rising onto more open ground where we took our first <i>proper</i> HRP deviation -</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Often the first part of the trail follows the more civilised GR10 through the Basque country - but it chucks you onto some slightly gnarlier and higher stuff now and then, just for kicks .. </div><div> </div><div>It certainly felt as if a <i>deviant</i> had come up with the plan of bashing through muddy slopes, overgrown bramble and bracken, to get to <i>exactly</i> the same place eventually as the main path, which we could have followed.</div><div><br /></div><div>No matter - just an early test of patience. </div><div>Lunch was taken soon after.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The plan</i> had been to start the trip fairly gently..</div><div>As neither of us was feeling incredibly fit -</div><div><i>Not</i> go <i>too</i> far, or too fast for the first few days at least. </div><div><br /></div><div>Right - so let's do pretty much 30km and 1,300 m of ascent straight out of the trap via</div><div> - what felt, at this stage - a mahoosive mountain topped by a classic Bond villains lair, that should do it.</div><div><br /></div><div>He looks pleased enough right?? </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8Hisf02snTuuEcNCE4CyODhewS-tjB3isZ1cpUJB2eYNhhaMnUY5ehxpUEbjWMyO7dO2C-xvJgucMPV0eCKkt2rTxOFcHShGGNxjz6FqJYgj5dK_0mJvIbw5avYrDX1aITNYjgTikJPA/s1600/1668546465687645-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8Hisf02snTuuEcNCE4CyODhewS-tjB3isZ1cpUJB2eYNhhaMnUY5ehxpUEbjWMyO7dO2C-xvJgucMPV0eCKkt2rTxOFcHShGGNxjz6FqJYgj5dK_0mJvIbw5avYrDX1aITNYjgTikJPA/s1600/1668546465687645-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>After a strenuous ascent, which had me self distracting via counting footsteps - you know the kind of thing :-</div><div><br /></div><div> "I reckon i can get to that rock in 300 paces - lets see if that works" </div><div><br /></div><div> We stopped for an early evening brew near the top of la Rhune, and marvelled at the swathes of tourists who had sensibly ascended via cable train from the other side.</div><div><br /></div><div> They then suddenly <i>all</i> dissapeared en masse the same way - Leaving it almost eerie on the eyrie.</div><div><br /></div><div>So reshoulder packs, and contemplate the steepish descent to where flatter more campable ground, with water source was promised.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiJsgsB6Iz9msnNzrCWwR2fwpuiNyw8ZJGjyq0qlJ0SHMSqNHtU3-XEBIJ3h4L3XGgbN2SPLob4iRT3KLt9cC3X5OF3AgXXHPhiLKPVquyuux_Oo3bt1vSJ6mhrEGFhulr4VS3Z3XHX7J/s1600/1668546454867387-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiJsgsB6Iz9msnNzrCWwR2fwpuiNyw8ZJGjyq0qlJ0SHMSqNHtU3-XEBIJ3h4L3XGgbN2SPLob4iRT3KLt9cC3X5OF3AgXXHPhiLKPVquyuux_Oo3bt1vSJ6mhrEGFhulr4VS3Z3XHX7J/s1600/1668546454867387-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>I had new blue shoes too 💙</div><div>My first ever pair of La Sportiva - recommended to me by a more experienced trekker as just the thing for this trail.</div><div><br /></div><div>Generally favouring two pairs of liner socks inside so long as it wasn't really wet or cold.</div><div><br /></div><div>And why would you pass up a chance to stretch those hamstrings if a compliant height presents itself.?</div><div>Utthitta hasta padangusthasana.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSVKLw8oWwVaoAnwiHlQSFCCkLtsd3buFhUl20ayb29Hc41EhOyeknD2sN6eiXicFyTxrAjiNWFmF9zAv5dAh8iDp27yeErP_ajl8SEYkhVw5-Hxy8kdLVljbzWMxcIW-_DjRlsfS7Uds/s1600/1668546442363588-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSVKLw8oWwVaoAnwiHlQSFCCkLtsd3buFhUl20ayb29Hc41EhOyeknD2sN6eiXicFyTxrAjiNWFmF9zAv5dAh8iDp27yeErP_ajl8SEYkhVw5-Hxy8kdLVljbzWMxcIW-_DjRlsfS7Uds/s1600/1668546442363588-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>The sun was leaving us to get on with it, as we tramped what felt like a very loong way down, to that first nights pitch. </div><div><br /></div><div>Where we came, once again, upon our future firm trail buddy Alberto, already installed in the accommodating grounds of a local restaurant Lizuniaga - sadly the eaterie was closed by the time we arrived.</div><div> We didn't enquire too closely as to the nature of the repast we'd missed.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had <i>already</i> had a brief encounter with A'</div><div> around midday, at that junction in the path where the HRP 'proper' went thaddaway >>> <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>He too had done battle with the mud, and thorny undergrowth in pursuit of trail 'purity' </div><div><br /></div><div>Ahh, the virtuous, dedication of the noviates. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, first serious use of our new tent .</div><div><br /></div><div>It was late, so my main technical appraisal was something along the lines of - </div><div><br /></div><div>'Nice interior pockets' </div><div><br /></div><div>Before eating something hot, filling, and doubtless a tad <i>mushy </i>out of a packet, and subsequently falling very thoroughly asleep. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyol6B5_GBKBRWIUM7Lnjj3WCbxtYfBoRTD3eWu6Yj21E4Ltzw0YJZsVs09jasa2m6cOWefJETfOz2jqJULgPdqEkWqA_nKearV5LtWbJkskSpG0N_c8ZHkrW1yHxC3T6C_95Les8i-qL/s1600/1668628474916413-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyol6B5_GBKBRWIUM7Lnjj3WCbxtYfBoRTD3eWu6Yj21E4Ltzw0YJZsVs09jasa2m6cOWefJETfOz2jqJULgPdqEkWqA_nKearV5LtWbJkskSpG0N_c8ZHkrW1yHxC3T6C_95Les8i-qL/s1600/1668628474916413-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Our Dan Durston X- mid in foreground, <i>his</i> Tarptent Stratospire Li in background.</div><div><br /></div><div> I've got an over-enthusiastic light gathering night sight on my camera which beefs things up - I know it was much darker than this at the time. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvznoI7DXdy_W64DUAg7tqxrYelZ0CRy1qyy5rhAFb6XNzoFFOiVCBUNjra7EfQPS-8gSJGTKoSMrdiH4qI5e6jn8C0jWGJsTfRLzYSijlr4SBVDkMOz_w7ET7npA4qy_D5xLB-Qqu9Yj/s1600/1668883497136061-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvznoI7DXdy_W64DUAg7tqxrYelZ0CRy1qyy5rhAFb6XNzoFFOiVCBUNjra7EfQPS-8gSJGTKoSMrdiH4qI5e6jn8C0jWGJsTfRLzYSijlr4SBVDkMOz_w7ET7npA4qy_D5xLB-Qqu9Yj/s1600/1668883497136061-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Early(ish) up and out across the hot Basque hills, taking a couple of last backwards glances at the Atlantic.</div><div><br /></div><div>And some tantalising glimpses on the very far horizon, of the 'proper' mountains to come.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXI14hC4f0qx__i3cSJrxo3EsRu02HP6bpVmSFllNRMuGuOVxr0Vilsp81_ncFcwSFja3Iv0Qb96LJ5qNexKjQx9qyR9ugcMKv2-PpDvRWQdOCO5gkGzNFpQbR-kPXTbLKPslH0MIUeS8h/s1600/1668883476286528-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXI14hC4f0qx__i3cSJrxo3EsRu02HP6bpVmSFllNRMuGuOVxr0Vilsp81_ncFcwSFja3Iv0Qb96LJ5qNexKjQx9qyR9ugcMKv2-PpDvRWQdOCO5gkGzNFpQbR-kPXTbLKPslH0MIUeS8h/s1600/1668883476286528-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Via old woodlands of oak and beech.</div><div><br /></div><div>They <i>are</i> tiny ponies yes, but also a <i>very</i> big oak. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcUcnSPSAwyyV7fubUxq5n7-yXqdUbxqiTJLSoCRowF7-2tFmRTcNfmmqfcgAzjhlImPMkkYowyOMUiLVswnWn7BUltor_tkD2iXZLX_Ps5WqZBSKf8XyKB8E4QlVuFqTkQ19DpN-E3HZ/s1600/1668883450795962-3.png">
</a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcUcnSPSAwyyV7fubUxq5n7-yXqdUbxqiTJLSoCRowF7-2tFmRTcNfmmqfcgAzjhlImPMkkYowyOMUiLVswnWn7BUltor_tkD2iXZLX_Ps5WqZBSKf8XyKB8E4QlVuFqTkQ19DpN-E3HZ/s1600/1668883450795962-3.png" width="400" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcUcnSPSAwyyV7fubUxq5n7-yXqdUbxqiTJLSoCRowF7-2tFmRTcNfmmqfcgAzjhlImPMkkYowyOMUiLVswnWn7BUltor_tkD2iXZLX_Ps5WqZBSKf8XyKB8E4QlVuFqTkQ19DpN-E3HZ/s1600/1668883450795962-3.png">
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hot heights, and stony undulations, with little water available, plenty of reasonable places to pitch a shelter, but not much water for any overnight stays. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6STsZuugQiWcWkQeKL2yH5_-XD6g9VqQvTVe4RD6KZcHvXnrSuTj02DdxTtHyAjbhTul5JAv1KQS1rkggJhB6VVE4w9HyOEiShcb_5NQpXC0RfO2vdTDBIo6UoLU2M9nfkSMTX57I_mr/s1600/1668883681503090-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6STsZuugQiWcWkQeKL2yH5_-XD6g9VqQvTVe4RD6KZcHvXnrSuTj02DdxTtHyAjbhTul5JAv1KQS1rkggJhB6VVE4w9HyOEiShcb_5NQpXC0RfO2vdTDBIo6UoLU2M9nfkSMTX57I_mr/s1600/1668883681503090-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another long day of ups and downs, no really high heights, but fairly relentless switchbacks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Honestly I wasn't complaining already...😇 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We <i>briefly</i> dallied with the idea of a pension for comfort, in Arizkun ... But one half of the accommodation here was closed, the other fully booked up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ah well, push on, no doubt we'll find <i>somewhere</i> to pitch up the hill a little way out of town .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lWKRPNKNRYVmyPMNcyib-6nybBWS64p12e2VRzVRwqdF8uHGZSc_XNcxfL8WIhWkiA2NzNNjPIUtfBdo_Ud1XJ3JIAgkOLT8K1fjJtY3OsVOepNN3njGRjje9qgYO6zP-aUxIV1id-tp/s1600/1668883662930322-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lWKRPNKNRYVmyPMNcyib-6nybBWS64p12e2VRzVRwqdF8uHGZSc_XNcxfL8WIhWkiA2NzNNjPIUtfBdo_Ud1XJ3JIAgkOLT8K1fjJtY3OsVOepNN3njGRjje9qgYO6zP-aUxIV1id-tp/s1600/1668883662930322-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Couldn't <i>quite</i> make it all the way up the hills onto the higher wilder ground, which <i>might</i> have offered woodland glades...</div><div><br /></div><div>Tired legs were being somewhat rebellious - especially carrying the weight of that nights water supply too.</div><div><br /></div><div>So grown-ass adults that we clearly are (not) we snuck into a just-mown hayfield and camp on flattish ground away from lines of sight of any nearby houses.</div><div>I'm sure the farmer wouldn't really mind, I wouldn't really if it were me. </div><div><br /></div><div>A very hot humid night, not so much sleep, but the slight nervousness at being discovered, meant we were up in good time all the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>On previous Pyrenees trips early morning starts were rather rarer but we've got specified km to cover, so we had better get with the distance programme, i guess. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxmVSMgWFG9P6MJFfd2CIiaTBg369Br7cXJCl0fla13ijQnasCxVmPloVt2-Rak3D7yiHv5P6R1cDEnc9udJxVWGbEWZqE249LHQ1CiufIXtziVNEaj721uTPQWXW0rn-7ieWtZfKi2Fl/s1600/1668892788295163-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxmVSMgWFG9P6MJFfd2CIiaTBg369Br7cXJCl0fla13ijQnasCxVmPloVt2-Rak3D7yiHv5P6R1cDEnc9udJxVWGbEWZqE249LHQ1CiufIXtziVNEaj721uTPQWXW0rn-7ieWtZfKi2Fl/s1600/1668892788295163-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Up and up, and onto broad paths through misty, atmospheric old feeling countryside . </div><div><br /></div><div>All the guide books talk of dampness, and often rain in this part of the world - and true to form that's what we got.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not really that unpleasant either when you're getting used to hefting a pack up a gradient.</div><div><br /></div><div>Apart from a few way-finding challenges, where woodland and rocky outcrops came together to confuse.</div><div> </div><div>We made it, with barely a scratch to that days highest height.</div><div>Col de Burga - despite the name no fast food vans were in evidence..</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBv4AoUzvfMqFYu8xTld7x47wUXNhPZpARGIvhyKpcpBQ-nzIPjnib30gafabBCF6al6p9AY5L6YX7IhZ2VBhsuw7Mv519fqqGBiEPIilPJY7R4HKTGEL20xAEoiNOubc9Yu8uPbIwziG/s1600/1668892766264208-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBv4AoUzvfMqFYu8xTld7x47wUXNhPZpARGIvhyKpcpBQ-nzIPjnib30gafabBCF6al6p9AY5L6YX7IhZ2VBhsuw7Mv519fqqGBiEPIilPJY7R4HKTGEL20xAEoiNOubc9Yu8uPbIwziG/s1600/1668892766264208-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>On the trail downwards we had an encounter with a cute little fuzzy creature on the pathside.</div><div>We <i>assumed</i> she had fallen from a small child's clutches...</div><div><br /></div><div>Duly rescued, and stowed in pack, as it seemed a rather lonely place to be abandoned to the elements.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then another steep descent into Aldudes.</div><div>Here on a very steep concrete road I remembered how walking downhill backwards can relieve tight calves ( if the terrain allows of course)</div><div><br /></div><div>Only a half days walking really, but it was nice to stop and have a leisurely Sunday board of cheese and charcuterie, and light beer 😊 at the friendly roadside bistro.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then as an extra treat - the very helpful guardian of the village facilities, near where we'd arrived, made sure he was at the shower block at four o'clock for our pre arranged sluice off, very welcome after a couple of sticky and dusty, days and nights out.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJS9nNiSt5pfgBKv2au4knmDviLMnjkq08JUjIJvxYtl6xoAN3Ce2Nyvu-iO8gVjLFxF91mB1USBPvNuaMHE08EhIDsQQErswQx1dtxnP1OUzcOANWdNSTo5MJzTW46I1HNw_G9FhZg5F/s1600/1668892753528313-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJS9nNiSt5pfgBKv2au4knmDviLMnjkq08JUjIJvxYtl6xoAN3Ce2Nyvu-iO8gVjLFxF91mB1USBPvNuaMHE08EhIDsQQErswQx1dtxnP1OUzcOANWdNSTo5MJzTW46I1HNw_G9FhZg5F/s1600/1668892753528313-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The plan had been to stay at the tiny campground that Sunday night, resupply with a few days lunches, the following morning, and then push on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah, but it turns out the little shop isn't open on Mondays <i>either</i>.. Ooops..</div><div><br /></div><div>So a quick skedaddle down the road to a rather expensive, and limited in stock farm shop.</div><div>Quality local produce <i>yes</i>, but hikers cannot live by ham and cheese alone..</div><div><br /></div><div>Well <i>some</i> of us can't at least.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQpofjB0l0EAsKQf8hhHKZO6FXBkc3jt4xA9AdKjBHmC9XyvYJLsxzkO9M20HOtR5TOglnVBIda0DdEZDYl-ukhCYvaGKQQcYy7-GjGfZEaMLuIPKHI3g3w1HiSKF9nfHpi4BixFRJIH3/s1600/1668891083322603-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQpofjB0l0EAsKQf8hhHKZO6FXBkc3jt4xA9AdKjBHmC9XyvYJLsxzkO9M20HOtR5TOglnVBIda0DdEZDYl-ukhCYvaGKQQcYy7-GjGfZEaMLuIPKHI3g3w1HiSKF9nfHpi4BixFRJIH3/s1600/1668891083322603-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Considerably heavier in pack, and lighter in pocket, next day we climbed up out of Aldudes.</div><div><br /></div><div>More bosky landscapes, damp woodlands, and verdant views, but pretty easy striding out once we'd reached the tops.</div><div><br /></div><div>A lunch stop to enjoy that quality tinned cassoulet from the previous days foraging. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mopsy - of the magnetic feet - for it is she whom we rescued - couldn't quite get the tin open.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the deed had to be done with a titanium tent peg, and a rock - very rustic - almost verging on 'butchcraft'.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvaqw8-yByJgJWj3kTzgWILK36xtRjPt3byZr4NH8gU9hqexKnU_bnbHthxy-paJZASZtN_vn08ncByKExfLZW87Z28K_tW4IuKloyANxmjR9hrif6JSniuoqRH8WgCVaZBekOEJxHq0v/s1600/1668891063735957-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvaqw8-yByJgJWj3kTzgWILK36xtRjPt3byZr4NH8gU9hqexKnU_bnbHthxy-paJZASZtN_vn08ncByKExfLZW87Z28K_tW4IuKloyANxmjR9hrif6JSniuoqRH8WgCVaZBekOEJxHq0v/s1600/1668891063735957-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Not the kind of lunch we usually go in for, but it was particularly delicious, and sustaining, even cold shared straight out the tin.. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvTBqL9IofHgEsSTRVLLO0SRGLwwfo_emsEwifiV8vT-wA4KwRa0Hd20wFviWf_9yXhggoVcXB9i9r9-QOQ0jOB66TEz5tu144dgosYtZxgmGBlnZYBOScQPRViy-yrHFsQTq_E7n-HWa/s1600/1668974306943029-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvTBqL9IofHgEsSTRVLLO0SRGLwwfo_emsEwifiV8vT-wA4KwRa0Hd20wFviWf_9yXhggoVcXB9i9r9-QOQ0jOB66TEz5tu144dgosYtZxgmGBlnZYBOScQPRViy-yrHFsQTq_E7n-HWa/s1600/1668974306943029-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>A little further on, the HRP intersects at the col de Roncevaux, with the start of the Camino de Santiago, which heading west from here emanating from st Jean de Pied Port .</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite a contrast in 'hiker styles' shall we say.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was only their first day, but many of those pilgrims coming the other way looked as if they would be doing their fair share of suffering and atoning before journeys end.</div><div> </div><div>I hoped they'd done some proper good sinning already to make it all worthwhile.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite a few appeared to be making life unnecessarily difficult for themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div>But in truth, <i>I'm</i> the last person to be judging other folks kit choices, so I'll stop with that kind of critique right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>It all looked <i>very</i> sociable - perhaps a bit too much so, <i>if</i> you're the sort who ever fancies a half hours contemplative solitude whilst walking.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway - each to their own, and so forth.. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe4oS1iZ5cRfsdmr_IqDeUbz3y1zJwT__CdRnimvsDCCigMbEj2bMU66csDUO4eE_tkcu1y4Z7xa0VH62peNTSTL6WkVTt9p7IYhOlIzbuc4O3izkkmpGo6dysvBCCGtx_V_vihpuTa0I/s1600/1668891039844118-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe4oS1iZ5cRfsdmr_IqDeUbz3y1zJwT__CdRnimvsDCCigMbEj2bMU66csDUO4eE_tkcu1y4Z7xa0VH62peNTSTL6WkVTt9p7IYhOlIzbuc4O3izkkmpGo6dysvBCCGtx_V_vihpuTa0I/s1600/1668891039844118-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Coming down from the heights, via pastures new (to us)</div><div><br /></div><div>We bumped into another new friend Otto, with whom we'd briefly chatted in Aldudes, via more picturesque pastures to..</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCxcBk7_NaGQLCfrc5F0WovyTYgE3UI5Rla1-VjFWjZDoa6g_Mf2o9qg7r1kvN5dXkf6AnWomsUJgiyU6ZezGcqXfjbI85S2R2uehbPbwc1sCmTOR8tWROWc8SpTQA4UR6s0B2Fxw-LLh/s1600/1668891018352877-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCxcBk7_NaGQLCfrc5F0WovyTYgE3UI5Rla1-VjFWjZDoa6g_Mf2o9qg7r1kvN5dXkf6AnWomsUJgiyU6ZezGcqXfjbI85S2R2uehbPbwc1sCmTOR8tWROWc8SpTQA4UR6s0B2Fxw-LLh/s1600/1668891018352877-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Unexpectedly a <i>roadside</i> cabine, as a stop off for the night, with handy water point.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently you weren't supposed to stay over if you'd arrived by vehicle, but I'm not quite sure how they policed that one.</div><div><br /></div><div> Generally we prefer to camp, unless there's very good reason not to, so we pitched outside anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div> Otto, and Alberto, who had arrived a little earlier opted for sleeping indoors</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtTzCEkDgvdyVeTQ3dL-daPjc7mM0DBoLwlGF-KKW3QNn8r5A8oJCJ4EClpFJcXX-eeF50Ehe57Dz5q5Q0epPy1HFxuz3luWDizIwfuqh_3N27w06d1D7ygA-s1o8QCmMaHF26b1wrfdj/s1600/1668974845180340-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtTzCEkDgvdyVeTQ3dL-daPjc7mM0DBoLwlGF-KKW3QNn8r5A8oJCJ4EClpFJcXX-eeF50Ehe57Dz5q5Q0epPy1HFxuz3luWDizIwfuqh_3N27w06d1D7ygA-s1o8QCmMaHF26b1wrfdj/s1600/1668974845180340-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Early morning route consultation..</div><div><br /></div><div>Definitely a possibility of 'separated at birth?' with these two. </div><div>- Oh and OK maybe a few years apart too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here trying to outdo each other with their startling footwear choices.🤔</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQewg9CW97npyQxz8gkmk9dpUMrzI3W5cS8KQqCC0LAmq4RIgVcM6rG1utGvEosRjzSN7yXVmUMVHBFhXuHooTMHoUrXYgjI7Yt9_etisL8rjPcb-PzyDo6idBtQlh0HGVJW1FRYvzmet/s1600/1668974827414991-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQewg9CW97npyQxz8gkmk9dpUMrzI3W5cS8KQqCC0LAmq4RIgVcM6rG1utGvEosRjzSN7yXVmUMVHBFhXuHooTMHoUrXYgjI7Yt9_etisL8rjPcb-PzyDo6idBtQlh0HGVJW1FRYvzmet/s1600/1668974827414991-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>A lot of that morning was spent contouring just above or in the mist.</div><div>Longer views into the valleys, would have been nice, but it leant an air of mystery to the journey.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like walking around the edges of grassy islands above a misty sea.. </div><div>Except for the occasional clonking of cow bells from the lower pastures</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUSAgBLukKkKr4dFHpZ6Lv6hB9Q-aqeR1XdCp1I7orUzIQvQfq8cSKonpPIan_cW9vB5GAZyAP6QjCZuHl-5FjsVlvrqs4IYHOm8AAxv5tJjCLKbtxWusgKVqXCGnBCA2-Y6hyphenhyphenbR6t6KK/s1600/1668974811487027-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUSAgBLukKkKr4dFHpZ6Lv6hB9Q-aqeR1XdCp1I7orUzIQvQfq8cSKonpPIan_cW9vB5GAZyAP6QjCZuHl-5FjsVlvrqs4IYHOm8AAxv5tJjCLKbtxWusgKVqXCGnBCA2-Y6hyphenhyphenbR6t6KK/s1600/1668974811487027-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Alberto caught us up at our lunch stop, and then continued on ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had the <i>serious</i> matter of another tin of cassoulet to savour...</div><div><br /></div><div>Duck this time. </div><div><br /></div><div>and what appears to be the airing of a quilt.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge22GpnWP74Hau1L-ptyPsdQtpqD6yHEkoXbe_by308ltwfiR83NyYAty-h1_9wDQFoW-LtKbxwBG7l88BRMewW8nFSBQGwkra3iauJtVov7xOqD7F0g_gZaFTW5LFsVvfAQyq-k5E_fXC/s1600/1668974787720787-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge22GpnWP74Hau1L-ptyPsdQtpqD6yHEkoXbe_by308ltwfiR83NyYAty-h1_9wDQFoW-LtKbxwBG7l88BRMewW8nFSBQGwkra3iauJtVov7xOqD7F0g_gZaFTW5LFsVvfAQyq-k5E_fXC/s1600/1668974787720787-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>At last the clouds burnt off with the midday heat. </div><div>We dipped down from our lunch spot, only to climb and climb up the other side of the valley. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unsurprisingly, level walking becomes an oddity the deeper you go into the mountains proper. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then through the sparsely pine wooded slopes to reach some welcome riverside refreshment..</div><div>There was a nice bar serving welcome snackage and drinks too. </div><div><br /></div><div>It seemed like a logical place to stop, although water was scarcer than it should have been on account of localised water point malfunction.</div><div>The cafe helped us out though </div><div><br /></div><div>As we wandered back to pitch by the river we spotted two figures waving at us from the roadside..</div><div><br /></div><div>Dutch Ton - who we'd encountered around about our lunch spot the previous day, and Otto had caught us up, and we pitched together on the special piece of grass reserved for hairy hikers like us. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPFeoA2zY2OBgsJVkRFgN7AV9fp0PsLMEBCE7eFQ37x6IC3fW1QVFTj1oZaND634hKBcOlhWdosbDPGCLl7KUJxLju-NC-H59fzHaArd6ZtFRxoX7_OF1yVnaQVtSdpguNvea8oXZprYp/s1600/1670110102942436-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPFeoA2zY2OBgsJVkRFgN7AV9fp0PsLMEBCE7eFQ37x6IC3fW1QVFTj1oZaND634hKBcOlhWdosbDPGCLl7KUJxLju-NC-H59fzHaArd6ZtFRxoX7_OF1yVnaQVtSdpguNvea8oXZprYp/s1600/1670110102942436-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The X mid turns out to be a pretty easy pitch, even simpler than the stratospire that we'd got used to using on previous trips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It was a bit heavy with condensation by the morning, but that can be the downside of a riverside camp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I spent quite a lot of that evening with needle and thread and grosgrain webbing beefing up my walking poles - their only real design flaw is rather fragile neoprene straps which start to stretch and thin after only a few days out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvd6IeLVfC86BEbvZQvuVBwvsn-898o4VA7fDlzjoknXUERrO8ueXlYRQjT-UDNGD1Hgs2wMw2pP9bKnbkkbcDgO88LnuwPaknwnpwq6FLXb5rLLPjUW1VJ8QiBzE6ecZ2HjlDKN1KmoL/s1600/1669996974818099-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvd6IeLVfC86BEbvZQvuVBwvsn-898o4VA7fDlzjoknXUERrO8ueXlYRQjT-UDNGD1Hgs2wMw2pP9bKnbkkbcDgO88LnuwPaknwnpwq6FLXb5rLLPjUW1VJ8QiBzE6ecZ2HjlDKN1KmoL/s1600/1669996974818099-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>The next day was scheduled to be a 'big one' - and so indeed it proved.</div><div><br /></div><div>The HRP here goes over Pic d'Orhy- it's a dry route, so a lot of water needs to be carried too.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first incline of the day through the woods brings you out by a hilltop chalet complex, at Iraty which also boasts a <i>highly</i> distracting farm-shop type affair .</div><div><br /></div><div>Lots of yummy local food, and plenty of that keenly sought hiker treat - fresh fruit..</div><div><br /></div><div>So a big nine thirty am breakfast was taken - comprising some of the delicious but heavier things - fruit and yoghurt and just <i>possibly</i> some pastries - and then pack up a few lighter treats for later.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5Dd-JjWe2kaNGQfVkUyRqZHHQiAw0RWiKJ8kRmOoxHLTBhaifNz_UUK8oiB_AvKQdD6b6FtfyF-WsYnEGeng6k2eszpZM01_qOvTfyqR4OWR5u6e3DoQhS8Ltv7ZwRrZIT5L3vhLUVRu/s1600/1669996962420263-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5Dd-JjWe2kaNGQfVkUyRqZHHQiAw0RWiKJ8kRmOoxHLTBhaifNz_UUK8oiB_AvKQdD6b6FtfyF-WsYnEGeng6k2eszpZM01_qOvTfyqR4OWR5u6e3DoQhS8Ltv7ZwRrZIT5L3vhLUVRu/s1600/1669996962420263-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>Up the road, and across the valley to get our first proper view of the days task ahead.. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had over three litres each of the last available water, to add to the load. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh my poor over-priveleged, but not-very-fit legs.. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXFO-LSt-_qzP-AnJSxt2epdrKF_YVN_PrOMBgBslmk28M3h6kk2p_S3o0ANLKYLln6bqy-Q_c-XM_okN-fB9w5TTgzicfuGkF8IL-4b91IOW2Dm62CcibWHmxSHf4lRM_6qfUKucbExE/s1600/1669996944910802-3.png">
</a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXFO-LSt-_qzP-AnJSxt2epdrKF_YVN_PrOMBgBslmk28M3h6kk2p_S3o0ANLKYLln6bqy-Q_c-XM_okN-fB9w5TTgzicfuGkF8IL-4b91IOW2Dm62CcibWHmxSHf4lRM_6qfUKucbExE/s1600/1669996944910802-3.png" width="400" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXFO-LSt-_qzP-AnJSxt2epdrKF_YVN_PrOMBgBslmk28M3h6kk2p_S3o0ANLKYLln6bqy-Q_c-XM_okN-fB9w5TTgzicfuGkF8IL-4b91IOW2Dm62CcibWHmxSHf4lRM_6qfUKucbExE/s1600/1669996944910802-3.png">
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were quite a few hairy and airy parts to cross on the ridgy limestone outcrops, before getting to the final climb to the top at 2017 m .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Edgy ledges with proper 'deathy' drops for the unwary..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">( I <i>rarely,</i> if ever, take pictures of them cos I'm usually too busy just trying to 'be brave' and 'not die') </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fear not dear reader though - I am <i>proper</i> wary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Being quite scared of heights is not always ideal for these kind of trips, but i like to think a fear of 'Things-that-could-kill-you-if-you-fall-off-of-them' is fairly rational and reasonable aversion . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyoUI6ID-gFvHFhjhiaNIkq-3a0_lXwvoilwj5LWcCtrFLg2GXtauth6KQuMvgZ4JzvAj-DBSexP2Ff9WQoDMDRMGyr5KH_9jqCJWs7rDXgTxlkdxGhr7sIAKBO4_lmKGq7fJCrYNaUTG/s1600/1669996928086940-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyoUI6ID-gFvHFhjhiaNIkq-3a0_lXwvoilwj5LWcCtrFLg2GXtauth6KQuMvgZ4JzvAj-DBSexP2Ff9WQoDMDRMGyr5KH_9jqCJWs7rDXgTxlkdxGhr7sIAKBO4_lmKGq7fJCrYNaUTG/s1600/1669996928086940-4.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>Further on, to reach the summit at we took (the designated) and slightly more cautious route. </div><div><br /></div><div>But shortly after we saw a couple of our new compadres attempt the less advised and more precipitous route behind us. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately/ unfortunately we were there to see it, and alerted them to the safer way, hmm should you get involved like this.?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the <i>slight</i> downside to making friends along the way - you start to care a bit (too much?) about the advisability of other peoples choices as well .</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxu0D5T42RmplYD6P0bVf26hQsLC-BCYtcKgNu7pcB8ztb0bh1QYREz_0LE5-pbWstVnCfaiQuPkRp7rsQnknJmPGYp9M340Yfq4LFtpw-M4anq5WFupzdPB3Q10XF1H08yaXUIeJHbhWW/s1600/1670347507767247-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxu0D5T42RmplYD6P0bVf26hQsLC-BCYtcKgNu7pcB8ztb0bh1QYREz_0LE5-pbWstVnCfaiQuPkRp7rsQnknJmPGYp9M340Yfq4LFtpw-M4anq5WFupzdPB3Q10XF1H08yaXUIeJHbhWW/s1600/1670347507767247-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>At the top there were an uncommon amount of flying ants and other bugs and buzzy critters - clouds of them - but we got the stove going anyway as tea seemed to be the only sensible recourse after our first + 2000m ascent of the trip ..</div><div><br /></div><div>But the day was not done yet - not by a long shot .</div><div> What goes up - must surely come down - and then up again - along a long ridge - up another hill then down again - one last surprisingly toe hurty slope - poor little pinkies had had enough.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Would they ever forgive me?? </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSkBgo6Tcpo0w-dljCV_pERtib286RqqFCl3SBkIzygNkGq2d-v6SZPm_wvU-tU7wkQTc9eHVAYB62lgVrCX3dAGcYgHhOknf5KJp0W27YV_SBFxVePb9akpX0EY89wQB4D2NziZTzPbc/s1600/1670347491209686-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSkBgo6Tcpo0w-dljCV_pERtib286RqqFCl3SBkIzygNkGq2d-v6SZPm_wvU-tU7wkQTc9eHVAYB62lgVrCX3dAGcYgHhOknf5KJp0W27YV_SBFxVePb9akpX0EY89wQB4D2NziZTzPbc/s1600/1670347491209686-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div> </div><div>The end is <i>not</i> in sight yet - it <i>is</i> beyond <i>that</i> hill yes - but which hill exactly ??</div><div>And then there's always another hill - albeit smaller beyond that ..</div>We arrived lateish about 6.30 after the promised long day, at Cabane d'Ardane.</div><div><br /></div><div>Several people both known, and new faces too, were already congregated there.</div><div> It is the most reliable local source of fresh water, and offers some solid shelter for those with less sturdy cover.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS83K4v9UKO3LBb9JI8fNetbk0LdfzcR03arZPrNhc4OxOXKau1OQdkGYnR03-L7C3vETPMwWjegi-n632wCli3Hxuz_J6wbEjSsLDVndmVqVXuOMCGHMDmczoaVt9jvL7umRuXJ2oNMI/s1600/1670347476862614-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS83K4v9UKO3LBb9JI8fNetbk0LdfzcR03arZPrNhc4OxOXKau1OQdkGYnR03-L7C3vETPMwWjegi-n632wCli3Hxuz_J6wbEjSsLDVndmVqVXuOMCGHMDmczoaVt9jvL7umRuXJ2oNMI/s1600/1670347476862614-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To add to the general confusion - here we encountered <i>another</i> Alberto - only this was the <i>real</i> deal - proper Spanish Alberto from Barcelona .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He informed us that we might not like him at first because he thought that people often didn't - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- so i properly defied him by taking to him straightaway ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zKy5J01-OhGoX6GahqosLFj-sBwiKRASvUwMgdfs1FqY1_dxdtFzdMmkbOHdYvegsGOYOg-AN1erQULiIS8GLr-94uhJEDsPRJMynv3KTbfRnULk4-I7ZcDOZVih7dl2lOICoWy_6Yvr/s1600/1670347452893321-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zKy5J01-OhGoX6GahqosLFj-sBwiKRASvUwMgdfs1FqY1_dxdtFzdMmkbOHdYvegsGOYOg-AN1erQULiIS8GLr-94uhJEDsPRJMynv3KTbfRnULk4-I7ZcDOZVih7dl2lOICoWy_6Yvr/s1600/1670347452893321-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>I mean who could resist the delights of 'other' Albertos scran bag - thats quite a bearable bear right ??</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCqTYC8FU9EwSz76q3HZw8B6LWOQ-qTTXpxUr9HGqOmus0npODJjKPvv9K1yZEcoD8iNn8VMDMfw53jfzFmI3xuhIeZWYrMYuva_2ZD4rnjmg_inMDJ4QhLPfC9ngfvCQQrl7so9BxRdH/s1600/1670347433583536-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCqTYC8FU9EwSz76q3HZw8B6LWOQ-qTTXpxUr9HGqOmus0npODJjKPvv9K1yZEcoD8iNn8VMDMfw53jfzFmI3xuhIeZWYrMYuva_2ZD4rnjmg_inMDJ4QhLPfC9ngfvCQQrl7so9BxRdH/s1600/1670347433583536-4.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Another riverside pitch a little away from the madding hiker 'crowd' - thats <i>all</i> of five people yes ..</div><div> - reliably clean water fetched from the little shepherds cabin just up the valley. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBtDpsWz2psLEJn7pmBSAz_tkgG7IIpgH5F9GkyH-qkndYTdSk4xg4c-qZu3CyjZa3eGf2k4afH2RAM62xbaYndiHcKnVYNYx0eyNsq0EIRD-PYdRL5r1oFfATsKivErhzcx8bSakOZlH/s1600/1670351540836692-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBtDpsWz2psLEJn7pmBSAz_tkgG7IIpgH5F9GkyH-qkndYTdSk4xg4c-qZu3CyjZa3eGf2k4afH2RAM62xbaYndiHcKnVYNYx0eyNsq0EIRD-PYdRL5r1oFfATsKivErhzcx8bSakOZlH/s1600/1670351540836692-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Next morning offered mist, and an early-ish start. Up and over into more mysteriously shrouded high ground and steepish ravines.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRzdR0wuCBMruZGBJGTH6YRdxdLUv9oIEn5zYumldoVUYgwaRaVu7MKhVtVwFBOyl30hFBu0cWhA829mhMywLBRM11ENO0ZuDqIkUP2Yr_YvsJgJ1jiv5MGkeGWEqbe5BfUhVs1eh6wbx/s1600/1670351526012117-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRzdR0wuCBMruZGBJGTH6YRdxdLUv9oIEn5zYumldoVUYgwaRaVu7MKhVtVwFBOyl30hFBu0cWhA829mhMywLBRM11ENO0ZuDqIkUP2Yr_YvsJgJ1jiv5MGkeGWEqbe5BfUhVs1eh6wbx/s1600/1670351526012117-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>There were a few wayfinding glitches as local paths intersected with the main route. </div><div><br /></div><div>A small amount of tired grumpiness may have resulted also from the previous days exertions . </div><div>But cordiality was largely maintained.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNChvlGzCoyCMS9_cYQmqViy38jECJljlF3Fnw5eqkMakHSSPmac6QgmmSU1pNmhyphenhyphensEdGeKlOjXNVHsVu1T3GEDgbA45nDTql2A1WcUlaEcmDlWZZHpY8wjHxHB-2npoHuHci1fI038wKX/s1600/1670351510390472-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNChvlGzCoyCMS9_cYQmqViy38jECJljlF3Fnw5eqkMakHSSPmac6QgmmSU1pNmhyphenhyphensEdGeKlOjXNVHsVu1T3GEDgbA45nDTql2A1WcUlaEcmDlWZZHpY8wjHxHB-2npoHuHci1fI038wKX/s1600/1670351510390472-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>All of which brought us eventually to the newly renovated Refuge Belagua..</div><div><br /></div><div>The plan had been for a brief lunch pitstop, before pushing on.. </div><div><br /></div><div>But the forecast for that afternoon <i>wasn't</i> so great..</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRQGix3VhD7ZdosZ4eEMUokVhpTdT81vCd-sKW4ElbKK2xA4eldFy8QLJfa6aIE8QoXX8e5CwxObQs_2AU150CCNxES4D6tVzkCBCeGlorjWPZHiCetgi6atsTazGXODzbUEZHH5SuT0W/s1600/1670351490909933-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRQGix3VhD7ZdosZ4eEMUokVhpTdT81vCd-sKW4ElbKK2xA4eldFy8QLJfa6aIE8QoXX8e5CwxObQs_2AU150CCNxES4D6tVzkCBCeGlorjWPZHiCetgi6atsTazGXODzbUEZHH5SuT0W/s1600/1670351490909933-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div><i>Whereas</i>, the hospitality on offer...😊</div><div><br /></div><div>These people certainly know how to feed hungry hikers.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then of course a light beer to wash it all down.</div><div> </div><div>And then one of our party decided to book a bunk for the night rather than continue on into the gathering murkiness.. </div><div><br /></div><div>So conceding my weariness I happily agreed to this comforting proposition.</div><div>A good nights sleep in an almost empty dorm, on a proper mattress - bliss </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj42tKSM-eMAGeVKH19yFUqVzovQkwBUIAslgZ3WaDecej4ZJgYW-lsCPuk_X3g3VEU5z2rx95_0XWrPwbDpTJL365V8Z3IdTMglYv-IIs40S0Sw6C-El-iGwcjHiCT6cY782p8aCYDaM/s1600/1670357328983963-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj42tKSM-eMAGeVKH19yFUqVzovQkwBUIAslgZ3WaDecej4ZJgYW-lsCPuk_X3g3VEU5z2rx95_0XWrPwbDpTJL365V8Z3IdTMglYv-IIs40S0Sw6C-El-iGwcjHiCT6cY782p8aCYDaM/s1600/1670357328983963-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>The forecast for the next day wasn't exactly brilliant either, but hanging about waiting for weather to change didn't appeal. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAcTKDgu7PXODMH1wdyRgwQ7lOjjaVBR11FhwOm5bkRS1kcxFKgrDlVnvgSLjcq-yiLiO1dvgHuu1-pxWR5PrwxxQwYeFjpmDia6RVaupaeaidQ_ogX5-W6-fFth9JMvXTB8V5SsS7d20/s1600/1670398769929450-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAcTKDgu7PXODMH1wdyRgwQ7lOjjaVBR11FhwOm5bkRS1kcxFKgrDlVnvgSLjcq-yiLiO1dvgHuu1-pxWR5PrwxxQwYeFjpmDia6RVaupaeaidQ_ogX5-W6-fFth9JMvXTB8V5SsS7d20/s1600/1670398769929450-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>So waterproofs on, sturdy attitude adopted, and keep going.</div><div><br /></div><div>And for me waterproof socks on too.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPw_xfAQ3IXMLsC_F4LlPtQTrX4-D3qH0yOHLDTfu9xTqYv5IkIQRs9dfWleTz2qfXabSe7TyXq7T_8rHPygyc3vprUIKQws1nn7q5XjBx5izBshJ5C8SXQkSKzosq1kkGZ3OiqOdUVkb/s1600/1670357315719378-1.png">
</a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPw_xfAQ3IXMLsC_F4LlPtQTrX4-D3qH0yOHLDTfu9xTqYv5IkIQRs9dfWleTz2qfXabSe7TyXq7T_8rHPygyc3vprUIKQws1nn7q5XjBx5izBshJ5C8SXQkSKzosq1kkGZ3OiqOdUVkb/s1600/1670357315719378-1.png" width="400" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPw_xfAQ3IXMLsC_F4LlPtQTrX4-D3qH0yOHLDTfu9xTqYv5IkIQRs9dfWleTz2qfXabSe7TyXq7T_8rHPygyc3vprUIKQws1nn7q5XjBx5izBshJ5C8SXQkSKzosq1kkGZ3OiqOdUVkb/s1600/1670357315719378-1.png">
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This next section through high karst is pretty spectacular, maybe made even more so as the mist rises and falls to reveal, and then cloak the outcrops and clusters of pines with their toeholds between..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again it's a dry area so the days water needs be carried. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The effort, and even the delay, was rewarded .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather turned out much better than the dismal downpour that had been predicted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd4spt3Bs3FFozS6ogQ9XgpD4Az03uFTYar2SAQjjSk6t7ygECrfXGX7VBtwbpgY0_AduJQSqojkPZRoc7Vp0A5U4bjcMvbjEcA65__f-cPgZmkwi5OB7qEOO_dAjE65BCKYGByi81GI_/s1600/1670398744000400-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd4spt3Bs3FFozS6ogQ9XgpD4Az03uFTYar2SAQjjSk6t7ygECrfXGX7VBtwbpgY0_AduJQSqojkPZRoc7Vp0A5U4bjcMvbjEcA65__f-cPgZmkwi5OB7qEOO_dAjE65BCKYGByi81GI_/s1600/1670398744000400-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGzDfNIFNAuUEMNyYab1zURSUf1Utj9P3bBnz5-FLTTSgn1HqTchfPmJLraElurzjjY9UDpf07pAjeRXQJBT9PAV4IVnKpaAmowlyM-aqchEjLB6fgMPY2RzsnT80pPCTFCG7THVCyDbc/s1600/1670357301429799-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGzDfNIFNAuUEMNyYab1zURSUf1Utj9P3bBnz5-FLTTSgn1HqTchfPmJLraElurzjjY9UDpf07pAjeRXQJBT9PAV4IVnKpaAmowlyM-aqchEjLB6fgMPY2RzsnT80pPCTFCG7THVCyDbc/s1600/1670357301429799-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd8kcEtESQGbWdUONAvWdsf2W7EzKBSiTwkLEFStGUiHi5GrkqTdDSN10sGT60A_WlJXXOmACoyZyrH1bGOEwCCftHLRuN3Zml8os24RgYPDoQgd9HbnPJ-uN5a2LYBI96RKz3oaEBqb3/s1600/1670357282559325-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd8kcEtESQGbWdUONAvWdsf2W7EzKBSiTwkLEFStGUiHi5GrkqTdDSN10sGT60A_WlJXXOmACoyZyrH1bGOEwCCftHLRuN3Zml8os24RgYPDoQgd9HbnPJ-uN5a2LYBI96RKz3oaEBqb3/s16000/1670357282559325-3.png" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZn_xg7cTcXDstI9z91VN9DdFcOandRDzII8YqYbeLp3OaG_6rOjFDbX2MnqhmmUZFxSaI_wqyhXaBFUi6IRa0rHH-OFvhd_1roQExWHMrEr9yWsXzxL9jLFI_72EEWZq-00r3OzROyVC/s1600/1670357268440197-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZn_xg7cTcXDstI9z91VN9DdFcOandRDzII8YqYbeLp3OaG_6rOjFDbX2MnqhmmUZFxSaI_wqyhXaBFUi6IRa0rHH-OFvhd_1roQExWHMrEr9yWsXzxL9jLFI_72EEWZq-00r3OzROyVC/w640-h480/1670357268440197-4.png" width="640" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h6NpuuZWaMrFaOl34zGPALD_kNeYqyKaTYrsFK225llkRIm4tVznfolxNQ9drH1d_Hy4pdfnmO1URAnjAle-2JLARq9BFVpz63Tjbkp5gVy6sc8UIsIbdD27sTMgQZlLnSh2JDgYM7-Q/s1600/1670357708448910-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h6NpuuZWaMrFaOl34zGPALD_kNeYqyKaTYrsFK225llkRIm4tVznfolxNQ9drH1d_Hy4pdfnmO1URAnjAle-2JLARq9BFVpz63Tjbkp5gVy6sc8UIsIbdD27sTMgQZlLnSh2JDgYM7-Q/w480-h640/1670357708448910-0.png" width="480" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOwkwZZ_noROdB6zmKYw-XXAdKSFv7r-dsfQJITeDEj_1QVUpKi8RSdHNdamq0VuIdfITZvD1gd9JSD_zval8bdVlaP7rlccfcgvLE0sJy1Fxe8RWGL4gIJlOFo4C84u2UkGTk6Rtw9g4/s1600/1670357687444056-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOwkwZZ_noROdB6zmKYw-XXAdKSFv7r-dsfQJITeDEj_1QVUpKi8RSdHNdamq0VuIdfITZvD1gd9JSD_zval8bdVlaP7rlccfcgvLE0sJy1Fxe8RWGL4gIJlOFo4C84u2UkGTk6Rtw9g4/s1600/1670357687444056-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTK3OD6K48idW041i53OLYZmloW8cxWt4UP6Dm_k59VsIuv7D-32UG0TJ9ZpY9HjZ-6zLY0W84rqqC13gqT8kBf_TEDQ3SMJ44-bjvnuPZfRT7O2eM4MzICoP3r6U1rDdh3kPHrNhQcJk/s1600/1670357668072519-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTK3OD6K48idW041i53OLYZmloW8cxWt4UP6Dm_k59VsIuv7D-32UG0TJ9ZpY9HjZ-6zLY0W84rqqC13gqT8kBf_TEDQ3SMJ44-bjvnuPZfRT7O2eM4MzICoP3r6U1rDdh3kPHrNhQcJk/s1600/1670357668072519-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJqri02LE-yBekDdG_PGt7Nld-7VW_9CgtGoKJCpxUofEjp-uusioZt6CxFQEyCmit-g2Od6TlwMBdZTHm85IjFauFV8khTqwzbr8LaL1A60GCZDMOqtOLwr2HwBfcLTdt71Eamrjg4cJ/s1600/1670358614966516-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJqri02LE-yBekDdG_PGt7Nld-7VW_9CgtGoKJCpxUofEjp-uusioZt6CxFQEyCmit-g2Od6TlwMBdZTHm85IjFauFV8khTqwzbr8LaL1A60GCZDMOqtOLwr2HwBfcLTdt71Eamrjg4cJ/w480-h640/1670358614966516-0.png" width="480" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ton enjoying the trail most fulsomely.. </div><div>But that seemed to be his default.. A cheery companion to have along.</div><div><br /></div><div>He would often make encouraging remarks about my progress, maybe when he could see I was feeling a bit less than energetic - done less understandingly it could have come across as a bit patronising - but in this case it felt more helpful than anything else.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the trip wore on I somehow managed to shift most, if not <i>all</i>, of the feelings of 'not quite good enough' .</div><div><br /></div><div> But I hadn't quite arrived at that happy mental state at this stage of the game. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMnFE3q14nzqaxJ-0-1YCzBAC3w2XvHGhqfhr7xUo2VdZQXHAn7vbU-DIId5Lm0EjNsXh5sLhWmgERTnw9Zep3ONlcWmBGM60SCnZC1M9YQW9j9eKcboCoUAngmiSy0E7lQ3Sg14HK4At/s1600/1670358597525907-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMnFE3q14nzqaxJ-0-1YCzBAC3w2XvHGhqfhr7xUo2VdZQXHAn7vbU-DIId5Lm0EjNsXh5sLhWmgERTnw9Zep3ONlcWmBGM60SCnZC1M9YQW9j9eKcboCoUAngmiSy0E7lQ3Sg14HK4At/s1600/1670358597525907-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>A lunch stop, and obligatory brew at the highest col of the day.</div><div>Still the clouds, they came and went.. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmAOczVlI0fI8SJpkXkHrxdRjhpOuwZ3MLuBhy2qM1zgp6Q4Cme7kqJqVeLK5xepS8z-hKQBQ2nl_GEmsoXWgDmuP1_ycTE7zQlHHNQFHeDYg3ipO09hrDdKXbTPZ3P_EWgcetR3h0c_8/s1600/1670358584751235-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmAOczVlI0fI8SJpkXkHrxdRjhpOuwZ3MLuBhy2qM1zgp6Q4Cme7kqJqVeLK5xepS8z-hKQBQ2nl_GEmsoXWgDmuP1_ycTE7zQlHHNQFHeDYg3ipO09hrDdKXbTPZ3P_EWgcetR3h0c_8/w640-h480/1670358584751235-2.png" width="640" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Despite the clag there was enough wind for a celebratory flight.. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f8kixxrVEAAM8DQvwFGzYkP3sElVdVWFZ3IjY8DQrrRR5r4h92pJUY06vzJmht91oEfIsZZ8Gi1CCCjb4ybY-_x0VOPSmXevxLmQS5w0TwYlLs2lzCenSsRZyovsjdkUsALVHazMD7sT/s1600/1670358561547950-3.png">
</a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f8kixxrVEAAM8DQvwFGzYkP3sElVdVWFZ3IjY8DQrrRR5r4h92pJUY06vzJmht91oEfIsZZ8Gi1CCCjb4ybY-_x0VOPSmXevxLmQS5w0TwYlLs2lzCenSsRZyovsjdkUsALVHazMD7sT/s1600/1670358561547950-3.png" width="400" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f8kixxrVEAAM8DQvwFGzYkP3sElVdVWFZ3IjY8DQrrRR5r4h92pJUY06vzJmht91oEfIsZZ8Gi1CCCjb4ybY-_x0VOPSmXevxLmQS5w0TwYlLs2lzCenSsRZyovsjdkUsALVHazMD7sT/s1600/1670358561547950-3.png">
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then down towards slightly greener areas of grazing and a little stream .. Someone even had a donkey dairy going.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOplXaUx4vOIBix6FjNpCy9pRuZehQTCscwSrmLLWu0VJaT17Kc52ioRtGMbaxknPsR80MN1cqOPcehAqiUTdhrpwkXY5TZg6foYAOvEsNqpMilg3Fsf0FwF6i8dG0zH6-koQ4FiHiKGna/s1600/1670748113027189-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOplXaUx4vOIBix6FjNpCy9pRuZehQTCscwSrmLLWu0VJaT17Kc52ioRtGMbaxknPsR80MN1cqOPcehAqiUTdhrpwkXY5TZg6foYAOvEsNqpMilg3Fsf0FwF6i8dG0zH6-koQ4FiHiKGna/s1600/1670748113027189-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Makeshift milking parlour, set up to take advantage of the high summer grazing, not sure how they would have done with this seasons' scanty grass.. Although donk's are generally considered good doers on thin rations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLEiQLgqc2LjxT84VNCx6FaYWbWpurcmyj73WoB4XFXKdChEHz8F4_3-hMVPWHttmQe4YHeDbTXrbu8Y0gXNXPRGNBJKpJgpIwuzQgwwyyD29PcoUJg3TtY9yD2Lx5AWm1xKDwSu5k-5W/s1600/1670358539546958-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLEiQLgqc2LjxT84VNCx6FaYWbWpurcmyj73WoB4XFXKdChEHz8F4_3-hMVPWHttmQe4YHeDbTXrbu8Y0gXNXPRGNBJKpJgpIwuzQgwwyyD29PcoUJg3TtY9yD2Lx5AWm1xKDwSu5k-5W/w480-h640/1670358539546958-4.png" width="480" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Descending into Mirkwood, and eventually a steep boulder and drystone pathway towards the plain on the valley bottom . </div><div>Quite a feat of engineering towards the end, but I guess constructing it was the only way to safely get livestock up into the area of higher grazing. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7s87hvSZ7bC0nJjnPg-KMyeR2pLMf93DobRYpEzii0w4R65fw0FwXqJtC__EJpvldv83B1C1bxHM5POyPDvqIOvDB2DeKjG7clioqmjlpTb2dFC_wmVG-v8xxGe4ZXhiUD8wL_szPBVJ/s1600/1670358513965204-5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7s87hvSZ7bC0nJjnPg-KMyeR2pLMf93DobRYpEzii0w4R65fw0FwXqJtC__EJpvldv83B1C1bxHM5POyPDvqIOvDB2DeKjG7clioqmjlpTb2dFC_wmVG-v8xxGe4ZXhiUD8wL_szPBVJ/s1600/1670358513965204-5.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div>At the bottom a couple of inquisitive goats were on hand to greet us. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibPj60S88I99Z_JPnIc9YA91Q5a3rvueRegVA2sUoqe7Uua6-TtWxhnFyCxACPxWTixKz9gW2T-sl64Dfqsd5f-VCGkBAPOsdPeweeh4iZm2mf9cCOkuSYscBbAkjB9EDVTIHqt0PugSf/s1600/1670398725844821-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibPj60S88I99Z_JPnIc9YA91Q5a3rvueRegVA2sUoqe7Uua6-TtWxhnFyCxACPxWTixKz9gW2T-sl64Dfqsd5f-VCGkBAPOsdPeweeh4iZm2mf9cCOkuSYscBbAkjB9EDVTIHqt0PugSf/s1600/1670398725844821-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Looking back from whence we'd come.</div><div>It's hard to get a sense of scale of the thing especially without good visibility.</div><div>The next day all would become clearer. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYFsWQD6BeINLg9ZukJGg_FTjwh4EUGR-_GOFiGH9em5CYS0PlXAJlGqvMTltG0v-bo7nRy9Z_D0wKsi2bT4HD_FGp0oWxs6sd3QyJHEfuQYuYmtqk3Kc80OcNLes27-jUvO6cS6xQJD9/s1600/1670398706874088-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYFsWQD6BeINLg9ZukJGg_FTjwh4EUGR-_GOFiGH9em5CYS0PlXAJlGqvMTltG0v-bo7nRy9Z_D0wKsi2bT4HD_FGp0oWxs6sd3QyJHEfuQYuYmtqk3Kc80OcNLes27-jUvO6cS6xQJD9/s1600/1670398706874088-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>And then onwards and down towards Lescun..</div><div>Somewhere we had hiked to and from previously. </div><div><br /></div><div>And looking forward to our first 'proper' rest day. </div><div><br /></div><div>'Someone' - not I had suggested that <i>maybe</i> (?!) we could get away, with just a half days rest, and be pushing on the following afternoon ..</div><div><br /></div><div>However my knees and other achey bits, had other ideas - A <i>singular</i> lack of gnarl I'm afraid. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLgfWspRRvjpt0upMyTSl5x916VXEwk2eLFZPhLYMCAmONqGfWob3Jp9ySNhA1-7iFeNcKrIDjIvJI39QsFKzb8pLupSuoWJF2gQV0MVpoXSv2YGIZ6Lc7GNxeaXBYXE9c1xBDwcoqosk/s1600/1670748094084585-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLgfWspRRvjpt0upMyTSl5x916VXEwk2eLFZPhLYMCAmONqGfWob3Jp9ySNhA1-7iFeNcKrIDjIvJI39QsFKzb8pLupSuoWJF2gQV0MVpoXSv2YGIZ6Lc7GNxeaXBYXE9c1xBDwcoqosk/s1600/1670748094084585-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>The campsite had been updated a little since our last visit, but still a nice country atmosphere - mostly campers and the odd van here and there.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Syvt0Q-foQHGLqUsbtzPFll8TfxOVX00xiE1oVNJbLPPVUGHfb7Qqm2zcfsC3ApN_wUcSvuVlGUVyX_LCvZGCQovFENy3aW2adYbnfYEFCAuMjQFG0v5a_lQ3PE1i1ZTi94jY3UNsKJ3/s1600/1670748074270618-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Syvt0Q-foQHGLqUsbtzPFll8TfxOVX00xiE1oVNJbLPPVUGHfb7Qqm2zcfsC3ApN_wUcSvuVlGUVyX_LCvZGCQovFENy3aW2adYbnfYEFCAuMjQFG0v5a_lQ3PE1i1ZTi94jY3UNsKJ3/s1600/1670748074270618-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>The 'holiday' hat emerges - in the shady lanes of Lescun. </div><div><br /></div><div>And a short break for rest and recuperation..</div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-55279421494005705742022-08-13T08:52:00.001+01:002022-11-01T21:34:18.179+00:00Sweetness, and yet...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KcQ5okPBoPcovlz1d0NQGsJXRYF7JMM3tq5JRKKxxB1vH1fKZjbrgl4uD_fAhG-6He3JG0rkp27sS2GLDTEX2OLTA9C-8bmcIWPJSNlDHzzRpfHazUnUV4XlZmYcWwckDJw253tv3JHl4LYLhwhcxbbGahh8v1n_4K77_AxbY4L4nKejg2Zcnq5oVQ/s1440/IMG_20220731_145457_643~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1440" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KcQ5okPBoPcovlz1d0NQGsJXRYF7JMM3tq5JRKKxxB1vH1fKZjbrgl4uD_fAhG-6He3JG0rkp27sS2GLDTEX2OLTA9C-8bmcIWPJSNlDHzzRpfHazUnUV4XlZmYcWwckDJw253tv3JHl4LYLhwhcxbbGahh8v1n_4K77_AxbY4L4nKejg2Zcnq5oVQ/s320/IMG_20220731_145457_643~2.jpg" width="320"></a></div><p><br></p><p>And so the seed became a stem, and then these sweet fruits again.</p><p>The cycles continue..</p><p>From last year's tomatoes, saved seed, they've come out pretty true to type. </p><p>Sweet and delicious.</p><p><br></p><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRoA-SX_2yYSUU4Q8Wp5wRkJp_POcB2bKE5zbNlkG9U8XCA-6sURT07dLouYfhTN9HLSzYOy6OZWU3Q4BoiF_4y4sy_7Umy2X30pprY-QLvFluMFBWzqfeV2fIF2JpHPaHPh9kLFq2I4emTEofOtgQPX1UHrTHgM_iq7W4LPg5AYL-zOEznX5vTboRg/s4032/PXL_20220809_083630668.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRoA-SX_2yYSUU4Q8Wp5wRkJp_POcB2bKE5zbNlkG9U8XCA-6sURT07dLouYfhTN9HLSzYOy6OZWU3Q4BoiF_4y4sy_7Umy2X30pprY-QLvFluMFBWzqfeV2fIF2JpHPaHPh9kLFq2I4emTEofOtgQPX1UHrTHgM_iq7W4LPg5AYL-zOEznX5vTboRg/s320/PXL_20220809_083630668.jpg" width="240"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now in August, this drought is very real, seems like the truth of more extreme weather is undeniable ,even to those who for years have pretended that it's all a big old fuss about nothing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucky here to have trees to give shade to hide in, and a borehole for watering.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But even, despite all that, yields will be down, there's only so much water you can deliver by pipe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still wish all us climate doomsayers could have been wrong .No one likes being wrong, but in this case I'd love it.. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DYpyNTvesAoR3Tek4SFJvocryoiHuBg_JBEVQH_qE1dhbS28jqkvjxMilhag431YidS34manZtefqs6PYODvQOYyZQVmY5uFzM0pNqUycyEhBH8mllvvsD7y6T6KhiWXt0jKIBcK8hOVeC-_P8LSgvBnQcHl1p7dFm3t7Z0RrUazJr8csQ7wWQs7-Q/s1080/IMG_20220804_165250_705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DYpyNTvesAoR3Tek4SFJvocryoiHuBg_JBEVQH_qE1dhbS28jqkvjxMilhag431YidS34manZtefqs6PYODvQOYyZQVmY5uFzM0pNqUycyEhBH8mllvvsD7y6T6KhiWXt0jKIBcK8hOVeC-_P8LSgvBnQcHl1p7dFm3t7Z0RrUazJr8csQ7wWQs7-Q/s320/IMG_20220804_165250_705.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And readying for the off, to take an extended break across some higher places..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If not now, then when?? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't think it's unusual for those of us with a love of landscape, to be transported to these places when our brain does a downtime of day dreaming.. There are certain places that really stick, turns in a path, a stiff climb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But even thoughts of this trip is affected by forest fires on the train route. And will there be enough water for camping high..?? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In addition to all the other pre trip nerves / excitement...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Never really quite ready for this..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ExHNh4sGe0euV-jZi3zEFdRIXf2EgQyph7NLNUwS5r5oXR2_9bMJl_5IF-BRJ62ZVUk-0f0P4axs7HH_H8ulMv2eawkaRy55G7mCtTHo2k_w7daTQeTLFhGmp1O4GoOm5q91LvkD6hz7/s1600/1667338431937769-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ExHNh4sGe0euV-jZi3zEFdRIXf2EgQyph7NLNUwS5r5oXR2_9bMJl_5IF-BRJ62ZVUk-0f0P4axs7HH_H8ulMv2eawkaRy55G7mCtTHo2k_w7daTQeTLFhGmp1O4GoOm5q91LvkD6hz7/s1600/1667338431937769-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br> Of course..<p></p><div><br></div><div>If you <i>do</i> wait til you're truly 'ready' you'd most likely never dare to do anything remotely challenging, at all. </div><div><br></div><div>Looking forward <i>now</i> to a bit of trip journalling.</div><div><br></div><div>Highs n lows, and all the other 'fun' bits in between.😇</div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-27636029375456820752022-01-08T11:17:00.009+00:002022-01-14T19:45:06.160+00:00Seeding the future, bringing back some hope from The COP<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWrkS5ZsEMk7dxHlBMSRrRLJ1DcL2VmVONxSENKQra7GCn1g-Eoz91xYmKwmD2CkeX87Ka7ILF2XYMZEa1FDVAdJf92ZfcczcnDudVPeq2Tc_R4o25UaLaoUjh-wy1bMOkFJDMBaGA1LZ/s3776/PXL_20211115_135926366%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWrkS5ZsEMk7dxHlBMSRrRLJ1DcL2VmVONxSENKQra7GCn1g-Eoz91xYmKwmD2CkeX87Ka7ILF2XYMZEa1FDVAdJf92ZfcczcnDudVPeq2Tc_R4o25UaLaoUjh-wy1bMOkFJDMBaGA1LZ/s320/PXL_20211115_135926366%257E2.jpg" width="256"></a></div><p><br></p> Well where do you start, with the future ??<p></p><p><br></p><p>With some seeds I suppose.</p><p>Brought home carefully, and contained within a <i>surprisingly unsquished</i> - yellow tomato.</p><p><br></p><p>This tomato, is of a variety unknown to me.</p><p>But grown by Xavier from our sister union in Spain.</p><p>Brought by him, along with several other varieties, to our hosting venue in Glasgow.</p><p><br></p><p>I already have a whiff of nostalgia for the breezy underpasses, the slightly uncertain wanderings around the peripheries of it all, getting <i>a little bit</i> lost, on early dark evenings, but still rarely really feeling adrift.</p><p> </p><p>And what was achieved there, are there signs of hope to bring home, and carry forward ?</p><p><br></p><p>Well in many ways, at the <i>official</i> event, there were predictably large amounts of hot air and not much else tangible.</p><p>But then the <i>same</i> cohorts of people , with the <i>same</i> mindsets that got us into this mess, aren't going to be best placed to navigate us out perhaps?</p><p><br></p><p>But still it didn't feel like a complete waste of time ..</p><p>Farming and land use got a peripheral mention, in the main event , a whole day <i>in theory, </i>although accessibility and organisation of these events , left a lot to be desired.</p><p><br></p><p>A fair bit talk of using land and nature as a 'carbon sink' - mainly to offset business as usual.</p><p>And some talk of protection of the forests and lands of indigenous peoples.</p><p><br></p><p>But not nearly enough.. </p><p>Not enough recognition of what good land management, should be about.</p><p><br></p><p>To support life, to support nature, to support us too, not just there to be exploited and extracted from.</p><p><br></p><p>But there were <i>some</i> signs of a shift.</p><p><br></p><p>Not least in the co-opting of 'our' language. </p><p>Which on some levels is 'annoying' but it also means, perhaps that some notice has been taken.</p><p>If only half understood.</p><p><br></p><p>'Agroecology' for instance.</p><p><br></p><p>Which is meant to be the bringing together of good land use practices, with social justice, food justice, land rights ..</p><p><br></p><p>It seems as if 'they' like the word , but don't <i>quite get</i> what it really means. </p><p>As if its just a nice sounding 'Organic lite' </p><p><br></p><p>A bit like 'sustainable - it can mean whatever you want it to mean..</p><p><br></p><p>But its far more than that - it has to be set in the context of climate justice, land and food justice.</p><p><br></p><p>That all people, who all need feeding, should have secure access to good food to nourish themselves, and each other.</p><p><br></p><p>And be able to carry on doing that without recourse to unsustainable inputs or damaging practices.</p><p>Land and ecosystems <i>could </i>carry on supporting humans and the rest of the ecosystem in a regenerative round of symbiosis, which doesn't add to the sum of greenhouse gases emitted.</p><p>And in best case scenarios, done well, those life and soil systems can help sequester carbon into soils, as they build up.</p><p><br></p><p>Reversing the decades of depletion that has happened under industrialised farming systems. </p><p>Nourish people, and ecology, and the global commons.</p><p>It's<i> not</i> about extractivism, short termism, or endless capitalisation.</p><p><br></p><p>Nor is it about using land as a sink towards achieving 'Net Zero' that hollow promise which somehow tries to make equivalent extracting and burning fossil fuels, with the organic carbon found in living organisms and good soil now.</p><p><br></p><p>It just won't wash.</p><p>It's green wash.</p><p>Along with many of the other false solutions, such as gene editing, biotech, data harvesting from farms so corp's can then try to sell tech stuff back to us.</p><p>Or growing so called 'food' in laboratories.</p><p>Sending robots out to do work, and exploit lands, that should be under the stewardship of real people. </p><p><br></p><p>But these 'saleable' ideas are backed by the big agribusinesses, with the kind of <i>mega scale</i> , one size fits all mindsets that created this crisis in the first. </p><p><br></p><p>Genuine solutions, that honour old and new knowledge and methodologies which are accessible to all - were far less evidenced at the main event - where's the money in peer to peer learning, and shared knowledge and tech via open sources? </p><p>But still, again despite all this, it felt hopeful.</p><p><br></p><p>So many good people, from all walks of civil society, and activists of all flavours from so many parts of the world.</p><p>Some people had travelled at great cost, and no little difficulty to themselves to carry the message of urgent need for action, urgent need for change - but also that there is still some hope.. </p><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIMrGC4G-t3IGW4LW9e5wV87Hb3OMVE5uIitoNndy8g0rSbeyw37c5X9_O4fJ_7Nr0VxJ24XLcP2qezKaQvC0YEgKV0CBNoQcYIBPqcshq6TScSW6n5AYG3AIeAQm29qZtTMuogO8nQgMYbshw20HfwPvjKqTsHGiYLXqia5VOgzw0d3cb3yqOutjiKQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIMrGC4G-t3IGW4LW9e5wV87Hb3OMVE5uIitoNndy8g0rSbeyw37c5X9_O4fJ_7Nr0VxJ24XLcP2qezKaQvC0YEgKV0CBNoQcYIBPqcshq6TScSW6n5AYG3AIeAQm29qZtTMuogO8nQgMYbshw20HfwPvjKqTsHGiYLXqia5VOgzw0d3cb3yqOutjiKQ" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></p><p>Ok not <i>enough</i> representation from those on the true front lines of climate change.</p><p>Kept away by covid restrictions, and other barriers such as finance and visa difficulty.</p><p><br></p><p>But farmers, foresters, union organisers, soil and seed specialists.</p><p>Workers for land justice, and food sovereignty, they <i>were</i> there, if still underrepresented..</p><p><br></p><p>Indigenous people working to preserve and protect their lands, and citizens of countries which did little, if anything, to contribute to the climate crisis - however they're doing what they can to mitigate and prepare for it.</p><p>Carrying out very site specific, but also deeply vital work, around soils, landscape, food and ways of working to build resilience.</p><p>At last, industrialised nations are starting to acknowledge their debt for the damage they've caused, and have promised to help financially with reperations for loss and damage.</p><p>Its yet to translate into enough action on the ground, on the frontline, but we can only keep up the pressure - and raise awareness.</p><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1SzqJRdLWPOvb7z3NRoKcu5brpI2qCiKMBSfOfezouvGlZQveWMSuwwTjm88JJotaUUfzRRjumnD1Q0fp8uGYKP2QLYakjOrgDyT3hDzYmhqXZ8tsHogbBqWyVJ2q-dc2wugnqOimka1QsWOhO1cu7eWYRr-xHvD5PIgx67XU8fN9MpZlYJBS9V7mQw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1SzqJRdLWPOvb7z3NRoKcu5brpI2qCiKMBSfOfezouvGlZQveWMSuwwTjm88JJotaUUfzRRjumnD1Q0fp8uGYKP2QLYakjOrgDyT3hDzYmhqXZ8tsHogbBqWyVJ2q-dc2wugnqOimka1QsWOhO1cu7eWYRr-xHvD5PIgx67XU8fN9MpZlYJBS9V7mQw" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></p><p>So this tomato, or its seeds has been passed around the network.</p><p>For production yes, but also as an act of solidarity, and movement building.</p><p>Passing on the genetics to be adapted, nurtured, and to create an abundance that no one actually owns - but is freely given.</p><p>The word and true concept of agroecology cannot be so easily co-opted because it requires coperation, and fairer sharing - the antethisis of purely profit driven business.</p><p><br></p><p>The COP in Glasgow came for me personally with a whole swathe of experiences and feelings.</p><p>I find it exciting to be in a new place, finding my way around and seeing new sights - i tried not to rely too hard on online mapping to get around.</p><p>Yes this does end up with you finding yourself in a dark alleyways on the 'wrong side' of the bus station from time to time,<i> if</i> you just try to follow your nose, and navigate by half remembered landmarks .</p><p>But then you have to ask a passing stranger for help - and most people were very happy to share their local knowledge.. </p><div style="text-align: left;">The welcome everywhere felt warm - very warm in fact - Sort of surprising in a city that was obviously going to feel disrupted by the presence of tens of thousands of extra people. <br></div><p>And it was all the more enjoyable to see the next generation get stuck into some grassroots action -</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMtxVfRGB8U1hlrAZvC9dVauy-zzeAAP0PWZHaZVuApqCPxywING7G5sNTykckochnOfuaAVVAb8PFTPOfglAZ50-mdbC6hEbWT4kEMKi2aVLS0Gults5xwI7WmrZnd4FyCvdBMnMsWQq3HpJI9Nk6Al66OPrFFucUfF-6VDjs5O4FOOMScrOx-wyN2Q=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2620" data-original-width="3024" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMtxVfRGB8U1hlrAZvC9dVauy-zzeAAP0PWZHaZVuApqCPxywING7G5sNTykckochnOfuaAVVAb8PFTPOfglAZ50-mdbC6hEbWT4kEMKi2aVLS0Gults5xwI7WmrZnd4FyCvdBMnMsWQq3HpJI9Nk6Al66OPrFFucUfF-6VDjs5O4FOOMScrOx-wyN2Q=s320" width="320"></a></div><br><p><br></p><p>No2 Scion , here processing flax stems before having a go at spinning the fibre..</p><p><br></p><p>Theres some truth in the saying that</p><p> 'The apple rarely falls so far from the tree'</p>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-5061687579254497312021-10-30T08:31:00.002+01:002022-01-10T13:14:08.323+00:00Next week COP26I'm journeying to COP26 in Glasgow, early next week.to represent and advocate on behalf of my agroecological union The Landworkers Alliance. <div><br /><div>I've got all sorts of feelings about this, a little bit excited of course..</div><div><br /></div><div>The networking, and meeting with other like-minded folks from all over the globe will be doubtless be inspiring and stimulating. </div><div><br /></div><div>As farmers and growers, who seek to farm alongside nature, we believe we have many solutions to offer, in terms of carbon sequestering, and biodiversity enhancement, whilst providing abundance for human need. </div><div><br /></div><div>We can showcase the work that is already happening world wide. </div><div>Explain what's so good about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst campaigning to have some of the barriers we still face removed.</div><div><br /></div><div>But at the same time the current highly polluting industrialised food system has a powerful lobby. </div><div><br /></div><div>Those who profit through extractivism, and exploitation, have deeper pockets and thereby far greater influence under current systems.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not just here in be the UK but globally too.</div><div><br /></div><div>We must also speak up for those marginalised farmers and growers in other countries as well, largely those in the global south. </div><div>Who have no chance of attending the COP.</div><div><br /></div><div>Farmers and landworkers who are on the frontline of climate change.</div><div> They are already struggling with more extreme weather, and other challenges to their survival.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the stakes are high. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tackling climate change feels overwhelming.</div><div>Doing 'enough' as individuals, or even in our groups is nigh on impossible right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>So we need to find ways not to get swamped by it all.</div><div>And to not fall into despair. </div><div><br /></div><div>To still have enough lightness in our own hearts to be able to act, and speak in good faith .</div><div><br /></div><div>Lots of us together, making small changes, but pushing in the same direction .</div><div>That's what being in a union is all about.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>La Via Campesina, of which Landworkers is the UK section, is numberswise the largest global union, on the planet. </div><div><br /></div><div>So in those moments when I'm feeling a bit hopeless in the face of what seems like insurmountable odds.</div><div><br /></div><div>I need to think of all those people quietly getting on with their work on their own farms, for whom we are going to Glasgow to represent.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDxbYCF6EYnYajkWEoX09pyDi5hJILj6bOIFuRMWyoTglUHCjoNvPuEUqOWqt8DEUtBVoqNkqSN_hLs9EJXgazjxyq88_jJ7IIJKgUxFnBtpTnDRuj_drSXss8Q7BfDCXYDJITk4uhD9-/s1600/1635579092799251-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDxbYCF6EYnYajkWEoX09pyDi5hJILj6bOIFuRMWyoTglUHCjoNvPuEUqOWqt8DEUtBVoqNkqSN_hLs9EJXgazjxyq88_jJ7IIJKgUxFnBtpTnDRuj_drSXss8Q7BfDCXYDJITk4uhD9-/s1600/1635579092799251-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-10522524475131174552021-06-08T08:54:00.001+01:002021-06-12T09:24:14.313+01:00When I was little ... <p> If someone asked that question..</p><p><br /></p><p>"So what do you want to 'be' when you 'grow up'?</p><p>I would always answer </p><p>"A writer"</p><p><br /></p><p>Early bookworm that I was.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the intervening years of attempting various other sorts of 'growing up' that ambition got a little sidelined.</p><p>But now... </p><p><br /></p><p>There's no real excuse.</p><p><br /></p><p>And anyway, I am a writer..</p><p><br /></p><p>Look at me writing, right now, this very second. 🙂</p><p><br /></p><p>I think I often get stuck in that hard place between 'taking it too seriously'</p><p>And not taking it seriously enough.</p><p><br /></p><p>Maybe 'all' that's really required, is for me to stop worrying, and just stay on the natural ridgeline, between those two uncomfortable places.</p><p><br /></p><p>And to even allow myself the time and space to do it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Nobody really minds .</p><p>And some people enjoy the results.</p><p>Balance in all things...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And as to 'balance' and getting 'stuck' </p><p><br /></p><p>I rather lost some of the first, and achieved some temporary 'stuckness' on the steeper crumblier down climbs of this ridge a couple of weeks back.</p><p><br /></p><p>Not having done such manouvres for over a year, combined with a largeish backpack, meant I lost my nerve for a few moments, here and there.</p><p><br /></p><p>Its when the smaller rocks, supporting the larger rocks above, start to move, that 'catastrophising' brain kicks in.</p><p><br /></p><p>Breathing, and remembering where your feet are, helps a lot.</p><p>Mine companion, was pretty patient, on the whole though.</p><p><br /></p><p>Looking back of course, it's all a breeze, and worth it for the views, on a day like this.</p><p><br /></p><p>Foinavon Ridge NW Scotland.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFTOrcT2fW_nLl_NdrRI2Hh8O1FSC_kXYcMMd6eFp0rcwt5Mc0JsVvb2qOC4emqaJuMHJXFClmYDNtvyB0HVOAteQxX5F4BIDIrp8cRUBgMrVaMZwnyR0RSyeufB4jR10mxpeKHSLrTcM/s4032/PXL_20210527_150349308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFTOrcT2fW_nLl_NdrRI2Hh8O1FSC_kXYcMMd6eFp0rcwt5Mc0JsVvb2qOC4emqaJuMHJXFClmYDNtvyB0HVOAteQxX5F4BIDIrp8cRUBgMrVaMZwnyR0RSyeufB4jR10mxpeKHSLrTcM/w480-h640/PXL_20210527_150349308.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Writing about travelling .</p><p><br /></p><p>Travelling through words.</p>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-65806476169280765922021-05-01T14:00:00.001+01:002021-05-01T14:01:42.017+01:00Good guardianship.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML1uA2jkLmyausSFvE7-zuMJVPHgpxYyNrBBGbAzd77XVUHZvlM8PDSsikrMUKn-62JIfxqpUuUWQfTM4hhZNC2LuTv3LKzIi8w1dBUKBl0XPaJ-rnnqaOxVIQQZc-oo3eR_45CvJlPM_/s1600/1619873987045311-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML1uA2jkLmyausSFvE7-zuMJVPHgpxYyNrBBGbAzd77XVUHZvlM8PDSsikrMUKn-62JIfxqpUuUWQfTM4hhZNC2LuTv3LKzIi8w1dBUKBl0XPaJ-rnnqaOxVIQQZc-oo3eR_45CvJlPM_/s1600/1619873987045311-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div><div>Early morning raking.</div><div><br></div><div>Mist, birdsong, contemplation.</div><div><br></div><div>Tasks of the hands and mind.</div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes things need taking care of in the heart, before they are bold enough to go out into the world.</div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-54924237997792917642021-01-03T21:37:00.007+00:002022-02-13T11:08:02.062+00:00The famer dharma<p> When I first started up the veg box scheme about seventeen years ago round about 2003</p><p> I had already been teaching yoga locally for about five years or so.</p><p><br></p><p>I'd put posters up in the old pre-internet style, giving contact details for anyone wishing to book in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVdoBfSOHVjuPRMfef2teKES4xUvLhIp0EGjg7WrkokxX8d6Z0oPSMnn49ogfHJmqJqMQKq4Z5Taw97CNNkBym1xrdHRZaZ5BUQi3gWZT9vBNX_7LwSAUanCgSnnmw0IyH77Q3iO86lAr/s2048/IMG_20160920_080807+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVdoBfSOHVjuPRMfef2teKES4xUvLhIp0EGjg7WrkokxX8d6Z0oPSMnn49ogfHJmqJqMQKq4Z5Taw97CNNkBym1xrdHRZaZ5BUQi3gWZT9vBNX_7LwSAUanCgSnnmw0IyH77Q3iO86lAr/w640-h640/IMG_20160920_080807+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p><br></p><p> So I'd get land line calls, asking about the details and nature of the classes.</p><p><br></p><p>And then - after a short while discussing the potential delights and benefits of Iyengar Yoga </p><p> I'd quite often get a tentative inquiry - </p><p>"Umm you <i>wouldn't happen</i> to be the same 'Ruth' who does our veg box would you ??"</p><p>"Err <i>yes</i> actually - 'fraid so - that's me also..."<br></p><p><br></p><p>For some reason, i was a bit worried at being seen as a Jill of all trades - mistress of none perhaps ??</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyA5h2KTMOKoAldXMxpqorn3XnV0qahvW1hXD9iZ3dIx1f4AvQQ4BUSywE-kgZjsenvhdvTxIJdTKp3m42ihpuAohUGzSvITJE9Lj4XkEvcrezf863Z-1kQKR02XBszcDGzelNygefQOu/s2048/IMG_20190712_141119_859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyA5h2KTMOKoAldXMxpqorn3XnV0qahvW1hXD9iZ3dIx1f4AvQQ4BUSywE-kgZjsenvhdvTxIJdTKp3m42ihpuAohUGzSvITJE9Lj4XkEvcrezf863Z-1kQKR02XBszcDGzelNygefQOu/w640-h640/IMG_20190712_141119_859.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p><br></p><p>Which it turns out - <i>is</i> very probably <i>the case</i> -</p><p><br></p><p>In fact<i> i don't</i> actually think i'm the best ever teacher - Nor do i expect to be.</p><p><br></p><p>- Neither for that matter, am i the <i>most amazing</i> grower of vegetables.</p><p><br></p><p>But I did <i>eventually</i> come to realise, after the usual years and years of imposter syndrome that plagues many of us. </p><p> That I <i>am</i> more than perfectly adequately OK at both - which is plenty enough.<br></p><p><br></p><p> And that - in many ways - the doing of one - informs the better practice of the other.</p><p><br></p><p><i>Possibly</i> I'm a better Yoga teacher for being a practical worker in the 'real world' - who understands the stress and strain, both physical and mental, of 'normal' everyday life -</p><p> - Of having to get stuff done just because it must be done - run a business - tackle all the problems of trying to be a 'good enough' farmer in the twenty first century.</p><p>Considering the needs of the farm, the crops, ecology, finances, workers and the community the farm nourishes.<br></p><p>It <i>could be said</i> to keep me grounded.</p><p><br></p><p>Meanwhile, practicing and teaching yoga requires a different sort of physical and mental discipline - alongside an ability to communicate and engage.</p><p><br></p><p>Happily all that strength, flexibility, and breath work, prevents me from being too badly broken physically mentally (and financially at times) by the farming.</p><p>So <i>most</i> of the time it's a positive feedback loop.</p><p><br></p><p>Within certain boundaries - There needs to be a degree moderation in all these complexities -</p><p>It can on occasion feel as if its all becoming almost overwhelmingly entangled - <br></p><p>Theres 'being integrated' and then theres being caught up in something so very 'enmeshed' that it feels <i>almost </i>inescapable ..<br></p><p><br></p><p>And for someone who also requires a bit of space, time, and freedom to do other things, and pursue other interests - that needs keeping an eye on as well..</p><p><br></p><p>Its all too easy to overdo it - which is something I'm still learning to manage - but its getting better.</p><p>Hence the Farmer Dharma .</p><p><br></p><p><b>Doing earthculture as Yoga.</b></p><p><b><br></b></p><p><b>Doing Yoga as earthculture</b></p><p><br></p><p>Finding a balance in both these things.</p><p><br></p><p>But then, beyond all that, a balance in turn with all the other essential parts of life - </p><p>Maintaining relationships, social life, political engagement, pure unadulterated fun, fulfilling pleasures, <i>rest</i> even. </p><p>That last one seems a bit tricky for those of us who seem to be forever running towards, or away (?) from things.. </p><p><br></p><p>Living and experiencing life with understanding, creativity, awareness and acceptance.</p><p>So of course - that requires a full understanding, and acceptance of the realities of the natural world -<br></p><p>Not just the fluffy loveliness of blossoming hedgerows, a well grown tomato, blue skies and seas, birdsong, and the joy of high mountain peaks - <br></p><p><br></p><p>- But in addition to that - the <i>less pleasant </i>realities of physical hardship, persistent working, not giving up - feeling sad and low about stuff - times being difficult - and all the inevitable change decay, disease, and eventual death.</p><p><br></p><p>How to build a life that recognises and encompasses all these things, without compromising oneself, or anyone else beyond reasonable limits ??</p><p>This all needs <i>further</i> exploration with words and pictures i think ..<br></p><p>A regular posting, throughout the seasons .<br></p><p> </p><p><br></p>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-12261253080579577382020-10-31T13:01:00.009+00:002020-11-06T19:38:17.572+00:00A Peak Experience.<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">October 2017 - a very doable couple of nights out - could be an ideal first trip for those less used to going it alone.</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zLWLjmWDB77RJfOVy7E2Vh_sq25wQ9eq2jwUgB9E8OFBjm1yxIUhhZH6iiTQcmobTN2xiH3ec0BTEnwDc1SGYPCmknJvDf5W7hHDe_ZV4am4M_6oGmYDcleja6AjbRF3tp-lIf2KpdiW/s2048/IMG_20171016_155836_324+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zLWLjmWDB77RJfOVy7E2Vh_sq25wQ9eq2jwUgB9E8OFBjm1yxIUhhZH6iiTQcmobTN2xiH3ec0BTEnwDc1SGYPCmknJvDf5W7hHDe_ZV4am4M_6oGmYDcleja6AjbRF3tp-lIf2KpdiW/w640-h640/IMG_20171016_155836_324+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> A kit list might be a stretch too far - pack lightweight yes - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But do take at least one form form of entertainment, please, this is supposed to be <i>fun </i>Ok ?? </div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB8IB1o5NqiuyHeSFNYJi9mPMVJs73RuJeroBTtOKf-FrrPLPKWbs_YhbOzS9KQIlibkleLjhRtHSttX7UNOXEij4bZgQYRRd9CTwum-bpBDiQH4nmvGKq-rjQ3NRjiqEeM485zEpFxG4/s2048/DSC_2503+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB8IB1o5NqiuyHeSFNYJi9mPMVJs73RuJeroBTtOKf-FrrPLPKWbs_YhbOzS9KQIlibkleLjhRtHSttX7UNOXEij4bZgQYRRd9CTwum-bpBDiQH4nmvGKq-rjQ3NRjiqEeM485zEpFxG4/s600/DSC_2503+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB8IB1o5NqiuyHeSFNYJi9mPMVJs73RuJeroBTtOKf-FrrPLPKWbs_YhbOzS9KQIlibkleLjhRtHSttX7UNOXEij4bZgQYRRd9CTwum-bpBDiQH4nmvGKq-rjQ3NRjiqEeM485zEpFxG4/s2048/DSC_2503+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>As always, setting off <i>hopefully</i> - after a brief northern family visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Waving adieu to a fine lady atop a fine hoss - Can we make out the inscription ??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nope never mind - as a learned friend opined about statues, and how much they teach us about real history - When<i> that statue tossing debate</i> was in full swing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"What do we truly learn about history from statues ??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Mainly that people of <i>any</i> significance were <i>usually</i> green, twice the usual size, and rode very angry looking horses"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From Liverpool, to change in Manchester - then not quite <i>all</i> the way to Sheffield -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Along the way encountering a cygnet (!) on the line - She gave us a 20 minute delay having plonked herself down for a rest, mid-track.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And, as we informed some of our Portuguese carriage mates - we couldn't just run over one of the queens own livestock.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT392loYMQA6g8oTbdYoKLniCAOid_FWXF9ND7awDEb1h4LoJkHhFx3Em82vVbUgB_67N6HgPFJqAT7uU9hK1lKL_cf1clmpN8UggNrTPKGsUop7W-BmogZFC0ObetLzi5aBbDHGK17uM8/s2048/DSC_2505.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT392loYMQA6g8oTbdYoKLniCAOid_FWXF9ND7awDEb1h4LoJkHhFx3Em82vVbUgB_67N6HgPFJqAT7uU9hK1lKL_cf1clmpN8UggNrTPKGsUop7W-BmogZFC0ObetLzi5aBbDHGK17uM8/s600/DSC_2505.JPG" /></a>Disembarking, and watching from the footbridge, the train round away up the line, out of sight, is probably one of my favourite travel experiences..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then you will turn fairly well prepared, to sally off up the hill northwards from Hope . <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT392loYMQA6g8oTbdYoKLniCAOid_FWXF9ND7awDEb1h4LoJkHhFx3Em82vVbUgB_67N6HgPFJqAT7uU9hK1lKL_cf1clmpN8UggNrTPKGsUop7W-BmogZFC0ObetLzi5aBbDHGK17uM8/s2048/DSC_2505.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-pEFLfPVZJ9nWKHW7LozKz7ciIbscX-qJy9GDEywhIvKmvJrEwlBLlkYAnV8MkEkQHzMhKAw0htK9Gw91bgQeFm2PLZoel3C8R7w-QAXHq5LLOY7RfvhOETmwMO0iu4BZC8kgIt76jjx/s600/DSC_2506+%25281%2529.JPG" width="600" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Up and up and along, looking east up Edale</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBvaKxP-jweEzJoY-YeSSkpG6rxu8ZAOEMTxFP1xYsFbKPaxguaIVU1PSZLz_HevAB03LlPIWIgYMwUan3MZa9wW4LJe8N6mkhBNNcoGcLQgIqYuqnb0cbob27ybbJT1nvsJKeUQqb-z-/s2048/DSC_2508+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBvaKxP-jweEzJoY-YeSSkpG6rxu8ZAOEMTxFP1xYsFbKPaxguaIVU1PSZLz_HevAB03LlPIWIgYMwUan3MZa9wW4LJe8N6mkhBNNcoGcLQgIqYuqnb0cbob27ybbJT1nvsJKeUQqb-z-/s600/DSC_2508+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><br />Up a little more ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />And then peeping over the top towards Ladybower reservoir - looking a tad low here - But to be expected after the long dry summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAGg5GiqPsi3slZfywvmHY_KsVWHIkb23sFvH64Yma8ExQp0CPRXGDEbRIQXkMh5wfQKGJUXgzy2jsOgSc0K7hqIOGeIZR1csfTVQfKBV2xBapVdUHw0qc_YWygfj7AsjlxtSsXyU91JE/s2048/DSC_2510+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAGg5GiqPsi3slZfywvmHY_KsVWHIkb23sFvH64Yma8ExQp0CPRXGDEbRIQXkMh5wfQKGJUXgzy2jsOgSc0K7hqIOGeIZR1csfTVQfKBV2xBapVdUHw0qc_YWygfj7AsjlxtSsXyU91JE/s600/DSC_2510+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><br />Gaining Whin Hill for a very late lunch of bread and cheese - I'd not alighted the train, til gone 1pm on account of 'swans on the line'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes<i> I know</i> - rubber booties - maybe not your (or mine) <i>usual</i> backpacking footwear - but actually very appropriate for potentially muddy autumnal walks in the north.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having done a few longish walks in them - Hadrians Wall Path - for instance - in what turned out to be a hottish October spell - i knew i was likely to have happy feet though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Plus oh the glamour !! - <i>cool 😎</i> warm , and <i>hot ,</i>all at the same time in my favourite flowery Darn Tough long merino socks - great for filling the gap stylishly on cooler evenings if you favour 3/4 length trews now and then..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I like them for cycle touring too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAGg5GiqPsi3slZfywvmHY_KsVWHIkb23sFvH64Yma8ExQp0CPRXGDEbRIQXkMh5wfQKGJUXgzy2jsOgSc0K7hqIOGeIZR1csfTVQfKBV2xBapVdUHw0qc_YWygfj7AsjlxtSsXyU91JE/s2048/DSC_2510+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAGg5GiqPsi3slZfywvmHY_KsVWHIkb23sFvH64Yma8ExQp0CPRXGDEbRIQXkMh5wfQKGJUXgzy2jsOgSc0K7hqIOGeIZR1csfTVQfKBV2xBapVdUHw0qc_YWygfj7AsjlxtSsXyU91JE/s2048/DSC_2510+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBW50i6wDrduSEktFJ7jL-f_uc1peXYrWFHSpGJMTFSlNM_pRr4YL21zm7__xSwR3ES7c6IXBKlHNCuC96rG8OlQdq-mv_i-gq4_E3XuoS8r-DyMbhV60yZSmPdYEdTrrkN-bxocwBWmR/w361-h640/DSC_2514+%25281%2529.JPG" width="361" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then neatly sidestepping the <i>hordes - </i>there were at least <i>five</i> other people up there - heading off north east towards Kinder Scout, where i <i>had</i> mused upon pitching, that night ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH6ZUGGSyhPD0AK3JgyYR3G49HX2XVi5KJVnxA-0pXxk_p9OHzk8ls8FaoTN0neCLcze7DpwfcxnwTg_O6yzN3v1Cd8jX_Y3c1D3g2Dc83Y4Rejf7_hYoJPExEhhzp3gba9rqvXVeAV6Q/s2048/DSC_2516+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH6ZUGGSyhPD0AK3JgyYR3G49HX2XVi5KJVnxA-0pXxk_p9OHzk8ls8FaoTN0neCLcze7DpwfcxnwTg_O6yzN3v1Cd8jX_Y3c1D3g2Dc83Y4Rejf7_hYoJPExEhhzp3gba9rqvXVeAV6Q/s600/DSC_2516+%25281%2529.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgMfuSmPdYNpRyXqsSTxEi29OHvTljQCRljiF8frMyUKc6kl6aUNTHz_gZGqZ8C9quB6eUCVy9L55lKtvJnC6IO4PD4ymHu8wWa8nhT-2CAnFpM6r3epQo4uzOGoYfkrQZpsAnSoJ7tKp/w361-h640/DSC_2517+%25281%2529.JPG" width="361" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is an old section of Roman Road - it does feel like its going somewhere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRdmlHXy_cQcLKSwSIJm74bU0hXtAQ0AeyFsjKCuqBbhovXUILgLUokZwnz_sar0c_ePk-v97KpTHkqeNX3kEX7-_wryqDpkyaWnEwY49QcHnCAtOkT-xaWZhJVOIoyRTNQ_JpfIB7Fqk/s2048/DSC_2518.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRdmlHXy_cQcLKSwSIJm74bU0hXtAQ0AeyFsjKCuqBbhovXUILgLUokZwnz_sar0c_ePk-v97KpTHkqeNX3kEX7-_wryqDpkyaWnEwY49QcHnCAtOkT-xaWZhJVOIoyRTNQ_JpfIB7Fqk/s600/DSC_2518.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj8j6Hw5l5qwCrDUhnUI0IxXD3Ye8_Jf0Mv2DhsOC6Wf24f3gg9lo7s1zvRWSt5OD4DzoUAYaNikN0VHXC7eIVb64XYD2S5GBOXu8G5y64-BWNADws-7VzEgmoo1e7TErYGOYo5QNt32f/s2048/DSC_2521+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj8j6Hw5l5qwCrDUhnUI0IxXD3Ye8_Jf0Mv2DhsOC6Wf24f3gg9lo7s1zvRWSt5OD4DzoUAYaNikN0VHXC7eIVb64XYD2S5GBOXu8G5y64-BWNADws-7VzEgmoo1e7TErYGOYo5QNt32f/s600/DSC_2521+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj8j6Hw5l5qwCrDUhnUI0IxXD3Ye8_Jf0Mv2DhsOC6Wf24f3gg9lo7s1zvRWSt5OD4DzoUAYaNikN0VHXC7eIVb64XYD2S5GBOXu8G5y64-BWNADws-7VzEgmoo1e7TErYGOYo5QNt32f/s2048/DSC_2521+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />I could have worked up something about this lot being ^^ <i>kinder</i> scouts i sp'ose.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But in truth a bunch of school kids out with their geography teacher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They were even indulgent enough to let me join in with their fiendishly clever word game -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- You know the sort that makes you feel fiendishly clever -<i> once </i>you've got it - but like the <i>dullest</i> of dullards whilst still floundering to grasp the trick .. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDX3iZ0R1tQvutQwKGixHntGnUy55D1fhmZeNzrgb0x79CzBIBIr2aJ8xGO9nUkY-DqiunqhEnD1ioY0eccSK1mVQ_N_lR_GVLCcT93P3GpmhrR3Zt3MkqXb6G-slEqYJSOAjosJ_HvHZ/w361-h640/DSC_2523+%25281%2529.JPG" width="361" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This reminded me that <i>originally</i> I'd planned a bike trip here, this time, but too many other engagements bookending the trip, and multiple train changes were going to make that tricky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maybe another time - it does look like good biking country. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The amount of work that went into these stone walls - astonishing - but sadly so uneconomic to maintain without grant assistance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjEph-zfxrq4iERjckr8hJTdIIoaOCx1w-5KYQc1CPh2S63_cQdPfjquJnbmJJyyhBxdv0ouzkfgGFgrRef2NcOYLyhiT4GF9hP39lpqbH5ZoqJYS3K0ju9lVRQLlc53FmYYxcqSmh0S_/s2048/IMG_20171022_102658_161+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjEph-zfxrq4iERjckr8hJTdIIoaOCx1w-5KYQc1CPh2S63_cQdPfjquJnbmJJyyhBxdv0ouzkfgGFgrRef2NcOYLyhiT4GF9hP39lpqbH5ZoqJYS3K0ju9lVRQLlc53FmYYxcqSmh0S_/w640-h640/IMG_20171022_102658_161+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WeMqY2cJhsY52lbxZtcHz9Py-eVu_M5QRz0a7d9Zt9iE4nlKb142KUMcgWqIRQuZr9qcWuX7KhA7bUbjHIVnpYvsbNcIHv4gmb-RxH_2HY-a8Ny3_z2mz74mPly_Go-3k8I-fj6L0NRF/w361-h640/DSC_2526+%25281%2529.JPG" width="361" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the way here i had an interesting encounter with a young couple in a <i>very </i>shiny blue BMW .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They were wedged fast in the track where they'd discovered the inadvisability of going "off road" in such a low slung car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They had got themselves stuck atop a boulder in the sheep track and were going nowhere - a good test of a young relationship i thought.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having experienced similar difficulties myself, in the past, but in different circs i gave them a few tips on extrication - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> (for car, not from not each other - that <i>might</i> have come later) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jack up the offending axle as high as possible - construct from nearby rocks an exit ramp under the tyre, release the jack - gently reverse with <i>great</i> care ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Should i have stayed to supervise their escape ?/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I decided <i>not </i>- After all its all good character building stuff for the youth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I do still wonder what happened - maybe a local farmer had to rescue them ?? Oh the shame ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznPw_ghkd8Hz3UE9mDHTxNDKR71sRr_hfsvvCAO8Daz9J6Wua4Dft3swMTSEMOXgOrPFUHNT71TIRnXbBlmPkyxBoe8p4UnCxkDAl-Sur3EfS63ZqF0TCpKJq7WGMorFS_Ww4XVlH3cyG/s2048/DSC_2527+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznPw_ghkd8Hz3UE9mDHTxNDKR71sRr_hfsvvCAO8Daz9J6Wua4Dft3swMTSEMOXgOrPFUHNT71TIRnXbBlmPkyxBoe8p4UnCxkDAl-Sur3EfS63ZqF0TCpKJq7WGMorFS_Ww4XVlH3cyG/s600/DSC_2527+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznPw_ghkd8Hz3UE9mDHTxNDKR71sRr_hfsvvCAO8Daz9J6Wua4Dft3swMTSEMOXgOrPFUHNT71TIRnXbBlmPkyxBoe8p4UnCxkDAl-Sur3EfS63ZqF0TCpKJq7WGMorFS_Ww4XVlH3cyG/s2048/DSC_2527+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />For reasons that escape me now - short daylight hours in October most likely - i decided not to scamper up Kinder via Jaggers clough - but instead wandered up the track to Alport Castles a well named craggy escarpment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Where i assumed, there <i>would</i> be regally tucked away spot for airing out the shelter for the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While i meditated upon the dark.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznPw_ghkd8Hz3UE9mDHTxNDKR71sRr_hfsvvCAO8Daz9J6Wua4Dft3swMTSEMOXgOrPFUHNT71TIRnXbBlmPkyxBoe8p4UnCxkDAl-Sur3EfS63ZqF0TCpKJq7WGMorFS_Ww4XVlH3cyG/s2048/DSC_2527+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>On occasion i do get asked "Don't you get scared out there, walking ,and camping all by yourself?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the honest answer in truth , is <i>"Yes,</i> sometimes i do"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I have a vivid imagination - and even though i try not to fill it with gruesome images, thoughts, or sensationalist tales, hundreds of years of conditioning are not overcome in one short lifetime. .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I take <i>most</i> but not all of the 'sensible' precautions that our sex is schooled in from a young age.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Make sure no one knows of your precise plans - apart from a few in the inner circle, take a few glances behind to check you've not been spotted, and adopt a confident purposeful walk like you're going somewhere, someones expecting you even ??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It does <i>really</i> annoy me (understatement) that we are the ones having to think about this stuff , when we are not the ones causing anyone else any grief.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And that means we're are just a little <i>less visible.</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Therefore slightly less in a position to give confidence to our wavering sisters, in these matters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Of course, all of us regardless of gender, need to take care of the basics, food, water, shelter appropriate clothing, navigational ability, tech usage etc .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We all have to have those things if we are to be reasonably safe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But we are <i>gifted</i> that extra burden - the fear of 'strange men' and their potential to do us harm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not ghosts or ghouls or supernatural beasties.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More potentially random aggressors - a bit like the faint but still real chance of coming across a rogue bear in their natural habitat - except these are supposedly humans - capable of humanity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes we know, <i>rationally</i> the risk from these unknowns is very low - statistically we're more likely to be harmed by someone known to us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But we've all been schooled in Big Bad Wolves, and suchlike, all the stories of the vulnerable ladies , needing to be rescued - It all serves to advise us <i>against</i> 'going out alone' - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this collective fear is not a rational beast either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Which is pretty enraging when you think about it - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Because if those <i>very few</i> bad guys are the problem - then here's an idea - all the chaps can stay home - yes all of em - cos you can't tell by just looking who's who, who is ok, who isn't can you ??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Unless those chaps are accompanied by a proven to be trustworthy chaperone..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seems an unreasonable impingement on the liberties of all men ??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It does rather, doesn't it - so what ?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What do we do instead ??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We curtail the liberties of <i>all </i>women ?? To keep them 'safe' at home ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well no, i'm not having that - and i don't think we should stay allegedly 'safe' at home because of it -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> If we do then the bad guys have won .. Is that Ok ??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Time for the 'good guys' to sort* out the bad guys, and their attitudes - i'm going camping...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In a slightly stomping off manner - because quite frankly my dears i think its outrageous that its women and girls who have had their safety activities and fulfilment impinged in this way for centuries, through no fault of their own...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maybe thats <i>another</i> thing thats kept me relatively safe from 'stranger' harm over the years - apart from the tallish muscular frame that <i>looks</i> like its spent its whole life doing physical work out doors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maybe it's also the glint in my eye that says "Oh yeah - just you try it mate..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But its <i>completely</i> unfair that it should only be the ones prepared to 'tough it out' in some way who <i>are</i> going out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I'm bored of looking over my shoulder when hearing my own 'shadow footsteps' <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznPw_ghkd8Hz3UE9mDHTxNDKR71sRr_hfsvvCAO8Daz9J6Wua4Dft3swMTSEMOXgOrPFUHNT71TIRnXbBlmPkyxBoe8p4UnCxkDAl-Sur3EfS63ZqF0TCpKJq7WGMorFS_Ww4XVlH3cyG/s2048/DSC_2527+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSDzPAoJ8YN9n_dMUby0Goz9cALy8g9CXwurPrlbmnTktjtnocIxKaleeIKPG4vPu84dMJpV66bwJAbfWu386WLKXj67GputJGPZTqgkorEUGV33rzSUfd4Xtifp4ejhFcVwlb2VSZafp/s2048/DSC_2531.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSDzPAoJ8YN9n_dMUby0Goz9cALy8g9CXwurPrlbmnTktjtnocIxKaleeIKPG4vPu84dMJpV66bwJAbfWu386WLKXj67GputJGPZTqgkorEUGV33rzSUfd4Xtifp4ejhFcVwlb2VSZafp/s600/DSC_2531.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSDzPAoJ8YN9n_dMUby0Goz9cALy8g9CXwurPrlbmnTktjtnocIxKaleeIKPG4vPu84dMJpV66bwJAbfWu386WLKXj67GputJGPZTqgkorEUGV33rzSUfd4Xtifp4ejhFcVwlb2VSZafp/s2048/DSC_2531.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePYE348naK1VWYDuLiXvE-DFdxl7S7BiDY4KvbCFhdG5Xajd2sqpIvlzzd23LitVc49XHFq2UAXUJ9aXwUHC3VA0SefRJdhhF11F4TD73fJWHxv3sLvRYSOH2hTWiuxLCzuHWjv8h3FVe/s2048/DSC_2538+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePYE348naK1VWYDuLiXvE-DFdxl7S7BiDY4KvbCFhdG5Xajd2sqpIvlzzd23LitVc49XHFq2UAXUJ9aXwUHC3VA0SefRJdhhF11F4TD73fJWHxv3sLvRYSOH2hTWiuxLCzuHWjv8h3FVe/s600/DSC_2538+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSDzPAoJ8YN9n_dMUby0Goz9cALy8g9CXwurPrlbmnTktjtnocIxKaleeIKPG4vPu84dMJpV66bwJAbfWu386WLKXj67GputJGPZTqgkorEUGV33rzSUfd4Xtifp4ejhFcVwlb2VSZafp/s2048/DSC_2531.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Twas misty, yet brightish the morn, and in the end i discovered that i'd had a protective phalanx of ladies, in attendance all night anyhow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPdZRFP8hP5laSZprozIyWT0MNTE9lCYhBmRLnOw0E33qm_fiWhYs_cJft2kCehtWnxn0EZANRbrBmqy8EzO4pwES78iD8vgXcRkvgi8ccwzXhvhzCBh-6J3aNjgfZOUZldVKMm-9i3Qj/s2048/DSC_2533+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPdZRFP8hP5laSZprozIyWT0MNTE9lCYhBmRLnOw0E33qm_fiWhYs_cJft2kCehtWnxn0EZANRbrBmqy8EzO4pwES78iD8vgXcRkvgi8ccwzXhvhzCBh-6J3aNjgfZOUZldVKMm-9i3Qj/s600/DSC_2533+%25281%2529.JPG" width="600" /></a><br />Mmmn , good cragginess - A very pleasing bit of geology - would be great fun to spend a day here exploring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But time as ever nips at ones rubberised heels<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPdZRFP8hP5laSZprozIyWT0MNTE9lCYhBmRLnOw0E33qm_fiWhYs_cJft2kCehtWnxn0EZANRbrBmqy8EzO4pwES78iD8vgXcRkvgi8ccwzXhvhzCBh-6J3aNjgfZOUZldVKMm-9i3Qj/s2048/DSC_2533+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YWKmsuY_EClhu80JHb53CatePQFQJFQUYX7eYTr5kj8dtPKekyBW3a4faZqOyyniLLMccGVOEY86zL-Pw7Q166TyJWWsmmgs2ISN4JJsKF6xofHwuoP6dXAPumO6N981ZFPuT-ZwCbQI/s600/DSC_2537.JPG" width="600" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Path finding here is easy enough - these uplands are pretty well trod - a good place to go a wandering if you were just starting out with building confidence in your navigation training. plenty of distinctive features to locate yourself by even in the mist - worth having a compass and knowing how to use it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sZH436e98ZlU-krWSdVSt4zKPz5fYMtuZN7LABFSQoTxUhcXbifh4op5XQ3goWlStMyQWlG2jorRrt03cm84352ULWydQkMTADsH6i-IYgDeIy2aLUvrFOkpnITx3PSyC5yj9LoDeiIm/s2048/DSC_2544+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sZH436e98ZlU-krWSdVSt4zKPz5fYMtuZN7LABFSQoTxUhcXbifh4op5XQ3goWlStMyQWlG2jorRrt03cm84352ULWydQkMTADsH6i-IYgDeIy2aLUvrFOkpnITx3PSyC5yj9LoDeiIm/s600/DSC_2544+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a>OK so it doesn't have quite the drama of Scotland or other more mountainous places - but i can see how anyone could grow fond of this place.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sZH436e98ZlU-krWSdVSt4zKPz5fYMtuZN7LABFSQoTxUhcXbifh4op5XQ3goWlStMyQWlG2jorRrt03cm84352ULWydQkMTADsH6i-IYgDeIy2aLUvrFOkpnITx3PSyC5yj9LoDeiIm/s2048/DSC_2544+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Up onto the crest , and along a bit before striking west towards Howden reservoir.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02QARRm11HYdsIkCPD14eIOqiRBPVqpSCu3XGDjudzAHb8ZxE9q_Ce4Jwcumy_eq1VrS-VROlQcEV92McgaVNDs1C5aligeLplaJ3i3gWZjmIAbaObR2EK09UyUILaY4GxN8qWbVFQhJP/s2048/DSC_2546+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02QARRm11HYdsIkCPD14eIOqiRBPVqpSCu3XGDjudzAHb8ZxE9q_Ce4Jwcumy_eq1VrS-VROlQcEV92McgaVNDs1C5aligeLplaJ3i3gWZjmIAbaObR2EK09UyUILaY4GxN8qWbVFQhJP/s600/DSC_2546+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And dropping down among the trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbh0N3490NKuAFZasij80cZuui6GWBttk1PRYxjpjaczeIpUJ6fcel3Pr-9HYTYAM3TaN7L4P5j_KRYitzPD7A29SMwlnImLv1vwOkT4yo7z2w3p67DmX6uCx_jkx6l3qSyLuZaQymCWh/s600/DSC_2547+%25281%2529.JPG" width="600" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Its as if they're all leaning in to hear a secret.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ITuQmEvYBdi8gciqFpKe9-_7ZtbV2gYgtGvNP_XfeKSlVOLyq6zfin2i1JHRfkqfcsELs3IGFcrcpA6m7I-y3aQBIUL31TnRCjAwXUTRL2CQKltVP5fFOjPJl9L4NH52YuGYiWXl4ju9/s2048/DSC_2550+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ITuQmEvYBdi8gciqFpKe9-_7ZtbV2gYgtGvNP_XfeKSlVOLyq6zfin2i1JHRfkqfcsELs3IGFcrcpA6m7I-y3aQBIUL31TnRCjAwXUTRL2CQKltVP5fFOjPJl9L4NH52YuGYiWXl4ju9/s600/DSC_2550+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a>Marching on down through the beeches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing9FH6p05HZF4_04J3GoplBHZ1hTrtRLLL1-P74ihQmiUdnZxX0H_dV9xSka-qhOabhqEFAFPmV988SG0CBZYAO4hD7GIPdYjz3eqxPpNEj12WcdpuCX2M-QTvbkLMkGrs69g4fP9PO34/s2048/DSC_2553+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing9FH6p05HZF4_04J3GoplBHZ1hTrtRLLL1-P74ihQmiUdnZxX0H_dV9xSka-qhOabhqEFAFPmV988SG0CBZYAO4hD7GIPdYjz3eqxPpNEj12WcdpuCX2M-QTvbkLMkGrs69g4fP9PO34/s600/DSC_2553+%25281%2529.JPG" width="600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing9FH6p05HZF4_04J3GoplBHZ1hTrtRLLL1-P74ihQmiUdnZxX0H_dV9xSka-qhOabhqEFAFPmV988SG0CBZYAO4hD7GIPdYjz3eqxPpNEj12WcdpuCX2M-QTvbkLMkGrs69g4fP9PO34/s2048/DSC_2553+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>No i didn't eat - i was enjoying the technicolours of autumnal woods well enough, without hallucinogens.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GuQBP7DPn4Lr1fYqp5UWkfwfJuKLFAXHIEuC4a40Pui-mbkGTiYlnXsx3WXULE2QQmzJvAgREOldpNB88Lu26Dlw8jOsAkgDMRgyp8FYjOKnNNHi2n-9qLJ8hyYz10A-UvttYXI0ERk3/s2048/DSC_2555+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GuQBP7DPn4Lr1fYqp5UWkfwfJuKLFAXHIEuC4a40Pui-mbkGTiYlnXsx3WXULE2QQmzJvAgREOldpNB88Lu26Dlw8jOsAkgDMRgyp8FYjOKnNNHi2n-9qLJ8hyYz10A-UvttYXI0ERk3/s600/DSC_2555+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQLPILWi24YPzZdeqvvqmLI3X-CaUaS83jQf_tyu98edmmCak4YLxEHwsJXSZpm-5p_7EDI3WOvprpyFoPTlmjKBPmDg6c-qFlM0bbF-W0dga8wk8glm7a0QoDYhLXjI-27Vl-wzkKBCO/s600/DSC_2557+%25281%2529.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once down by the reservoir the path tracks the lakeside closely for 4 km or so until arriving at the peaty ford at 'Slippery Stones' - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hurrrah!! for rubber booties - although <i>yes</i> there <i>is</i> a bridge upstream - but how dull would that be, when you've got the chance to go a paddling ?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoGiCs7zW4-Oe5wg7MYbiTaf8cbqOWb1SGRDk-6vUmZna3gIVcaa5oNNCQ87rWq_02cuggWgS-DULVM5L6-ty4uHe1srIpeAtgU_a2KWyqHL1A0DIQdULPmOejR3052DrHpz4xA9V4vCQ/s2048/DSC_2559.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoGiCs7zW4-Oe5wg7MYbiTaf8cbqOWb1SGRDk-6vUmZna3gIVcaa5oNNCQ87rWq_02cuggWgS-DULVM5L6-ty4uHe1srIpeAtgU_a2KWyqHL1A0DIQdULPmOejR3052DrHpz4xA9V4vCQ/s600/DSC_2559.JPG" /></a><br />Upstream, newly planted trees in the valley bottom.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoGiCs7zW4-Oe5wg7MYbiTaf8cbqOWb1SGRDk-6vUmZna3gIVcaa5oNNCQ87rWq_02cuggWgS-DULVM5L6-ty4uHe1srIpeAtgU_a2KWyqHL1A0DIQdULPmOejR3052DrHpz4xA9V4vCQ/s2048/DSC_2559.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUGujFH3-0lQQpK7aBpFRARbOB2J1QiPn0eNIdBpV62i5cNdK2k32jC4RNJtKDjQW4H1V429_XzYT5DN0GaVB2i8XxzjHZ5VrfUoITAdFrqRPB5rEWNwWmg1_dcxDVPnIT64W4G9ESDW-/s2048/DSC_2560+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUGujFH3-0lQQpK7aBpFRARbOB2J1QiPn0eNIdBpV62i5cNdK2k32jC4RNJtKDjQW4H1V429_XzYT5DN0GaVB2i8XxzjHZ5VrfUoITAdFrqRPB5rEWNwWmg1_dcxDVPnIT64W4G9ESDW-/s600/DSC_2560+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoGiCs7zW4-Oe5wg7MYbiTaf8cbqOWb1SGRDk-6vUmZna3gIVcaa5oNNCQ87rWq_02cuggWgS-DULVM5L6-ty4uHe1srIpeAtgU_a2KWyqHL1A0DIQdULPmOejR3052DrHpz4xA9V4vCQ/s2048/DSC_2559.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>And then swinging west up through Cranberry Clough towards Cut Gate, a steepish stony path, down which a young gentleman was descending at some speed on a bicycle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He was <i>indeed</i> a gentleman as he arrested his career half way down to let me pass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj8UbwVFKViq6FwP85K04aVB7PkNWb8t8H_mzdqOCkDxtaB8VPXQWec0ADc9tlpGEiA2e4-mOWALYHDBmbMI2nEXkIXRmYeSGfmxnrP3Y-oI8qcRW6Vkb4p-vV3DKJo58dAnafF4AYmD7/s2048/mms-346678976+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj8UbwVFKViq6FwP85K04aVB7PkNWb8t8H_mzdqOCkDxtaB8VPXQWec0ADc9tlpGEiA2e4-mOWALYHDBmbMI2nEXkIXRmYeSGfmxnrP3Y-oI8qcRW6Vkb4p-vV3DKJo58dAnafF4AYmD7/s320/mms-346678976+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Looking back down towards Mosley Bank, autumn abundant..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQmA3cz0eTuOOAhowP2zlv6yGCmCUfqrYF_vzJswNgECGWSgK0WruAbWRDLDS8FEaHCXowtlwswMcQz8q_cIa5wpiLm38oC81O5XjJI_H8Ctba2Q_1wD3we4UePl7Q1NEagDZFMOq7evB/s2048/DSC_2565+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQmA3cz0eTuOOAhowP2zlv6yGCmCUfqrYF_vzJswNgECGWSgK0WruAbWRDLDS8FEaHCXowtlwswMcQz8q_cIa5wpiLm38oC81O5XjJI_H8Ctba2Q_1wD3we4UePl7Q1NEagDZFMOq7evB/s600/DSC_2565+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><br />Now we're getting some high wide hills , and long views.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used to ride (on hossback) through long windblown grass such as this , and have fantasies of galloping across the Steppe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw2xbz_-LiAvRBSbGcqbcmxwYiNkIPhzgVxYk3HiDm9nrOW4b03zreb0-SjI8xQks94ISIEjETl2KO7t8_nudgarCcuoHW6SFJjVMrhtWm_1JTzYM_5QvROCSHxtxkkfmpl9hCu2-wSzT/s2048/DSC_2569+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw2xbz_-LiAvRBSbGcqbcmxwYiNkIPhzgVxYk3HiDm9nrOW4b03zreb0-SjI8xQks94ISIEjETl2KO7t8_nudgarCcuoHW6SFJjVMrhtWm_1JTzYM_5QvROCSHxtxkkfmpl9hCu2-wSzT/s600/DSC_2569+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw2xbz_-LiAvRBSbGcqbcmxwYiNkIPhzgVxYk3HiDm9nrOW4b03zreb0-SjI8xQks94ISIEjETl2KO7t8_nudgarCcuoHW6SFJjVMrhtWm_1JTzYM_5QvROCSHxtxkkfmpl9hCu2-wSzT/s2048/DSC_2569+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Attaining Howden Edge - I turn southwards -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Walking at this time of year means shorter days - but you do at least get those afternoons of long mellow slanty light <i>if</i> the weather plays nicely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And catching sunrise doesn't mean desperately early starts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The path hugs the edges for as long as you like, all the way to Hathersedge in fact - but i decide to drop off eastwards towards the reservoir, for a change of scene.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thats the filly so fickle hiker in me - she'll often goes wherever the wind (doesn't so much) blow her .. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP8hXBPFbe3Iod532OBbx-MMcs6In97Vnm0MxpBRztWNgz92XntlepHaQ7GFuGWxpSprkQ_tDwwnu7mWct8m2V6gKxhvuy6UCigeCS1oIkpZiQqyThH92i3PKU9foSNatmHOMpWpyHi1s/s2048/DSC_5440.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP8hXBPFbe3Iod532OBbx-MMcs6In97Vnm0MxpBRztWNgz92XntlepHaQ7GFuGWxpSprkQ_tDwwnu7mWct8m2V6gKxhvuy6UCigeCS1oIkpZiQqyThH92i3PKU9foSNatmHOMpWpyHi1s/s600/DSC_5440.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP8hXBPFbe3Iod532OBbx-MMcs6In97Vnm0MxpBRztWNgz92XntlepHaQ7GFuGWxpSprkQ_tDwwnu7mWct8m2V6gKxhvuy6UCigeCS1oIkpZiQqyThH92i3PKU9foSNatmHOMpWpyHi1s/s2048/DSC_5440.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Past this pleasingly solid shelter - sling a tarp over the top in poor weather and you'd have a half decent billet for the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rU6aIw_jSwoxGjM55zs9wcjr0kGRIBiZ0dJMr5W-wdgC2cvQC5UcY5ruMWEoDE4UGUb8FeKNmnAqzg0pi98MB5_WyA_UW7g1beSTdAF6SbCS782xpKtH8EkKRny_ayVP0ak0A9UET_Xw/s2048/DSC_5445+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rU6aIw_jSwoxGjM55zs9wcjr0kGRIBiZ0dJMr5W-wdgC2cvQC5UcY5ruMWEoDE4UGUb8FeKNmnAqzg0pi98MB5_WyA_UW7g1beSTdAF6SbCS782xpKtH8EkKRny_ayVP0ak0A9UET_Xw/s600/DSC_5445+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rU6aIw_jSwoxGjM55zs9wcjr0kGRIBiZ0dJMr5W-wdgC2cvQC5UcY5ruMWEoDE4UGUb8FeKNmnAqzg0pi98MB5_WyA_UW7g1beSTdAF6SbCS782xpKtH8EkKRny_ayVP0ak0A9UET_Xw/s2048/DSC_5445+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Down via Howden Clough and along the lakeside for a short while -<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rU6aIw_jSwoxGjM55zs9wcjr0kGRIBiZ0dJMr5W-wdgC2cvQC5UcY5ruMWEoDE4UGUb8FeKNmnAqzg0pi98MB5_WyA_UW7g1beSTdAF6SbCS782xpKtH8EkKRny_ayVP0ak0A9UET_Xw/s2048/DSC_5445+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLPXQ-b7WjPT5eNFKs3MZCy1vulLDRfeaEFBFto5pUMeYpOWwGKP2xPQU-ji5BaeQaYlJcG9mGqDnpvDvncMiihehT4e831QL6gXoHp_-4Po8ilNEtEvEc1GjWERg4Uo3b94b3jggwy9S/s2048/DSC_5446+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLPXQ-b7WjPT5eNFKs3MZCy1vulLDRfeaEFBFto5pUMeYpOWwGKP2xPQU-ji5BaeQaYlJcG9mGqDnpvDvncMiihehT4e831QL6gXoHp_-4Po8ilNEtEvEc1GjWERg4Uo3b94b3jggwy9S/s600/DSC_5446+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLPXQ-b7WjPT5eNFKs3MZCy1vulLDRfeaEFBFto5pUMeYpOWwGKP2xPQU-ji5BaeQaYlJcG9mGqDnpvDvncMiihehT4e831QL6gXoHp_-4Po8ilNEtEvEc1GjWERg4Uo3b94b3jggwy9S/s2048/DSC_5446+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="color: black; text-align: left;">Then to camp i thought go higher, to keep away from the damper air, and this lane is also fairly well travelled by cyclists and walkers..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So now cutting back up left at Abbey Tip Plantation.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLPXQ-b7WjPT5eNFKs3MZCy1vulLDRfeaEFBFto5pUMeYpOWwGKP2xPQU-ji5BaeQaYlJcG9mGqDnpvDvncMiihehT4e831QL6gXoHp_-4Po8ilNEtEvEc1GjWERg4Uo3b94b3jggwy9S/s2048/DSC_5446+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4KmvpLpHdaDIp6LBQHu21IxEx6fODerSslhjzvUYxCCQcsc6VTe3EQF43HcugwLGK0KZp1H9pqHsGk-SMtZlH3bPrGDwCy-BPdWlL6h0GKmFS9-7ZrjqBakQraEV-B6k90x1DdvxO99D/s2048/DSC_5447+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4KmvpLpHdaDIp6LBQHu21IxEx6fODerSslhjzvUYxCCQcsc6VTe3EQF43HcugwLGK0KZp1H9pqHsGk-SMtZlH3bPrGDwCy-BPdWlL6h0GKmFS9-7ZrjqBakQraEV-B6k90x1DdvxO99D/w360-h640/DSC_5447+%25282%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLPXQ-b7WjPT5eNFKs3MZCy1vulLDRfeaEFBFto5pUMeYpOWwGKP2xPQU-ji5BaeQaYlJcG9mGqDnpvDvncMiihehT4e831QL6gXoHp_-4Po8ilNEtEvEc1GjWERg4Uo3b94b3jggwy9S/s2048/DSC_5446+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLPXQ-b7WjPT5eNFKs3MZCy1vulLDRfeaEFBFto5pUMeYpOWwGKP2xPQU-ji5BaeQaYlJcG9mGqDnpvDvncMiihehT4e831QL6gXoHp_-4Po8ilNEtEvEc1GjWERg4Uo3b94b3jggwy9S/s2048/DSC_5446+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a> Looking for a likely pitch in among the tussocks as the evening came upon me -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Here the stone walls giving in to gravity - as they mostly will unless maintained - an expensive business nowadays . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-xo1YlHhIepeIf5VLms6uwOGWP6wywMMwWQaVozvw-C1_Suq9OBzu_fuFPLS3TiLxJPLdIhXFcE8efUapxilEg_i_cm6JxaBrbUhH7IvzzLBWEqAbMF5jq38MUtrTDxuHCFIIJ14FwxR/s2048/DSC_5449+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-xo1YlHhIepeIf5VLms6uwOGWP6wywMMwWQaVozvw-C1_Suq9OBzu_fuFPLS3TiLxJPLdIhXFcE8efUapxilEg_i_cm6JxaBrbUhH7IvzzLBWEqAbMF5jq38MUtrTDxuHCFIIJ14FwxR/s600/DSC_5449+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><br />Looking back as the terrain flattens to better grazing ground. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU7YT6pFO3HXSJmEAXQMqZmvCn1dqHumHNj85bxsmbe0G1OeFCnnxJuadQPtTyzAozzVdjDHg8Fi8XDk8dAmcIsl6usOUPHxQ_Qs5rM4b7B1_aUiefITrX22Cy4a2E2XCas8kEgll-lQ-/s2048/DSC_5452+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU7YT6pFO3HXSJmEAXQMqZmvCn1dqHumHNj85bxsmbe0G1OeFCnnxJuadQPtTyzAozzVdjDHg8Fi8XDk8dAmcIsl6usOUPHxQ_Qs5rM4b7B1_aUiefITrX22Cy4a2E2XCas8kEgll-lQ-/s600/DSC_5452+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU7YT6pFO3HXSJmEAXQMqZmvCn1dqHumHNj85bxsmbe0G1OeFCnnxJuadQPtTyzAozzVdjDHg8Fi8XDk8dAmcIsl6usOUPHxQ_Qs5rM4b7B1_aUiefITrX22Cy4a2E2XCas8kEgll-lQ-/s2048/DSC_5452+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Having another moment of repose not so very far from 'Pike How' - or thats what i'm calling it cos its written in curly ;ancient monument' script on the map, and even with a head torch i can't quite make out if I've got it right .. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How annoying..<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU7YT6pFO3HXSJmEAXQMqZmvCn1dqHumHNj85bxsmbe0G1OeFCnnxJuadQPtTyzAozzVdjDHg8Fi8XDk8dAmcIsl6usOUPHxQ_Qs5rM4b7B1_aUiefITrX22Cy4a2E2XCas8kEgll-lQ-/s2048/DSC_5452+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhKYd0mFXm9aVxEiIEnBXS5xcTF4sbDFbKhwpxq78jLWaIrNAPYlbDAcMP6n7WBHmsPMel7NUyxhfS_JhGaaVzAMj4Y9N1XJXheytGe3hu_tQ7I6Od_8gu161rEvdxpD5IIYTccX_KkJd/s2048/DSC_5457+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhKYd0mFXm9aVxEiIEnBXS5xcTF4sbDFbKhwpxq78jLWaIrNAPYlbDAcMP6n7WBHmsPMel7NUyxhfS_JhGaaVzAMj4Y9N1XJXheytGe3hu_tQ7I6Od_8gu161rEvdxpD5IIYTccX_KkJd/s600/DSC_5457+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhKYd0mFXm9aVxEiIEnBXS5xcTF4sbDFbKhwpxq78jLWaIrNAPYlbDAcMP6n7WBHmsPMel7NUyxhfS_JhGaaVzAMj4Y9N1XJXheytGe3hu_tQ7I6Od_8gu161rEvdxpD5IIYTccX_KkJd/s2048/DSC_5457+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhKYd0mFXm9aVxEiIEnBXS5xcTF4sbDFbKhwpxq78jLWaIrNAPYlbDAcMP6n7WBHmsPMel7NUyxhfS_JhGaaVzAMj4Y9N1XJXheytGe3hu_tQ7I6Od_8gu161rEvdxpD5IIYTccX_KkJd/s2048/DSC_5457+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Misty again the morn' for another descent - I'ts all about the ups and downs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5fbWUChb0sULVehHIz2WNb7X3nFT2_NwpGcl4sf7WmlKafBbTenKgw2tYfPMbjeysJKjXOoLLE_Kl5YRkiYp0wC0zrkvcEbkNMG7iXVqoqiAVpme0RjT3aB3pdkmvbVIPK6tnDFk9EmT/s2048/DSC_5459+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5fbWUChb0sULVehHIz2WNb7X3nFT2_NwpGcl4sf7WmlKafBbTenKgw2tYfPMbjeysJKjXOoLLE_Kl5YRkiYp0wC0zrkvcEbkNMG7iXVqoqiAVpme0RjT3aB3pdkmvbVIPK6tnDFk9EmT/s600/DSC_5459+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5fbWUChb0sULVehHIz2WNb7X3nFT2_NwpGcl4sf7WmlKafBbTenKgw2tYfPMbjeysJKjXOoLLE_Kl5YRkiYp0wC0zrkvcEbkNMG7iXVqoqiAVpme0RjT3aB3pdkmvbVIPK6tnDFk9EmT/s2048/DSC_5459+%25281%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Just briefly touching the lakeside gain at Well Head for a couple of hundred yards, before sneaking back up Grindle Clough, Highshaw then ascending Moscar Cross Farm, all proper, classic northern bleakness - lovely - if you're in one of <i>those</i> slightly melancholic ' i want to be alone' kind of moods..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On sunny summer days, In places such as this, I like to imagine that i would have what it takes to be an gritty upland farmer </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> But i know, in reality, after a few weeks of deep clag, and no other diversions I'd probs be hightailing it back to the sunnier lowlands - the warmer more productive soils, and even the occasional urban diversions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nothing like a bit of autumnal mistiness - to reflect on the years past - and how things might evolve in the future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoxJ4ThsXbc2fbxMmrY7az0zxqLl175SogdTJY8IpwQDIgl-rLx8EWcT5yPw8MSB2aOHXGGAc2nioktu7uLmnFWBcO5KPQNZiyQoNccdRnDLo8DOy2N6yhPVAwKOcWptEp9SYyuAb45ia/s2048/DSC_5465+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoxJ4ThsXbc2fbxMmrY7az0zxqLl175SogdTJY8IpwQDIgl-rLx8EWcT5yPw8MSB2aOHXGGAc2nioktu7uLmnFWBcO5KPQNZiyQoNccdRnDLo8DOy2N6yhPVAwKOcWptEp9SYyuAb45ia/w360-h640/DSC_5465+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The craftsmanship - rarely fails to impress ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd-JQu8o23NSjFaZS76GuNEAHD9VJHqi-FCi_d_YudGkoZFhFZvvx1EUaecQaWulm6gsVpR1OXN1NceBJPCmNjr3qq4Z7fushLF-aO8W7oCKE_aiHtR4ohZdMdyu7k6WPXdIqxPqY1WgR/s2048/DSC_5468+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd-JQu8o23NSjFaZS76GuNEAHD9VJHqi-FCi_d_YudGkoZFhFZvvx1EUaecQaWulm6gsVpR1OXN1NceBJPCmNjr3qq4Z7fushLF-aO8W7oCKE_aiHtR4ohZdMdyu7k6WPXdIqxPqY1WgR/w640-h360/DSC_5468+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'd been warned with no little hint of drama that there was "A storm approaching" - </div><div><br /></div><div>The tail end of a hurricane !! No less.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh-AnaXv8jk0483TaC0EqsZjhMcXpqMcQ-E6jDWhU0ELUgOwz6IjqfWj4AVEuAMsrtlUpOmVCc3K6mJZeKI4glXNwq2aZFGGy8uDZ7XBhh6oUIwR7a_AJ0wUfXFVkwgW5koqsXNuWHvUY/s2048/DSC_5470+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh-AnaXv8jk0483TaC0EqsZjhMcXpqMcQ-E6jDWhU0ELUgOwz6IjqfWj4AVEuAMsrtlUpOmVCc3K6mJZeKI4glXNwq2aZFGGy8uDZ7XBhh6oUIwR7a_AJ0wUfXFVkwgW5koqsXNuWHvUY/w360-h640/DSC_5470+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And indeed it did appear to be so, as i continued my stomp southwards - the sky turned a very interesting shade of pink - and the air started to feel warm and clammy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All it needed was for a quartet of horsemen to appear over the horizon..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWp6s6Ool7RFtGGIHHxwZ90ygBSvC__4H4Isd-inZ45szTPt4y1PfetP4yHrCMwd0SVLJgM4mKHMLt6qaM_eQioCG3sTorL8HFaOI9Ye-Cm0l32tguWgpHvWtffa3tNBKq_scsOMXXbek/s2048/DSC_5472+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWp6s6Ool7RFtGGIHHxwZ90ygBSvC__4H4Isd-inZ45szTPt4y1PfetP4yHrCMwd0SVLJgM4mKHMLt6qaM_eQioCG3sTorL8HFaOI9Ye-Cm0l32tguWgpHvWtffa3tNBKq_scsOMXXbek/w360-h640/DSC_5472+%25282%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Further reflections - that of the midday sun - in a peaty puddle .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stanage is the classic 'Edge' - justly famed for its rock formations - beloved of local climbers for its grippy gritstone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I understand some students elect to attend Sheffield Uni mainly (or exclusively?) because of this rocky draw. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-K77HdODDr_Tv9yECq7vZbKrNNhAukPTl7I9t_zdq0IIlrKZ6Gh1z1bnOfcyhlVK69FDAgCxSHaqDUJtsvLWxSVWD9Rnty_WJ7NQFF7N5j5UIwreAz0hAcRG_YKGMcM2tDzeF4qA6not/s2048/DSC_5474+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-K77HdODDr_Tv9yECq7vZbKrNNhAukPTl7I9t_zdq0IIlrKZ6Gh1z1bnOfcyhlVK69FDAgCxSHaqDUJtsvLWxSVWD9Rnty_WJ7NQFF7N5j5UIwreAz0hAcRG_YKGMcM2tDzeF4qA6not/w640-h360/DSC_5474+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZTq3QqtzmfMYxhpvLA3Fs2a3C31mr4Tr4BvrK9fIhinkSQRoy-aB_qgiIGv9dHbZ5kn6ZYnURcFwEY5-lSim6IYapgZ5H0Z8KSqQUxWXe6Gv0tL4sYZYq7fNh06bR5n-APwA7mkxZzvf/s2048/DSC_5476+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZTq3QqtzmfMYxhpvLA3Fs2a3C31mr4Tr4BvrK9fIhinkSQRoy-aB_qgiIGv9dHbZ5kn6ZYnURcFwEY5-lSim6IYapgZ5H0Z8KSqQUxWXe6Gv0tL4sYZYq7fNh06bR5n-APwA7mkxZzvf/w360-h640/DSC_5476+%25282%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But lets not panic - just because the weather threatens, it doesn't mean we can't have <i>a little</i> fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd actually forgotten i was packing the kite - she'd revealed herself on the previous nights rummaging - i'm clearly not one of those sort of backpackers who lays everything out carefully for a pre trip 'aerial shot' - So i might find all kinds of surprises in a side pocket..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></blockquote></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWdC1lPQOF9UMlAhMn-e46TnOiPijc5wy9I-JOA-ETLBYWqdd8MLqO2VbNCAim81tNja6D8AP5F45UsSDqnK8HChTwNYSoYq06BV7QuNL_b6Zksw4DTPqMl2Lkod9mFfKX_KP5q2DSzg3/s2048/DSC_5480+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWdC1lPQOF9UMlAhMn-e46TnOiPijc5wy9I-JOA-ETLBYWqdd8MLqO2VbNCAim81tNja6D8AP5F45UsSDqnK8HChTwNYSoYq06BV7QuNL_b6Zksw4DTPqMl2Lkod9mFfKX_KP5q2DSzg3/w360-h640/DSC_5480+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taking the foreshortened view - Hmmn - murkiness abounds ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmP3ggyd2MDii5g23z_Zo3pdQuv33ztIewemRxv4kHx33Zld49mROMyUd3g8HWz7zl4VJkT_IJ-HcXMEvTY3CCaHDd5JFOpfa2hDcVppgeIE_5srhpuLG0NF6kX-KoD6kZsM_rhdug2p9f/s2048/DSC_5481+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmP3ggyd2MDii5g23z_Zo3pdQuv33ztIewemRxv4kHx33Zld49mROMyUd3g8HWz7zl4VJkT_IJ-HcXMEvTY3CCaHDd5JFOpfa2hDcVppgeIE_5srhpuLG0NF6kX-KoD6kZsM_rhdug2p9f/w360-h640/DSC_5481+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, Okayyy - i s'pose i'd better not stay out <i>another </i>night - just in case - The Moment (tarptent) is in truth really only a three season shelter - although she has withstood a fair buffeting, and gusty winds in the past.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd originally thought to camp up here somewhere, and then walk in the back way to Sheffield the following day, via what i'd been informed was quite a pleasant route</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> But the meteorology 'experts' were urging me to be cautious ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7ojIV7OgNGzAgUHd0qo7zb6ubp1vRQbIvhqtuOlt5YQWOxVBn7X0HzDTHWvJJQo2viuh6BTIHUPueAOziX3ydt-vuJBPj52LG3vTFhBY89dtPdqYUAlLk1YtuGx2-SZpxgtlbJuk3Aay/s2048/DSC_5483+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7ojIV7OgNGzAgUHd0qo7zb6ubp1vRQbIvhqtuOlt5YQWOxVBn7X0HzDTHWvJJQo2viuh6BTIHUPueAOziX3ydt-vuJBPj52LG3vTFhBY89dtPdqYUAlLk1YtuGx2-SZpxgtlbJuk3Aay/w360-h640/DSC_5483+%25282%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh OK, down this way then, the paths just here are well made to withstand the attentions of many feet, <i>and</i> rock hopping cyclists.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmpnizjtBj-0L3Ljm4xhilnhNA5g98AOvfssxWdsVER2A7E9YbYnYTFR7gZwBEVEMFY0msgAP8Ss5153iDaoEsWpZpfRCLDzqJ9Xa0wpLAjyNd6kCf4F7r_lIN_M8Ug3Jnk-ptIx4e7Rg/s2048/DSC_5484+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmpnizjtBj-0L3Ljm4xhilnhNA5g98AOvfssxWdsVER2A7E9YbYnYTFR7gZwBEVEMFY0msgAP8Ss5153iDaoEsWpZpfRCLDzqJ9Xa0wpLAjyNd6kCf4F7r_lIN_M8Ug3Jnk-ptIx4e7Rg/w360-h640/DSC_5484+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mmmn, Bye bye blocky Stanage - other diversions call ...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel_1kw1Em9kG8eC89rbQMohj1-WpEaRHaUHiSXTaLHl1r_YIbLSqdSaxCSaXeJRlihIhkiq4lBCa16PQYtSb8IFGE9Wn-hdFT6xY97Y_jDl3ufvl48zq9ovTQD-E5J6lCrNpEGVVgiShq/s2048/DSC_5486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel_1kw1Em9kG8eC89rbQMohj1-WpEaRHaUHiSXTaLHl1r_YIbLSqdSaxCSaXeJRlihIhkiq4lBCa16PQYtSb8IFGE9Wn-hdFT6xY97Y_jDl3ufvl48zq9ovTQD-E5J6lCrNpEGVVgiShq/w360-h640/DSC_5486.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Almost like entering a temple - Some compensations were in order for my early descent -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> They'd only just opened this new shop - and were liberal with coffee - and sofa space for the slightly damp hiker .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think i bought a couple of new dry bags as potential gifts - its either that or socks..</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uZ4BhyLHSSK8tM0LwoAyWtZxujmFr27ZXXFle1PmgwHxW4xFg40PsP9mkxwpOukklBzoz73kGQB648fYk7KQg5VRL7K3NyjLiPqg2HLehIxQjoaLuVTP9uHu99PqlLXEL4WaxyayAuWa/s2048/DSC_5489+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uZ4BhyLHSSK8tM0LwoAyWtZxujmFr27ZXXFle1PmgwHxW4xFg40PsP9mkxwpOukklBzoz73kGQB648fYk7KQg5VRL7K3NyjLiPqg2HLehIxQjoaLuVTP9uHu99PqlLXEL4WaxyayAuWa/w360-h640/DSC_5489+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very droll.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLvUcF_rHi6xKbckrhbRXhK6V9kxR-zy481iv4DSX7WdH5xgjItIri4nQih8QDg-iCb0x5qBTHUJRPmWC4LdijzxokKpGyVMqlhzLITDqWXWsnMIlGd4zTVVDSuL0kZPRHbziVKSQ5DXK/s2048/DSC_5490+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLvUcF_rHi6xKbckrhbRXhK6V9kxR-zy481iv4DSX7WdH5xgjItIri4nQih8QDg-iCb0x5qBTHUJRPmWC4LdijzxokKpGyVMqlhzLITDqWXWsnMIlGd4zTVVDSuL0kZPRHbziVKSQ5DXK/w360-h640/DSC_5490+%25282%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then, ah yes <i>Very</i> full - love me a decent fish pie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a sheltered campsite available - but also a nice pub doing B&B, and i can't pretend that I'm a penniless vagabond these days - its nice to enjoy a bit of comfort now and again.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYKMYieIu1dSBIqaZeQQdH1enn657hwu7-X32cQOr0ibdzGFSjVzqazZ1XlL9PQsbeErLbGbqRjHCXJyrPMFs1CWkgeGIQy6cPE-p7hcEBknfUhIBOS_3U-h87CtryQpImh1r43avKX0E/s2048/DSC_5492+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYKMYieIu1dSBIqaZeQQdH1enn657hwu7-X32cQOr0ibdzGFSjVzqazZ1XlL9PQsbeErLbGbqRjHCXJyrPMFs1CWkgeGIQy6cPE-p7hcEBknfUhIBOS_3U-h87CtryQpImh1r43avKX0E/w360-h640/DSC_5492+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next morning a scenic bus ride to Sheffi - definitely worth a day or twos exploring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2PAsdzSheoDgrvpViB_7kI_Hypt4XFOILHVcH9QEXKtMpgFb5JuDvrcjwXztZp6YjfC1ctpRudQAaKt87z63WccBe7X6cezb1I_NI_QkHz48GK_3YBVkGhS545fj72cty99hUpxsfYSZ/s2048/DSC_5495.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2PAsdzSheoDgrvpViB_7kI_Hypt4XFOILHVcH9QEXKtMpgFb5JuDvrcjwXztZp6YjfC1ctpRudQAaKt87z63WccBe7X6cezb1I_NI_QkHz48GK_3YBVkGhS545fj72cty99hUpxsfYSZ/w360-h640/DSC_5495.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>But I only had a few hours before my train to London, to join in some hairy farmer union business...</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dkpfGoWkx_RgI73Qddpl5UxfSL3R9Kkj8jGMp0_gTq5k7G7uDLqUVyOGFcVICNcW7tuU5W7YVeiPl1PVxHBQZYRGJ-9esaCGEtMzqreeTXQCukHdpTbMPoIQa4y9UKw9Kq1zpxZSqgnN/s2048/DSC_5506.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dkpfGoWkx_RgI73Qddpl5UxfSL3R9Kkj8jGMp0_gTq5k7G7uDLqUVyOGFcVICNcW7tuU5W7YVeiPl1PVxHBQZYRGJ-9esaCGEtMzqreeTXQCukHdpTbMPoIQa4y9UKw9Kq1zpxZSqgnN/w360-h640/DSC_5506.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I do quite <i>like</i> the idea, of one day, being the kind of person who swishes elegantly about the place in a cape...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJSeKByg9RLXeYjs4mdAtzhQxM1p94GIW-N1ja9ZK2fmyL5y-DHe0-WvFc8aiv6lceCYnKdQ-zsEPp4P_K_85pp52N2nhTHuVpuoni-KokttATQcEDNB30_aMeyF3il2V9GZEtqaMzmXG/s2048/mms-465067631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2045" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJSeKByg9RLXeYjs4mdAtzhQxM1p94GIW-N1ja9ZK2fmyL5y-DHe0-WvFc8aiv6lceCYnKdQ-zsEPp4P_K_85pp52N2nhTHuVpuoni-KokttATQcEDNB30_aMeyF3il2V9GZEtqaMzmXG/s320/mms-465067631.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the meantime i'll go with all the glamour of vegan cafes , with rabbits painted on their walls 👸</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back to the 'stead - just in time to wave this one ^^ off on the next leg of her lifes journey-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She had been a vital part of the farm care team in my absence - for that whole season in fact .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you, very much as ever my lovelies...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgJd6SuJ9wLZqgCxER2FLax2_ClzDF8wFiusJ1Oda7ybJpj_jvkGhbx4qplj2hb53s1HZOoBBeNUwRAzIs_OwHVk4ApxK86dQ3kAorxBUEgocnwDR9-VYR94JqGAWV0Q-61ZhH7qZnbqz/s2048/IMG_20170821_144040_682+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgJd6SuJ9wLZqgCxER2FLax2_ClzDF8wFiusJ1Oda7ybJpj_jvkGhbx4qplj2hb53s1HZOoBBeNUwRAzIs_OwHVk4ApxK86dQ3kAorxBUEgocnwDR9-VYR94JqGAWV0Q-61ZhH7qZnbqz/s320/IMG_20170821_144040_682+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Root </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- The Route. using OS Explorer OL 1 - The peak District - Dark Peak Area. 1:25,000</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A compass would be useful in case of low cloud - but there are many 'features available to aid the novice navigator</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From Hope Station, to Whin hill - then due North to Alport 'Castles' for a short tented snooze (Sorry no actual turrets, or fair maidens in pointy hats residing there)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> North up through the crags then bearing west once upon the crest down towards Howden Reservoir, north along the reservoir side for a few km - before crossing over at 'Slippery stones' - or on the bridge if no wellies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next head west on the rocky path up towards 'Cut Gate' .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here you could just continue south all along the 'Edges' towards Hathersage - but i chose (mainly for variety's sake) to descend down again via Howden Clough - going a few hundred metres lakeside before heading east again just by Ashley Tip Plantation towards Bamford House.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finding another stop for eventide snooze on the flatter top there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Final leg - continuing back down the track to the reservoir - again very briefly before finally leaving Ladybower again to ascend up Grindle Clough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On and up past Moscar House, and Moscar Cross farm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here the path crosses the A57 and turns into 'The Sheffield Country Walk' bridleway - easy to follow and giving fine views from Stanage Edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I chose to make my way into Hathersage after here because of the storm forecast - but it would be very possible to make your way eastwards into Sheffield via a number of paths from here instead -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is a rail line and bus (and tea shops :-) available in Hathersage, so this walk can be accessed by regular public transport .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm not a particularly fast walker - but neither am i a dawdler - once i get going.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The whole walk took one whole, and two half days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">i will mark the route on a map and post it here - once i've learnt how to do that </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Big Thanks to friendly Graham (wherever you may be now) for putting me onto this very pleasant introduction to The Peak Experience .👍</div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-46983970459860105412020-09-15T20:56:00.003+01:002020-11-18T15:43:21.725+00:00Making Small Farms Less Exceptional.<br />
Right now the kind of small farming system we operate here in the valley is fairly unusual on a national scale.<br />
<br />
Its compact, purposeful, and largely pleasurable to work, on a human scale that makes it feel manageable.<br />
<br />
But its also productive of good nutritous food, its profitable and it benefits both the local wildlife, and human population.<br />
<br />
So why isn't there more of this sort of thing going on then ?? <br />
<br />if its so very good , why isnt nearly everyone doing it this way ?<br />
<br />
<br />
How do we encourage the proliferation of smaller agroecological farms , producing wholesome food for their local populations?<div>Making a living through shorter, less extractive supply chains. <br />
<br />
<br />
There seems to be a measure of broad agreement that the food and farming system needs to be adapted to better serve our real food needs, the environment, the people already working in the industry, and in particular to help mitigate the climate crisis.<br />
<br />
Which roughly translates as food and farming needs to stop being a net contributor to climate change and where possible, even start to be part of the solution, through intelligent management techniques, of soil, and many other elements of the system. <br />
<br />
The methodologies of agroecology - that is the application of craft skill, knowledge, observation, and experience, combined in a complex system will necessarily require more humans to be involved.<br />
<br />
But right now the number of active farmers and food producers is decreasing. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is against what needs to happen if we are to achieve our ambitious goals of net zero carbon. </div><div><br /></div><div>And people need meaningful occupation - its hard wired into our psychological well being. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus rest and time off too.. Something many farmers don't get right now, and that's a shame as well. <br />
<br />
Over the last five or so years I've been delving deeper into what is getting in the way of all this generally better way of doing food and farming .<br />
<br />
And alongside more practical matters I've come to realise that a lot of this is a problem of mindset as much as it is material.<br />
<br />
It may seem far removed from national or global politics , but the way we view ourselves as food citizens massively impacts how we regard our food and farming systems.<br />
<br />
Is bigger always better?? The 'market' and its endless grasping for growth of profits seems to think so.<br />
<br />
Economies of scale that arise from getting bigger are often held up as a reason for favouring an expansionist mindset.<br />
<br />
Maybe if you're running a biscuit factory . or even biscuit making 'Empire' then this perhaps holds true.</div><div><br />
However farms rely on natural systems - the laws of nature even for their survival.<br />
<br />
Even the most chemically , and machinery dependent farming operation still has to rely mainly on 'external' inputs for its survival - solar gain , rainwater, and preexisting soil in which we grow our plants - whether for direct consumption - or to feed the animals on whose products we will eventually dine.</div><div><br /></div><div><br />
There's no escaping these natural realities.<br />
<br />
And if we try to force these systems beyond their natural capacity they will break down.<br />
<br />So we have to respect 'the laws of nature' - not necessarily in a 'cosmic' Gaia way - although that thinking has some useful allegory - but more just because that's how the real world actually is.<br />
<br />
The business of farming is ultimately the engagement with the building blocks of life -</div><div>- in order to make more building blocks (food) for human bodies - </div><div><br /></div><div>- and that food should nourish us in all ways if it's fit for purpose. <br />
<br />
So chemistry, biology, physics, are all the fundamentals with which we play - but in order for the play to go on we have to respect the players, the ecology that supports basic life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Soil microbes upwards. .<br />
<br />
Add into these essentials, human nature , human psychology , our concept of time - our basic needs for security of food shelter and well being - - then we have a very complex system.<br />
<br />In many cases we've tried to over- simplify these systems , control them even in the hope that they can be moulded to our will.<br />
<br />
And what is that 'will' right now?<br />
<br />
Well as farmers the current thinking is that we are supposed to be purely 'business' people, like any other.</div><div><br />Bills to pay, books to balance etc etc.<br />
<br />
Two of the ideas i was given at agricultural college - </div><div><br />
"The farm is a factory floor, just like any other"<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
"Soil is just a substrate in which we put plant roots to support and then feed those plants from a bag"<br />
<br />But when i was at (conventional) Agricultural college all those decades ago I'd already been contaminated by these "organic" ideas, from other places, and encounters. <div><br /></div><div>Perhaps using so many chemicals wasn't a good idea for many reasons - both in the short and the long term.<br />
<br />
The effects on animal and human health were already being seen, and talked about.<br />
<br />
The effects on wildlife, and broadscale ecologies were also visible.<br />
<br />But still, even now chemical agriculture is seen as 'conventional' - not using all these inputs is the outlier the 'alternative' <br />
<br />
How do we turn this around ?<br />
<br />Is it possible to revise this way of thinking ??<br />
<br />
If we don't what will happen??<br />
<br />
Ironically, the farm here makes a profit - whereas larger neighbours are struggling -<br />
<br />
Why is this ??</div><div><br /></div><div> Who, or <i>what</i>, is extracting the goodness from these medium scaled farms ??<br />
<br />If what happens here is so great - again why doesn't more of it happen elsewhere?</div><div><br /></div><div>As many questions, as answers. </div><div><br /></div><div>But still plenty of hope, and collective energy to find these solutions. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's complicated. </div><div><br /></div><div>In a way - it has to be - </div><div><br /></div><div>- If it isn't we're probably doing it wrong ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirByTm7GZX7b4pjM9UQEX_uj5fAcXikHec4tWtnA0mxMoO-6wzx3BPOJxoLoiofEu2kKQocbDw3dyLtuH12pudMQ5xdKWFCx1aC5K84NP_ZpcQ85QmcQdxPYFWLzFHS8n3rV4_6nsb3NCH/s2048/IMG_20190619_185639_976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirByTm7GZX7b4pjM9UQEX_uj5fAcXikHec4tWtnA0mxMoO-6wzx3BPOJxoLoiofEu2kKQocbDw3dyLtuH12pudMQ5xdKWFCx1aC5K84NP_ZpcQ85QmcQdxPYFWLzFHS8n3rV4_6nsb3NCH/s320/IMG_20190619_185639_976.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-5784976120075400172020-07-18T13:02:00.000+01:002020-07-18T13:02:28.688+01:00Connecting up the medias - Podcast alert !!If you are interested in listening to two <i>reasonably</i> well informed, <div>
but still, <i>deeply curious</i> women discussing food, farming, and climate change.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then you can hop onto our "Licking the Whisk" Podcast here..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/lickingthewhisk/ep3-dreaming-small">https://soundcloud.com/lickingthewhisk/ep3-dreaming-small</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
More blogging will be coming soon - but its "Access all Platforms" these days.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3r-WFYE3VzbGAEmL4EdsmiXXOL2xUVxbw8Og8zw27n8XmC2Q84EanCCylUxO2c_upGY_f3nTkwZWR704K7x4MpzdkITeBqTj_C6_j_Ti2k1MHnXP6YNmGsRLRggukSlyn7yUilX7oWbw/s1600/IMG_20180928_143213_277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3r-WFYE3VzbGAEmL4EdsmiXXOL2xUVxbw8Og8zw27n8XmC2Q84EanCCylUxO2c_upGY_f3nTkwZWR704K7x4MpzdkITeBqTj_C6_j_Ti2k1MHnXP6YNmGsRLRggukSlyn7yUilX7oWbw/s320/IMG_20180928_143213_277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are also on instagram @lickingthe whisk if you dig "The 'Gram" too..</div>
Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-72657665520915177952020-05-03T12:06:00.004+01:002020-05-11T14:48:57.275+01:00Pyrenees 2018 conclusion further Cows Kites and slightly less peril..Continuing on from here ....<a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2020/05/pyrenees-2018-kites-cows-and-mild-to.html">https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2020/05/pyrenees-2018-kites-cows-and-mild-to.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Rarely have i been quite so pleased to see flat ground..Valle de Pineta.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAJkW05QdQth9hDuGl1MGWkOCjee4kpeQBEmK-PEF910cEDvmBgg6YQdvUbZPwwdgwR12bOEsQX7kkn3wgoMVWcJz6Wf5vUZwf6-tJPR1Z3VLGnaMr0ASh0YgcQpE-OwU1aeyYwQKrCGv/s1600/DSC_7221+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAJkW05QdQth9hDuGl1MGWkOCjee4kpeQBEmK-PEF910cEDvmBgg6YQdvUbZPwwdgwR12bOEsQX7kkn3wgoMVWcJz6Wf5vUZwf6-tJPR1Z3VLGnaMr0ASh0YgcQpE-OwU1aeyYwQKrCGv/s1600/DSC_7221+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbbVaJyXqh8uJeTDwHm6yTp4Jy17Bx3Z41aQ7zQ17lLcJGeLBw0BGFuE0MIv4gGtszWvB1RYg_xxPrvBG1aiAwpvC66N4-eUKCOymLLxC6QtoTEuiyXgujCVGU5axpVsTq1M9SLZdM3eL/s1600/DSC_7222+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbbVaJyXqh8uJeTDwHm6yTp4Jy17Bx3Z41aQ7zQ17lLcJGeLBw0BGFuE0MIv4gGtszWvB1RYg_xxPrvBG1aiAwpvC66N4-eUKCOymLLxC6QtoTEuiyXgujCVGU5axpVsTq1M9SLZdM3eL/s640/DSC_7222+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>This</i> will do - very nicely thank you.. it gets dark quickly in early September - none of the lingering light of more northerly climes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzFHnvYRtZYW_grnf6fZ7gwgIfbieo_rD0czLKvVRHIY0HOi47XguE3VJsF82xk8_ZbZMoGkIpXPo1r76Bfs8jCax-U0RZP_Kg9NBwbEcz2hLeNOvSqIU2qJo2yxIeMH1ERMu3u16_1Jz/s1600/DSC_7226+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzFHnvYRtZYW_grnf6fZ7gwgIfbieo_rD0czLKvVRHIY0HOi47XguE3VJsF82xk8_ZbZMoGkIpXPo1r76Bfs8jCax-U0RZP_Kg9NBwbEcz2hLeNOvSqIU2qJo2yxIeMH1ERMu3u16_1Jz/s1600/DSC_7226+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheajQHErblqcBTstfdZ9tAMIac-W_rfregJg58Xvd8Og4ckMS8iQ0090_HfyJO3_lrXQYL0qK8txYnv9UCZeIYOABDJlS5Teo8nKbNJ75O2SZvzd6ZlvF3kssXWbp4H1ljv6cYMEg7-gDq/s1600/DSC_7228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheajQHErblqcBTstfdZ9tAMIac-W_rfregJg58Xvd8Og4ckMS8iQ0090_HfyJO3_lrXQYL0qK8txYnv9UCZeIYOABDJlS5Teo8nKbNJ75O2SZvzd6ZlvF3kssXWbp4H1ljv6cYMEg7-gDq/s1600/DSC_7228.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idly drifting clouds...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Usually, by the following morning, the previous days exertions - have turned into -<br />
<br />
-"Oh it wasn't <i>that bad</i> really" -<br />
<br />
However, in this case it took a couple of days at least - i think on balance I'd prefer it going up - with fresher legs - <i>another time</i> perhaps - maybe do the whole crossing in one go ?? A girl can dream at least ..<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdDGqL6C-W6W_cQr8N213t29mILlUDzupwCAsxC-JGc9BKPW7X1u0FNeDtgd9hyZORirMYpiPt304xku8TvQHDt6C6VrC0jGNN9y-wJKmnh4Xe8KDlotTQBzF4MNVK49RTd7iLLwEaEdq/s1600/DSC_7230+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdDGqL6C-W6W_cQr8N213t29mILlUDzupwCAsxC-JGc9BKPW7X1u0FNeDtgd9hyZORirMYpiPt304xku8TvQHDt6C6VrC0jGNN9y-wJKmnh4Xe8KDlotTQBzF4MNVK49RTd7iLLwEaEdq/s640/DSC_7230+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well stacked logpile - always pleasing to the eye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So then striding out along the valley bottom - nice flat walking after a brief river crossing.<br />
Legs are relieved.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojVEtKJPn2pCxsp78DYzqqUJ7Yy4AgmKAXt_sByvhvlWUa2Nn0drOQth8T76zhZ2eazMBSmnxDWVCfA6IAcBQ44KWW_l4dEQqaCUoFdjs6ZW35RbNy-ZUWnQmim_7-aPeaDYj6AM162hQ/s1600/DSC_7235+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojVEtKJPn2pCxsp78DYzqqUJ7Yy4AgmKAXt_sByvhvlWUa2Nn0drOQth8T76zhZ2eazMBSmnxDWVCfA6IAcBQ44KWW_l4dEQqaCUoFdjs6ZW35RbNy-ZUWnQmim_7-aPeaDYj6AM162hQ/s640/DSC_7235+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Looking back up to the previous days heady heights..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXShRtXwtpmRApm-12Z-l0DMzwgEYzyF9uH8Wgpl67h2WMWlrA4x1VWrDW0I5VMU0wiWGZgDq5KXNcBg9jsImEJTFXP1w073xJpZNrrktD0rJVasrxsmgUsTBiGlCH1lVqR_FgQROzczCc/s1600/DSC_7237+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXShRtXwtpmRApm-12Z-l0DMzwgEYzyF9uH8Wgpl67h2WMWlrA4x1VWrDW0I5VMU0wiWGZgDq5KXNcBg9jsImEJTFXP1w073xJpZNrrktD0rJVasrxsmgUsTBiGlCH1lVqR_FgQROzczCc/s640/DSC_7237+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is what happens if you don't wash the sinks at the campsite.<br />
<br />
Shabby chic can go too far ..<br />
<br />
Campsite closed at time of visiting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIKz0gR1qJo27WyDAU6Dc6ivzxQJu81wD8zNHxozLemYZtgi2K5FyBOtRRGmV4YwriQ8vLGthQuXmDadwotwhxx6RfC_J9X1zdAE-zRssZwDEhUYC5r9zg_vWB3GLtmAf-WUwD-ZTyIDh/s1600/DSC_7238+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIKz0gR1qJo27WyDAU6Dc6ivzxQJu81wD8zNHxozLemYZtgi2K5FyBOtRRGmV4YwriQ8vLGthQuXmDadwotwhxx6RfC_J9X1zdAE-zRssZwDEhUYC5r9zg_vWB3GLtmAf-WUwD-ZTyIDh/s640/DSC_7238+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
And <i>this</i> is what spring meltwater can do to bridges..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhm2faqZYowiKwekRK4p9wE-xeKtKW0H_itcvaSXtTa2LO30apcu0LsuOy_mM8L2iIB6GMs2YbMO9A6CTDzSSjUA6Jt6T_2Ul1IYm49zOOAHu3MNI1UMxsv26HDc5vRKCw1Pt-p_4cv6L/s1600/DSC_7241+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhm2faqZYowiKwekRK4p9wE-xeKtKW0H_itcvaSXtTa2LO30apcu0LsuOy_mM8L2iIB6GMs2YbMO9A6CTDzSSjUA6Jt6T_2Ul1IYm49zOOAHu3MNI1UMxsv26HDc5vRKCw1Pt-p_4cv6L/s640/DSC_7241+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
What a place for a kick about - i often wonder how it must be to grow up somewhere like this -<br />
The rest of the world must seem dreadfully pedestrian after this.<br />
<br />
Vast flat lands just seem a trifle <i>unsettling</i> to the eye..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r1lYqVAefiRpIfc8hheLOzCXxfcWqk_kAX7Sq87Dqc_HDozPRIY0rfdPtRGixRd8tiQVJiXaye3o920smwdxhzatvq-U5AJzk-YjBDylfuHZfjnu-nXkF_rwUSPOL3i5v1Su7ymUozbv/s1600/DSC_7250+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r1lYqVAefiRpIfc8hheLOzCXxfcWqk_kAX7Sq87Dqc_HDozPRIY0rfdPtRGixRd8tiQVJiXaye3o920smwdxhzatvq-U5AJzk-YjBDylfuHZfjnu-nXkF_rwUSPOL3i5v1Su7ymUozbv/s640/DSC_7250+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Yup its really just an endless succession of coffee breaks - with gentle strolls between..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Aha Hola Bielsa ... Mmmn more food , and <i>another</i> bed - signs of middle age creeping in ..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVlQbazpxD4kb2csZG0bKy5siaEO6hcs9wXsxepmiCbx75PQyUvf9uqzBAKYX5d_EuXTp9iNDoc4ohHw0Uzn-jO0pAye4l3jskZPcUTDZ6mV9JcoEeAu8orWDfnDjZ_f5fJzqM5yhMT5k/s1600/IMG_20180906_224405_767+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVlQbazpxD4kb2csZG0bKy5siaEO6hcs9wXsxepmiCbx75PQyUvf9uqzBAKYX5d_EuXTp9iNDoc4ohHw0Uzn-jO0pAye4l3jskZPcUTDZ6mV9JcoEeAu8orWDfnDjZ_f5fJzqM5yhMT5k/s320/IMG_20180906_224405_767+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />
Further signs of middle age - reading glasses !!<br />
<br />
I was born somewhat too early to be a part of the selfie generation - It still feels very odd to take my own photo.<br />
<br />
<i>Such</i> a rare occurrence in fact, that this one has been used several times now, as the conference programme headshot - and so forth - little do they know that this 'learned visage' was snapped while i perused the pizza menu -<i> i like</i> to imagine they ( the glasses) lend an air of gravitas - 50 + IQ points just for wearing them<br />
<br />
But then <i>i like</i> to imagine, all sorts of things ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_ANqljIhpUrTVgxLNnQ-dXHH-rRneXCGEUBIuiF7mhlSBdg-_su7I5aCTe_6-j9Km-UITU1yhkA4SaJlg6IhvrXlA7sLE-CgeQdesVJ54fYwZXeL7oAuWQ0O7giQzDFxfwrJ7xq7I4GS/s1600/DSC_7253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_ANqljIhpUrTVgxLNnQ-dXHH-rRneXCGEUBIuiF7mhlSBdg-_su7I5aCTe_6-j9Km-UITU1yhkA4SaJlg6IhvrXlA7sLE-CgeQdesVJ54fYwZXeL7oAuWQ0O7giQzDFxfwrJ7xq7I4GS/s400/DSC_7253.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
Thenceforth. hitching out of town northward towards France - poor timing as it was midday - and rather hot - oh well - its not as if we didn't know .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0SkIGkY6N6BtJ0B0VVFtd8SAgVVyYQVtOWfutTym3V673y9-rPAQDgD122usYo0YWINxbRUXEtZKZ7HJQvJmobbooPoZKav8AQTqT0RUia1ekTuNrdsahQu6Q7kO0M2EEP4JvLjAt_gi/s1600/DSC_7260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0SkIGkY6N6BtJ0B0VVFtd8SAgVVyYQVtOWfutTym3V673y9-rPAQDgD122usYo0YWINxbRUXEtZKZ7HJQvJmobbooPoZKav8AQTqT0RUia1ekTuNrdsahQu6Q7kO0M2EEP4JvLjAt_gi/s640/DSC_7260.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
Once we got going - after a modicum of roadside shenanigans to effect a lift - little dances and songs and suchlike - it was fairly straightforward. We were dropped by our obliging driver at Aragnoet Fabian, and idled up the sideroad to visit some more scenery.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO92Cy0o3aCW_qsl9xzn3LxPwf6_8o6TCRujnoTfODAU41W1dbD1mT52Pxr5G8OashqOMVwqMLgMubd1geu3hTMgaDT8G_R-KKAk8pU22ZeasOYiR8hEKVm7ME1pnk-kZEFu3nQQYsqnPA/s1600/DSC_7258+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO92Cy0o3aCW_qsl9xzn3LxPwf6_8o6TCRujnoTfODAU41W1dbD1mT52Pxr5G8OashqOMVwqMLgMubd1geu3hTMgaDT8G_R-KKAk8pU22ZeasOYiR8hEKVm7ME1pnk-kZEFu3nQQYsqnPA/s640/DSC_7258+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At the carpark there was a signboard depicting these nifty one wheeled chariots - I've never seen them in use - but a brilliant ruse for getting the less mobile into the wilder places - i'm wondering if they're available in the UK anywhere ..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioputMvObWf35NfCkYIg2NiLqifFoYRNeGkP4mVBdD3VMcQGUUd8LmUhzte1ItplzKx21x2QBDnaLxp5KfXZEpBnUYRsHxvATWluA7uy_UtYUGVgXqCBWpTABehCSVCFt9fvSySqLBvq4Q/s1600/IMG_20180907_214952_748+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioputMvObWf35NfCkYIg2NiLqifFoYRNeGkP4mVBdD3VMcQGUUd8LmUhzte1ItplzKx21x2QBDnaLxp5KfXZEpBnUYRsHxvATWluA7uy_UtYUGVgXqCBWpTABehCSVCFt9fvSySqLBvq4Q/s320/IMG_20180907_214952_748+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4WN30PA0PNn3Np3_2eKCS3VRiyxbkGzzcgmLkklMvKLm0Cnrd8XFPFc38gvOZUEcZGPhOJTxYwHmqEcZxkj58dvfVlFqRgOQT2ZX_LIofFDUzHz55O56nuMZRs9LMuil2_kA_ne0LhCF/s1600/DSC_7262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4WN30PA0PNn3Np3_2eKCS3VRiyxbkGzzcgmLkklMvKLm0Cnrd8XFPFc38gvOZUEcZGPhOJTxYwHmqEcZxkj58dvfVlFqRgOQT2ZX_LIofFDUzHz55O56nuMZRs9LMuil2_kA_ne0LhCF/s640/DSC_7262.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A lot of money has been invested in concrete for the dam at Lac d'Oule.<br />
<br />
The eye popping prices at the refuge there, when we stopped for refreshments, would suggest that we were funding a good chunk of it ..<br />
<br />
Its always a bit of a shock returning to France after such civilised hospitality tariffs in Spain..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx0ElpjPUSRnNoqp2Vqk6rJAT3ttIJSAM1x4JavYw7AlUXQuGCkBlCSOccMWQsNA4qC_O_GXpmeVsIU746-dL3IXjhBYIltWD-pln7kd0lDCujt4NsumVhGoim6okTXvVrHz-PtWficLI/s1600/DSC_7267+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx0ElpjPUSRnNoqp2Vqk6rJAT3ttIJSAM1x4JavYw7AlUXQuGCkBlCSOccMWQsNA4qC_O_GXpmeVsIU746-dL3IXjhBYIltWD-pln7kd0lDCujt4NsumVhGoim6okTXvVrHz-PtWficLI/s1600/DSC_7267+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW1JUzIZqbOlEF0eNbWfyRD0_W6RKik_XM-qiIAKfk1ZW07sMfmMAZ78g9Ia_zhawU8N0IRLXjtAQk3UC7mcQbYxszLsBdTDZJAbKkVR2OUU-M1dKM02X7GBdWffWTA2pBZtdgAmGrMi_/s1600/DSC_7268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW1JUzIZqbOlEF0eNbWfyRD0_W6RKik_XM-qiIAKfk1ZW07sMfmMAZ78g9Ia_zhawU8N0IRLXjtAQk3UC7mcQbYxszLsBdTDZJAbKkVR2OUU-M1dKM02X7GBdWffWTA2pBZtdgAmGrMi_/s1600/DSC_7268.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
But no matter - we wandered up the lake edge and found a nice spot to camp.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXuKnzghxpJW-zXhPDl9WCnm54aorOAV6EANwB_XQCmFaxA4Ttkuhe-T_XaoY28XSR5-9Ip6947ZTULkHJtN20pt3cGM0xTe030hWv4Q9t_wTfzFf6SN_p9hfgV31aqF8kA_bFfoKjHZw/s1600/DSC_7272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXuKnzghxpJW-zXhPDl9WCnm54aorOAV6EANwB_XQCmFaxA4Ttkuhe-T_XaoY28XSR5-9Ip6947ZTULkHJtN20pt3cGM0xTe030hWv4Q9t_wTfzFf6SN_p9hfgV31aqF8kA_bFfoKjHZw/s1600/DSC_7272.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For the next few days its fair to say we took to more of an ambling pace through the Reserve de Neouvielle,<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1SdNegMjM4z1wCathDPL9ukviNPUrhqyepzVMFR-qQNlZ03QJ2H1SDc8R4E860zx9kbzDBaAXc_C0Brw1R9YKOwImoloyzwKcOOr-bsyPAlfLvccMN4c5yjCALoOo6-XxjQ_mJf5Pjb9/s1600/DSC_7274+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1SdNegMjM4z1wCathDPL9ukviNPUrhqyepzVMFR-qQNlZ03QJ2H1SDc8R4E860zx9kbzDBaAXc_C0Brw1R9YKOwImoloyzwKcOOr-bsyPAlfLvccMN4c5yjCALoOo6-XxjQ_mJf5Pjb9/s1600/DSC_7274+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"Alpine" is probably a fair description a sparsely treed landscape dotted with just the correct number of lakes.<br />
<br />
Hills enough, but nothing <i>too</i> precipitous where the paths run.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPKb1iM_oARuMXQbQnojod67V8xqCrwGO4g3Hkk-h8NNwdo7KF7wI-yltQifvmYCa8pjgSDYJv0vtzccb9ikf-YA-oqbAwtVgmz4dGgHB1wDCzlXOVRfcb1CrVMELXls5VYPSg2hpFisB/s1600/IMG_20180908_120041_253+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPKb1iM_oARuMXQbQnojod67V8xqCrwGO4g3Hkk-h8NNwdo7KF7wI-yltQifvmYCa8pjgSDYJv0vtzccb9ikf-YA-oqbAwtVgmz4dGgHB1wDCzlXOVRfcb1CrVMELXls5VYPSg2hpFisB/s1600/IMG_20180908_120041_253+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6gkBvCrdUfLYgKlEu27sasdCWPAjKtYZGeULnxhyVL7GnNORqbPbE6SWoeqsA_Kk6JoOnSIv_DJOADaTHEeaICIUqPKC3hLxaOVbcetZPMVDEvcWbvA5rdX8Tcg3cwedLdtfaLTSeb6i/s1600/DSC_7279+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6gkBvCrdUfLYgKlEu27sasdCWPAjKtYZGeULnxhyVL7GnNORqbPbE6SWoeqsA_Kk6JoOnSIv_DJOADaTHEeaICIUqPKC3hLxaOVbcetZPMVDEvcWbvA5rdX8Tcg3cwedLdtfaLTSeb6i/s1600/DSC_7279+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68OGNN2xe6XiRcT1onieYf02W0sbH3Acf1eIw7YtS2TmWQXO8n121w45GcUfXjbB8tpkvIDK82nXqzlMo_dk7BQabn1LWUi6du4bcpZlCt5ruu74gXohJpC9rrJC4_7RDI3iRfY1XydTV/s1600/DSC_7283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68OGNN2xe6XiRcT1onieYf02W0sbH3Acf1eIw7YtS2TmWQXO8n121w45GcUfXjbB8tpkvIDK82nXqzlMo_dk7BQabn1LWUi6du4bcpZlCt5ruu74gXohJpC9rrJC4_7RDI3iRfY1XydTV/s1600/DSC_7283.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Good spots for lunch stops .<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7xzSvM-0eFscvCpRQKWKTTY9Wcjla5tXbzWzeiU8M9PTVpSnzP2iEyzAtw5HYlgbEYYP7UWywp8yEFNh5JYTF_eD2zo8zrbsdHcmKBQSZ2E3s_T1qq4EOhougiApcLIIHloaH_6k07lw/s1600/DSC_7287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7xzSvM-0eFscvCpRQKWKTTY9Wcjla5tXbzWzeiU8M9PTVpSnzP2iEyzAtw5HYlgbEYYP7UWywp8yEFNh5JYTF_eD2zo8zrbsdHcmKBQSZ2E3s_T1qq4EOhougiApcLIIHloaH_6k07lw/s1600/DSC_7287.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao8VH9UAXiU6xr2ifFa0ZSLEqHaObuD-mxXgepsOgN_DVw85uVJkqQFki8g8YRny8hKgzdecR56yocD6T0v7Q7D9cnshdsgwXgrG-8PIGq78D2RvvoWKLw0EQ79Z-bMWGlgGBuj_zS8ya/s1600/DSC_7289+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao8VH9UAXiU6xr2ifFa0ZSLEqHaObuD-mxXgepsOgN_DVw85uVJkqQFki8g8YRny8hKgzdecR56yocD6T0v7Q7D9cnshdsgwXgrG-8PIGq78D2RvvoWKLw0EQ79Z-bMWGlgGBuj_zS8ya/s1600/DSC_7289+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Not exactly 'a walk in the park' by many folks standards but it definitely feels a bit closer to 'civilisation' the GR10 runs through here - and very scenic it is too ..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddSOxpYF6qg2ykEd0nedxcqtH_hgRa9IfK9j3HgZgRsW1QkjeysugPy3nKIA5B1dZR-LGLE2gFtvwt20Se5AYqcht7-c3IXCydiUJ9UF01_3-BI8E0yWAYUD_gustdOIcWdFkaIu1yJVb/s1600/DSC_7292+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddSOxpYF6qg2ykEd0nedxcqtH_hgRa9IfK9j3HgZgRsW1QkjeysugPy3nKIA5B1dZR-LGLE2gFtvwt20Se5AYqcht7-c3IXCydiUJ9UF01_3-BI8E0yWAYUD_gustdOIcWdFkaIu1yJVb/s1600/DSC_7292+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And sometimes - Day walkers !!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg6xsYLTCBw7mPtc6gQqXH-gc8xQvq7n_0kvqrfUgbmjHU5tk69DSFElnF-6NQNQixgr67sI8RzD_LBiTg91PawphRKmx53tK7vtM6Z4C44d987gv_zWcqkqfsJLt_5tGVMckKFtojbSj/s1600/DSC_7298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg6xsYLTCBw7mPtc6gQqXH-gc8xQvq7n_0kvqrfUgbmjHU5tk69DSFElnF-6NQNQixgr67sI8RzD_LBiTg91PawphRKmx53tK7vtM6Z4C44d987gv_zWcqkqfsJLt_5tGVMckKFtojbSj/s1600/DSC_7298.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lhJdrkHuWcZd3jkwnMIp89KNb1RJELOeOhVN_g9iEX3ETt25cVKlODs9HJDl6yVHu3pxZJFRDKRGZHoGa3hwKXUYc6nAMEEyewlevOVlmd6sDkFRwj7V9f-MG2w-S1uS1q5doIDptwDZ/s1600/DSC_7303+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lhJdrkHuWcZd3jkwnMIp89KNb1RJELOeOhVN_g9iEX3ETt25cVKlODs9HJDl6yVHu3pxZJFRDKRGZHoGa3hwKXUYc6nAMEEyewlevOVlmd6sDkFRwj7V9f-MG2w-S1uS1q5doIDptwDZ/s1600/DSC_7303+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGTYv1hSSdc6HaLuU2xqNuM2KU7wNGBeF6voYhyMLqUaKBpuRqZSks1d0RpZ3oNIqGo0riqnmpBRtO3dACFBChAt_nG_SREvnEdIJrDudbTqflh9qyrPEUcPAoGv0PgjZrPWeS-NHyBNX/s1600/DSC_7305+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGTYv1hSSdc6HaLuU2xqNuM2KU7wNGBeF6voYhyMLqUaKBpuRqZSks1d0RpZ3oNIqGo0riqnmpBRtO3dACFBChAt_nG_SREvnEdIJrDudbTqflh9qyrPEUcPAoGv0PgjZrPWeS-NHyBNX/s1600/DSC_7305+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The solar panel does actually work pretty well for charging phones and powerpacks,<br />
even on the move.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Just a little bit of boulder hopping here and there, to delight the toes..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6cczGFNHq0q0-bhEWs71D4YJ2nt_XmNRnSIRe3AOt2mKBqZ7MVUYf055Dyb3-htPOTFvHGT7uoU1rqalaWeIRjZrN5xeQC57GmzNAZO4KuCGMHtPbbTN73W2j1dVJfKgwQ3hc1yVfTLK/s1600/DSC_7308+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6cczGFNHq0q0-bhEWs71D4YJ2nt_XmNRnSIRe3AOt2mKBqZ7MVUYf055Dyb3-htPOTFvHGT7uoU1rqalaWeIRjZrN5xeQC57GmzNAZO4KuCGMHtPbbTN73W2j1dVJfKgwQ3hc1yVfTLK/s1600/DSC_7308+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Interspersed by the occasional snooze, with a view.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0pc-lZjTVLEF2XCu83fzd_rztXsEI3uidCD51SkBrccWDahvQBDuEzzb1CWBeR2havU5ZrnYZXNYR05la46UBxNJZI3FLnyO2Ksqx-vE4ObPICIAKbjBdryv2aujW8dD9VNvuwHNEitq/s1600/DSC_7313+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0pc-lZjTVLEF2XCu83fzd_rztXsEI3uidCD51SkBrccWDahvQBDuEzzb1CWBeR2havU5ZrnYZXNYR05la46UBxNJZI3FLnyO2Ksqx-vE4ObPICIAKbjBdryv2aujW8dD9VNvuwHNEitq/s1600/DSC_7313+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4CPwSBkTq0o1bE9oPpQPcyz81ubX1p7UwIlFusjb6bBly8MwXLMrjKKi1fk4NqT3Gkaj4J6HH7zIaENt4qclFs2tfTfBYNHfpvni5HzklrxmGzWQzvqaK4reev6CNr_DdHUDIEYFEpTJ/s1600/DSC_7315+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4CPwSBkTq0o1bE9oPpQPcyz81ubX1p7UwIlFusjb6bBly8MwXLMrjKKi1fk4NqT3Gkaj4J6HH7zIaENt4qclFs2tfTfBYNHfpvni5HzklrxmGzWQzvqaK4reev6CNr_DdHUDIEYFEpTJ/s1600/DSC_7315+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The grey Stratospire fits in ok with the geology - not quite <i>full</i> stealth - but not obtrusive either<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUD34V7pdPRoQdCjYCvfB3LR6L3RMM1UuLqLwTe8dCkwiRMy9o19GUZVBYpt8rxm900xScfAU_PW9KFny5dhWxZMl8rbd_DK1V8A9zSMaIw71sWBeLJLEvrJwDbjUzkZYNBjMo1MaTEFPW/s1600/DSC_7321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUD34V7pdPRoQdCjYCvfB3LR6L3RMM1UuLqLwTe8dCkwiRMy9o19GUZVBYpt8rxm900xScfAU_PW9KFny5dhWxZMl8rbd_DK1V8A9zSMaIw71sWBeLJLEvrJwDbjUzkZYNBjMo1MaTEFPW/s1600/DSC_7321.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Even my companion finds himself fairly well camouflaged.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo50fZN9iAjHoTfRwju3SwyYN-vTALva6n4gqQho1fw8zem61TyPQMgGgvE8TsCr28Vqrj7EW43O3knrtcCTeSh1IAS1Fmv33G5yTRL7jkl8MbP7lGZGnC_vqe3ipoJeEuxvMtI00rP8BN/s1600/DSC_7291+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo50fZN9iAjHoTfRwju3SwyYN-vTALva6n4gqQho1fw8zem61TyPQMgGgvE8TsCr28Vqrj7EW43O3knrtcCTeSh1IAS1Fmv33G5yTRL7jkl8MbP7lGZGnC_vqe3ipoJeEuxvMtI00rP8BN/s1600/DSC_7291+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
More time is found for this kind of behaviour..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HfqHC7Ou2SCCdr426hPX7L_Xdrp-1COxfsZ-oRkfeACvemkWBfk0kPrsJv3Kuwhk3bp4Sb8CXQpu9TWJqnpl24mzzZA7CGUbmgve3k80abVYkkSzO515GD3GLpgOhKiieCN_Gdx5_EAj/s1600/DSC_7327+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HfqHC7Ou2SCCdr426hPX7L_Xdrp-1COxfsZ-oRkfeACvemkWBfk0kPrsJv3Kuwhk3bp4Sb8CXQpu9TWJqnpl24mzzZA7CGUbmgve3k80abVYkkSzO515GD3GLpgOhKiieCN_Gdx5_EAj/s640/DSC_7327+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
And for leisurely breakfast stops.. Well travelled Moma porridge - just add hot water - and its not too sweet - unlike my companion of course ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbiPG6kBHFNGbWb9Nfd-at-Du-OPJGn3yOgzMQ0AA6ArJmwXLahdrv-GXJuhekD6g9Zbt7lcqmJdVpeEr-es4qyAutsiS3LrFiwivdFa5r-CMJNe7dpiDbqBrwOBiR99BlC-cEvCWvKJj/s1600/DSC_7331+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbiPG6kBHFNGbWb9Nfd-at-Du-OPJGn3yOgzMQ0AA6ArJmwXLahdrv-GXJuhekD6g9Zbt7lcqmJdVpeEr-es4qyAutsiS3LrFiwivdFa5r-CMJNe7dpiDbqBrwOBiR99BlC-cEvCWvKJj/s1600/DSC_7331+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
The bovine appreciation society, It's not necessarily mutual, of course.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UucKX4OGjIqF6vrzAEt4SphRX88MG7EhpwDweeAoM3bfatSLg0EXTzQs8KuAf8Psen55npg4YwdggJxMK9_T-5sWFTAaYKz59DHty8OOSm-s2itzjwAm9bRLkt0pHGSqU4Ye_AMVm3_2/s1600/DSC_7332+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UucKX4OGjIqF6vrzAEt4SphRX88MG7EhpwDweeAoM3bfatSLg0EXTzQs8KuAf8Psen55npg4YwdggJxMK9_T-5sWFTAaYKz59DHty8OOSm-s2itzjwAm9bRLkt0pHGSqU4Ye_AMVm3_2/s1600/DSC_7332+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Yes i am looking at you moo moo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkxXpSoFUFU7GvdcwuMhsTPhXL42vgw6UfkbVi9GHEKr-4FvwyGjUERwaGP2-GzXN4r5s9IsE6hTbEiknSNU5AxGcuFteM_hlWbkeHY1so_JV4Bjma0CaEss7typYpS2EcuHP9YACGMRj/s1600/IMG_20180909_171514_638+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkxXpSoFUFU7GvdcwuMhsTPhXL42vgw6UfkbVi9GHEKr-4FvwyGjUERwaGP2-GzXN4r5s9IsE6hTbEiknSNU5AxGcuFteM_hlWbkeHY1so_JV4Bjma0CaEss7typYpS2EcuHP9YACGMRj/s1600/IMG_20180909_171514_638+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
You get the feeling she knows how good she looks ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Op3DXL_lYRQfgKjAVW1bPUkysyzg03fQKo0tReEbMlZ7m25DV8AJ1LDE3JuJeeDrOvnPkOefhlfuXsbKV-llh2R0cFoV9kT4mSnU9qkcizM_hLoe42u0fItus-jRarXmZXO0GAOcLcr/s1600/DSC_7336+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Op3DXL_lYRQfgKjAVW1bPUkysyzg03fQKo0tReEbMlZ7m25DV8AJ1LDE3JuJeeDrOvnPkOefhlfuXsbKV-llh2R0cFoV9kT4mSnU9qkcizM_hLoe42u0fItus-jRarXmZXO0GAOcLcr/s1600/DSC_7336+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Eventually. after much wandering about - yes i know i could describe the route in more detail - but at the same time would hate to think of anyone using this journal to find their way .<br />
That's what <i>sensible</i> maps and guidebooks are for ..<br />
<br />
At last we emerge onto the road just below the famous Col de Tourmalet - Famous among cyclists who like climbing up big hills - or at least those who like watching others do it..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-8orCDxE8C94mZVHVreAwmjzFbftqWkZE2ULWmSacarTtyar4z6G0Z6Tsr8I54GEK-eNEU5I7zdAWM4hnCCxQcln2a1YOJNFdx1FRZb_N78nmysspNbV_IXh13unYXx7YGq5oAhUMr1c/s1600/DSC_7341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-8orCDxE8C94mZVHVreAwmjzFbftqWkZE2ULWmSacarTtyar4z6G0Z6Tsr8I54GEK-eNEU5I7zdAWM4hnCCxQcln2a1YOJNFdx1FRZb_N78nmysspNbV_IXh13unYXx7YGq5oAhUMr1c/s640/DSC_7341.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The campsite at Luz San Saveur.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGY73cvAT3-oWKgqoCKAKvcwFcMLNyh1HFjrETBfgMaqciqlOUJzf5rx-LrOhAGdO_C1MoFw9Yi5m7bOznLnTIJAPWnTz7g07qeQ5bZzinTXjf3S_iNI6EjuWcl5RCLCJiesLi7iUvCyL/s1600/IMG_20180910_202533_126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGY73cvAT3-oWKgqoCKAKvcwFcMLNyh1HFjrETBfgMaqciqlOUJzf5rx-LrOhAGdO_C1MoFw9Yi5m7bOznLnTIJAPWnTz7g07qeQ5bZzinTXjf3S_iNI6EjuWcl5RCLCJiesLi7iUvCyL/s320/IMG_20180910_202533_126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihln7zAVAFtY6f8jW-3SsXDNjQOgFTkvl5nyu-X95AcWCmZVD-uoHEIVwIzBo0a48tnFjh2tnZ69jNthLJJWGdr4rse06rZZswc23QDIQHzawWVcEWuxi9p-yJP6Pd8TsQZCaEECeQCT7F/s1600/DSC_7344+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihln7zAVAFtY6f8jW-3SsXDNjQOgFTkvl5nyu-X95AcWCmZVD-uoHEIVwIzBo0a48tnFjh2tnZ69jNthLJJWGdr4rse06rZZswc23QDIQHzawWVcEWuxi9p-yJP6Pd8TsQZCaEECeQCT7F/s1600/DSC_7344+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Luz is a very pretty and well supplied town - on a river - A good quality, and priced, evening meal was taken in the Auberge that sits on the GR10</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKSBm59FfXxpNNfalZx6kQID4hj_WOzOAaN-psJVE8zB2XoyDIz8R8lmGj2FFTyjnRuMYmuD-_02OIGe4n8OBg_8rzQZGoxR8t4bWPc-IURvV5rIgUHnGMry_IuXPnHakhC-e3yJVI72R/s1600/IMG_20180909_211620_172+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="1483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKSBm59FfXxpNNfalZx6kQID4hj_WOzOAaN-psJVE8zB2XoyDIz8R8lmGj2FFTyjnRuMYmuD-_02OIGe4n8OBg_8rzQZGoxR8t4bWPc-IURvV5rIgUHnGMry_IuXPnHakhC-e3yJVI72R/s1600/IMG_20180909_211620_172+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Kitty in a niche.. on the way back to the campsite..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWSXnH_BsqquDXumEOT66iT8f2JLEeLJ9QDFEZAFwO-FRxUxF2rxDFmKVzoZlh5_8jPAqqEfPAPmjMZSzVQt86ZBa4drG_W-sv4W8PiWJYaEDyDQGxbzgGlcVjkp3rI92r3H0EbGX-B2M/s1600/DSC_7370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWSXnH_BsqquDXumEOT66iT8f2JLEeLJ9QDFEZAFwO-FRxUxF2rxDFmKVzoZlh5_8jPAqqEfPAPmjMZSzVQt86ZBa4drG_W-sv4W8PiWJYaEDyDQGxbzgGlcVjkp3rI92r3H0EbGX-B2M/s640/DSC_7370.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
Returning to Pau by various means bus mainly .. Always so hard to leave - but he looks pleased enough..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLRlrRVe4zWWyaFvie7YHlnCe9OJtXQ8BxuNCfdM7yZjjEp5Xo93IxDgT-3wgibBj3hlHYD7cpWEFwW4W5jr-IZ-_-C2m36frSrUvrPSYZgPDFXnxI8bLteW7wkYOq3bqAlnv9xEYj1Fq/s1600/IMG_20180910_160942_729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="745" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLRlrRVe4zWWyaFvie7YHlnCe9OJtXQ8BxuNCfdM7yZjjEp5Xo93IxDgT-3wgibBj3hlHYD7cpWEFwW4W5jr-IZ-_-C2m36frSrUvrPSYZgPDFXnxI8bLteW7wkYOq3bqAlnv9xEYj1Fq/s320/IMG_20180910_160942_729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After more trains - and fairly minimal transport dramas - Its back to the farm - to find that the early autumn fruits have been keeping the troops happy in our absence..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So extraordinarily lucky to have those willing hands to hand to keep everything going..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What a team .... Warms the heart.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQY2YLJJ0lQNDuyZ_8PzUbo5ngHJyXTMfacAmeCEktF5qxfDYh-3U7iUAKtHz1TTDDArKZy2Q8tNW4ZDURvehPMb_yJaQl54YskRyMItROWBNhqY_obH5wrH-06u-L8FutTmWmRI4rWfs/s1600/IMG_20180916_195009_290+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQY2YLJJ0lQNDuyZ_8PzUbo5ngHJyXTMfacAmeCEktF5qxfDYh-3U7iUAKtHz1TTDDArKZy2Q8tNW4ZDURvehPMb_yJaQl54YskRyMItROWBNhqY_obH5wrH-06u-L8FutTmWmRI4rWfs/s640/IMG_20180916_195009_290+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The next mission - is to stitch together a route that takes in all the favourite bits - and encompasses those parts missed due to bad weather - or even possibly poor planning previously.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
To fashion a more linear coast to coast route ?? Rather than the 'drunken spider on a map' meandering loop, that has become the norm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'll need to get better at plotting - thats organising for farmsitting for six whole weeks - to make it worthwhile..could that even be <i>a thing</i> ??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Remains to be seen.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As does this all remain to be revisited.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
2015</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5G5EBjWVgPuq4V7mJdX9xq7U0A2mYSj5vahrMNauuwYz-SUVhyphenhyphen6u_Fsv-byMUQa41k9UQ5e9m-oQBw34zCKjnH2z6chwL3pTj7fJWKpXAY_JHw81ggHQYOkP3h4cA2aUxfkibv5UxTlBr/s1600/DSC01467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5G5EBjWVgPuq4V7mJdX9xq7U0A2mYSj5vahrMNauuwYz-SUVhyphenhyphen6u_Fsv-byMUQa41k9UQ5e9m-oQBw34zCKjnH2z6chwL3pTj7fJWKpXAY_JHw81ggHQYOkP3h4cA2aUxfkibv5UxTlBr/s1600/DSC01467.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">My hat and gaiters were very new and clean back then ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
2016 was very hot - but spectacular being <i>up above</i> thunderstorms at some points<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22qGrGC4Co6ZuASDuZJWp9RMx26ZpYZ42kfq4kIvTDUAwtc9c2HFHmSFrHbZ-a8TiBWVf0pmuOC41StihDWU_i3MSgyII3Csjzi5q9tnVtM6F0YEpf3N7hiZFbA4SZiXb94U0oulfxBOf/s1600/2016-09-04+11.04.36+1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22qGrGC4Co6ZuASDuZJWp9RMx26ZpYZ42kfq4kIvTDUAwtc9c2HFHmSFrHbZ-a8TiBWVf0pmuOC41StihDWU_i3MSgyII3Csjzi5q9tnVtM6F0YEpf3N7hiZFbA4SZiXb94U0oulfxBOf/s1600/2016-09-04+11.04.36+1+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Monte Perdido in the background as we headed towards Sestrales..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
2017 - lots of new areas explored - looking forward to revisiting many of those - via different ways - weather at the time has precluded some higher routes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbXk0OUiMVR216cMywC2WDAX_jV2d4iva4Y4CO6oVcuvShC7Xx233oQhGE_J7nZ6G3gFSppprWWpVW6cnh9HuUnWzphY7L6GQ3Q-n8Ooe3Z4b_d6Ho6GXtlTAUtw6xoUWIdd1AwaoALyo/s1600/IMG_20170831_200132_854+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbXk0OUiMVR216cMywC2WDAX_jV2d4iva4Y4CO6oVcuvShC7Xx233oQhGE_J7nZ6G3gFSppprWWpVW6cnh9HuUnWzphY7L6GQ3Q-n8Ooe3Z4b_d6Ho6GXtlTAUtw6xoUWIdd1AwaoALyo/s1600/IMG_20170831_200132_854+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
2018 you've just seen.<br />
<br />
2019 was a pretty good year for weather and we got further east than ever before..<br />
Some gnarly parts of the HRP were <i>mostly </i>enjoyed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikagnpj1MDgsSuZdLYxJCMnq5i39gBidg-8FiD07uzzePo17pkRIBUNK7DbgN50KTGHb7TGTAhNFym0qFwDGaeja_EfSKLfYUPhraGLlLmC9TZ1cGakQzdh4FJxKv30FB_TP7wyL04FoP1/s1600/IMG_20190907_211227_064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikagnpj1MDgsSuZdLYxJCMnq5i39gBidg-8FiD07uzzePo17pkRIBUNK7DbgN50KTGHb7TGTAhNFym0qFwDGaeja_EfSKLfYUPhraGLlLmC9TZ1cGakQzdh4FJxKv30FB_TP7wyL04FoP1/s1600/IMG_20190907_211227_064.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The current circumstances are making it look like <i>perhaps</i> no Pyrenees 2020 for us??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
A shame, but absence, and the heart, and so forth . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Maybe a chance to plan for a longer trip ??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
A <i>full</i> crossing from Mediterranean Sea. to Atlantic Ocean in 2021 ??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Taking in <i>mostly</i> the HRP but with side diversions here and there -</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Not generally being ones to one to stick slavishly to a plan..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Got to keep hopeful anyhow ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The pointy parts will keep calling you back..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-11388841746802661052020-05-03T10:59:00.003+01:002020-09-27T17:04:38.889+01:00Pyrenees 2018 , Kites Cows, and Mild to Moderate Peril Continued<br />
A continuation of the August / September trip journal that starts here..<br />
<br />
<a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2018/12/kites-cows-and-other-capers-pyreneees.html">https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2018/12/kites-cows-and-other-capers-pyreneees.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl6kPshp67raLf5mlvDWES7h9ELxWPjubjpIGrYx2NMK4gPS8d5AfghbOq33Qj_PRsF7eGEbrdukK_qjy83KO1Huu_tsf6Ym4yvdNBxPen2u7rY_f558_dPP3_ViUCN5kACB9RGVQ1Q2i/s1600/DSC_7038+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl6kPshp67raLf5mlvDWES7h9ELxWPjubjpIGrYx2NMK4gPS8d5AfghbOq33Qj_PRsF7eGEbrdukK_qjy83KO1Huu_tsf6Ym4yvdNBxPen2u7rY_f558_dPP3_ViUCN5kACB9RGVQ1Q2i/s640/DSC_7038+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Sallent de Gallego</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The comforts of even the most basic hostelry are truly delicious after a few night out.<br />
<br />
A real bed -<i> limitless</i> hot water to wash - its almost <i>worth</i> getting properly dirty to appreciate the simple joy of being clean again.<br />
<br />
We'd passed through here before - going in the opposite direction some years back - its interesting how some memories stick, and others slide.<br />
<br />
<br />
Flashbacks occur at bizarre moments in everyday life - seemingly unprompted - whats that all about??<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBsUH9D8YCPp_9rpvXgGludq3RDzaw59JEAlvR0IfPyayr5RZg4EXoKkuULJ1rC8Y5h_ORX6eypFh9ohwgq5ezvA8EM6DbsWoAFhLJMan__EIEN4aH0WBNDK72wAf3AasDhz3gqLOTT78/s1600/DSC00701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBsUH9D8YCPp_9rpvXgGludq3RDzaw59JEAlvR0IfPyayr5RZg4EXoKkuULJ1rC8Y5h_ORX6eypFh9ohwgq5ezvA8EM6DbsWoAFhLJMan__EIEN4aH0WBNDK72wAf3AasDhz3gqLOTT78/s400/DSC00701.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">This from a previous expedition - mine companion had <i>at that time</i> acquired a taste for cheesy pork sausages -<br />
yes <i>i know </i>- but if we expect perfection in our associates then do we <i>perhaps</i> set ourselves too a high bar to jump as well?<br />
<br />
I <i>believe</i> the brief affaire with the monstrous hybrid, has since been laid to rest - and I'm not one to revisit past sins of relish - lest the same be done to me..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So the following day - reprovisioned - coffeed to the eyeballs and personally overstuffed with <i>double</i> hotel breakfast ..<br />
<br />
Firstly a well tended perambulate along the lakeshore -<br />
-but <i>then</i> ??<br />
<br />
How <i>best</i> to get to the start of our intended onward route though ??<br />
<br />
There <i>really</i> wasn't anywhere to hitch hike from - a fast road with no useful pull ins..<br />
<br />
So ... L<i>ets walk,</i> its only a few kms really.<br />
<br />
"Ok ,so <i>this</i> is the easy flat bit, where i have an accident, after days of rock hopping"<br />
<br />
I even <i>thought</i> those things deliberately to myself, in the hope that <i>by thinking it</i> the complacency pixies* wouldn't come and get me..<br />
<br />
Wrong - so very wrong -<br />
<br />
- A double fistful of tarmac nibbled out of the highways edge - was literally my downfall - too busy trying to avoid passing lorries, so i didn't notice the trap lurking in the shadow of the crash barrier.<br />
<br />
Oh well - there was <i>a lot</i> of smashed glass on the roadside, and none of it found its way into my knee, wewill call that a win..<br />
<br />
Just a very turned over ankle, a reasonably bloodied knee, and a <i>somewhat</i> concerned companion -<br />
<br />
Was i <i>determined</i> to ruin this holiday with my pratfalls ??<br />
<br />
* If you don't know who they are - then there's really no point explaining -you <i>won't </i>understand..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLtzCndry4T1MJ3mnSVKe-eeJ_U_V14fEeVWrj8VJislhYsPI23IBueFV6ZOIGqIKXsiXyFxAdPG-VWvfsIPtsLa8QZk8UDZuhunAdXArTliMbOt8lWECiXOdtaZK6SX0Xpy-cViO0p89/s1600/DSC_7043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLtzCndry4T1MJ3mnSVKe-eeJ_U_V14fEeVWrj8VJislhYsPI23IBueFV6ZOIGqIKXsiXyFxAdPG-VWvfsIPtsLa8QZk8UDZuhunAdXArTliMbOt8lWECiXOdtaZK6SX0Xpy-cViO0p89/s1600/DSC_7043.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully public fonts, for refreshment, and roadside first aid are fairly frequent hereabouts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
No, no, soldier on, why have rest, elevation, and ice for your sprain when you can have hot midday walking on tarmac ??<br />
<br />
So eventually, stoically - somewhat limpily we got within a couple of km of our town.<br />
<br />
And thence, happily for me at least, we were offered a lift in a van, with a nice friendly chap transporting a wheelbarrow.<br />
<br />
He was very interested in our walking plans, and insisted upon personally showing us the well hidden start of our next path - "Thank you - thank you - yes - thank you <i>very</i> much - Ok see you soon "<br />
<br />
- <i>Most</i> attentive for a local tradesman i thought - almost to the point of my fearing kidnap..<br />
<br />
(Yes i know, i <i>do</i> have a very suggestible mind at times ...)<br />
<br />
Then, after <i>more</i> drinks, <i>and </i>snacks at a local cafe -<br />
<br />
Its back up a pretty limestone gorge into the National Park.<br />
Towards Pico de las Escuellas.<br />
<br />
And always hopeful, and alert for signs of the elusive Lammageier..<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMmPULrRF81cqcOHACjyLZjRilzzDr9cVKE8-qrmVCmG4weQM93sUuc4LAX7hl2r_iB8-lMWYERncR-xVY3rRTna4b6X-zdsqcwTr8Snk_o0z5thinzdPCEihUHZZXq2sn6-KG2O6YeeT/s1600/IMG_20180903_094212_424+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMmPULrRF81cqcOHACjyLZjRilzzDr9cVKE8-qrmVCmG4weQM93sUuc4LAX7hl2r_iB8-lMWYERncR-xVY3rRTna4b6X-zdsqcwTr8Snk_o0z5thinzdPCEihUHZZXq2sn6-KG2O6YeeT/s1600/IMG_20180903_094212_424+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrt September for the Speedo catalogue ??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Stopping off to bathe my now fairly well swollen ankle - <i>this </i>was proper cold - and did the trick quite well..<br />
<br />
The ankle niggled off and on for the rest of the trip but i like to think years of foot and ankle strengthening yoga have had some effect in quicker restoration of such injuries.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBrW7p96j0AQqlz4eQPQsyQkGN_ZDviUZ25xIc5euiR90WnBMk0EhBq8odWQlqEfix3ULdSEQ6kIF53iQlGL1cp3KJrYRZpMtc1fsOJqADPqvUjSf6W3f2prNcSIa7RaaFfi-nJnKbZlu/s1600/DSC_7055+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBrW7p96j0AQqlz4eQPQsyQkGN_ZDviUZ25xIc5euiR90WnBMk0EhBq8odWQlqEfix3ULdSEQ6kIF53iQlGL1cp3KJrYRZpMtc1fsOJqADPqvUjSf6W3f2prNcSIa7RaaFfi-nJnKbZlu/s1600/DSC_7055+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Then up, and up , through a series of semi-abandoned grazing terraces.<br />
<br />
The pictures don't quite capture the bucolic charm - subtle signs of mans thoughtful tread upon the earth to carry out his country living - gently being reclaimed by nature in parts..<br />
<br />
I wouldn't mind being a herder up here - but i suppose the reality might be somewhat different to the idle fantasy spun up, on a sunny day such as this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I8vOvol-QGi6Mg6IpzB5CbGDKJWvIHyvK1xw6LqRbtJbZynlhgOtH-Bb4ajNIEnD3YcQFnUufxdyxzaf4GEXKg-VAL33k3DtIHQ8dKLdihTuBc8-KKNYBC8KLUgS63ZmbGreCfEsEeG5/s1600/DSC_7056+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I8vOvol-QGi6Mg6IpzB5CbGDKJWvIHyvK1xw6LqRbtJbZynlhgOtH-Bb4ajNIEnD3YcQFnUufxdyxzaf4GEXKg-VAL33k3DtIHQ8dKLdihTuBc8-KKNYBC8KLUgS63ZmbGreCfEsEeG5/s1600/DSC_7056+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And alluring glimpses now and then - Promises of further Pointiness to come.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ArxwYL8IgA9v2yy8iab_RA5OtIlYJkihhALqhLGUCrnJSqpsKPupvW7UKsYghVpzLMG6UHJxA6RV06m6DlAWtW75fAuZ3iOHA1_0ailragYMgExZJw_CEaa6nDrPiX2G2Aymn-WyX-Jt/s1600/DSC_7059+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ArxwYL8IgA9v2yy8iab_RA5OtIlYJkihhALqhLGUCrnJSqpsKPupvW7UKsYghVpzLMG6UHJxA6RV06m6DlAWtW75fAuZ3iOHA1_0ailragYMgExZJw_CEaa6nDrPiX2G2Aymn-WyX-Jt/s1600/DSC_7059+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then finally onto a driveable track -<br />
<br />
- Uh oh - there's a pick up coming and it has official National Park decals on it -<br />
OK just look purposeful and only passing through ...<br />
<br />
Aha, and Hola !! - Its our lift-giving friend from earlier - it turns out he's a National Park Ranger - <i>not</i> a builder - misinterpretations abound when there's a language barrier.<br />
<br />
<i>That's</i> why he had so much interest in our progressing - we're on<i> his</i> patch<br />
<br />
<br />
But its all fine - and very friendly - our being fellow ruralists ourselves wins some points - much talk* of livestock farming - wildlife - and potential stopping places - no no - not <i>here</i> of course not ..<br />
<br />
* Pretty good really, considering none of us were in any technical possession of each others primary language - i seem to remember there was a lot of delving into French, on both sides, when we were grasping for functional words..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RbMcggB6UIqjv3LQt1PmvGoH6Y9Wzw5KY4jcKrmZ9FN-anWBc3TUtmpVW6P2vPrpM_RPia9mpvJQxCanHKf81mV4T65c4oB9UwqFZITxvLcUInqOieDDqXrDGcq2f6Ee2yZG6TuM5NYt/s1600/DSC_7064+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RbMcggB6UIqjv3LQt1PmvGoH6Y9Wzw5KY4jcKrmZ9FN-anWBc3TUtmpVW6P2vPrpM_RPia9mpvJQxCanHKf81mV4T65c4oB9UwqFZITxvLcUInqOieDDqXrDGcq2f6Ee2yZG6TuM5NYt/s1600/DSC_7064+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After many friendly hasta mananas - and another couple of kms the tent did <i>in fact</i> need a bit of an airing ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMfJEBvMO2IweTDNOtLLmtA0OZ0Ri8WfEjJK0dj-BMD0b5L0hjn3tTrJu8z3YoVtF3yid7W1DWVT1cazwSTUjB7FA7BMHsk7lFkchVUgGzC6c_zWYwQeNUZf12ROLa7tpgwmjQpwjs7bA/s1600/DSC_7071+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMfJEBvMO2IweTDNOtLLmtA0OZ0Ri8WfEjJK0dj-BMD0b5L0hjn3tTrJu8z3YoVtF3yid7W1DWVT1cazwSTUjB7FA7BMHsk7lFkchVUgGzC6c_zWYwQeNUZf12ROLa7tpgwmjQpwjs7bA/s640/DSC_7071+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Pasta, mushroom, cheese and parsley 'snack' before pushing on over the pass.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAtJAC6mlrP13mjtlxBQtP1V_1YkwDAhiyHQfSDiMtv4IY5p5A17Np_EvhPv0G_TWIX_Z0FF-HHIkqtRGXZc5yfcsvknJ7kzwde1URIHYB8OIVNmZAv4M1jjaYII6igvPfFrbf8mw2ty-/s1600/DSC_7072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAtJAC6mlrP13mjtlxBQtP1V_1YkwDAhiyHQfSDiMtv4IY5p5A17Np_EvhPv0G_TWIX_Z0FF-HHIkqtRGXZc5yfcsvknJ7kzwde1URIHYB8OIVNmZAv4M1jjaYII6igvPfFrbf8mw2ty-/s1600/DSC_7072.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
or - Ah yes suddenly it's morning coffee time -<br />
<br />
- Oh dear that pasta - must have rather extended the after dinner snooze..<br />
<br />
{i blame the grandparents - My maternal grandfather if ever challenged by the local constabulary as to the legality of his parking his caravan on a lochside pull in - would assert that 'no he wasn't overnighting - just having a bit of shut-eye before breakfast '}<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYK8RnZvqYT8mFpetsKelp6DrmT1ekVZQRUIL9UZrhkgN-TnKbvUnTU4gqjkcCebiNss5QQ7dhsV3oeYQjtoUrahId7bIpKYJ8isr9IHXEKUeMbwmDaVx8xTGXud8icUgfB6DdHgs1kWzr/s1600/DSC_7077+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYK8RnZvqYT8mFpetsKelp6DrmT1ekVZQRUIL9UZrhkgN-TnKbvUnTU4gqjkcCebiNss5QQ7dhsV3oeYQjtoUrahId7bIpKYJ8isr9IHXEKUeMbwmDaVx8xTGXud8icUgfB6DdHgs1kWzr/s1600/DSC_7077+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The path swirled and climbed along the edge of a rocky precipice - up a little side valley to skirt Pico de las Escuellas just to the south .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo_hUybx6gEsGkLDum_i6td0CuH0LMQ2Q7R8yPEon5ZSjUHcNBSKvvkvxsKYfqSq3WOrxZIWcTwh2bq8eX0BzaFvBAPaUqjX6OFIK_f3yemtJf34WaJHlrr6VUjOmOToOLAkio4AqO-q3/s1600/DSC_7079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo_hUybx6gEsGkLDum_i6td0CuH0LMQ2Q7R8yPEon5ZSjUHcNBSKvvkvxsKYfqSq3WOrxZIWcTwh2bq8eX0BzaFvBAPaUqjX6OFIK_f3yemtJf34WaJHlrr6VUjOmOToOLAkio4AqO-q3/s1600/DSC_7079.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Must be the GR 11<br />
<br />
Then along, and up a hot grassy high held alpine valley - teeming with crickets, and basking cows.<br />
I have a noisy film somewhere of so many bouncing beasties.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFdJKv_5UW3eW7hILVPFzdg0ktqd4cq79bOXbH9d9ItAhLK1MO_uMTQFrcu6ofyaUCGKcibNH0pC_t198k-n98SrMdWiGF6PzfnozMQVXn2aYaVYBd2pM_uAf7ybzw4fEIUk5gQWq-6ae/s1600/DSC_7104+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFdJKv_5UW3eW7hILVPFzdg0ktqd4cq79bOXbH9d9ItAhLK1MO_uMTQFrcu6ofyaUCGKcibNH0pC_t198k-n98SrMdWiGF6PzfnozMQVXn2aYaVYBd2pM_uAf7ybzw4fEIUk5gQWq-6ae/s1600/DSC_7104+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh helloooo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwBfWhtgBylExN64IaDWsJszQPGhSiL9XPy4E4NLkuFCfed7ke6B3O67x-T4HvOP33l81rBHiP96tcoyosenkx9OpBYuFakLqSod32KnebMki8t7qsuKUaM6Am027XKTUELEduHCdM_90/s1600/DSC_7090+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwBfWhtgBylExN64IaDWsJszQPGhSiL9XPy4E4NLkuFCfed7ke6B3O67x-T4HvOP33l81rBHiP96tcoyosenkx9OpBYuFakLqSod32KnebMki8t7qsuKUaM6Am027XKTUELEduHCdM_90/s1600/DSC_7090+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
At the Puerta de Ordiso<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oNoQXojLjJcQeT7SNPJ8HZi_JWhRXNoNkJb6_b9Dci26UYNypYB7xs29VzU7ybA2ZO2GfwlvMXJLPuNxTuSdnY0PfGhOxuU2xz0U1lDraBe5yJq48HReUTCIuii3P7ZpWTa8vkx-KqoJ/s1600/DSC_7113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oNoQXojLjJcQeT7SNPJ8HZi_JWhRXNoNkJb6_b9Dci26UYNypYB7xs29VzU7ybA2ZO2GfwlvMXJLPuNxTuSdnY0PfGhOxuU2xz0U1lDraBe5yJq48HReUTCIuii3P7ZpWTa8vkx-KqoJ/s1600/DSC_7113.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A warm lifting breeze at the pass, where lunch was taken .<br />
<br />
Then down, down, down, down again - an extended descent through more alpine meadows before turning right onto another a previously trodden path - The GR11 via Bujaruelo - always worth stopping off there for coffee or beer - or both - all the beverages in fact.<br />
<br />
Before trundling on down the valley to another, now quite familiar, stopping off, and resupply point.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXJmAeVxcAmuEJ4TUvBdUuxj2KQTKTQ8l-QDFLYAaFXDFGmFo7OvPAfJEW08HIm_gQCv_csdMUF3NejX5iSO6yrUXzZHFx8QzVLrkL0flJf5COkH22oxHm4s1UqqWI9ticxkAxu83mg4/s1600/DSC_7110+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXJmAeVxcAmuEJ4TUvBdUuxj2KQTKTQ8l-QDFLYAaFXDFGmFo7OvPAfJEW08HIm_gQCv_csdMUF3NejX5iSO6yrUXzZHFx8QzVLrkL0flJf5COkH22oxHm4s1UqqWI9ticxkAxu83mg4/s640/DSC_7110+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
So many Pyreneen flowers are blue at this time of year.<br />
It would be lovely to come and see the spring blossoms one day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvca_VAcNr9uVF6sTSTsr9Fk9mhY9f3p9_AkQcVwvTwTOof1FDiYUnJzk5vjXJb5duhL18hj9d92dDvOkRdthX7spov9DLsZwaTcaoR4Vz6csjGbvLSmpAlriKTBzW-0PcDJnz4TsR2Sxi/s1600/DSC_7117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvca_VAcNr9uVF6sTSTsr9Fk9mhY9f3p9_AkQcVwvTwTOof1FDiYUnJzk5vjXJb5duhL18hj9d92dDvOkRdthX7spov9DLsZwaTcaoR4Vz6csjGbvLSmpAlriKTBzW-0PcDJnz4TsR2Sxi/s1600/DSC_7117.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wiggly tin, still firmly in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Torla is a lovely mountain town, at the mouth of the Ordessa Gorge, welcoming and well set up to serve the needs of the tourist trade, but it still feels as if its lived in too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvfM7W5CFMZwUogeqpe0oIDcVlwN9f25Obfw33dSJnVHVLT5viJw6rRFl83H5M761RKvm_34Xzq8oWWWUrvevwRgnD5x941K4iHA3YFQPVV0ZyID7hklh4SfnxySP3M5laxxzgIRllBig/s1600/IMG_20180903_174907_286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvfM7W5CFMZwUogeqpe0oIDcVlwN9f25Obfw33dSJnVHVLT5viJw6rRFl83H5M761RKvm_34Xzq8oWWWUrvevwRgnD5x941K4iHA3YFQPVV0ZyID7hklh4SfnxySP3M5laxxzgIRllBig/s320/IMG_20180903_174907_286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Plane tree bark - anything but plain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfw0VEyCXEDkU9eABW04polrAKuCLLQhhull_o4zWVgriTUmry65TqiVMqhfPZtrEXEdT-5gt2ZNeZVoV_t2IKs3QQ6emHs1foUA8E67Dr_vTNqJFff7PU_RhJJmg5QpE0PQFx0GBXrO_/s1600/IMG_20180903_225323_987+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfw0VEyCXEDkU9eABW04polrAKuCLLQhhull_o4zWVgriTUmry65TqiVMqhfPZtrEXEdT-5gt2ZNeZVoV_t2IKs3QQ6emHs1foUA8E67Dr_vTNqJFff7PU_RhJJmg5QpE0PQFx0GBXrO_/s640/IMG_20180903_225323_987+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There must be lots of salad on zero days - there is <i>no such thing</i> as too much salad OK ??<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ia-qpKuLhEslTxdpm5mf9Jph0CisiuhokdZTJRG4PO4odSRhrIhz-RjlRJ_WKN4JdVa3r08mpmBx8xKqAyTErmOdo4nuclTqhbNVKEjW_9dj6KHVONhNhJ19h2XruY-626hOLNpgqAXx/s1600/IMG_20180904_100114_634+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ia-qpKuLhEslTxdpm5mf9Jph0CisiuhokdZTJRG4PO4odSRhrIhz-RjlRJ_WKN4JdVa3r08mpmBx8xKqAyTErmOdo4nuclTqhbNVKEjW_9dj6KHVONhNhJ19h2XruY-626hOLNpgqAXx/s640/IMG_20180904_100114_634+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A touch of local domesticity ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Laying in stores for a few more days out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJIO2fWXXmbg0CaqvGyaG-KQ8rdA6rIKl3Lmp5fDpcxpg1PfmkoWTrmJQXJfQLAU16lFjPPCcy5_hB6PAIJNPFNRjcSWNJhk48fPDCV8WjCIABKtk9gEPC944Dx5G0tCGBakJujLyxw85/s1600/DSC_7135+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJIO2fWXXmbg0CaqvGyaG-KQ8rdA6rIKl3Lmp5fDpcxpg1PfmkoWTrmJQXJfQLAU16lFjPPCcy5_hB6PAIJNPFNRjcSWNJhk48fPDCV8WjCIABKtk9gEPC944Dx5G0tCGBakJujLyxw85/s1600/DSC_7135+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then a bus up the road to the mouth of the Gorge - this is the third visit - so chose a route not yet travelled.<br />
<br />
First a short, sharp, steep climb up the southerly slope of the gorge mouth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90xk5fxCWCkJqHhJ2Qjf0i-e9DR8ElSf6r9rkTabuCKnoqOKkaMfd36uky0VZJAXtVWFNQHGaxAFh5gi4M3Bxi4PePiVcDtjV4aeVST0IYAa0MFhbEf-5BgBkcOdFUf8H18Efm7wNl46C/s1600/DSC_7137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90xk5fxCWCkJqHhJ2Qjf0i-e9DR8ElSf6r9rkTabuCKnoqOKkaMfd36uky0VZJAXtVWFNQHGaxAFh5gi4M3Bxi4PePiVcDtjV4aeVST0IYAa0MFhbEf-5BgBkcOdFUf8H18Efm7wNl46C/s1600/DSC_7137.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMj6OBBVHXUiODRDc-1Z41DoA8N1CE4ntBbN3hzT5bqv6KTqWK9hxFDAYmcIlxiO6TEPLcaFlW8MM14xYbMb5_iHk9twbbDuC2iN1oK2RQfCNbhvMX9B5wtcNa4-1SHtrRixGRhhbHtkl/s1600/DSC_7139+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMj6OBBVHXUiODRDc-1Z41DoA8N1CE4ntBbN3hzT5bqv6KTqWK9hxFDAYmcIlxiO6TEPLcaFlW8MM14xYbMb5_iHk9twbbDuC2iN1oK2RQfCNbhvMX9B5wtcNa4-1SHtrRixGRhhbHtkl/s1600/DSC_7139+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />
Definitely prefer going up this sort of thing, without the trees for comfort and cover , some of these drops look huuuge. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is near the top of the steeper path up the southern shelf of the gorge -<br />
<br />
- Its over an hours thigh challenging climb - especially with newly provisioned - packs - sorry i just can't resist loading in those tomatoes..<br />
<br />
With some crumbly sections which feel a little 'edgy'<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpxJcwHSoOTjzU6OhFRrZuTihY8-r6YB0K0dfUm5tzAdPpEx4Di-O6R9sCCzXiVcoVH17IFF_5VuYTba1knATXqaG6M8iP_YXwok-mmGMuDQCyptjuc-XvLP8IgxelmGHYTdMw1BkC6zb/s1600/DSC_7140+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpxJcwHSoOTjzU6OhFRrZuTihY8-r6YB0K0dfUm5tzAdPpEx4Di-O6R9sCCzXiVcoVH17IFF_5VuYTba1knATXqaG6M8iP_YXwok-mmGMuDQCyptjuc-XvLP8IgxelmGHYTdMw1BkC6zb/s1600/DSC_7140+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />
<br />
The Mirador de Calcilarruego ( i think ) they just don't print maps as clearly as they used to .. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Next time (?!) i'll get my proper camera out - because unless the light is just right - its hard for the rocks not to seem a little washed out - of course one could spend hours prettifying things in photoshop -<br />
<br />
- Anyhow like most places you have to go there - to view its glory properly - please dont all go at once though<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSaRQI5bE8ELtAOVBdzzr_IDOWahWqyCxmgVTP5flRmoXUNwKTyQjclcr48DHKT3gLaxbyyWfPTMCeiXeueVYuF98YvupMJaBkiMCse4ij9V1dyumbUZZVMudCqqiL0CRQo0tGCqic11b/s1600/DSC_7141+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSaRQI5bE8ELtAOVBdzzr_IDOWahWqyCxmgVTP5flRmoXUNwKTyQjclcr48DHKT3gLaxbyyWfPTMCeiXeueVYuF98YvupMJaBkiMCse4ij9V1dyumbUZZVMudCqqiL0CRQo0tGCqic11b/s1600/DSC_7141+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Its hard to get a handle on how cavernous this gorge is.. trust me - its a looonnnngggg way down<br />
<br />
That's quite a substantial track on the valley bottom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72T7qxreZQSHxhg0xRCNKdiZY6HsTKsa7-roHODzcdz5Pw3ZpnxH1To6WN6BZ8WkE67yv8tLvbPUzB4U-AlpfMQWU0IGqrB3swS5Eu0hvNxjhIw643SpCiKDSCsFG4psjNg1s3TVHXwk7/s1600/DSC_7143+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72T7qxreZQSHxhg0xRCNKdiZY6HsTKsa7-roHODzcdz5Pw3ZpnxH1To6WN6BZ8WkE67yv8tLvbPUzB4U-AlpfMQWU0IGqrB3swS5Eu0hvNxjhIw643SpCiKDSCsFG4psjNg1s3TVHXwk7/s1600/DSC_7143+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What ??<br />
<br />
What did i do wrong ? ?<br />
<br />
Yes - I know the phone camera has shrunk you <i>somewhat</i> from top to bottom but..<br />
<br />
<br />
You already had a few inches to spare.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dfkuaM0FD2rlNORnWcwf377G4_YeionJW8Zlw-LKuUg_n98eSFHKfsaL-yc0bP0FjLAlZI5gRQJVwQ1qXUF7C3gAzGhsQpJRY4gHXJ0Zvmldtj_-MbQgn9vdSz99z0LGBamZo3y39OE6/s1600/DSC_7149+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dfkuaM0FD2rlNORnWcwf377G4_YeionJW8Zlw-LKuUg_n98eSFHKfsaL-yc0bP0FjLAlZI5gRQJVwQ1qXUF7C3gAzGhsQpJRY4gHXJ0Zvmldtj_-MbQgn9vdSz99z0LGBamZo3y39OE6/s1600/DSC_7149+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
The 'balcony' path, feels almost like its going downhill , but in truth its the gorge end rising to it.<br />
<br />
It starts to drizzle, but as they say - "There's no such thing as bad weather - there's just being dumb enough to go walking in it"<br />
<br />
Along here, we meet a pack of hearty runners coming the other way.<br />
<br />
There seems to be a <i>lot more </i>running about, here there and everywhere nowadays - cue me sounding like an old person - but how much do they get to see? And aren't they hastening erosion by kicking up all these divots ??<br />
<br />
But of course, it matters not - they're long gone anyhows - and what <i>i</i> or indeed <i>they</i> think is immaterial in the grand geological scale of all things..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1_zAzDX4Ih9xRUy4Jz0PYGSdE0IRV7Vd_ALuU4d8vdwziJLI4BT0sBCKbU5Yb8KepqyyB_G_HTolMyeTLCG1NGTrlYnn1Jhqh7UB6IAJHRMyvecIsSnx3U-e0d-sCVsdnZaLcGAwQ8B6/s1600/DSC_7151+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1_zAzDX4Ih9xRUy4Jz0PYGSdE0IRV7Vd_ALuU4d8vdwziJLI4BT0sBCKbU5Yb8KepqyyB_G_HTolMyeTLCG1NGTrlYnn1Jhqh7UB6IAJHRMyvecIsSnx3U-e0d-sCVsdnZaLcGAwQ8B6/s1600/DSC_7151+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
A last scrambly ascent to Goriz - the sting in the tail of an already longish walk - but having done this section before - at least its a known quantity, of potential knackeredness.<br />
<br />
"Are we nearly there yet? "<br />
<br />
- Yes we are ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkozvTriufgMkmafZkiwQNbZSCwPxyAGjVNZl_P6E1nivOTy_mLC_NkIqY9SGck5CjgzV5Hn4QcgNZjTbrQ6U7A01k6v4w6XNeAl_US1nCqD0gnr9cgeNn8KwLNLFBEZPs2EWpIw30FrJ/s1600/DSC_7155+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkozvTriufgMkmafZkiwQNbZSCwPxyAGjVNZl_P6E1nivOTy_mLC_NkIqY9SGck5CjgzV5Hn4QcgNZjTbrQ6U7A01k6v4w6XNeAl_US1nCqD0gnr9cgeNn8KwLNLFBEZPs2EWpIw30FrJ/s1600/DSC_7155+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
With perhaps forty minutes of light available after arriving.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC_0kb9cqngllwmw3yAbieJzRsY-GLnzv9RPWU3PZxcfTk99K2qPUlGltLYhKzSy2TnnRmB_FITjxTJgazJaiHZrDY8Twi_VSAAsNH-o7lMIJx8XEprzC12dSRA2RVw1TKxKV3r_h7qad/s1600/DSC_7196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC_0kb9cqngllwmw3yAbieJzRsY-GLnzv9RPWU3PZxcfTk99K2qPUlGltLYhKzSy2TnnRmB_FITjxTJgazJaiHZrDY8Twi_VSAAsNH-o7lMIJx8XEprzC12dSRA2RVw1TKxKV3r_h7qad/s1600/DSC_7196.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The Refuge at Goriz, and surrounding camping area is a busy walkers cross roads - with people having come through the the Gap of Roland from France, or having scaled Monte Perdido, and other surrounding points of interest.<br />
<br />
But it still has a wild enough air - especially in less than ideal weather.<br />
<br />
There is piped water flowing from further up the hillside for the rough camping area to use.<br />
<br />
The refuge is fine - if you like that's sort of thing - there's usually lots of hikerish sorts assuming a gimlet eyed stance on the terrace whilst sucking on a Gauloise - it all adds to the atmos.<br />
<br />
But personally, I'm not a big fan of communal sleeping (or not sleeping usually in my case)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLicDnzYndb-9CkshzKOlAYx8KTQ8JBOGKndDnNoZTuVX244aFLPorxSAKVBNo1-Vd3pxUqDSsfhJ0ABgELN9yKB-dpsS7OhFjuRaNfgHKDrH2jwTgRrClN1D1GR3mKJT7JimnoCfm35Sq/s1600/DSC_7157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLicDnzYndb-9CkshzKOlAYx8KTQ8JBOGKndDnNoZTuVX244aFLPorxSAKVBNo1-Vd3pxUqDSsfhJ0ABgELN9yKB-dpsS7OhFjuRaNfgHKDrH2jwTgRrClN1D1GR3mKJT7JimnoCfm35Sq/s1600/DSC_7157.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here a rather more jaunty <i>proprietorial</i> stance ... Proudly surveying another firm erection.<br />
( i think i was fetching water)<br />
<br />
He appears to have acquired a halo - all that precise,and well mastered tautology giving venerable beatification i guess ??<br />
<br />
<br />
Or is it just a chance placement of tussock grass ?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuRiUCKG3g98rUjo0urCf80brQodHjubxfIR3ao-3NA0hetoTuuz2hzSt7UzH6wkjnDIcqpXNigg3xez7c4NloqP-21ruhTMZCFgv5xLdYFtGxy3DvgVz69vU2ix5qfBuL2ZDib5fMWQU/s1600/DSC_7161+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuRiUCKG3g98rUjo0urCf80brQodHjubxfIR3ao-3NA0hetoTuuz2hzSt7UzH6wkjnDIcqpXNigg3xez7c4NloqP-21ruhTMZCFgv5xLdYFtGxy3DvgVz69vU2ix5qfBuL2ZDib5fMWQU/s1600/DSC_7161+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Evening comes in, geology observes us - indifferent to our flimsy wisps of nylon.<br />
<br />
<br />
Comfy hiking shoes for me - Innovate terrocs - annoyingly they don't make this model anymore - so my quartermaster extraordinaire hunts them down on secondhand sites..<br />
Always good to have a keen eyed hunter on the team..<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajtDGcYJLTUijjGIrDWRDLucj3HrnNWzk36i7zXi_CSE8zACBBwa8LI0SwIDgn5DzWeGGfctq02w4mwbcT8DyikbQZAtOUYxjLWDLPGSHKbDgDeE9J0wsD7GI5UozfO3BLk3ECgvpLO5I/s1600/DSC_7165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajtDGcYJLTUijjGIrDWRDLucj3HrnNWzk36i7zXi_CSE8zACBBwa8LI0SwIDgn5DzWeGGfctq02w4mwbcT8DyikbQZAtOUYxjLWDLPGSHKbDgDeE9J0wsD7GI5UozfO3BLk3ECgvpLO5I/s1600/DSC_7165.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The moo cows grazing the morn - they look so sleek and healthy up here..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNU6C6l9_HjBbow35TCKIjqsnjj3BFE1DRqntWhOM1aLxgASgFRooP8jANcvCqMbuTkySpxUGyyaoY2pT-BH6oBnWaxuPiRKxZimhH-az5N_5Z6_l1zOEXjccA-CG0Nfb3y6KRBw6pCri/s1600/DSC_7166+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNU6C6l9_HjBbow35TCKIjqsnjj3BFE1DRqntWhOM1aLxgASgFRooP8jANcvCqMbuTkySpxUGyyaoY2pT-BH6oBnWaxuPiRKxZimhH-az5N_5Z6_l1zOEXjccA-CG0Nfb3y6KRBw6pCri/s1600/DSC_7166+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Familiar territory again, leaving the Punta Custodia to the south - <i>so many</i> summits left unbothered.<br />
<br />
And heading towards Fon blanca for i think <i>the third</i> time now ..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfVpkqQN0eTLz7pDda2rdxaihzzXKW9erAsw-ZWL3nOoFtYT1TRxIZLsyhZD7I9mSDMFsID0qOPn8wX-SR8-Yh6WAcwHvj2FAJ6nCAV4O_b-Cu2oo8ZLpFoR8ahqVCCFqijt-ivM5_cs8/s1600/DSC_7168+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfVpkqQN0eTLz7pDda2rdxaihzzXKW9erAsw-ZWL3nOoFtYT1TRxIZLsyhZD7I9mSDMFsID0qOPn8wX-SR8-Yh6WAcwHvj2FAJ6nCAV4O_b-Cu2oo8ZLpFoR8ahqVCCFqijt-ivM5_cs8/s1600/DSC_7168+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Still a few patches here and there - but sorry no, I am constitutionally averse to snow ball fights - such a fun sponge - but i do appear to have acquired the shadow of someone else's legs --- Spooky !!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec5dBzRmjufCR3Z4fsI-ETdeSnLcCukBlkIEwp13D6p8LAph_xoRYmYPvhBQ2cWfdQawiYyoCpYx1KdAIr0plHyytzGCG_3QjAAqa9bkkuE9P28XsUQDtp7bJhu-J5Il-1lTqLitPBoDz/s1600/DSC_7169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec5dBzRmjufCR3Z4fsI-ETdeSnLcCukBlkIEwp13D6p8LAph_xoRYmYPvhBQ2cWfdQawiYyoCpYx1KdAIr0plHyytzGCG_3QjAAqa9bkkuE9P28XsUQDtp7bJhu-J5Il-1lTqLitPBoDz/s1600/DSC_7169.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98CxAxcSSe-Ird8r0TDoZBhzQeDyLDFK_X3EqzM3ixPAi5ID3Ej4HAy_hC-4wr3b6FDMRZefJBy5sXJC4sJc6eDZJ89UYVRCmqDtJkP9JQvirb89NLPuKzGNLavvlAfLTmWVlxzkQODaj/s1600/DSC_7171+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98CxAxcSSe-Ird8r0TDoZBhzQeDyLDFK_X3EqzM3ixPAi5ID3Ej4HAy_hC-4wr3b6FDMRZefJBy5sXJC4sJc6eDZJ89UYVRCmqDtJkP9JQvirb89NLPuKzGNLavvlAfLTmWVlxzkQODaj/s1600/DSC_7171+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Some of the sections of these descents - are <i>quite interesting -</i> there are even a few places where its advisable to pass packs down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg6JBSSTx1f5w7yjqDUZEfupMnE-L_UC2mZiaY3K-7BtKdDF94AS_-NOsmBbIjjpNne4AvhJmrjCIJ9bsukg0j_X0GIyIHDre76giCOTLa-5eozcIBrobU-RkKr42MkP7QScoIVuaPKda/s1600/DSC_7173+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg6JBSSTx1f5w7yjqDUZEfupMnE-L_UC2mZiaY3K-7BtKdDF94AS_-NOsmBbIjjpNne4AvhJmrjCIJ9bsukg0j_X0GIyIHDre76giCOTLa-5eozcIBrobU-RkKr42MkP7QScoIVuaPKda/s1600/DSC_7173+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Walking poles make inclines such as this far nicer for the knees - <i>and</i> the nerves ..<br />
<br />
There is an alternative somewhat gnarlier route that loses <i>less </i>height - passing somewhere along those cliffs on the left - on its way to the Collado de Anisclo -<br />
<br />
But on <i>the map</i> the dashes - then dots peter out to almost nothing - and the signboards at the path head warn against attempting that route unless you fulfil various criteria around confidence and ability -<br />
<br />
Criteria over which im varyingly unresolved - confidence and ability seem to rise and falls with the lunar cycles - or even degree of tiredness and lack of snacks perhaps ??<br />
<br />
But that's fine, I'd rather err on the side of caution, and stay in one piece to visit another day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbB20N_P-DI0_8UZnczPF_3mfLd1deXlm1-jhDb-OVmU7rnh-nG_mDENUkN7R-ZzCqSdG0QpTZfO6zBxWRHcxnDAgUYTA-ornBFrtyLHU0xzOf0TlhlQLDa7yQBmJoj-BgNQOVeJJpEo7h/s1600/DSC_7174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbB20N_P-DI0_8UZnczPF_3mfLd1deXlm1-jhDb-OVmU7rnh-nG_mDENUkN7R-ZzCqSdG0QpTZfO6zBxWRHcxnDAgUYTA-ornBFrtyLHU0xzOf0TlhlQLDa7yQBmJoj-BgNQOVeJJpEo7h/s1600/DSC_7174.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />
Oh no peeples - on <i>our</i> path - outrageous ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3jPLbF8AHSoOoWH4ruM1Nb2ro91iyNicVNxNHxIV92grUXdcCK1KxOzsIUayaRdOgQPVOuMnEUpqHtGNyeklxXfv-luzoESptDp9wwFAYJfAEPsKy4ryzylkr2hQpLmXBHL37f1rk_kc/s1600/DSC_7175+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3jPLbF8AHSoOoWH4ruM1Nb2ro91iyNicVNxNHxIV92grUXdcCK1KxOzsIUayaRdOgQPVOuMnEUpqHtGNyeklxXfv-luzoESptDp9wwFAYJfAEPsKy4ryzylkr2hQpLmXBHL37f1rk_kc/s1600/DSC_7175+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Nearly at the bottom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9wpcLiJwxbCPGoNU1zmH3uMIeBpkgwJvAoSwj9JfxnnAr5u2qw_Nmf38aIzrugKlLiaxz_5Li-1gkLp6yIzHYbzbg4CpDDV3am-3F6FimgOQB3et7MUn3iI8RqwtNcINqENErS78ADka/s1600/DSC_7177+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9wpcLiJwxbCPGoNU1zmH3uMIeBpkgwJvAoSwj9JfxnnAr5u2qw_Nmf38aIzrugKlLiaxz_5Li-1gkLp6yIzHYbzbg4CpDDV3am-3F6FimgOQB3et7MUn3iI8RqwtNcINqENErS78ADka/s1600/DSC_7177+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There's a small slot at the base under which you could bivvy if you were so inclined.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpzmWFyLJzyT2ErS0HaFhCKyDQfRmbJrMQ_0A8JjDk-yIALoNOTAkczbiv8r0jDgodbxU42_Ybfhb5TyJn4kAAFJeRsnZ5OTTVZWioW7WkQF9ZsmHIAFhgFTHE4Fa6GT70JKkCoi14E0-/s1600/DSC_7178+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpzmWFyLJzyT2ErS0HaFhCKyDQfRmbJrMQ_0A8JjDk-yIALoNOTAkczbiv8r0jDgodbxU42_Ybfhb5TyJn4kAAFJeRsnZ5OTTVZWioW7WkQF9ZsmHIAFhgFTHE4Fa6GT70JKkCoi14E0-/s1600/DSC_7178+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Or stay here perhaps, if circumstances precluded a tent..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k8YIAwLFBN3t1TyuKyQbN6dVZWqTRbeUZ3sfBod_NiIfQLUFY0tMasReq5XfdrhaImvHHv_7n4wCysZy23nHgFqjlr15AacUxKHs7dbG-OEFt2ltdpsfs38gWGKwQy5l3t0ltf28vX_W/s1600/DSC_7179+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k8YIAwLFBN3t1TyuKyQbN6dVZWqTRbeUZ3sfBod_NiIfQLUFY0tMasReq5XfdrhaImvHHv_7n4wCysZy23nHgFqjlr15AacUxKHs7dbG-OEFt2ltdpsfs38gWGKwQy5l3t0ltf28vX_W/s1600/DSC_7179+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And then starting to climb up up up again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozHPexStGtFAobafBCZpuprmsNjFtJvYKt6EsInDWtrVBOVfThCNYZwLi7cN82BSnuKDdp6oG0Jas2oT_n6HoZZSavTyiinHVVphQoC0rbRNPDKOnsb5CR5nmNYY4aQF_V2HALDGBdBeu/s1600/DSC_7180+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozHPexStGtFAobafBCZpuprmsNjFtJvYKt6EsInDWtrVBOVfThCNYZwLi7cN82BSnuKDdp6oG0Jas2oT_n6HoZZSavTyiinHVVphQoC0rbRNPDKOnsb5CR5nmNYY4aQF_V2HALDGBdBeu/s1600/DSC_7180+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rather fond of these purple shorts </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Tired of waterfalls ??<br />
<br />
Tired of life perhaps ??<br />
<br />
A short stop for a snack lunch - but no bathing or camping this time - pressing on up the valley towards the col instead - not been this way before.<br />
<br />
Highly picturesque.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZDZm54k19NhhgvqLllqn4D2w5bEkPk_qQRvGlsK-ysGRW-Nm8Hk38Phh98Iw6haVIErZGdoNPXcgRNireqLIemmYM_Gf4a6VLFn3L0JxUbuBg90PhagHL9ExUIn8hnmz3rHfFoQ-efCa/s1600/DSC_7182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZDZm54k19NhhgvqLllqn4D2w5bEkPk_qQRvGlsK-ysGRW-Nm8Hk38Phh98Iw6haVIErZGdoNPXcgRNireqLIemmYM_Gf4a6VLFn3L0JxUbuBg90PhagHL9ExUIn8hnmz3rHfFoQ-efCa/s1600/DSC_7182.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A series of waterfalls - up the side of which you must ascend - then a less steep meadow area for a few hundred metres - before ascending yet <i>another</i> waterfall - and another - oh yes - and <i>yet more </i>waterfalls<br />
<br />
Turns out you <i>can </i>get rather tired, of relentless waterfalls .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlVjao5DJMo_ZhMJsg4Fmimxg2-hP7hgvwWxwYFZjjrDztwtc_JBoZlN7GKa-2mzrUbsWVjOKEqjiDbgJsykYg1GSigeP-zx0SbDFuGGDEkhCVX5-grsSD1gvVY7AL8CNWtVQRn6p05eC/s1600/DSC_7183+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlVjao5DJMo_ZhMJsg4Fmimxg2-hP7hgvwWxwYFZjjrDztwtc_JBoZlN7GKa-2mzrUbsWVjOKEqjiDbgJsykYg1GSigeP-zx0SbDFuGGDEkhCVX5-grsSD1gvVY7AL8CNWtVQRn6p05eC/s1600/DSC_7183+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
But still really <i>mustn't</i> grumble<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqYsqiCvZpU_Ty_61LZxqK6dtxPI4IJu7YxzIjBYWmIlpKs5BvIjXMUbdjd29XCSot5DEyMAk747ZK9kKnWJzyVwaJl_mcB3YJGDHrDFSkINib2yQ7DCG9pYj_4zbmEwWrphfGMamnbMD/s1600/DSC_7185+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqYsqiCvZpU_Ty_61LZxqK6dtxPI4IJu7YxzIjBYWmIlpKs5BvIjXMUbdjd29XCSot5DEyMAk747ZK9kKnWJzyVwaJl_mcB3YJGDHrDFSkINib2yQ7DCG9pYj_4zbmEwWrphfGMamnbMD/s1600/DSC_7185+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Up and up and up - then up a bit more up perhaps -<br />
- a 'false' col hovering ahead luring on the optimistic ..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblj7L2T4EYJfdWwDWpW3MtkxlOjU6IWm4RbLTbXZldM29B47MY0P-5JQbytJUVR_bQ4qW4OivO7If5YVuNzBgbnshV6J-_9MkH7VV1NSqbHdh8eWIY1m1f7sP_veoL6SiHOZsvxjeE6-t/s1600/IMG_20180907_102503_300+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblj7L2T4EYJfdWwDWpW3MtkxlOjU6IWm4RbLTbXZldM29B47MY0P-5JQbytJUVR_bQ4qW4OivO7If5YVuNzBgbnshV6J-_9MkH7VV1NSqbHdh8eWIY1m1f7sP_veoL6SiHOZsvxjeE6-t/s640/IMG_20180907_102503_300+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ohh, and awww, now a tragic drama of everyday not-so-bucolic reality, is played out.<br />
<br />
A flock of ewes, and lambs picking its way up to the heights taking the same route as us - only <i>perhaps</i> a tad more nimbly?<br />
<br />
Little lambkin, its umbilical cord indicating its nubile nature, gets left behind, reluctant to leap a stream - but negligent mater presses on impatient ..<br />
<br />
But <i>then</i>, whats this ??<br />
The innocent youth espies a pair of well turned calves, and immediately, quite understandably in fact bonds with the trusty-looking limbs.<br />
<br />
Only the most hard hearted temporary foster parent, could resist picking up the infant - and carrying it to the waiting throng for reunification.<br />
<br />
Well who knows if it regained its dam ??<br />
Perhaps - perhaps not - not much room for parental error here.<br />
<br />
But at least we (he) <i>tried .</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcrQ5kTkKRkYExGqqCT7nnUb0AowacoTH1WpdqXcOBXt1gQqHEM6qhgdELPqpWEeIuhRrdYEKhLkC0K5N-zINmJ-7OPmzp4cAAETu8vqCJgaSIVcEcB0obADCuYnhx_C6bKGvLDl695eO/s1600/DSC_7203+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcrQ5kTkKRkYExGqqCT7nnUb0AowacoTH1WpdqXcOBXt1gQqHEM6qhgdELPqpWEeIuhRrdYEKhLkC0K5N-zINmJ-7OPmzp4cAAETu8vqCJgaSIVcEcB0obADCuYnhx_C6bKGvLDl695eO/s640/DSC_7203+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Following that brief spell of international rescue - and more ascent - we attain the col de Anisclo, after what seems like hours and hours, but was probably less than two from Fon Blanca - No no, of course i didn't grumble <i>at all</i> .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here we met a party of French walkers - and after the usual apologies from us over</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
"That Brexit Business" - Shaking our heads in bemused European solidarity, i asked one of the number to take a photo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Thinking (in error it turns out) that the worst of the days' work, was done - <i>See</i> how cheery i appear .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
But, look out behind you missus - its an abrupt descent to the valley bottom - pretty much straight down, the contour lines are more a solid mass than anything discretely discernable - crumbly, slidey edgy, a bit <i>much</i> for <i>already</i> tired pins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I know, <i>such</i> quantities of moaning - soo ungrateful for my holidays..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Half way down, i actually do get a call from someone at home - who is dutifully picking and packing tomatoes - </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbORfQnxzeL64Id2IMJuAVE53u0Re1tIyfZVqHrT6yUcYF4vZABTXCqOU5XqhDNEPjcIcqC2KsMabMq9Q5EX_VPa-SJ7JT61VcehoQrsHszRN9opJU2tGrXKHw4i7fTa0tsnkE83y0B7V/s1600/IMG_20180801_203651_007+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbORfQnxzeL64Id2IMJuAVE53u0Re1tIyfZVqHrT6yUcYF4vZABTXCqOU5XqhDNEPjcIcqC2KsMabMq9Q5EX_VPa-SJ7JT61VcehoQrsHszRN9opJU2tGrXKHw4i7fTa0tsnkE83y0B7V/s400/IMG_20180801_203651_007+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mmmmn, there's an abundance of these on the farm at this time of year - almost too many - so it always feels a little odd to be cosseting two shop bought ones over several days and highpasses in the mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Where are the brown paper bags ??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Would they need to buy more ?? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
A rather odd place to be considering such matters..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
But this also gave me pause to reflect, that my holidays, can often feel twice as exhausting as running a farm - Why <i>on earth</i> do we do this to ourselves ??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Well, those who <i>do</i> feel the urge to do this stuff - know <i>precisely</i> what it's about - </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And for those who can't see the point ?? Well there's <i>really</i> no point trying to explain .. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Each to their own ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNmL55GAFAepZ0O9jwjIjf-st2ka044MCFEu2sU0iWJJkJUjm8hjbnzT3OxygMnewDLUvk33Og2Bj5l2IfoTsQO7fQojW5czRN4PyXeABv2Mz5oIgN9DuyM6OBPwXr70ThfYdADSN3pPB/s1600/DSC_7209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNmL55GAFAepZ0O9jwjIjf-st2ka044MCFEu2sU0iWJJkJUjm8hjbnzT3OxygMnewDLUvk33Og2Bj5l2IfoTsQO7fQojW5czRN4PyXeABv2Mz5oIgN9DuyM6OBPwXr70ThfYdADSN3pPB/s1600/DSC_7209.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj_zQoF9jLlVBiwZJYC3eHRzWKB0Ra8ZJDJiNZMeuTOnJFIjFcajNRz1j133b-6I7jVwtFptRFrF2hJeKDIeOadGexEG3vzGoasDoF95sSQWFgICLeMnVDwiq4GzVdlBeVRRf-2zgfqWh/s1600/DSC_7210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj_zQoF9jLlVBiwZJYC3eHRzWKB0Ra8ZJDJiNZMeuTOnJFIjFcajNRz1j133b-6I7jVwtFptRFrF2hJeKDIeOadGexEG3vzGoasDoF95sSQWFgICLeMnVDwiq4GzVdlBeVRRf-2zgfqWh/s1600/DSC_7210.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Poor old knees in the Pyreness...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegIOqWIKvXXh-LYy2b1r8IiuZ4dStUfZIknEGlTdIITx-7fAhexx7W_53In-NxX2EZWETdeNuQWvDw9N3gulXU9WiPtjcJqYsJQXtQIGRZMAzP3QZFg2yY3ohuH4kNDR2WiJI3NHDWIIz/s1600/DSC_7215+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegIOqWIKvXXh-LYy2b1r8IiuZ4dStUfZIknEGlTdIITx-7fAhexx7W_53In-NxX2EZWETdeNuQWvDw9N3gulXU9WiPtjcJqYsJQXtQIGRZMAzP3QZFg2yY3ohuH4kNDR2WiJI3NHDWIIz/s1600/DSC_7215+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Gravity is not always our friend.<br />
The descent really did feel like it went on for ever - relentless - and precipitous in places - then just when it felt <i>almost </i>near journeys end - a series of down scrambles on wet slippery rocks - with the occasional chain to cling to.<br />
<br />
The light was noticeably slipping away too - couldn't I just lash myself to a tree and sleep here ??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZVjDvCf6UaMXpuYFlLGOYGNOkmlZAfVglsQMqQMR1caB6dtfuVJP1eWMFFr4zfJIo7t74_RZ52BAMf1LUePFOnKmNAgFqb9mxP1TQZV6jy6KDiQZpo6u7nUXShPYTJjDyMK1hu-Wg1Kj/s1600/DSC_7216+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZVjDvCf6UaMXpuYFlLGOYGNOkmlZAfVglsQMqQMR1caB6dtfuVJP1eWMFFr4zfJIo7t74_RZ52BAMf1LUePFOnKmNAgFqb9mxP1TQZV6jy6KDiQZpo6u7nUXShPYTJjDyMK1hu-Wg1Kj/s1600/DSC_7216+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The places we find ourselves - and the ultimate luxury we have of putting ourselves through it all ..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Continued here.. <a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2020/05/pyrenees-20018-conclusion-further-cows.html">https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2020/05/pyrenees-20018-conclusion-further-cows.html</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-72705008744758290962020-04-07T11:55:00.000+01:002020-04-16T12:27:52.405+01:00"A New Land Army" ??? The Food Crisis - highlighting the need for - and giving opportunity for change - in our food systems.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need to make small farms like this less 'exceptional' perhaps ??.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1-pwQ16Y55tl42YKh5zR-G977NZC62zVY37_PJSJB6bNZ4z3xI1zacY0U7eOw6N1tW_aD5NyFD_r800_kFeAdnkRfFlSF7omzMROpZlMVHeqXWxrap8Tk5kEGlcaHlLXiusPBwjKxunq/s1600/IMG_20180119_181936_154+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1-pwQ16Y55tl42YKh5zR-G977NZC62zVY37_PJSJB6bNZ4z3xI1zacY0U7eOw6N1tW_aD5NyFD_r800_kFeAdnkRfFlSF7omzMROpZlMVHeqXWxrap8Tk5kEGlcaHlLXiusPBwjKxunq/s320/IMG_20180119_181936_154+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time for a new “Land Army”??<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a long time agroecological farmer and grower, I’m
presently trying to make sense of the current ‘food landscape’ as it unfolds,
and possibly unravels, in the face of the Coronavirus crisis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cracks are starting to show, in what many, perhaps, felt
was a robust, and endlessly productive system of farming, and food production.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, the absence of migrant labour to do field, and
harvest work, and other constraints on production, and distribution of food in
the UK, is very likely to cause shortages of certain foodstuffs, before long.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was already going
to be a problem, post-Brexit – but now it would seem the issue is doubly pressing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The whole topic is of very personal interest for me on many
levels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It also feeds into how
the food politics landscape can, and indeed <i>must</i> change over the coming
months and years, if we are to achieve quality food security – surely a
cornerstone of human health and well-being on so many levels<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I’ve frequently been asked, how all this disruption has
affected my business, of late, and I’m<i> happy</i> - but hopefully not<i> too</i>
smug - to report that the answer to that is “Not all that much really”.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If anything, there’s been an upswing in interest, and
business.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having been involved in farming, and food production, one
way or another for the whole of my life, its often easy for me to forget, just
how far removed from their food sources the majority of the population has
become.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who grows, and processes it, how, and where??<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As someone who manages to makes the bulk of their living from
producing food for their immediate community – mainly vegetables and eggs – I’m
definitely in at the business end of all this – whilst also involved in the
campaigning, education, and research, side too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not having been born, or married into agriculture, I’m also very
aware of just how difficult it is to get to this ‘happy place’ where it <i>is</i>
possible to make a stable income from producing good food for the local population.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But a combination of <i>some</i> luck, early training - a National
Diploma in Agriculture, and experience – working on many other farms and
holdings, plus enormous amounts of help and encouragement from others, has
brought me to what now feels like a tremendously privileged position.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Living on our land, working alongside good people,
producing quality food, <i>and</i> making a modest living. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this <i>shouldn’t</i> be a rarefied occupation, only
available to the lucky few, who have somehow negotiated the many hurdles placed
in the way of landless farmworker without external funds – to becoming an
agroecological farmer, and economically viable business operator. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I’m referring mainly to fresh vegetable production here,
as that it’s my principal activity here on the farm, but much of this can
equally apply to other food stuffs.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The farming, growing, and direct sales system here on this
small farm means that we grow a very wide variety of crops – over fifty - which
builds resilience to any partial crop failures, and in many cases means that pest and disease
build up aren’t really a problem, so long as good rotational practices and soil
care are observed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Added in to that, a slightly more relaxed attitude to ‘weeds’
so that natural insect predators are a present, ready, and willing pest control
squadron – working for free. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not a case of being anti mechanisation, or technology
either - Some moderate mechanisation is used here, initially for larger scaled
cultivations, and compost / soil amendment distribution, but after that, it is
mostly skilled human labour that plants, maintains and harvests crops.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So labour requirements are spread out more manageably over a
whole year’s cycle of growing – which in turn makes for stable labour
requirements over that whole year – meaning local people can be part of the
workforce all year round.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two flocks of laying hens in mobile coops, clear crop
aftermaths, and contribute extra value and income to the veg box scheme through
which our produce is marketed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So far so good.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, there are a multiplicity of barriers that present,
before we can expect to scale up, and transition to this becoming seen as the resilient
‘new normal’ in terms of food production and distribution, on a more nationwide
scale.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One issue that comes up repeatedly is the difficulty of
gaining secure and affordable access to Land - – to allow
food producing businesses to be viable in the long term – High rents or mortgages,
and insecure tenancies make this unsustainable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are also problems around the lack of appropriate
training, finance availability, and access to markets, in addition to other
sticking points, such as planning regulations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But all of these topics are being addressed in their ongoing
campaigns by The Land workers Alliance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These issues are ongoing, their existence has just been
brought into sharper focus by recent events. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And meanwhile, back in the slightly less fortunate world,
our current predicament, is starting to highlight just how nebulous that
illusion of abundance on our supermarket shelves really is</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Just in time
deliveries’ through long and complicated supply chains – often from overseas -
has created too may links in the chain – it only takes one of these to break,
for the whole system to fail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we need to acknowledge how ‘artificially cheap’ most
food really is - relative that is to everything else that has massively
increased in price in our ‘basic needs’ budgets. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, food banks have become a ‘necessary’ evil, because accommodation,
and other costs have risen way above affordable levels for those on the very lowest
income.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That the environment, public health, and workers were
already suffering, as a result of these artificially low returns on food
production, was already fact, before the current crisis <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>As I see it, we’ve got the system, and its ‘complexity load’
back to front.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Industrialised agriculture, has <i>oversimplified </i>the
production end – in order to ramp up short term production and profits - banks or
agronomists selling inputs will encourage this – so we have pest susceptible monocropping
– over use of heavy machinery – and requirements for a type of labour which is
both monotonous and <i>hard</i> on the human body.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often using season migrant
workers, or others with insecure labour status. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Added to that, the toll on a human psyche, that can arise
from spending long days operating machinery with no better company than the
tractor radio.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile the <i>complexity</i> involved around <i>getting</i>
produce to market means that the multiples tail, is wagging the dog of
production. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Produce is grown for shelf life, uniformity, and cosmetic
appearance, not to supply good nourishment to humans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At each stage from field to supermarket there is another ‘extractive device’ taking away some of the return to the farmer, packaging, transport,
refrigerated storage – costing energy, creating waste, and arguably extracting
nutrition from the food itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The high material input costs of diesel, and agrochemicals
needed to facilitate the scales at which produce is grown, extracts another
tithe from farmer, without making any contribution to the rural economy, or to
real livelihoods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Surely it would be better all round, for more of these
inputs costs to be going towards wages paid to skilled craft workers, giving meaningful
year-round employment, to those suited to it, and creating long lasting jobs in
our countryside and peri-urban areas? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Real fresh food, eaten close in time and location to its
source,<i> tastes</i> really good – so we want to eat more of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It becomes a ‘virtuous
circle’ of appetite.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All this is already happening here on this farm, and on several
other holdings UK- wide, but we are relatively few and far between as a result
of the conditions within which we operate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we want more fresh produce on peoples’ plates – and thereby
contributing to better public health overall then it would seem to make far
more sense to turn around this system of complexity where possible, and shorten
the supply chain, from field to fork.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a robust food web of local producers and consumers –
interconnected in reality – but using online tools as well, to facilitate
distribution.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rather than trying to
maintain the present, rather shaky, long linear rope bridge of supply – those separate,
but fragile links in the chain either hold together – or they fail together as is
being illustrated now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So perhaps that the notion of a plucky “Land Army” as is
being proposed in some quarters, is yes, a necessary but hopefully only temporary
fix – in our present food emergency. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But its aspirations, and tone are still speaking to that somewhat
aggressive, extractive, mechanistic, ‘quick fix’ method and attitude to
production, that could be said to have landed us in this unstable predicament
in the first place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We can’t go back to normal after all this is over</b> – and
many would argue we shouldn’t even try, particularly if we want a better system
that puts good food back where it should be - as a source of human nourishment,
wellbeing, health and social enjoyment –
the lack of which many are probably feeling right now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This will require a lot more hands directly on the land – a deindustrialised
food revolution even – take ingenious, hardworking people, back to the place
from which all food, and nourishment springs – well managed land itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we can use the modern methodologies, and knowledge that
we already have - those which harmonises with the <i>natural</i> processes of
ecology which are already available to us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The exploitative, harmful, and deeply unsustainable model of
food production currently in existence needs to change – not only because of
this health crisis – but also because of the climate, ecological, and animal
welfare crisis that was pressing on our heels just before all this happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, yes, In the short term, this year and perhaps the next,
it may well be imperative, instructive even, for gangs of students or
unemployed youngsters to go out to the fields to help with the necessary field work,
and harvest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I hope that also, they can get the message that it doesn’t
<i>have</i> to be vast acreages, of one monocrop, where the human body has to
work at the speed of the machine – that’s inhumane – and in truth can’t be kept
up as a lifelong occupation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can do it
differently – it’s happening right now – some of us are already doing this
stuff – surviving, and even thriving on the land.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the longer term we need some of that “Land Army” to
become a sustained, longer-term workforce, valued, and recompensed properly,
for the critical work they do to maintain and enhance the health of our nation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Food and farming need to be recentred as vital, and
vitalising to human society, ecology and economy – recognised as a ‘Public Good’<br />
There’s nothing inherently wrong with trade, and commercial activity, done for monetary gain, so long as it’s done on
fair terms – Which means a sustainable income is available for the farmer or grower, whilst affordable good food is available for <i>everyone</i> – not just the privileged few.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ruth Hancock is lead grower at Fresh and Green Vegetables, a
medium scale vegetable box scheme in East Devon, which has been operating since
2003.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ruth is a Coordinating
Group member of The Land Workers Alliance, she also runs occasional learning,
and skill sharing events at the farm. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<br />Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-39492963509096628952019-03-14T22:49:00.000+00:002019-04-02T21:20:52.464+01:00An anti-clockwise survey of the Shires <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>i've not done any trip writing for such a long time , and its one of my favourite things ever that can be done sitting down - in moments of peace - i don't know what's with all this self denial of innocent pleasures nonsense ?? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>How about some 'doing it just because you feel like it, if you please'?</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
So all that sage talk of 'not mixing business with pleasure', is fine for those with generous acreages of time to spare.<br />
<br />
For some of us its getting our kicks where we can.<br />
<br />
Two weeks booked off - well <i>almost off</i> - the fun outdoorsy times being bookended by radical farmer business - excursion details yet to be devilled .<br />
<br />
<br />
If you think <i>all that</i> presents a packing nightmare for a sub 45 litre backpack - you've be <i>very correct</i>.<br />
<br />
So chuck in the survival essentials, and hope for the best.<br />
<br />
Tent, mat, sleeping bag, stove - clothes for hot, clothes for wet, clothes for dry, rudimentary wash kit.<br />
Emergency rations..<br />
<br />
Off first to support a hastily arranged "Good Food March" for October in London.<br />
<br />
Came off rather well, all things considered.<br />
<br />
Food and farming done properly are really rather important for so many things.<br />
<br />
Thankfully our population, and even some politicians too ?? Are at last waking up to the urgency of the situation - we cant keep doing things as we are - we need to make some radical changes to our food system.<br />
<br />
European cities have much larger versions of these same events - but you've got to start somewhere right??<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo77AxSE13EZdRUgzQQdETXkc_xRHXSh1X2siuwCvcVw0O9DKFVT4ATBPhKldkhojPmvKn69wFJnnGvm548aWxkDdWt_53XXAL7am5rPW0kEskbGgrS8EKzRroBDezMlBIGSeC2iMDRvR4/s1600/IMG-20181015-WA0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo77AxSE13EZdRUgzQQdETXkc_xRHXSh1X2siuwCvcVw0O9DKFVT4ATBPhKldkhojPmvKn69wFJnnGvm548aWxkDdWt_53XXAL7am5rPW0kEskbGgrS8EKzRroBDezMlBIGSeC2iMDRvR4/s640/IMG-20181015-WA0010.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More farmers - better food. <i>Better farming</i> better food, as a consequence...<br />
<br />
I'm the one in the red coat with a saucepan - only one of two times on the whole trip that i had to get the Paramo (tm) out.<br />
<br />
It was fun stopping the traffic on Westminster bridge with a John Deere - in truth rather newer and shinier than the kind of kit most of us run... Slight tractor envy going on perhaps . </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A really good turn out given the short notice - we even had a spontaneous join up from a local samba band.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Berlin equivalent of this gathering has tens of thousand turn up to support for good farming and food - hopefully this is the start of something bigger.<br />
<br />
<br />
At the Oxo tower Thameside we held a two day mini farmers market too, with much meeting and greeting to promote the cause.<br />
<br />
And a spectacular small farmers exhibition, over several floors created by The Gaia Foundation.<br />
<br />
Lots of smaller scaled farmers do Feed the World ..<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1zBvYtUX3bGUQ7mR54Wm86z4PATOUpUjmqx-dj-d_T8vRJ4pFVH8lYkT1XQlPwQfMhjpClXN4E3CC5BE1SSNsUoQ_7k_C2_rTBaSnQKYnbu4UGarHO09s1HoB2uPMcI2_jHg5lyiy_S0/s1600/IMG_20181017_084614_158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1zBvYtUX3bGUQ7mR54Wm86z4PATOUpUjmqx-dj-d_T8vRJ4pFVH8lYkT1XQlPwQfMhjpClXN4E3CC5BE1SSNsUoQ_7k_C2_rTBaSnQKYnbu4UGarHO09s1HoB2uPMcI2_jHg5lyiy_S0/s640/IMG_20181017_084614_158.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlTUV1ZKv_5YWzJTkKfORbwslDs9aUIOFqPoeNcmapu4Tyief0bmUyO0mGNZ-zA9FU_ui4Qju2VOvwYG0z-HkOOlJGCYkEOHZaeJgALCzMRgXh1opyKC4lOZl5L_Dl8aA6b5vFEIwkZk2/s1600/IMG_20181005_125110_595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="718" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlTUV1ZKv_5YWzJTkKfORbwslDs9aUIOFqPoeNcmapu4Tyief0bmUyO0mGNZ-zA9FU_ui4Qju2VOvwYG0z-HkOOlJGCYkEOHZaeJgALCzMRgXh1opyKC4lOZl5L_Dl8aA6b5vFEIwkZk2/s320/IMG_20181005_125110_595.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hospitable welcomes in town from compadres of all backgrounds - no shortage of bonhomie.<br />
<br />
And a bouldering attempt in the local climbing wall - just because.<br />
<br />
More practice, and time investment required for sure - as with most skills - but the length, strength and flexibility bestowed by years of yoga practice were handy to have as a starting place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6etT8U4sNh6bdI4rgKa-_AB9JRH-E1AfisDKLbDxfjKgeaYa9Oee5EJ4nErwrnX0eeB-0jo2zU4j5GYbqKtRCyNJJZNv_aXQT9YQT6Cl8psrtXnRDiC0KVmPPYITwPcaYmQuAbZbcb2i/s1600/IMG_20181015_155117_087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6etT8U4sNh6bdI4rgKa-_AB9JRH-E1AfisDKLbDxfjKgeaYa9Oee5EJ4nErwrnX0eeB-0jo2zU4j5GYbqKtRCyNJJZNv_aXQT9YQT6Cl8psrtXnRDiC0KVmPPYITwPcaYmQuAbZbcb2i/s640/IMG_20181015_155117_087.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Not entirely certain where next though - apart from 'North'<br />
<br />
A train booked some time back - perhaps as far as Darlington - but nothing nailed down.<br />
<br />
With a life so prescriptively full with farming, and teaching - a little wiggle room as to scheduling is often craved.<br />
<br />
After map perusals a reasonable route was decided.<br />
<br />
Jump off the train at Northallerton, then a series of ever diminishing buses (size wise) to Hawes in Wensleydale.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY-TsDLVcKvCIKN27ZKp1CipEW6oy-zBYoLhC0wDVSU0NC8MUWFVCXesiw3bIeZPQ2kbDE1dmm933KP89ZMBLCC9Qos1mxs5CqauBCqtlzqs6EBg6r5tXQOUlMMMq3pQ3E7bFJqrpTKA8/s1600/IMG_20181017_134204_486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY-TsDLVcKvCIKN27ZKp1CipEW6oy-zBYoLhC0wDVSU0NC8MUWFVCXesiw3bIeZPQ2kbDE1dmm933KP89ZMBLCC9Qos1mxs5CqauBCqtlzqs6EBg6r5tXQOUlMMMq3pQ3E7bFJqrpTKA8/s640/IMG_20181017_134204_486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Stopping off for a late lunch between buses - i had cycled through here a couple of years back on a bike tour - there is something about northern hospitality - even in the honeyed pots - that feels qualitatively different to down south - maybe biased by my Yorkshire roots perhaps ? Anyone of a certain age immediately puts me in mind of my grandparents.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
As the buses get smaller, they get friendlier - by the end of it i could have been taken home for tea by any one of my fellow passengers.<br />
<br />
But resolve was sturdier - and then even more so for being much fortified by<i> </i>local buns -<br />
<br />
So i headed South on the Pennine way .<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6GWbjjfxtktS50y7tONePYXuGGKrP1Q96cYyj8kvoiTZy5FWFcua-J7O5fpRNR7ieYOLgdHFmKi1nIuH-x7kkAn6waL0HYPT7xA_lp38CSWTm4ygP5xaJRkwYh6eHEcTGiAVT4wp_jxQ/s1600/IMG_20181026_205403_523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6GWbjjfxtktS50y7tONePYXuGGKrP1Q96cYyj8kvoiTZy5FWFcua-J7O5fpRNR7ieYOLgdHFmKi1nIuH-x7kkAn6waL0HYPT7xA_lp38CSWTm4ygP5xaJRkwYh6eHEcTGiAVT4wp_jxQ/s640/IMG_20181026_205403_523.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Looking back towards Hawes after circumnavigating some teensy fieldlets - its all too Cutieful .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As is often the case - getting out of town is more complicated than navigating once in open country -<br />
<br />
All sorts of initial convolutions via farm yards, or rerouting through housing estates.<br />
<br />
But less than a couple of hours saw me well up onto the tops , and soon looking for a pitching space among the sink holes.<br />
<br />
High wide views available, all round, with the walls threading down to solid farmsteads below.<br />
<br />
The local stone is perfect for this kind of building, but still it would all have to be shifted by hand -<br />
so there is an economy of placement, and a fit for purpose look to all of it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgEr0KIylbt8E0FIk34EsQhGke7PoSKpbCNhhSKxFoGxxEeu4qBprQWXpimBx4gehwewDWeeG6NDqtGoEZtCGR0vPejSkf1YeVwIIh_TCa8aKHrRsbzZycwJpxREuOnUWDVZiV-1hDQmj/s1600/IMG-20181017-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgEr0KIylbt8E0FIk34EsQhGke7PoSKpbCNhhSKxFoGxxEeu4qBprQWXpimBx4gehwewDWeeG6NDqtGoEZtCGR0vPejSkf1YeVwIIh_TCa8aKHrRsbzZycwJpxREuOnUWDVZiV-1hDQmj/s640/IMG-20181017-WA0001.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Yeah yeah, i know - inadvisable frost pocket - <i>this</i> is what happens when you let wimmin out by themselves - so impetuous just looking for pretty views.<br />
<br />
I haven't had so many nights out in the newish The Moment, as i'd like yet maybe fifteen nights in total - but so far so good.<br />
<br />
Pretty quick and easy to pitch - cannot abide much shelter fafingf - tented tautology trials aren't a great field of interest to me - I prefer it all be over as quickly as possible </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Being a creature of that very moment i had pitched in the warmth, and view of the setting sun, hunkered in a slight hollow, out of the wind.<br />
<br />
Of course, come the morning this was precisely the correct location for a frost pocket that wasn't going to thaw in a hurry .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5IeuCfuSw8IfC9eYjBkAef7pEAfo2p9uia9Yk2m_8_J35liv4XaoibVLrJzM2gfhT8_-E3Ncj-i7SgRnmSjYQvucRXHKXK_Blh_ZLJZDGi63ZRa2khd5itW2675sxp7Xw4mxDCLYNqYQ/s1600/IMG_20181018_120405_944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5IeuCfuSw8IfC9eYjBkAef7pEAfo2p9uia9Yk2m_8_J35liv4XaoibVLrJzM2gfhT8_-E3Ncj-i7SgRnmSjYQvucRXHKXK_Blh_ZLJZDGi63ZRa2khd5itW2675sxp7Xw4mxDCLYNqYQ/s640/IMG_20181018_120405_944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So shake the worst of the ice off the shelter, pack up and onwards south into the warming sun.<br />
<br />
Staying nicely high , with clearly defined features such as this, its easy to pinpoint ones location by wall shape, and contour .<br />
<br />
Plenty of little streamlets along the way for water refills too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXD9n8tnDEm6ivGgn8gPeKL6pC4JbkY_ytW3V34ZtcYy_wjkumpIAY9C-h6d-2L7RqqPS2-dvTjwOTX4-o6iX85r1u1SLav0CpYZx0Aal8uNu0OQwcypJ0ruw-hg6PUDOqTGtn5s4A_ZS/s1600/IMG_20181117_222710_415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXD9n8tnDEm6ivGgn8gPeKL6pC4JbkY_ytW3V34ZtcYy_wjkumpIAY9C-h6d-2L7RqqPS2-dvTjwOTX4-o6iX85r1u1SLav0CpYZx0Aal8uNu0OQwcypJ0ruw-hg6PUDOqTGtn5s4A_ZS/s320/IMG_20181117_222710_415.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Point taken - but there's only so much beer a girl can port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I drink the water, straight out of the streams up here - 'no filter' as they say..<br />
Despite the presence of grazing sheep.<br />
<br />
Never had a problem with it - just luck ??<br />
<br />
Or a well developed biome from years of filthy grubbing about in the earth?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is wonderful striding country - the way is fairly obvious and the views are long .<br />
<br />
I'm almost starting to believe my own 'personal weather system' conceit - annoyingly lucky as a rule.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJerhAyZ_zr-HiaGySXDayKFSEGpi92vQcWC6PpJMAnLhH2Sypp5Dxr2h1WBpTKdmDIGf241Cmks0ziHmB4MvuNme7rHowT_N6rHC9pMKSAZwD_91aMJFCU-LOZ2OjBsF69xbqUSA9FEK/s1600/IMG_20181018_144338_884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJerhAyZ_zr-HiaGySXDayKFSEGpi92vQcWC6PpJMAnLhH2Sypp5Dxr2h1WBpTKdmDIGf241Cmks0ziHmB4MvuNme7rHowT_N6rHC9pMKSAZwD_91aMJFCU-LOZ2OjBsF69xbqUSA9FEK/s640/IMG_20181018_144338_884.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Astonishing amounts of work to build and maintain - but looks so right in the landscape. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJSVTPahdK_CObznWsmUXl_ihgw7J5YdrRm6lPlsmiwfPQOwefzKs19rulh4QQ_R4tNnzu4aRW_AP-2nNWyfME2ZS4ispweo7Oc3SBbZgj_rGtmoqMk-5Gyrsg6Yd260OFPne6xnXEljQ/s1600/DSC_7401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJSVTPahdK_CObznWsmUXl_ihgw7J5YdrRm6lPlsmiwfPQOwefzKs19rulh4QQ_R4tNnzu4aRW_AP-2nNWyfME2ZS4ispweo7Oc3SBbZgj_rGtmoqMk-5Gyrsg6Yd260OFPne6xnXEljQ/s640/DSC_7401.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Tiny pockets of woodland, where grazing animals have been excluded - such as here in this rocky goyle. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The fairweather luck some recompense for spending much of my working life being drizzled on??<br />
Or just the warmth of my personality - driving away the drear??<br />
<br />
The Three Peaks hereabouts all visible - but i'm only planning on <i>one</i> thank you very much - not greedy you see?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqmyeGWdyUQe5VKWrkYVyXwaZ590FEkqORP7q0Mg_a4O06uXwkojlN4knHxJCEXr-7Xr3LW2aeRq3ySO3tgf5YLfjRQwcsHTe6qskHT3U4-_PdxbwEvvQLXQU7cN8Cin9qLEcoeYq28eS/s1600/DSC_7415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqmyeGWdyUQe5VKWrkYVyXwaZ590FEkqORP7q0Mg_a4O06uXwkojlN4knHxJCEXr-7Xr3LW2aeRq3ySO3tgf5YLfjRQwcsHTe6qskHT3U4-_PdxbwEvvQLXQU7cN8Cin9qLEcoeYq28eS/s640/DSC_7415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOgGubLK5tpvioQn-s7BBiIfyrvW90ppRTSHFHBqn-xpIL0NKnCaUI3hCPcY-9s9v3pBX-oasm2Reg8OMgFHvkvkHzpBR_AHzI-0AIerqnqoFP4HIqYnY_9r2rcdWcnb6JPsnS6odWp_F/s1600/IMG_20181115_132041_029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOgGubLK5tpvioQn-s7BBiIfyrvW90ppRTSHFHBqn-xpIL0NKnCaUI3hCPcY-9s9v3pBX-oasm2Reg8OMgFHvkvkHzpBR_AHzI-0AIerqnqoFP4HIqYnY_9r2rcdWcnb6JPsnS6odWp_F/s640/IMG_20181115_132041_029.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Eventually dropping down into Horton in Ribblesdale with hope of finding mid afternoon refreshment - before continuing to find that nights stopping place.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Jtpg3prRjZY_gd6FIlQFdiXqNepHUau8j3k_qJF_VmgGXLjDLDs1e0fVHLltPYAbIhBOojR5gM3rEErugOG-PGwM3u7xu3yzjRo43qJLc_4OxCN6YaCwTVSJsR1NoJVbKHrpT0xdodz8/s1600/DSC_7417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Jtpg3prRjZY_gd6FIlQFdiXqNepHUau8j3k_qJF_VmgGXLjDLDs1e0fVHLltPYAbIhBOojR5gM3rEErugOG-PGwM3u7xu3yzjRo43qJLc_4OxCN6YaCwTVSJsR1NoJVbKHrpT0xdodz8/s640/DSC_7417.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />
looking back north, some comfy close cropped turf. would make a lovely pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Sadly the township was a tad disappointing - The 'nicer' pub ( according to some local walkers) was closed - The 'legendary' cafe same ..<br />
<br />
So trail back to first passed establishment - Not the most welcoming in truth - lots of signs of the dire consequences should anyone be caught 'interfering' with the fire, or indulging in frolicksome activities in the garden , or any other number of bacchanalian sins, that thirsty miscreants might dream up ..<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Never mind - woman might not live by crisps, nuts, and orange juice for ever - but she can at least survive the afternoon on them,<br />
<br />
So back up and out of the village - gorgeous stoney paths through sculptural walls to approach the westerly flanks of Pen y Ghent.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmNaMWadlJSSkI5f_ugTmIoURmjfSgQ7IYSJQk70Se9RxqHBKtxj7JIWjwovlic1yTfw9_wXFR74u5UR0CTMfd3dH-A8XsblXwyOoYUJnGHvVADXXRxZKEQUPqJHb_s3g7EPP_ZaWPbiQ/s1600/IMG_20181020_171815_693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmNaMWadlJSSkI5f_ugTmIoURmjfSgQ7IYSJQk70Se9RxqHBKtxj7JIWjwovlic1yTfw9_wXFR74u5UR0CTMfd3dH-A8XsblXwyOoYUJnGHvVADXXRxZKEQUPqJHb_s3g7EPP_ZaWPbiQ/s640/IMG_20181020_171815_693.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-PaJKGJe6lx_6on5Ew7QIY4BPuT9O6LKpUyp5G80o0HV4qpCVgVDENEh2fg4oqCrlCKKkx2eWE4a8blQJUGz7w2NpGzgOkB4d99ApGVmcqNXdk6x6fkqjMQNsH_kDZG0RE24Lyq8lcAY/s1600/IMG_20181018_170623_894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-PaJKGJe6lx_6on5Ew7QIY4BPuT9O6LKpUyp5G80o0HV4qpCVgVDENEh2fg4oqCrlCKKkx2eWE4a8blQJUGz7w2NpGzgOkB4d99ApGVmcqNXdk6x6fkqjMQNsH_kDZG0RE24Lyq8lcAY/s640/IMG_20181018_170623_894.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQF49gcgaPTGwOF9leTRhwyK7ZFEJMlyDQg7GaHPnNM9oJrBtA3w5OJjoaa_ESS43rZpk3qnJl7S_6skYKjSUeu9ifP2y0df4dbVpt7FcsFHfTbgo0GVzQmBTw2cTOXKcuD40_jVorMP7/s1600/IMG_20181019_095841_856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQF49gcgaPTGwOF9leTRhwyK7ZFEJMlyDQg7GaHPnNM9oJrBtA3w5OJjoaa_ESS43rZpk3qnJl7S_6skYKjSUeu9ifP2y0df4dbVpt7FcsFHfTbgo0GVzQmBTw2cTOXKcuD40_jVorMP7/s640/IMG_20181019_095841_856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
balmy evening light. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And yet another lovely evening.- including tentative explorations of sink holes - not so much water just here - but 100 yds up the hill there is plenty.<br />
<br />
Earlyish start ( for me) and on up into the clag on the top of Pen y ghent - She sounds like she's been displaced from Wales..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GOrfrIVmA6rJEQAXDAxrsUcBKY732U26r3VubwdxKK_AgempXWNGWeGqnxdEE2k8wpq3p2H1NUeE3G0R-xv0T62j4H2_o-Y-MKjgqUuCqcUq6QJFOvQ8_9K2pXLCi6wWB2mbTkwpT5Zk/s1600/DSC_7435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GOrfrIVmA6rJEQAXDAxrsUcBKY732U26r3VubwdxKK_AgempXWNGWeGqnxdEE2k8wpq3p2H1NUeE3G0R-xv0T62j4H2_o-Y-MKjgqUuCqcUq6QJFOvQ8_9K2pXLCi6wWB2mbTkwpT5Zk/s640/DSC_7435.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oooo er</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Somewhat eerie coming across such severely dressed stone near the top - as if mounting to a Cathedral that is yet to be built<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNZu2jGw9VmrEvb7BUzlpFVA00ptGXDnmUqPfqrbJYLQwk2QHr_qTNIDo5XU8KTas-LvqzgFytLyRP8g9Q-BoXMBes8LPHB_3nGmp75YVWSW5bQV1PMMxXKZ-i4NIaVyfHKbniBqdOlqw/s1600/DSC_7438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNZu2jGw9VmrEvb7BUzlpFVA00ptGXDnmUqPfqrbJYLQwk2QHr_qTNIDo5XU8KTas-LvqzgFytLyRP8g9Q-BoXMBes8LPHB_3nGmp75YVWSW5bQV1PMMxXKZ-i4NIaVyfHKbniBqdOlqw/s640/DSC_7438.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Don't lean back.. too far</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeBJyIs6KkqagBtoPNXUPfniQlkGe6oK_IoQlRjc77JNaNAU5dRVkqAgjjPdut82gWPj3m40ZFetQYLYHIAL229clVCRb9J8DuRzrhEi8t17tetl_tzJSvIx_Cztn-rqDJOQ9l3r2pw1N/s1600/IMG_20181021_184837_566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeBJyIs6KkqagBtoPNXUPfniQlkGe6oK_IoQlRjc77JNaNAU5dRVkqAgjjPdut82gWPj3m40ZFetQYLYHIAL229clVCRb9J8DuRzrhEi8t17tetl_tzJSvIx_Cztn-rqDJOQ9l3r2pw1N/s640/IMG_20181021_184837_566.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then a stop on the top, for a brew in the serpentine bench, <i>almost</i> out of the wind.<br />
Its an eaves droppers paradise - in the equivalent niche on the far side of the wall - a party arrive after me, and stop for same - no clandestine secrets really - but still amusing.<br />
<br />
Peeling down off the other side now - more stony going here - good fun.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu04qiDCxbkbzhvlqPCyo3A5YT0gmejsIjT7dhRIdSlucPQzFpeefhBUWVoF-ORwS86MeBwNaq1oWh_xFBX2a7I4qrG8icnBD4SbiAA-t6BBldmuPgXLf60vn_O0pCFl8ST7wi56mBJ31/s1600/IMG_20181019_120533_454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu04qiDCxbkbzhvlqPCyo3A5YT0gmejsIjT7dhRIdSlucPQzFpeefhBUWVoF-ORwS86MeBwNaq1oWh_xFBX2a7I4qrG8icnBD4SbiAA-t6BBldmuPgXLf60vn_O0pCFl8ST7wi56mBJ31/s640/IMG_20181019_120533_454.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Pennine way Heading south.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4NJekIp_rYZdtBPbbgyA0VseobeW9IxpEST3IRbEN8sxDnIhVg2ChKfPDBdEc__GTDOi_ZWy6qxTXAznSejtnkMLCPdyUfrVlqtCx-fQByXles_W-oQyvq9sbX9O2qcg8usax2xqQKs3/s1600/DSC_7454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4NJekIp_rYZdtBPbbgyA0VseobeW9IxpEST3IRbEN8sxDnIhVg2ChKfPDBdEc__GTDOi_ZWy6qxTXAznSejtnkMLCPdyUfrVlqtCx-fQByXles_W-oQyvq9sbX9O2qcg8usax2xqQKs3/s640/DSC_7454.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Looking back - its a very regular shaped hill..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeix6gzj4jOIM9szeZndMcIezKq-d1xpNabV3d3CjdZb2vDzGmRouBrJW0Vw3GhKvhw_lzwQwXgz3EJKeOvwM9YfPX9AOjHNwiJYCTy67BykvLdqq8jnYrnEIalAXQLUwOf4ETct-7kQi/s1600/DSC_7455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeix6gzj4jOIM9szeZndMcIezKq-d1xpNabV3d3CjdZb2vDzGmRouBrJW0Vw3GhKvhw_lzwQwXgz3EJKeOvwM9YfPX9AOjHNwiJYCTy67BykvLdqq8jnYrnEIalAXQLUwOf4ETct-7kQi/s640/DSC_7455.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Properly sunken looking sink hole </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_tndOmTPInVz5iR34Y6X_RwK2FgiM8nImsDB70Lzb9EN_TeSAPc3skylA21pcC3nPUt-KLkbwkQkeUZ8foDP3s-REeqFNru_4y5KTMPnPl4r29BiCYHMgetyUKzxvBDB3K6GCPUWM-wd/s1600/DSC_7460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_tndOmTPInVz5iR34Y6X_RwK2FgiM8nImsDB70Lzb9EN_TeSAPc3skylA21pcC3nPUt-KLkbwkQkeUZ8foDP3s-REeqFNru_4y5KTMPnPl4r29BiCYHMgetyUKzxvBDB3K6GCPUWM-wd/s640/DSC_7460.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Again more long-paced country - so very few folks about - mid week i suppose - lucky for me - up and over another tussock of moorland -<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG9t9GC6ZdGvTBntDBE2LXeQqEHVc9bB-Xfa49Q5fKBwJjsO4lcmt5t7PTnL_OpHWyhX4AY6FbqFh5mvCsz9Qbn3kEi1NxgO_SR5JGGCNlavk80O5ti7T9q0bxmIOgyn0dcqS6H58HRTl/s1600/DSC_7462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG9t9GC6ZdGvTBntDBE2LXeQqEHVc9bB-Xfa49Q5fKBwJjsO4lcmt5t7PTnL_OpHWyhX4AY6FbqFh5mvCsz9Qbn3kEi1NxgO_SR5JGGCNlavk80O5ti7T9q0bxmIOgyn0dcqS6H58HRTl/s640/DSC_7462.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Oh ok - will do<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGwV7qpwddXNQ16aWcSe5C9N0rLUoO5Sv1C0IZwb2r1bBWfKPn1nOlPlpfVvEqTKa7xdvVuA0pfT5o7d35a9yvcNkQrPjc5B0AswZvIseP7qNigMGwRZb_5TBljqYnHS4hVfABJ96PNAJ/s1600/IMG_20181019_144234_197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGwV7qpwddXNQ16aWcSe5C9N0rLUoO5Sv1C0IZwb2r1bBWfKPn1nOlPlpfVvEqTKa7xdvVuA0pfT5o7d35a9yvcNkQrPjc5B0AswZvIseP7qNigMGwRZb_5TBljqYnHS4hVfABJ96PNAJ/s640/IMG_20181019_144234_197.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
One especially for my bovine fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbAofr5Ff2Xq8V8L7mxgbhUv3XLnAQujYpfu2RbKJGwofJlmae31DApsNs5qFNbR0MxrVhfm4mPzb7i7qCFlIQlRDtQPI7fLWJxqir8AOzNAfIM7mxX5-hATw1poOUEPTbiVYziiJ5f-S/s1600/DSC_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbAofr5Ff2Xq8V8L7mxgbhUv3XLnAQujYpfu2RbKJGwofJlmae31DApsNs5qFNbR0MxrVhfm4mPzb7i7qCFlIQlRDtQPI7fLWJxqir8AOzNAfIM7mxX5-hATw1poOUEPTbiVYziiJ5f-S/s640/DSC_7464.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
I espie the glinting strip of Malham Tarn far far over there </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvCozZ5e60Era117P40dn10MK-k03shwvz4QH-A6Ov4PhBDl8D4OCN32zYi_pdnCF8yzEd0TmBCOsWZiSXdhqYLnYxvYNzVAoZ0aBPwfUD5RF5yE6nE3nXXkUf5_5an3toCTLA4czLuuE/s1600/DSC_7474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvCozZ5e60Era117P40dn10MK-k03shwvz4QH-A6Ov4PhBDl8D4OCN32zYi_pdnCF8yzEd0TmBCOsWZiSXdhqYLnYxvYNzVAoZ0aBPwfUD5RF5yE6nE3nXXkUf5_5an3toCTLA4czLuuE/s640/DSC_7474.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The farming country here looks rich, and prosperous - which has meant the disposal of many a handsome wall over time - but for cheaper food and economies of scale then thats sometimes a circle which will be squared off.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BGw3NyzXqTaBkl7cjR3R5Iuzr3gcWX_uO32VS6MLiQBccT7JWvi7W2deV6t_t89Z1IHqi0uNuwJqNm5sug8wX4y0E3_5wq_W64G04n96GU8IC6Lh96J_EQibtO3ZNvYFjQstv56Qv66C/s1600/DSC_7482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BGw3NyzXqTaBkl7cjR3R5Iuzr3gcWX_uO32VS6MLiQBccT7JWvi7W2deV6t_t89Z1IHqi0uNuwJqNm5sug8wX4y0E3_5wq_W64G04n96GU8IC6Lh96J_EQibtO3ZNvYFjQstv56Qv66C/s640/DSC_7482.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">much rich and visible geology , hereabouts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWmfNwcbvkmitZPInfxsIrrx1NiNkLiKII01MQQ_oASNXe_oaFWswIu6vWr-izlWYm81M3hI-gbbSfQqGAlrdyIDkxi8FFqk4N1GF0bHhoBqfOTrkox2OX7POrhyphenhyphenQLbGNpZb4Qr7OaUDE/s1600/DSC_7479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWmfNwcbvkmitZPInfxsIrrx1NiNkLiKII01MQQ_oASNXe_oaFWswIu6vWr-izlWYm81M3hI-gbbSfQqGAlrdyIDkxi8FFqk4N1GF0bHhoBqfOTrkox2OX7POrhyphenhyphenQLbGNpZb4Qr7OaUDE/s640/DSC_7479.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
I'd approached the tarn on a bike trip a few years back - from the other side - in a much less tranquil state of mind - such is the inner landscape - not always related, or reflective of the outer .<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ajn_sqVtEIuYXDTOcGvPKC7iPIpjheLjfMEBzdnwLJyJ_QKgOGQ7-e13yd2urDCqlsnGxOpvgO148E9jC2oZR2aLFVRanVDsQFfB1klViW5YB17yLVCAQZKUwsVomAXrn-vfq5FpZTCJ/s1600/DSC_7483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ajn_sqVtEIuYXDTOcGvPKC7iPIpjheLjfMEBzdnwLJyJ_QKgOGQ7-e13yd2urDCqlsnGxOpvgO148E9jC2oZR2aLFVRanVDsQFfB1klViW5YB17yLVCAQZKUwsVomAXrn-vfq5FpZTCJ/s640/DSC_7483.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Circumnavigating the lake - with its Autumn colours and scudding clouds brought on a touch of melancholy - why?? - Just because - rememberings of endings perhaps ??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3GVvquiRmm08-hecIST4VToBEiBGsg5lpBeVEGXmmHr3-bbcy_eFP91Fspw9pirPCI_7TJi4OVpV5FJD5jGBxUEaKThJZQWHOHCOu18U8WKWWDp77eVW0tT_nAWG8BigOIHG7GlqKnMN/s1600/IMG_20181019_153414_872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3GVvquiRmm08-hecIST4VToBEiBGsg5lpBeVEGXmmHr3-bbcy_eFP91Fspw9pirPCI_7TJi4OVpV5FJD5jGBxUEaKThJZQWHOHCOu18U8WKWWDp77eVW0tT_nAWG8BigOIHG7GlqKnMN/s640/IMG_20181019_153414_872.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Who knows though - I've given up worrying about it all so much now -<br />
<br />
No longer such inquisitions of "What is the matter with me? What is the cause of all this sadness, or good cheer ? It is what it is - and all of it shall pass.<br />
<br />
<br />
From Malham the Tarn, to Malham the Cove - that tricksy and justly famous feature.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsNEGqifNxfc7PTFKVUT2yY0EBWExb2RAHw7HnyS0Nq0MkzKD_y0uEtaGzexZ2w3qiHPajGeszewwkYQfF1uoWMVp1isU7iewM1TxLizouQOVC9_XdXyjfuxQa0aIuDu03uKEXXsXy2ce/s1600/DSC_7485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsNEGqifNxfc7PTFKVUT2yY0EBWExb2RAHw7HnyS0Nq0MkzKD_y0uEtaGzexZ2w3qiHPajGeszewwkYQfF1uoWMVp1isU7iewM1TxLizouQOVC9_XdXyjfuxQa0aIuDu03uKEXXsXy2ce/s640/DSC_7485.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Via a spindly, and almost secretive back door cleaving, almost as if one is sneaking up upon such a dramatic feature.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkXfdwptpDGyxV46goHO8wklvm-DeOY6cf5-A5LEB62H-nsaN2puwHoDKc4u5wTa6UG0tFKINgGtmyOjiWWGFeCA47OsyfATlZ66N9Piue1CJveCJtwcvRgE5eNx4XiqJDDgGa8-Ajip9/s1600/IMG_20181025_180016_679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkXfdwptpDGyxV46goHO8wklvm-DeOY6cf5-A5LEB62H-nsaN2puwHoDKc4u5wTa6UG0tFKINgGtmyOjiWWGFeCA47OsyfATlZ66N9Piue1CJveCJtwcvRgE5eNx4XiqJDDgGa8-Ajip9/s640/IMG_20181025_180016_679.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Clints and grykes - classic - with nestling ferns in the microclimate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Its not getting dark yet - but its thinking about it - and i had arranged a rendezvous here with a family friend - who was offering bed and board for the night ..<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdVi_a4YTPz0zUDRm5OfHsEIua2nGOzNavCrY8N3niHNJn7p9hC5Ad1CgeGxvC16-53aWus3kG5_N4pPS2u8C8h2ow7U9IuGhgZslcq1FQs1yA27GUH4jVtmdgIdgCiG7b-AXa-psfoDN/s1600/DSC_7491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdVi_a4YTPz0zUDRm5OfHsEIua2nGOzNavCrY8N3niHNJn7p9hC5Ad1CgeGxvC16-53aWus3kG5_N4pPS2u8C8h2ow7U9IuGhgZslcq1FQs1yA27GUH4jVtmdgIdgCiG7b-AXa-psfoDN/s640/DSC_7491.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Climbing skills might need a touch of honing before attempting anything such as this ..<br />
<br />
Malham The Cove. - Very impressive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Yes please thank you very much -.<br />
<br />
This time though, we ate very well in the Village of Malham itself, and were joined by extra good company.<br />
<br />
Mine host is involved (among many other good works) in conserving, or preserving many of the very lovely barns hereabouts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxXAgKUwnHLUDL-042wLlWmxT27TwPnrBMMOOgC43xxK88pu0qMeBsX8phd86B6Vjtn8OeDCKmbO6_KluPWF28C82r2-KVQtk1KhlfSuXqayml_A4N9KB2-tgg_JdXekkIzVR9ztxxQ-Y/s1600/DSC_7404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxXAgKUwnHLUDL-042wLlWmxT27TwPnrBMMOOgC43xxK88pu0qMeBsX8phd86B6Vjtn8OeDCKmbO6_KluPWF28C82r2-KVQtk1KhlfSuXqayml_A4N9KB2-tgg_JdXekkIzVR9ztxxQ-Y/s640/DSC_7404.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Undoubtdly built to last - but without a purpose , beyond beauty and homes for barn owls - who will maintain them??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
At the present moment very few of them have function, in the farming system , but they<i> are</i> things of great beauty, and it would be a shame to see them all go - or for them to be turned into dwellings - there are owls that need homes too (wit too woo) you know.<br />
<br />
Next morning a hasty trip to the station to head out west - I do love trains - its good use them because of lesser carbon load than cars or planes - but also theres a fondness - it is <i>the</i> way to travel - if not self- locomoted .<br />
<br />
Now proper West again - and across the Mersey on <i>that</i> iconic ferry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PgHucEg5pfBNu0OBDp93ajcsPSPomB-T8AoCXls4-KG6dNx08zuPUn416zyKTHFfONA58-SUqeID2dPGUN9B0mvPwnoZiA3i9oB5jwZB0LE6BqUGPGzf8gjOIjKK52SCFMlbH6Vjd0Vc/s1600/DSC_7493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PgHucEg5pfBNu0OBDp93ajcsPSPomB-T8AoCXls4-KG6dNx08zuPUn416zyKTHFfONA58-SUqeID2dPGUN9B0mvPwnoZiA3i9oB5jwZB0LE6BqUGPGzf8gjOIjKK52SCFMlbH6Vjd0Vc/s640/DSC_7493.JPG" width="360" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Two nights and a social day again with my erstwhile trawler mate.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoYFK6_mkkn_jrP9TgriwG-OUsHm_rOeu0R1g0EJpc3B8oVbUoo2wAYVXpIg-82Omuq_wYhYa1um4Y8f6rN5Ael0SJ7BPljRbKV6JkWfiSGgVLZSGV_-IGvyRemM72wiXYEy7yMUsT9k7/s1600/IMG_20181114_074349_338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoYFK6_mkkn_jrP9TgriwG-OUsHm_rOeu0R1g0EJpc3B8oVbUoo2wAYVXpIg-82Omuq_wYhYa1um4Y8f6rN5Ael0SJ7BPljRbKV6JkWfiSGgVLZSGV_-IGvyRemM72wiXYEy7yMUsT9k7/s320/IMG_20181114_074349_338.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Early seafaring days ^^</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU06juNdMS3HmnMTtsQ2o9cnka_y_eAJie6sgwnYFVIh3wXWxbRrLhpZncBItaEkbbDDWn8aSHO_Ysz5JbbMlk4d1hCzRqub84dlHQymobbHtomvaO1rd3uPXsOsSGa0Q-_fEG9vSRxcN/s1600/IMG_20181020_162944_223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU06juNdMS3HmnMTtsQ2o9cnka_y_eAJie6sgwnYFVIh3wXWxbRrLhpZncBItaEkbbDDWn8aSHO_Ysz5JbbMlk4d1hCzRqub84dlHQymobbHtomvaO1rd3uPXsOsSGa0Q-_fEG9vSRxcN/s640/IMG_20181020_162944_223.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So where next then sis??<br />
<br />
Well maybe Wales?<br />
<br />
Which bit?<br />
<br />
Ok, I'll have a look at some maps, and bus time tables - nothing too gnarly thanks - no need to exhaust myself - this is the holiday bit!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILM2ly9c8X_E8riZxhGcKQlwzrDf1AUa2vAGEXT19Xftp9ay5h1zZFp82z6orZM76JNbU-RRvdVOjQP9dWucqMFywX1asiHO6MuJdv1hzYft6f0JQrOCyFKchaa3WOLzWYjNOAZr3nRnj/s1600/IMG_20181021_195956_776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILM2ly9c8X_E8riZxhGcKQlwzrDf1AUa2vAGEXT19Xftp9ay5h1zZFp82z6orZM76JNbU-RRvdVOjQP9dWucqMFywX1asiHO6MuJdv1hzYft6f0JQrOCyFKchaa3WOLzWYjNOAZr3nRnj/s320/IMG_20181021_195956_776.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
oh hello ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Aha, Another train, two buses and here i am intercepting Offa and his Dyke - Southwards once more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydm3o9mF3EIJX542vF-H_UqwCOaudY3Zw7Y-21lpj0IPK7ol4HGSwzRsEgKk4qgeqs9AXVaE3qW_g_Dc7JfRhypX8uZzXGBmPmC3WooG5Nj-peoutSrST1Lvgonc2hwc0iJ3GHH799DnN/s1600/DSC_7498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydm3o9mF3EIJX542vF-H_UqwCOaudY3Zw7Y-21lpj0IPK7ol4HGSwzRsEgKk4qgeqs9AXVaE3qW_g_Dc7JfRhypX8uZzXGBmPmC3WooG5Nj-peoutSrST1Lvgonc2hwc0iJ3GHH799DnN/s640/DSC_7498.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hopped off the bus at Bodfari<br />
<br />
The mornings walking was spent in the convivial company of a locally retired school teacher and her orthopedic surgeon husband, i had intercepted them unawares on the ascent.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhEJpueUWUq6hXHIPZuc3nVU4nH67h69Gotn4RrvbVlsCMKJZdM6XDlTljUfqUTTN7Bidnj1AN_R78IaJl2lYM8MbLF2Xa7GEG4OwQAzYM1QRHWzoXFtC-7X6VCMpHrw4s-lKwUYd1Dxl/s1600/DSC_7503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhEJpueUWUq6hXHIPZuc3nVU4nH67h69Gotn4RrvbVlsCMKJZdM6XDlTljUfqUTTN7Bidnj1AN_R78IaJl2lYM8MbLF2Xa7GEG4OwQAzYM1QRHWzoXFtC-7X6VCMpHrw4s-lKwUYd1Dxl/s640/DSC_7503.JPG" width="360" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Local history, and geography absorbed from them - and <i>they</i> were interested in taking up some form of helpful bodywork - to keep them limber ongoing, into retirement .<br />
<br />
A message recieved later revealed they'd got right on to it, and had <i>already</i> signed up for classes of the Iyengar persuasion .<br />
<br />
Never missing an opportunity to spread The Good News, about Yoga, well done .<br />
<br />
Leaving them at lunchtime as they doubled back to their start point.<br />
<br />
The sky was blue the hills were kindly rounded, again very quiet - easy to get lost in the rhythm of ones paces and thoughts - the path itself is generally well marked.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Exactly the kind of mind expanding, cobweb blowing therapy one needs, on a trip such as this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeX6oXc0in4tKCPPR6VV3i1FCoJjIxMIhJA-dVH_X1yZHV9g9IrC2tcDFsrXF-Auh9BqoYrT3PLYaIaAiv-Hx0KbUGcbztg-39_rD_khrKRp1CzbfMr2hgbvbtVjXd8bqT3W40x0v7tvO/s1600/DSC_7523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeX6oXc0in4tKCPPR6VV3i1FCoJjIxMIhJA-dVH_X1yZHV9g9IrC2tcDFsrXF-Auh9BqoYrT3PLYaIaAiv-Hx0KbUGcbztg-39_rD_khrKRp1CzbfMr2hgbvbtVjXd8bqT3W40x0v7tvO/s640/DSC_7523.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Looking back north towards the Wirral - waves ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
As the sun starts to wane i think about pitches - yes this will do - a couple of hundred yards off the path.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFgWY5mE-DHhl-mmiUzpDEyQFIDoaakrOONTr8aWzXtOcPeOlyGw9pMtsNDdSprlNuS4MVbM5KY91ZN2Yuls3tHSSwZbMmP5d7sp7aCgZjdml1LbAxX3_Ljr_pOtWZn31uySfjUsSo9eF/s1600/IMG_20181023_084257_096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="872" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFgWY5mE-DHhl-mmiUzpDEyQFIDoaakrOONTr8aWzXtOcPeOlyGw9pMtsNDdSprlNuS4MVbM5KY91ZN2Yuls3tHSSwZbMmP5d7sp7aCgZjdml1LbAxX3_Ljr_pOtWZn31uySfjUsSo9eF/s640/IMG_20181023_084257_096.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iZIBGSnjuBQF4Fj7kOfZonl3s1b3m5oKqVjzgRlf1W14CIXPn7oVHVIiSDGWgaqbVdWw6-mS09AB7VZvmSARKzraAL7uPSRRNCU3VER8pt2XHPjg7OFYiHQeHE2cUEYqUohxmOUNr70f/s1600/IMG_20181022_141109_513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iZIBGSnjuBQF4Fj7kOfZonl3s1b3m5oKqVjzgRlf1W14CIXPn7oVHVIiSDGWgaqbVdWw6-mS09AB7VZvmSARKzraAL7uPSRRNCU3VER8pt2XHPjg7OFYiHQeHE2cUEYqUohxmOUNr70f/s640/IMG_20181022_141109_513.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Good Night Wales, and Thank you, for a lovely day .<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another fair morning - I know sorry - it does get a bit repetitive doesn't it?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFlwnpdsyjqB0sQgs8eDvJBa20qDK2uYJ2pZzyKe3D4H-p8HFuiNBwwEwgSui5syUYWdCTarHHUp5aHRZpqNmhmgczaGgDTxDfnsI-eGhTZkUUvyOvIdFV4apibmRzfkKMvztlksQ59Hy/s1600/DSC_7514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFlwnpdsyjqB0sQgs8eDvJBa20qDK2uYJ2pZzyKe3D4H-p8HFuiNBwwEwgSui5syUYWdCTarHHUp5aHRZpqNmhmgczaGgDTxDfnsI-eGhTZkUUvyOvIdFV4apibmRzfkKMvztlksQ59Hy/s640/DSC_7514.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Gentle Celtic zephyrs at my back, interesting landscape here the peaks, if we can call them that are often conical - not high - but steepish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2ZrnGrmKYtZL1xbWfQg6Cz_T6yDrCKYEcLcWn3Ccgq5A0OZC00cUYUpBVJqQo5lusaE11NevRMTHfgR68kr99qUuKKXe8zmeXPsYLEj0FenEjxduxhmgjaNzCOatQhuT-52l8mo2Vpeq/s1600/DSC_7547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2ZrnGrmKYtZL1xbWfQg6Cz_T6yDrCKYEcLcWn3Ccgq5A0OZC00cUYUpBVJqQo5lusaE11NevRMTHfgR68kr99qUuKKXe8zmeXPsYLEj0FenEjxduxhmgjaNzCOatQhuT-52l8mo2Vpeq/s320/DSC_7547.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeK5LxK_mJiSRg_F8nsnVaPJzqEE8UWrJmGEE4qEOTJFJ1QPhayQgAzMZL_4dgCRTo9ZB08rkf-0CDGnVTRxtDph9JJ9PajfFP9cZtxvDfgDsXX8kaGs6krCkjDHnGF5yCab44IvdxzwbW/s1600/IMG_20181023_142412_032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeK5LxK_mJiSRg_F8nsnVaPJzqEE8UWrJmGEE4qEOTJFJ1QPhayQgAzMZL_4dgCRTo9ZB08rkf-0CDGnVTRxtDph9JJ9PajfFP9cZtxvDfgDsXX8kaGs6krCkjDHnGF5yCab44IvdxzwbW/s640/IMG_20181023_142412_032.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Then down, down, down into the cultivated valley...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NTOQWNWPrtttOp8oOLKsSwhWGJyxSNLdYn1rsoMv5yuctSKhgMTS4qhYpJX5EGVBpyErM38sVTdfUmY3MtCqmFk0oGzTT1M30WIeSV7IjoXSMfjVQ0vnaAhvOYF-PTnN57zsPLDYzCLX/s1600/DSC_7539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NTOQWNWPrtttOp8oOLKsSwhWGJyxSNLdYn1rsoMv5yuctSKhgMTS4qhYpJX5EGVBpyErM38sVTdfUmY3MtCqmFk0oGzTT1M30WIeSV7IjoXSMfjVQ0vnaAhvOYF-PTnN57zsPLDYzCLX/s640/DSC_7539.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is to be found the most glorious tea shoppe cum cafe -<br />
<br />
That thing they say, about how you shouldn't go shopping if you're hungry?<br />
<br />
Well the reverse is true too.<br />
<br />
After an all day breakfast - Ok so its 3pm - whaddya gonna do about it??<br />
<br />
A large slab of cake , a cafetiere of coffee <i>and</i> a pot of tea, i was a tad full.<br />
<br />
But needed to provision something for that night, and following morning.<br />
<br />
The problem being i was sooo full, i couldn't conceive i would ever want to eat ever again.<br />
<br />
So found it very hard to do food shopping.<br />
<br />
But shop i did - the lovely ladies provisioned me with a grand pie, and a nice bun for breakfast.<br />
<br />
So off up the wooded hillside and across the boardwalk over the moor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQuBfZfu9lRgqa4Sm0KdHaBQ9hb1AEg2PpWJbJCcl6zEEUN-KgfsvRIHG2orMWpkM1O1dAVWqSmJgAzO4cOBJSEIPtAJKIavQxKj9ToUzjGPhZzcUN8XedU-tLbyqi6-fxXiELyg3THQA/s1600/DSC_7552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQuBfZfu9lRgqa4Sm0KdHaBQ9hb1AEg2PpWJbJCcl6zEEUN-KgfsvRIHG2orMWpkM1O1dAVWqSmJgAzO4cOBJSEIPtAJKIavQxKj9ToUzjGPhZzcUN8XedU-tLbyqi6-fxXiELyg3THQA/s320/DSC_7552.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-TI-YPhhlrJYYYUMOfJxqZzvHfkwwfBkWNO04q1Wsy1EAXdurZwQpucXlUS-HbzLHJ-3oxcREpnnb3qr72AWsgR4Mmmphoxc0nFdHzMWf_cHlVed3eyX_iyLPD5vqrkjxxy1fZcFuMGl/s1600/IMG_20181124_151946_784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-TI-YPhhlrJYYYUMOfJxqZzvHfkwwfBkWNO04q1Wsy1EAXdurZwQpucXlUS-HbzLHJ-3oxcREpnnb3qr72AWsgR4Mmmphoxc0nFdHzMWf_cHlVed3eyX_iyLPD5vqrkjxxy1fZcFuMGl/s640/IMG_20181124_151946_784.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
At last some greyish weather you will be pleased to see.<br />
<br />
Everso kind bro' ( for it was he) had printed out the map of my proposed route -thank you very kind and helpful..<br />
<br />
With one proviso - in future <i>please</i> don't print a coloured<span style="color: red;"> line</span> over the route - sometimes its useful to see the surface one is supposed to be walking upon.<br />
<br />
The wind tried to convince me i should be heading one way - did have to stop and take proper stock<br />
<br />
Compass readjusted - I headed off towards the ominously named Worlds End - and before dropping off the edge altogether found a very pleasant pitching spot, hidden from the track in a tiny raised up quarry - flattish ground with a good view of tomorrows goal.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Hdjcrp3-BoF1xayQAIhoikfBtJAgAi7iIKpJAkrTiuuc83npE8mz5K67DAwu1Qetu2rGGqMeMEqPuJlaNcz3NQO7K8pjEm5SB4y3brSS0O0nQo1tDkWUGTUGHOnGEi6bbyY3IbXzeRNF/s1600/IMG_20181023_174003_821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Hdjcrp3-BoF1xayQAIhoikfBtJAgAi7iIKpJAkrTiuuc83npE8mz5K67DAwu1Qetu2rGGqMeMEqPuJlaNcz3NQO7K8pjEm5SB4y3brSS0O0nQo1tDkWUGTUGHOnGEi6bbyY3IbXzeRNF/s640/IMG_20181023_174003_821.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south towards Llangollen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
You see - its not always sunny - just enough murk to justify owning a waterproof.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHab_7Q4NN2F4UJyIxBqilAY33qoqeEYtDEZvG_L_8h08LFyr09L_jVY02nc758BRC4xaZXhng5gR2zennVD-eXhN_v26uvxQVLDi-kdQCmSeGVe6E5_9NWMMi1kj83mX_gzFAR1oeqWjS/s1600/IMG_20181024_211643_644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHab_7Q4NN2F4UJyIxBqilAY33qoqeEYtDEZvG_L_8h08LFyr09L_jVY02nc758BRC4xaZXhng5gR2zennVD-eXhN_v26uvxQVLDi-kdQCmSeGVe6E5_9NWMMi1kj83mX_gzFAR1oeqWjS/s640/IMG_20181024_211643_644.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Like I'd leave the valley without the kite ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDddnUD2nGQSIMo1EDF_rrABlNISQ_x3MOmg85eEimL_PsfZp-0r5Gc6cpdrDKS_jGLxxhSoAmshwSGxnLheKzDREM0NySD-Wc3tWUFSZa-JCKd-Z5I8ohmEch9FdPemXWOLcjLe2-he6j/s1600/IMG_20181024_122018_663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDddnUD2nGQSIMo1EDF_rrABlNISQ_x3MOmg85eEimL_PsfZp-0r5Gc6cpdrDKS_jGLxxhSoAmshwSGxnLheKzDREM0NySD-Wc3tWUFSZa-JCKd-Z5I8ohmEch9FdPemXWOLcjLe2-he6j/s640/IMG_20181024_122018_663.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhfk9_LsmqBKxngu7uVDnQOJNa7WuXehb72V1yjpkgWM7YhURTDIKacOFcZUi9XP4UVaIZp2Ss_3ypDqu53ccitVqC9u3yRkmjSySjohP6MYOX9HZUTDpDs4GmZTGfEDcr2FN3uM0qk_U/s1600/IMG_20181024_121611_527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhfk9_LsmqBKxngu7uVDnQOJNa7WuXehb72V1yjpkgWM7YhURTDIKacOFcZUi9XP4UVaIZp2Ss_3ypDqu53ccitVqC9u3yRkmjSySjohP6MYOX9HZUTDpDs4GmZTGfEDcr2FN3uM0qk_U/s640/IMG_20181024_121611_527.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Fairweather the morn , once more . Offa doing his finest , to keep a walker happy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Down and around again and hugging the escarpment - and pootling about some hillforts , before dropping down into Llangollen.<br />
<br />
Sadly no proper trains from here any longer - but i did catch the retreating backside of an old timer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-G4EvHOyuJzJcsOIQc1zhV_yMDTS06L3IQhZzCEaWfdgPhVlfstfuKijBvVDJlWqOEkVv5767PgkpY7DCmATkdR08DHxG_ZRz75I5Z6ctcIrB1RW_zLULhS0frIA7uhARwF0FL32pSHd/s1600/IMG_20181223_222424_071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-G4EvHOyuJzJcsOIQc1zhV_yMDTS06L3IQhZzCEaWfdgPhVlfstfuKijBvVDJlWqOEkVv5767PgkpY7DCmATkdR08DHxG_ZRz75I5Z6ctcIrB1RW_zLULhS0frIA7uhARwF0FL32pSHd/s320/IMG_20181223_222424_071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thence bus to Wrexham and train to... Coventry .<br />
<br />
<br />
On the way to Coventry i shared table space, and temporary station confusion with two most delightful gentlemen trainspotters - one was fixing to travel all of the UK's tracks - yes folks including tramways !! Whilst the other had, I believe a special interest in coach numbers.<br />
<br />
Any hows it didn't matter - its fun to meet folks who have such enthusiasms - are willing to share them unabashed - and most definitely help make ones self feel pretty minor - league in the oddball scheme of things.<br />
<br />
Further farmer business of a European nature here<br />
<br />
I won't go into detail, as we could be some time and brexit has become somewhat of a tricksy subject.<br />
<br />
Suffice to say its all about cooperation, and linking, and communality between farmers, and farmers organisations.<br />
<br />
And we also got to play Lego - i felt intellectually qualified enough in that department at least ..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZeveollWUxkZQXb6BuX0l2nv4txnMEXaB79peu9DDDN7mAZH7IS6mbWODCYTFh-wVIN4a_gpYzXN5Qv9Y-cvowCU76Y-bXau6C-5ANeFja3Oli9WiuA1Wkn38sNhqticiLRDvYyzdRF5/s1600/DSC_7581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZeveollWUxkZQXb6BuX0l2nv4txnMEXaB79peu9DDDN7mAZH7IS6mbWODCYTFh-wVIN4a_gpYzXN5Qv9Y-cvowCU76Y-bXau6C-5ANeFja3Oli9WiuA1Wkn38sNhqticiLRDvYyzdRF5/s640/DSC_7581.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Expressing our thoughts and feelings around cooperation and linking between European farming organisations - I promise you it got a<i> little</i> more serious than this later on .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-RWFPa_K2gGsQZLK1wzkWC3tz5ujN8iy-c5SSa4ks3OD7Y1N6_byTnd9LKXwz-ycXK4GpE9JbpMmP7Zs-l77Drr1GHbL6lt7SjJfu_xU4T6ArN7xE2mrSZeu5_dYAxQfDO6FrpiYsQr0/s1600/DSC_7593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-RWFPa_K2gGsQZLK1wzkWC3tz5ujN8iy-c5SSa4ks3OD7Y1N6_byTnd9LKXwz-ycXK4GpE9JbpMmP7Zs-l77Drr1GHbL6lt7SjJfu_xU4T6ArN7xE2mrSZeu5_dYAxQfDO6FrpiYsQr0/s640/DSC_7593.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
This City isn't a classic on the tourist route . But it has an energy and open optimism, that i rather like.<br />
The architecture isn't much to shout about in general - but there are constant reminders of what can happen if we don't seek cooperation, collaboration and cordial relations with all our fellow humans... Hence there being a permanent peace exhibition in the central art gallery </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_00Ch1JW9Dot5AP3taO2a-yK9btMN1Y648EA82DYmS4qwR0cabrVH9oTFJxzfliyQcGV88TmqphHKj35Zfpvs9Een854EiF0gRGut11GcNWrrSgUCa0rYKXatJPbZvTT5-0hKUTsml5T/s1600/DSC_7596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_00Ch1JW9Dot5AP3taO2a-yK9btMN1Y648EA82DYmS4qwR0cabrVH9oTFJxzfliyQcGV88TmqphHKj35Zfpvs9Een854EiF0gRGut11GcNWrrSgUCa0rYKXatJPbZvTT5-0hKUTsml5T/s640/DSC_7596.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Once upon a time this house was part of a terrace - now it stands alone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZZhEL7ky1yrSyOoIHEwdLtuuw-zrV0lhNC7J2npKqPst1HjTvzB_5hBKKza5580Azc-g3Oy0t-IWEEu4jzDpqCgTGpyZ-9M-1crcOJeNoGgcwe9zPXnNkKuLtMSiOosziUdjlJ9S07tj/s1600/DSC_7599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZZhEL7ky1yrSyOoIHEwdLtuuw-zrV0lhNC7J2npKqPst1HjTvzB_5hBKKza5580Azc-g3Oy0t-IWEEu4jzDpqCgTGpyZ-9M-1crcOJeNoGgcwe9zPXnNkKuLtMSiOosziUdjlJ9S07tj/s640/DSC_7599.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
And also lucky to find this exhibition also in the central Art gallery - An interesting guy, and method of working </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XyNQkQM895HzzaHewug1QmWMaV6hIr1XRd1eMqLCuSt4ePykvZLBWBjnhEBY5pgl1xzbwOsAHIcX8D8TokHYNGAYbT4Vg5z4IgiwAJlH1Ooz5RB_6JXbCS5nWI2Y0YsidCH0yC2JU7pB/s1600/IMG_20181001_114044_080+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XyNQkQM895HzzaHewug1QmWMaV6hIr1XRd1eMqLCuSt4ePykvZLBWBjnhEBY5pgl1xzbwOsAHIcX8D8TokHYNGAYbT4Vg5z4IgiwAJlH1Ooz5RB_6JXbCS5nWI2Y0YsidCH0yC2JU7pB/s320/IMG_20181001_114044_080+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYbuipl8lTFZMlYu22XSOiG7fVYbm0N538SrDaGvjJbIHph3KAufFEbL4SNqnboNmeDrMIBs6iN5BNZUb1k6MIK2L326T9IJFYDvTNvQ97QpOp1QRZ9i3F9qHi5ntUU51_OP_MNN3jKhi/s1600/IMG_20181003_093140_425+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYbuipl8lTFZMlYu22XSOiG7fVYbm0N538SrDaGvjJbIHph3KAufFEbL4SNqnboNmeDrMIBs6iN5BNZUb1k6MIK2L326T9IJFYDvTNvQ97QpOp1QRZ9i3F9qHi5ntUU51_OP_MNN3jKhi/s320/IMG_20181003_093140_425+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And then eventually back to dear old Devon - in time for greens and eggs on toast for tea I believe ..<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue_Cp_3G-BSb06dFBXK7pW5B6gkvDNaxkblVivWjdJzViqvBYADDev4SVBVWhPFSpQbAhSlRU17L0IE3pQU77uiJdfUXIH-26gXkQEpTNhHwGKfru29LCCA8xb37PNqtZlvs3Pe7bYJ34/s1600/IMG_20181007_144528_901+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue_Cp_3G-BSb06dFBXK7pW5B6gkvDNaxkblVivWjdJzViqvBYADDev4SVBVWhPFSpQbAhSlRU17L0IE3pQU77uiJdfUXIH-26gXkQEpTNhHwGKfru29LCCA8xb37PNqtZlvs3Pe7bYJ34/s640/IMG_20181007_144528_901+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Quite so ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ9JcYpAdl_xBIxVEGnRL6wQdDb6FfQqKpD3cXV-Bi16vwaKm09g2lBTPrbqXuUJ7VkYMdyRhbp-rBK-2lN8jjwnB-mG6P-OCTpjqiUKjxKJ6A7W4MKmXijIX6Y-_cZbeZg2LWks2KXKx/s1600/IMG_20181002_144403_554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ9JcYpAdl_xBIxVEGnRL6wQdDb6FfQqKpD3cXV-Bi16vwaKm09g2lBTPrbqXuUJ7VkYMdyRhbp-rBK-2lN8jjwnB-mG6P-OCTpjqiUKjxKJ6A7W4MKmXijIX6Y-_cZbeZg2LWks2KXKx/s640/IMG_20181002_144403_554.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Oh hello - so many helping hands been busy in my absences - Thank you </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-42380499447787807872019-01-26T18:10:00.001+00:002019-01-26T19:17:32.038+00:00agroecology briefing - references - for those who really need to know ...<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/agroecology-briefing-part-one.html">In truth... click <i>here</i> to find out where the r<i>eal</i> fun starts ..</a></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFJyTZ2s-h0U3KBfj5NGmqXjlrI2SVUt70By5TGXRiRNzi7NF0vCBcFBQRshiTD7-NJuYnMCIxtYmBvXCdg5qkiInuWcvfZBvkS8n5UpkJo-dnuvd2lMupnEsM8uHreSezTEvPRDsxpSa/s1600/IMG_20170705_220945_956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFJyTZ2s-h0U3KBfj5NGmqXjlrI2SVUt70By5TGXRiRNzi7NF0vCBcFBQRshiTD7-NJuYnMCIxtYmBvXCdg5qkiInuWcvfZBvkS8n5UpkJo-dnuvd2lMupnEsM8uHreSezTEvPRDsxpSa/s320/IMG_20170705_220945_956.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408887"><b><span style="color: #70ad47; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6;">References</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #70ad47; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<h2>
<b><span style="color: #70ad47; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6;"> </span></b></h2>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<!--[if supportFields]><b
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-font-family:
Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#70AD47;mso-themecolor:
accent6'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.REFLIST <span style='mso-element:
field-separator'></span></span></b><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US">1. DEFRA, <i>Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in
a Green Brexit: Consultation Document</i>, F.a.R.A. Department for Envrionment,
Editor. 2018, HM Crown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">2. Gliessman, S., <i>Agroecology: Ecological Processes in
Sustainable Agriculture </i>ed. E. Engles. 1998, Washington, DC: Lewis
Publishers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">3. Lampkin, N.H., et
al., <i>The Role of Agroecology in
Sustainable Intensification </i>2015, Land Use Policy Group: Scotland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">4. Francis, C., et
al., <i>Agroecology: The Ecology of Food
Systems.</i> Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 2003. <b>22</b>(3): p. 99-118.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">5. Wezel, A., S.
Bellon, and T. Doré, <i>Agroecology as a
science, a movement and a practice. A review.</i> Agronomy for Sustainable
Development, 2009. <b>29</b>(4): p.
503-515.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">6. Rivera-Ferre,
M.G., M. Ortega-Cerda, and J. Baumgartner, <i>Rethinking
Study and Management of Agricultural Systems for Policy Design.</i>
Sustainability, 2013. <b>5</b>(9): p.
3858-3875.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">7. Altieri, M.A. and
V.M. Toledo, <i>The agroecological
revolution in Latin America: rescuing nature, ensuring food sovereignty and
empowering peasants.</i> Journal of Peasant Studies, 2011. <b>38</b>(3): p. 587-612.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">8. Ravenscroft,
N.H., R., <i>Tablehurst and Plaw Hatch
Community Farms</i>, in <i>Access to Land
for Community Connected Agriculture in Europe, Project 2010-1</i>. 2011, Terre
de Liens, Forum Synergies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">9. Goulson, D., J.
Thompson, and A. Croombs, <i>Rapid rise in
toxic load for bees revealed by analysis of pesticide use in Great Britain.</i>
PeerJ, 2018. <b>6</b>: p. e5255.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">10. RSPB, <i>State of Nature Report</i>. 2016, Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/stateofnature2016/">https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/stateofnature2016/</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">11. Technology,
P.O.o.S.a., <i>Diffuse pollution of water by
agriculture</i>, in <i>POST Note </i>2014,
House of Parliament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">12. Gilad, S. <i>Brighton ChaMP for Water: Rural Issues and
Interventions</i>. 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">13. Farnworth, G.,
Melchett, P. , <i>Runaway Maize: subsidized
soil destruction</i>. 2015, Soil Association: Bristol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">14. FAO, <i>Status of the World’s Soil Resources</i>.
2015, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations: Rome,
Italy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">15. Perfecto, I., J.
Vandermeer, and A. Wright, <i>Nature’s
Matrix: Linking Agriculture, Conservation and Food Sovereignty</i>. 2009,
London: Earthscan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">16. Botias, C., et
al., <i>Neonicotinoid Residues in
Wildflowers, a Potential Route of Chronic Exposure for Bees.</i> Environ Sci
Technol, 2015. <b>49</b>(21): p. 12731-40.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">17. Foundation, F., <i>Veg Facts: A briefing by the Food Foundation</i>.
2016, Food Foundation: London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">18. IHME. <i>Global Burden of Disease Compare</i>. 2016;
Available from: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/">https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/</a></span>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">19. Monteiro, C., et
al., <i>Household availability of
ultra-processed foods and obesity in nineteen European countries.</i> Public
Health Nutrition, 2017. <b>21</b>(18-26).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">20. Hinks, R., et al.,
<i>Veg facts, A briefing by the Food
Foundation</i>. 2016, The Food Foundation: London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">21. Foundation, F., <i>Written Evidence Submitted by the Food
Foundation (BRT0051) to the Select Committee Inquiry on Brexit Trade and Food</i>,
EFRA, Editor. 2017, House of Commons: London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">22. Fitzpatrick, I.
and R. Young, <i>The Hidden Cost of UK Food</i>.
2017, Sustainable Food Trust: Bristol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">23. DEFRA, <i>The CAP towards 2020: Meeting the food,
natural resources and territorial challenges of the future: UK response to the
Commission Communication and Consultation</i>. 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">24. Wasley, A. and M.
Davies, <i>The rise of the ‘megafarm’: how
British meat is made</i>. 2017, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">25. Willis, G., <i>Uncertain harvest: does the loss of farms matter?</i>
2017, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">26. Winter, M.a.L.,
M.,<i> Is there a future for the small
family farm in the UK? Report to The Prince’s Countryside Fund.</i> London:
Prince’s Countryside Fund. ISBN 978-902746-36-7
2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">27. Defra, <i>Active farmer status: guidance and
procedures for accountants </i>2017, Rural Payments Agency <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">28. Laughton, R., <i>A Matter of Scale: A study of the
productivity, financial viability and multifunctional benefits of small farms</i>.
2017, Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR): Coventry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">29. Alliance, L.W., <i>Production Case Studies: UK</i>, in <i>Horticulture Renewal Programme</i>. 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">30. Pretty, J., et
al., <i>Resource-Conserving Agriculture
Increases Yields in Developing Countries</i>. Vol. 40. 2006. 1114-9.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">31. Dangour, A.D., et
al., <i>Nutritional quality of organic
foods: a systematic review.</i> The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
2009. <b>90</b>(3): p. 680-685.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">32. Barański, M., et
al., <i>Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium
concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown
crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses.</i> British Journal of
Nutrition, 2014. <b>112</b>(5): p. 794-811.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">33. Średnicka-Tober,
D., et al., <i>Composition differences
between organic and conventional meat: a systematic literature review and
meta-analysis.</i> British Journal of Nutrition, 2016. <b>115</b>(6): p. 994-1011.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">34. Guthman, J., <i>Raising organic: An agro-ecological
assessment of grower practices in California.</i> Agriculture and Human Values,
2000. <b>17</b>(3).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">35. DEFRA, et al., <i>Agriculture in the United Kingdom</i>,
F.a.R.A.D.o.A. Department for Envrionment, Environment and Rural Affairs
(Northern Ireland); Welsh Assembly Government Department for Rural Affairs and
Heritage; The Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical
Services Editor. 2017, HM Crown: London, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">36. Eurostat, <i>Agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics</i>.
2017, Publications Office of the European Union: Luxembourg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">37. Panel, F., <i>Transitions to Agroecological Food Systems
Project</i>. August 2016: Bristol, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">38. DEFRA. <i>CAP Payments Data </i>2015; Available from: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://cap-payments.defra.gov.uk/">http://cap-payments.defra.gov.uk</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">39. van der Zee, B., <i>Radical ecologists v Big Agriculture: the
rival factions fighting for the future of farming</i>, in <i>The Guardian </i>2018: Online.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">40. Scotland, N., <i>Wanted: Land for New Farmers</i>. 2017,
Scottish Farm Land Trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">41. Shurbsole, G., <i>How the extent of county farms has halved in
40 years</i>, in <i>Who Owns England?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">42. Harries, R. and B.
Raskin, <i>Access to land and market gardens
in the UK</i>, in <i>Access to Land</i>.
2017, Soil Association <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">43. Jaevicious, A., S.
Huston, and A. Baum, <i>Two centuries of
farmland prices in England?</i>, in <i>Said
Business School Research Papers</i>. 2015, University of Oxford: Oxford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">44. Merlet, M., <i>The tenant farming statute in France: A
successful experience in making farm producers’ land use rights secure</i>.
2008: Online Knowledge Base Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">45. Ferguson, C., E.
Wach, and C. Smaje, <i>What can promote
access to land for agroecological farming in the UK? </i>, in <i>Transitions to Agroecological Food Systems</i>.
2018, Institute of Development Studies and Land Workers' Alliance: Brighton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">46. Wach, E., C.
Ferguson, and C. Smaje, <i>Why access to
land is vital for sustainable, healthy and fair food systems: Strategies for
increasing access to land for agroecological farming</i>, in <i>Transitions to Agroecological Food Systems</i>.
2017, Instituet of Development Studies Brighton, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">47. DEFRA, <i>Health and Harmony: THe future for food,
farming and the environment in a Green Brexit - policy statement </i>F.a.R.A.
Department for Envrionment, Editor. 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">48. Scotland, G.o., <i>Young Farmers and New Entrants Start-Up
Grant Schemes</i>, R.P.a. Services, Editor. 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">49. representative,
N.E., E. Wach, Editor. 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">50. Pimbert, M., <i>Transforming knowledge and ways of knowing</i>,
in <i>Towards Food Sovereignty. Reclaiming
Autonomous Food Systems</i>, M. Pimbert, Editor. 2009, International Institute
for Environment and Development: London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">51. Wibbelmann, M., et
al., <i>Mainstreaming Agroecology:
Implications for Global Food and Farming Systems</i>, in <i>Centre for Agroecology and Food Security Discussion Paper</i>. 2013,
Centre for Agroecology and Food Security: Coventry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">52. Defra, <i>Total Income from Farming 2017 First
Estimate, statistical notice</i>, F.a.R.A. Department for Envrionment, Editor.
2017: London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">53. Murphy, S. and
D.C. Burch, J. , <i>Cereal Secrets: the
world's largest grain traders and global agriculture</i>, in <i>Oxfam Research Reports</i>. 2012, Oxfam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">54. Millner, N., <i>Can we afford cheap food? What are the
alternatives? </i>, in <i>The future of food
and challenges for agriculture in the 21st century</i>. 2017, ICAS - etxalde:
Vitoria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">55. Ferguson, C. and
E. Wach, <i>Local food strategies: what has
led English councils to develop sustainable local food strategies and what have
these entailed? </i>, in <i>Transitions to
Agroecological Food Systems</i>. 2017, Institute of Development Studies and
Land Workers' Alliance Brighton, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">56. Ferguson, C.W., E.
, <i>Strategies for markets and finance to
support agroecological farming in the UK</i>, in <i>Transitions to Agroecological Food Systems</i>. 2017, Institute of
Development Studies and Land Workers' Alliance Brighton, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">57. Bonefield, P., <i>A plan for public procurement: Enabling a
healthy future for our people, farmers and food producers </i>2014, Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">58. Soldi, R., <i>Sustainable Public Procurement of Food</i>.
2018, European Committee of the Regions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">59. Sonnino, R., <i>Creative public procurement: Lessons from
Italy and the UK </i>ND.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">60. Swensson, L., <i>Institutional Procurement of Food from
Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Brazil</i>. 2015, Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the United Nations: Rome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">61. Cone, C.A. and A.
Myhre, <i>Community-Supported Agriculture: A
Sustainable Alternative to Industrial Agriculture?</i> Human Organization,
2000. <b>59</b>(2): p. 187-197.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">62. Saltmarsh, N.M.,
J.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Longhurst, N. , <i>The impact of
community supported agriculture</i>, in <i>Soil
Association CSA Support Project, Making Local Food Work</i>. 2011, Soil
Association.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">63. representative,
C.N., <i>Number of CSAs and their members in
the UK</i>, E. Wach, Editor. 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">64. Musgrave, R.A., <i>The theory of public finance: a study in
public economy</i>. 1959, Tokyo: McGraw Hill Kogakusha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">65. Kay, A., <i>Gove admits Defra has neglected food production
in formulation of policy</i>, in <i>Farmers
Guardian</i>. 2018: UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">66. Juniper, T., <i>Need for public money for public goods</i>,
in <i>WWF UK Blog</i>. 2018, World Wildlife
Fund UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">67. Trust, N., <i>Response to the consultation on the future
for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit</i>, Defra, Editor.
2018: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/documents/defra-future-of-farming-consultation-may-2018---nt-response.pdf">https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/documents/defra-future-of-farming-consultation-may-2018---nt-response.pdf</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">68. Tisdell, C., C.
Wilson, and C. Tisdell, <i>Why Farmers
Continue to Use Pesticides Despite Environmental, Health and Sustainability
Costs</i>. Vol. 39. 2001. 449-462.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">69. Union, E., <i>Farm structure survey (FSS)</i>. 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">70. Holt-Giménez, E.
and M.A. Altieri, <i>Agroecology, Food
Sovereignty and the New Green Revolution.</i> Journal of Sustainable
Agriculture, 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">71. Timmermann, C. and
G.F. Félix, <i>Agroecology as a vehicle for
contributive justice.</i> Agriculture and Human Values, 2015. <b>32</b>(3): p. 523-538.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">72. IAASTD, <i>International assessment of agricultural
knowledge, science and technology for development (IAASTD) : synthesis report
with executive summary : a synthesis of the global and sub-global IAASTD
reports</i>, B.H. McIntyre, H.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Wakhungu, J. and R. Watson, Editors. 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">73. Fairlie, S. and J.
Fernandez, <i>Micro-dairying</i>, in <i>Oxford Real Farming Conference</i>. 2016:
Oxford, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">74. Forbes, A. <i>A new grain revolution</i>. in <i>Oxford Real Farming Conference</i>. 2016.
Oxford, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">75. Ely, A. and E.
Wach, <i>The Downland Estate: Contributing
to more sustainable food systems for Brighton & Hove. Report on workshop held on 12 July 2018</i>.
2018, STEPS Centre, University of Sussex: Brighton, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">76. Carpini, M., F.
Cook, and L. Jacobs, <i>Public Deliberation,
Discursive Participation, and Citizen Engagement: A Review of the Empirical
Literature.</i> Annual Review of Political Science, 2004. <b>7</b>: p. 315-344.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">77. Ferguson, C. and
E. Wach, <i>Food Systems Mapping Workshop
Report </i>in <i>Transitions to
Agroecological Food Systems </i>2016, Institute of Development Studies
Brighton, UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if supportFields]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#70AD47;mso-themecolor:accent6;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></b><![endif]--><br />
<div class="EndNoteBibliography" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">78.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">UK Food Sovereignty Gathering</i>, E. Wach,
Editor.: Hebden Bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-71188494165456113242019-01-26T18:07:00.002+00:002019-07-14T18:12:11.850+01:00Agroecology Part Four - onwards <br />
<br />
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408879"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #70ad47; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6;">Agroecology
promotes health and harmony but is not supported in Defra’s proposed policies</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #70ad47; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecology
has been demonstrated, globally and in the UK, to maintain or increase the
production of healthy food while also enhancing the environment and providing
meaningful on-farm employment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Agroecology thus offers potential, both on farm and in the wider food
system, to address the ecological, social and nutritional challenges which
Britain currently faces, and which could be exacerbated with Brexit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the Defra Policy Statement and White
Paper discuss the importance of meeting these challenges, it provides no
account of how those goals could be achieved. It does little to address the
core constraints to agroecological farming outlined in the previous section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Our
key concerns are outlined briefly here: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408880"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Healthy
food</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Food
security and farm security are not well served by current policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Defra Policy Statement and Health and
Harmony White Paper do not indicate that they will be adequately addressed in
coming years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While food security was
completely absent from the Health and Harmony White Paper, the Health and
Harmony Policy Statement makes a bold assumption that innovation and technology
will increase productivity, and that this will result in food security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This claim is unsupported by evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food security and productivity are not
directly coupled in our current society, particularly when productivity is
measured in economic terms.[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">ref</span>]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Further,
it is unlikely that this approach will do anything to reduce the production of
highly processed, nutritionally devoid commodity crops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The UK does not need high-tech innovation to
‘increase productivity’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it
needs more farmers on the land, with the right skills and incentives and
support to produce healthy food ecologically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A ‘public good’ is not the same as the ‘public interest’ or
the ‘public benefit’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In economic terms,
a ‘good’ is not used to denote a value judgement but rather a ‘thing’ and a
‘public good’ has a narrow definition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While it is important that the Government supports the
provision of public goods related to environmental services, other ‘goods’ and
services also need to be provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
economist who developed the theory of public goods advocated for public
finances to be used for both public goods and merit goods.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Musgrave</Author><Year>1959</Year><RecNum>283</RecNum><DisplayText>[64]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>283</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539821700">283</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Book">6</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Musgrave,
R.A.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
theory of public finance: a study in public
economy</title></titles><dates><year>1959</year></dates><pub-location>Tokyo</pub-location><publisher>McGraw
Hill Kogakusha</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[64]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Healthy, nutritious food can be considered
a ‘merit good’ in economic terms. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra
needs to support the merit good of healthy and nutritious food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the focus is narrowly on public goods,
then we can expect further polarisation of Britain’s countryside between nature
conservation and intensive and unsustainable farms, with a few small
agroecological farms on the margin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
that scenario, unhealthy diets would continue, and environmental degradation
would increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the UK decides to
prioritise ecology over food (rather than integrating them), an increased
reliance on imports will contribute to the degradation to other countries’
ecologies, while also increasing the vulnerability of consumers to fluctuating
availabilities and prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In
June 2018, Secretary of State Michael Gove acknowledged the oversight of food
security in the Health and Harmony White Paper and announced the preparation of
a ‘food policy’, which has yet to be released.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Kay</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>284</RecNum><DisplayText>[65]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>284</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539821890">284</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Newspaper Article">23</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Kay,
A.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Gove
admits Defra has neglected food production in formulation of
policy</title><secondary-title>Farmers
Guardian</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><pub-location>UK</pub-location><urls><related-urls><url>https://www.fginsight.com/news/news/gove-admits-defra-has-neglected-food-production-in-formulation-of-policy-58102</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[65]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></sup>This new proposed focus on food is welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Defra needs to ensure that this policy
does not reinforce the environmental problems of the post-war ‘productivist’
era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What
is urgently needed is an integration of both public goods and merit goods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Explicitly supporting and promoting
agroecology would achieve this and should be integral the UK’s new food policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until there is clarity that Defra will
support food production in environmentally sound ways, the risk remains that
the new regime could too closely resemble the old regime, which pits conservation
against food production. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408881"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Fairness
in the supply chain</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
policy statement and evidence pack indicate that for farmers to make a living,
they must cut their input costs, increase productivity </span>and/or diversify
in order to stay out of the red after subsidies are removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra estimates that the farms in question
would, on average, need to reduce their input costs by 31% - no small feat if
you are a farmer reliant on buying seeds, animals and trying to pay a decent
wage to your labourers if you have them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An urge to increase productivity, cut costs or diversify
does nothing to address the root of low farming incomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Primary producers receive a small percentage
of the money that consumers spend on food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Combined with low food prices, this makes it near impossible for farmers
to earn a living from selling what they produce, unless they intensify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Some
contend that increasing access to information, as proposed in the White Paper,
might help farmers increase their margins, but that will not be enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More active measures will be needed to transform
our food system to one with shorter, more direct supply chains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408882"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ecology
and true support for public goods</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra’s
support for ‘public goods’ has been applauded by some environmental groups,
such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the National Trust.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Juniper</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>303</RecNum><DisplayText>[66]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>303</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1540899650">303</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Blog">56</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Juniper,
T.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Need
for public money for public goods</title><secondary-title>WWF UK
Blog</secondary-title></titles><number>16 August
2018</number><dates><year>2018</year></dates><publisher>World
Wildlife Fund
UK</publisher><urls><related-urls><url>https://blogs.wwf.org.uk/blog/business-government/government/need-for-public-money-for-public-goods/</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[66]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">,</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Trust</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>304</RecNum><DisplayText>[67]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>304</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1540899752">304</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>National
Trust</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Defra</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Response
to the consultation on the future for food, farming and the environment in a
Green
Brexit</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><pub-location>https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/documents/defra-future-of-farming-consultation-may-2018---nt-response.pdf</pub-location><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[67]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, without a dual focus on both food and ecology, integrated
together throughout farms (and not just around the margins), trends of
increasing degradation to soils, water and biodiversity are likely to continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The effects of unsustainable farming cannot
be mitigated through hedgerows and wildflower margins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
proposed enforcement of ‘polluter pays’ implies greater accountability of
farmers for adverse environmental effects of their farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two additional considerations should also be
taken into account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, it will be
important to ensure that payments are structured in a way to ensure that environmental
taxes are not simply incorporated into large business budgets, enabling the
continuation of pollution (i.e. ‘those who can pay, pollute’). Secondly, the
environmental damages included for which agricultural polluters will pay should
include those related to the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilisers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The September policy statement indicated that
Defra may support a reduction in pesticide usage and this is welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More details are needed on how it will happen
in practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra’s Health and Harmony
documents have made a few references to fertilisers, focussing on slurry
management, but not on the high rate of usage of inorganic nitrates which are
polluting drinking water and water ways, and costing the public billions.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Technology</Author><Year>2014</Year><RecNum>252</RecNum><DisplayText>[11]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>252</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538645165">252</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Parliamentary
Office of Science and
Technology</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Diffuse
pollution of water by agriculture</title><secondary-title>POST Note
</secondary-title></titles><volume>478</volume><dates><year>2014</year></dates><publisher>House
of
Parliament</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[11]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Polluter pays’ mechanisms can be part of a strategy for reducing the use
of pesticides and inorganic nitrates, but need to be combined with
agroecological training and advice for farmers who may currently be ‘locked in’
to using these inputs.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Tisdell</Author><Year>2001</Year><RecNum>244</RecNum><DisplayText>[68]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>244</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538056229">244</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Book">6</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Tisdell,
Clement</author><author>Wilson,
Clevo</author><author>Tisdell, Clem</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Why
Farmers Continue to Use Pesticides Despite Environmental, Health and
Sustainability
Costs</title></titles><pages>449-462</pages><volume>39</volume><dates><year>2001</year></dates><urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.1016/S0921-8009(01)00238-5</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[68]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9vcsXjVdkcRrb-gzsPIgXMJY_dKoI1in5fvxuqc5Ikr397NsO3nIDj6KqI2GLXinJFcnKDLHEtBEkghpHsoiPzZicAYo2hl98ZkwGGVQXqyy70XxxHgHod90TuPgf8w6CyoZH7aetQzz/s1600/IMG_20170709_153421_639+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9vcsXjVdkcRrb-gzsPIgXMJY_dKoI1in5fvxuqc5Ikr397NsO3nIDj6KqI2GLXinJFcnKDLHEtBEkghpHsoiPzZicAYo2hl98ZkwGGVQXqyy70XxxHgHod90TuPgf8w6CyoZH7aetQzz/s320/IMG_20170709_153421_639+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408883"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The next
generation of farmers</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Across
the UK, the number of farmers decreased by 20% between 2000 and 2010, and one
quarter of farm holders are over 65 years old.{Union, 2010 #218} <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless more is done to support new generations
of farmers, it is likely that high attrition rates will continue and may even
accelerate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without enough farmers on
the land, Britain risks a high reliance on imports or on migrants and
industrial, automated farms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This could
mean more monocultures, industrial horticulture and Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations, none of which would result in a ‘green Brexit’ or a healthy food
supply for Britain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Supporting
agroecology could help to reduce the attrition in farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research in the UK has shown that
agroecological farmers tend to have a ‘sense of enjoyment and satisfaction on
their farms’ due to the variety of work, social nature of working at a small
scale, the ability to see through entire food production processes, the variety
of skills required and the meaning that their farm work provided, in that it was,
‘skilful and interesting (problem solving), health and safe, contributing to
environmental care and social benefits.’ </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Laughton</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>212</RecNum><DisplayText>[28]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>212</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535541363">212</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Laughton,
R. </author></authors></contributors><titles><title>A
Matter of Scale: A study of the productivity, financial viability and
multifunctional benefits of small
farms</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Coventry</pub-location><publisher>Centre
for Agroecology, Water and Resilience
(CAWR)</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[28]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">:27.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One farmer interviewed on a study compared her current work on an
agroecological farm as preferable to a farm where ‘30,000 table birds were fed
automatically by tractor and cows were milked by a robot…[she] expressed a
sense of disempowerment about being part of a system that relies on complex
machinery that she was unable to fix.’ (Ibid). Other studies have indicated
that life satisfaction is higher for British farmers on less than 50ha than for
those on larger farms.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Winter</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>211</RecNum><DisplayText>[26]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>211</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535539740">211</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Winter,
M. and Lobley,
M.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>
Is there a future for the small family farm in the UK? Report to The Prince’s
Countryside Fund</title><secondary-title>London: Prince’s
Countryside Fund. ISBN 978-902746-36-7<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span></secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>London:
Prince’s Countryside Fund. ISBN
978-902746-36-7</full-title></periodical><dates><year>2016</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[26]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Globally,
research has indicated that agroecological farming provides meaningful work for
many farmers, given the ongoing need to acquire and develop capabilities
(including physical, social, sensory and intellectual), the knowledge-intensive
nature of agroecology and the sense of self-determination it fosters.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Holt-Giménez</Author><Year>2012</Year><RecNum>51</RecNum><DisplayText>[70]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>51</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535537954">51</key><key app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Holt-Giménez,
Eric</author><author>Altieri, Miguel
A.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Agroecology,
Food Sovereignty and the New Green
Revolution</title><secondary-title>Journal of Sustainable
Agriculture</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Journal
of Sustainable
Agriculture</full-title></periodical><section>120904081412003</section><dates><year>2012</year></dates><isbn>1044-0046&#xD;1540-7578</isbn><urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.1080/10440046.2012.716388</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[70]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While these qualities and attributes will likely resonate with most
types of farmers, the nature of agroecological farming has been claimed to
provide a greater sense of meaning and fulfilment than conventional farming.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Timmermann</Author><Year>2015</Year><RecNum>216</RecNum><DisplayText>[71]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>216</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535553093">216</key><key
app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Timmermann,
Cristian</author><author>Félix, Georges
F.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Agroecology
as a vehicle for contributive
justice</title><secondary-title>Agriculture and Human
Values</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Agriculture
and Human Values</full-title></periodical><pages>523-538</pages><volume>32</volume><number>3</number><section>523</section><dates><year>2015</year></dates><isbn>0889-048X&#xD;1572-8366</isbn><urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.1007/s10460-014-9581-8</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[71]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In an age where farmers are disappearing, supporting agroecological
farming could help in attracting the younger generation and reverse the trends
of attrition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408884"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Tech for
food and the environment</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">References
to technology and innovation in the White Paper focus primarily on technologies
appropriate for large-scale, industrial approaches to farming (e.g. precision
farming and automation). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, to
support agroecology, investments need to be made in other technologies, to take
innovations in a different direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecology
requires technological innovation just as most other type of farming does.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>IAASTD</Author><Year>2009</Year><RecNum>305</RecNum><DisplayText>[72]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>305</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1540901458">305</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>IAASTD</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>McIntyre,
B.&#xD;Herren, H.&#xD;Wakhungu, J.</author><author>Watson,
R.</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>International
assessment of agricultural knowledge, science and technology for development
(IAASTD) : synthesis report with executive summary : a synthesis of the global
and sub-global IAASTD reports</title></titles><dates><year>2009</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[72]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, agroecological farmers in the UK, because of the lack of public
or private investments in agroecological technologies, tend to use old and
sometimes unreliable machinery, or import equipment from mainland Europe, or
even India in the case of dairy farms.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Fairlie</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>287</RecNum><DisplayText>[73]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>287</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539869387">287</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Conference
Paper">47</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Fairlie,
S.</author><author>Fernandez, J.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Micro-dairying</title><secondary-title>Oxford
Real Farming
Conference</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2016</year></dates><pub-location>Oxford,
UK</pub-location><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[73]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are also at a disadvantage in terms of plant varieties, given that
limited support is provided for the maintenance, development and promotion of
varieties that can work well in poly-cropping, mixed farms and/or low input
farms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Given
that investments in agroecological innovation have been minimal, many
innovations are initiated by the farmers themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, one British farmer has been
mining libraries of heritage cereal varieties to cross them and create new
varieties suitable for low input agriculture.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Forbes</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>306</RecNum><DisplayText>[74]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>306</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1540901863">306</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Conference Proceedings">10</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Forbes,
A.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>A
new grain revolution</title><secondary-title>Oxford Real Farming
Conference</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2016</year><pub-dates><date>7
January 2016</date></pub-dates></dates><pub-location>Oxford,
UK</pub-location><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[74]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such grassroots innovation increases the
resilience of our farming sector, and therefore deserves to be supported.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farmers’ innovation could also benefit from
engagement of relevant academics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such
engagement, to be most effective, needs to be participatory, focussing on the
needs of agricultural producers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
corporate sector is unlikely to support agroecology, given that agroecological
farming tends to reduce requirements for inputs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, it is important for the public
sector to support agroecological research and innovation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408885"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Democratic
process, beyond consultations</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
overwhelming number of responses to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Health
and Harmony</i> consultation process indicates that many people and
organisation have a big stake in future of UK food and agricultural
policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It remains to be seen if Defra
actively incorporates the perspectives of critical voices or whether the
consultation was required to ensure that box had been ticked, without it
actually influencing the direction of policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In-person
interactions are essential for going beyond individual responses and feedback
to convening events and workshops whereby diverse stakeholders can come
together, reflect on evidence and different viewpoints, and engage discussion
and deliberation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A recent farmer-led
inquiry into agroecology in England{participants, 2017 #309} and a recent
multi-stakeholder event in Brighton concerning the use of farmland surrounding
the city</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Ely</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>307</RecNum><DisplayText>[75]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>307</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1540902087">307</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Ely,
A.</author><author>Wach,
E.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
Downland Estate: Contributing to more sustainable food systems for Brighton
&amp; Hove.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Report on workshop held
on 12 July
2018</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><pub-location>Brighton,
UK</pub-location><publisher>STEPS Centre, University of
Sussex</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[75]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> have highlighted an overall lack of
opportunities for farmers, citizens, local authorities and civil society
organisations to come together to discuss issues related to farming – what is
produced, how it is produced and where it is sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While farmer autonomy is important and is to
be respected, too many assume that conventional high-input (unsustainable)
practices are the only options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Moreover, their practices have adverse effects far beyond their
farms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra needs to create
opportunities for regular, constructive dialogue can enable people to
understand different perspectives, learn about ways to support one another and
facilitate practices and policies to evolve and improve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Investment by Defra in dialogue and
deliberation would enable our food system to become more democratic and accountable.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Carpini</Author><Year>2004</Year><RecNum>272</RecNum><DisplayText>[76]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>272</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538668849">272</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Carpini,
M.</author><author>Cook, F. </author><author>Jacobs, L.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Public
Deliberation, Discursive Participation, and Citizen Engagement: A Review of the
Empirical Literature</title><secondary-title>Annual Review of
Political
Science</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Annual
Review of Political
Science</full-title></periodical><pages>315-344</pages><volume>7</volume><dates><year>2004</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[76]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">To
ensure policy is responsive to the needs and realities of farmers, consumers
and communities, Defra needs to be engaging with its stakeholders on an ongoing
basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra also needs to make more
effort to ensure that all types of stakeholders can participate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smaller-scale farmers have expressed that
they feel un-represented in policy making and that their views are not captured
by organisations such as the National Farmers Union (NFU).</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Ferguson</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>288</RecNum><DisplayText>[77]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>288</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539870312">288</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Ferguson,
C.</author><author>Wach,
E.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Food
Systems Mapping Workshop Report </title><secondary-title>Transitions
to Agroecological Food Systems </secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2016</year></dates><pub-location>Brighton,
UK</pub-location><publisher>Institute of Development Studies
</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[77]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People without salaries (e.g. waged earners and unsalaried farmers) find
more difficult to participate in events such as consultations without
compensation for their time</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite
ExcludeAuth="1"
ExcludeYear="1"><RecNum>289</RecNum><DisplayText>[78]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>289</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539870492">289</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Personal
Communication">26</ref-type><contributors><secondary-authors><author>E
Wach</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>UK
Food Sovereignty
Gathering</title></titles><dates><pub-dates><date>October
2015</date></pub-dates></dates><pub-location>Hebden
Bridge</pub-location><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[78]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Given that their perspectives are essential to ensuring policies respond
to current social and ecological needs, Defra needs to make provisions to
ensure that these people are included in policy processes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408886"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #70ad47; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6;">Conclusions</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #70ad47; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecological
farms in the UK are already demonstrating the potential of agroecology—which
has been well documented elsewhere in the world—to produce healthy and
nutritious foods while regenerating (not just sustaining) the ecosystems on
which they depend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agroecology has also
demonstrated potential for better supporting farming livelihoods and rural
communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at present, little
to no support for agroecology is provided by Defra, and there is little
evidence of support to come from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Health
and Harmony</i> Policy Statement and White Paper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Health
and Harmony</i> can be applauded for its inclusion of environmental
considerations, there are doubts that the proposed policies of ‘public money
for public goods’ and ‘polluter pays’ will adequately reorient farming towards
ecologically regenerative practices. There are also questions about whether and
how the proposed policy framework will support healthy food production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If imports become less reliable and/or more
costly with Brexit, there will be even more need to ensure that the production
of healthy British food increases rather than declines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecology
can be practiced by any farmer, old or new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, adequate support needs to be in place for this to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This includes support for trainings to
develop knowledge and skills; access to land (including considerations of
affordability, appropriateness, housing and security); access to capital
(particularly in the case of new entrants and young farmers but possibly also
for those transitioning to agroecological approaches); and shorter, more
directs supply chains to provide a greater market share to farmers while also
keeping food affordable for consumers—objectives which can be achieved through
Public Procurement, Community Interest Intermediaries and Community Supported
Agriculture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra can also support
agroecology through investing in the research and development of agroecological
knowledge, technology and innovation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Brexit
presents challenges but also enormous opportunity to articulate new policies
which address the shortcomings of previous policies which have not adequately
integrated healthy food, agriculture, the environment and producer livelihoods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This briefing has outlined practical,
feasible strategies for Defra to support approaches that integrate rather than
separate, ecology and the production of healthy food which is accessible to all
in the UK. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i><b><a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/agroecology-briefing-references-for.html">And the bit you've all been waiting for - The references</a></b></i></span></div>
<br />Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-59857113930256208082019-01-26T18:05:00.001+00:002019-07-14T18:11:42.771+01:00Agroecology briefing - Part Three. ..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcLX5w5qdi8XnOCpaK3XcVLmtYWwUv2crgPqLYA7cYhNOa9Y3JFzg2sQNhnh9DZLgOSN3CxeaRG3EJ7k81zh2Vh8Oa0wZ9QKdjwdPZfAYZuch41oBgmkF8FFfkPNbdmQhEptGotvMrFul/s1600/2015-11-24+01.48.33+1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcLX5w5qdi8XnOCpaK3XcVLmtYWwUv2crgPqLYA7cYhNOa9Y3JFzg2sQNhnh9DZLgOSN3CxeaRG3EJ7k81zh2Vh8Oa0wZ9QKdjwdPZfAYZuch41oBgmkF8FFfkPNbdmQhEptGotvMrFul/s320/2015-11-24+01.48.33+1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408874"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The main barriers to agroecological
farming becoming more prevalent</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This
section draws on two years of farmer-led participatory action research which
entailed consultations and interviews with wide ranging stakeholders and
extended deliberative processes to examine the main barriers to agroecology
being more widely practiced in the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These barriers include access to land, access to capital, knowledge and
skills, and supportive markets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
are discussed in turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important
to stress that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> these obstacles
need to be addressed for agroecology to successfully spread in this
country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, creating markets or
offering capital without also providing for land or developing skills will not
address the current problems in our food and farming systems.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408875"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Access to land</span></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Access
to land has been cited as the top barrier for aspiring new entrant agroecological
farmers in the UK, far above concerns about profitability of farming.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Scotland</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>264</RecNum><DisplayText>[40]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>264</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538667657">264</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Nourish
Scotland</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Wanted:
Land for New
Farmers</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><publisher>Scottish
Farm Land
Trust</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[40]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">,</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Laughton</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>212</RecNum><DisplayText>[28]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>212</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535541363">212</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Laughton,
R.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>A
Matter of Scale: A study of the productivity, financial viability and
multifunctional benefits of small farms</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Coventry</pub-location><publisher>Centre
for Agroecology, Water and Resilience
(CAWR)</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[28]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the population of farmers declines rapidly in the UK, supporting new
entrants needs to be a priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Access
to land for agroecological farming includes four key issues: availability, appropriateness,
affordability and accommodation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Availability</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farmland ownership and control in the UK is
highly concentrated, and relatively little land is available on the market for
new entrants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The total land in the UK
utilised for agriculture is 17.36 million hectares (representing 71% of all
land in the UK), and it is owned or managed by some 290,000 farmers, business
partners, directors and spouses, which represents just 0.44% of the population.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Further,
investments in land as a commodity (land speculation) is another factor keeping
land out of access for many (and also taking land out of agricultural
use).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other freehold parcels of land are
often purchased by people wishing to keep horses and others who are not engaged
in productive farming, or by developers wishing to bank the land in pursuit of
eventual ‘planning gain’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra’s
proposed phasing out of area-based payments in itself may not necessarily
increase the availability of land for agroecological producers., While some
land owners might be incentivised to downsize, making more land available,
there is a risk is that this land will be purchased by land speculators, and/or
added to already-large-farms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Policies
which give preference to agroecological producers when land goes on the market could
help to address this risk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra should
also coordinate with other UK Government departments to curb land speculation
if it is serious about ensuring that land becomes available for new ecological
farmers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">County
Farms could be one way in which new entrant agroecological farmers could get
better access land, at least while starting out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The County Farm network is being depleted, as
farm estates are being sold off by many councils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From their peak in 1938, the area of county
farms has declined by 40 percent, and the number of holdings—and by extension
the number of farmers supported by these schemes—has declined from
approximately 32,000 holdings to less than 5,000.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite
ExcludeYear="1"><Author>Shurbsole</Author><RecNum>266</RecNum><DisplayText>[41]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>266</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538667903">266</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Blog">56</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Shurbsole,
G.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>How
the extent of county farms has halved in 40
years</title><secondary-title>Who Owns
England?</secondary-title></titles><dates></dates><urls><related-urls><url>https://whoownsengland.org/2018/06/08/how-the-extent-of-county-farms-has-halved-in-40-years/</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[41]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> However, some councils, such as
Norfolk, Suffolk and Pembrokeshire, have recently reinvested in their county
farm estates in an effort to explicitly support new rural enterprises, local
food systems and also provide affordable housing for farmer tenants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra has indicated that it will ‘consider
how to help Local Authorities who want to invest in their Council Farms’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A move which is welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This support to Local Authorities should
include specific support for agroecological farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Appropriateness:
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Land that is appropriate for
agroecological farmers, and particularly new entrants, must include
considerations of size, location and amenities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Such farmers tend to need land in parcels that range from approximately
0.5 hectare to 50 hectares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a
broad range without hard boundaries, but generally agroecologists are not in
the market for several hundred or thousand hectares of farmland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farmland which is located near to towns or
cities is important both for access to markets as well as for social networks,
which can be important for young farmers.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Harries</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>267</RecNum><DisplayText>[42]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>267</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538668012">267</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Harries,
R.</author><author>Raskin,
B.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Access
to land and market gardens in the UK</title><secondary-title>Access
to
Land</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><publisher>Soil
Association </publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[42]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In terms of amenities, agroecological farmers need adequate road access
and typically access to water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Affordability</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commodification of land has resulted in its
treatment as an investment vehicle, rather than a common asset to be used in
the public interest, including the production of food and regeneration of
ecosystems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Farmland prices in
England have increased by 400% over the past twenty years.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Jaevicious</Author><Year>2015</Year><RecNum>268</RecNum><DisplayText>[43]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>268</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538668079">268</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Jaevicious,
A.</author><author>Huston, S.</author><author>Baum, A.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Two
centuries of farmland prices in England?</title><secondary-title>Said
Business School Research Papers</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2015</year></dates><pub-location>Oxford</pub-location><publisher>University
of
Oxford</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[43]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even accounting for general inflation, this
rise in prices has been higher than that of equities and of London residential
property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While the removal of area-based payments could help to
reduce this high rate of inflation, CAP payments are not the only factor which
affects land prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Land speculation
and investment and general pressure for development have significant impacts on
land availability, increasing prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>In
France, the state ties farmland lease prices to agricultural prices, and limits
the amount of profit that landlords can make off of renting out land.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Merlet</Author><Year>2008</Year><RecNum>223</RecNum><DisplayText>[44]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>223</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535629652">223</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Blog">56</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Merlet,
M.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
tenant farming statute in France: A successful experience in making farm
producers’ land use rights secure</title></titles><number>25
September</number><dates><year>2008</year></dates><pub-location>Online
Knowledge Base
Blog</pub-location><urls><related-urls><url>http://www.agter.org/bdf/en/corpus_chemin/fiche-chemin-54.html</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[44]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Defra could learn from
this model to reorient </span>land prices toward farming incomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Accommodation
and other buildings: </span></b>The National Planning Policy Framework is
supposed to preserve the availability of agricultural land through its
separation between agricultural, woodland and development land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this distinction makes it difficult
for farmers to obtain planning permission to live onsite, and particularly
agroecological farmers who are producing at smaller scales and using more
hands-on approaches to their conventional neighbours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difficulty of living onsite is
problematic for agroecological farmers, as they often require frequent contact
with the land, which is most feasible – economically and in terms of time –
when living on site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, new
farm businesses often do not generate enough income to secure a mortgage on a
home nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While some farmers do
succeed in attaining planning permission at appeal, this process is costly for
both applicants and the government.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Ferguson</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>276</RecNum><DisplayText>[45]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>276</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538757650">276</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Ferguson,
C.</author><author>Wach, E.</author><author>Smaje,
C.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>What
can promote access to land for agroecological farming in the UK?
</title><secondary-title>Transitions to Agroecological Food
Systems</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><pub-location>Brighton</pub-location><publisher>Institute
of Development Studies and Land Workers&apos; Alliance</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[45]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Similar
challenges are faced by agroecological farmers when they apply for permission
to erect polytunnels, sheds or other structures necessary for their farm
businesses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opposition often comes from
a NIMBY (not in my back yard) approach of the neighbours who do not want
‘plastic tat’ in their countryside, despite consuming many products grown under
plastic in Spain and other countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
also comes from nearby farmers who have a hard time believing that anyone could
make a living from a small piece of land – in effect, grouping legitimate
agroecological producers with hobbyist farmers and those practicing
‘horsiculture’.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="border: none; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More could be done to educate planning
officials and also farmers about agroecological production and how to distinguish
it from hobby farming, and sensitise the general public about the importance of
domestic food production. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Land
Cooperatives such as the Ecological Land Cooperative<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> have
experience in identifying suitable farmland for agroecological producers and also
equipping it with essentials such as water access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They provide support to farmers ranging from
farming techniques to marketing to connecting to other farmers through their
networks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, these cooperatives
are limited by inflated farmland prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Support for these cooperatives could enable them to expand the number of
farmers they support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ability
to invest and security of rights: </span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
farmers, secure right to remain on farmland is a huge factor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agroecological production entails high levels
of investment in the land (soils, perennial plants, hedges, trees and
infrastructure) as well as in relationships with local consumers in the case of
local and more direct markets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Health & Harmony policy statement indicated that Defra would revise agricultural
tenancy laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For any revisions, England
could learn from other countries, including Scotland and France, about different
models for secure tenancies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
crofting areas of Scotland, tenure is secure for smallholders, rents are
regulated and crofters receive compensation for improvements. While they have
the right to buy their crofts if they wished, many producers opt out of buying the
land they farm because there is little advantage in the context of these
provisions for security. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, in
France, tenancies are for a minimum of 9 years and automatically renew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frensh farmland rental prices are tied to
agricultural commodity prices, limiting the profit of non-farming land owners
while ensuring farmland is affordable for farmers.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Wach</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>290</RecNum><DisplayText>[46]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>290</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539873736">290</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Wach,
E.</author><author>Ferguson, C.</author><author>Smaje,
C.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Why
access to land is vital for sustainable, healthy and fair food systems:
Strategies for increasing access to land for agroecological
farming</title><secondary-title>Transitions to Agroecological Food
Systems</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Brighton,
UK</pub-location><publisher>Instituet of Development Studies
</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[46]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Without
appropriate checks, long tenancies could enable poor practices to continue
uncontested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, tenancies
under the Agricultural Holdings Act can prevent landlords (including councils)
from intervening in the farming practices of tenants until the tenancy runs
through several generations.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, existing models in the UK are
demonstrating ways this can be overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Scotland, oversight from the Crofting Commission for appropriate
upkeep of crofts ensures some degree of accountability while still providing
the security of long tenures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"></span><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #E2EFD9; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 450.8pt;" valign="top" width="601"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk522877552"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk523396955"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Recommendations:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">While
access to land is a complex issue that goes beyond the immediate scope of Defra,
there are actionable strategies that should be supported through Defra policy
to ensure that the price and availability of farmland supports agroecological
farming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra must not assume that phasing out area-based subsidy
payments will solve the problem of high land prices and low land
availability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To address these
pressing problems, Defra needs to collaborate with other Government
departments to address land speculation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without addressing land speculation, removing area-based direct
payments is unlikely to sufficiently increase the availability of land to new
entrants or reduce land prices. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">To support agroecological farming, Defra needs to put in
place measures to limit farmland consolidation, particularly when farming
practices are unsustainable and do not contribute to healthy food
production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra should support planning authorities to recognise and
differentiate agroecological holdings from ‘hobby farms’ and horsiculture,
acknowledging that certain buildings, be they homes, barns or polytunnels,
are essential to enabling the next generation of farmers to produce on the
land in sustainable and economically viable ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This could happen within the existing
National Planning Policy Framework’s clause for planning permission when
there is ‘essential need’, which agroecological farmers often demonstrate.
The proposed collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and
Local Government mentioned in Health and Harmony is also an opportunity to
ensure that new entrants have access to housing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The government should actively support Local Authorities
to retain – and possibly even extend – their farm estates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been mentioned in DEFRA’s recent
policy statement</span></span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk523396955'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk522877552'></span></span><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk523396955'><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk522877552'><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>243</RecNum><DisplayText>[47]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>243</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1537795856">243</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural
Affairs</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Health
and Harmony: THe future for food, farming and the environment in a Green
Brexit - policy statement
</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><urls><related-urls><url>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-for-food-farming-and-the-environment-policy-statement-2018/health-and-harmony-the-future-for-food-farming-and-the-environment-in-a-green-brexit-policy-statement
(Accessed 24 September
2018)</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[47]</span></span></span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk523396955'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk522877552'></span></span><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> and in
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Health and Harmony </i>consultation
paper </span></span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-bookmark:
_Hlk523396955'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk522877552'></span></span><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk523396955'><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk522877552'><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>278</RecNum><Pages>25</Pages><DisplayText>[1]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>278</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538758050">278</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural
Affairs</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Health
and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green
Brexit: Consultation
Document</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><publisher>HM
Crown</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[1]</span></span></span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk523396955'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk522877552'></span></span><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> and is
a welcome approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, to ensure
county farms specifically support agroecology, counties should provide
support and/or incentives to existing tenants to convert to more
agroecological approaches. Councils should also explicitly recruit farmers
who wish to practice agroecology and make appropriate tenancies available to
new entrants rather than consolidating farmland into existing tenancies.</span></span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra should provide support for existing land
cooperatives, which have experience in recruiting, supporting and managing
agroecological tenants could also help expand the number of farmers they
support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra’s consideration of reforming agricultural tenancy
laws could be positive for agroecological farming, particularly if it is done
in a way that encourages new entrants, rather than enabling the investment in
land as a commodity by non-farming capitalists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra should examine other countries’
models for agriculture tenancy laws and should also ensure that
agroecological farmers are represented in decision making on this reform.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523396955;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lastly, a farm land registry should be established to
register interest in taking on farmland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Similar to the self-build registry, this would enable the government
and particularly local authorities, to better account for the demand for
farmland – including different sizes and types of land parcels – in planning
decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522877552;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408876"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Poor
access to capital</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Aside
from the obvious barriers caused by the high price or rental costs of land, there
is also the cost of investment in infrastructure and machinery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such infrastructure could range from
polytunnels to farm tools to small tractors, packing sheds and milk processing
equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra’s
Countryside Productivity Small Grant scheme offers smaller amounts, of £3,000
to £12,000, but grants only cover 40% of costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This means that less expensive items would have been ineligible, and
also that securing match funding for larger items was out of reach for many
farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>England’s Young Farmers’ Scheme
added 25% to the area-based payments that would be received by farmers under 40
years of age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, given that many
agroecological holdings are under or near the limit for basic payments, this
scheme would have excluded many young agroecological farmers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">England
could learn from Scotland’s popular support schemes for new entrants and young
farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The £14 million earmarked was
spent long before the projected end of the scheme as demand outstripped supply.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Scotland</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>270</RecNum><DisplayText>[48]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>270</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538668258">270</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Government
of
Scotland</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Rural
Payments and
Services</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Young
Farmers and New Entrants Start-Up Grant Schemes</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><urls><related-urls><url>https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/new-entrants/young-farmers-and-new-entrants-start-up-grant-schemes/
</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[48]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #E2EFD9; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 450.8pt;" valign="top" width="601"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ways Forward <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra
could improve its support for young farmers, new entrants and could also
introduce a scheme explicitly for agroecological farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This could happen through allowing farmers
to apply for smaller grants where necessary, removing the match funding
requirement, and allowing funds to be spent on the costs deemed necessary by
the farmers (subject to business plans, etc.). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Such
a scheme could be modelled on Scotland’s New Entrants and Young Farmers
Start-Up schemes, which provide grants of £15k - £70k.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Money can be used for the purchase of land,
infrastructure, or cover other start-up costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The New Entrants Capital Grant Scheme
couples grants for people new to farming with consultancy advice and
mentoring from experienced farmers.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Scotland</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>270</RecNum><DisplayText>[48]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>270</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538668258">270</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Government
of
Scotland</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Rural
Payments and Services</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Young
Farmers and New Entrants Start-Up Grant
Schemes</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><urls><related-urls><url>https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/new-entrants/young-farmers-and-new-entrants-start-up-grant-schemes/
</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[48]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--> <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408877"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lack of
skills and training</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">While
some agroecological techniques have been traditionally used in Britain, such as
the rotation of animals and crops and the use of windbreaks, the majority of
existing conventional farmers and aspiring agroecological farmers are
potentially unaware of many useful agroecological approaches such as
polyculture for a diversity of crops, push-pull techniques for pest management,
soil fertility building through biofertilisers and green manures and more.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>representative</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>279</RecNum><DisplayText>[49]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>279</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538758289">279</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Personal
Communication">26</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Natural
England representative</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>E
Wach</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles></titles><dates><year>2018</year><pub-dates><date>25
January
2018</date></pub-dates></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[49]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Health and Harmony </i>and
the September 2018 Policy Statement heavily emphasized the need for technology,
a high-tech approach is unlikely to support agroecology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Developing skills and knowledge of farmers is
paramount to producing food in ecologically sound ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agroecology is highly knowledge intensive,
both in terms of the broad range of practices, but also in terms of the
location-specific knowledge required to practice agroecology effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Support for ongoing knowledge
development—particularly related to agroecological approaches—needs to be
emphasized as much as or more than investment in the latest tools and
technologies.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Pimbert</Author><Year>2009</Year><RecNum>293</RecNum><DisplayText>[50]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>293</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539875253">293</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Book
Section">5</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Pimbert,
M.</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Pimbert,
M.</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Transforming
knowledge and ways of knowing</title><secondary-title>Towards Food
Sovereignty. Reclaiming Autonomous Food
Systems</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2009</year></dates><pub-location>London</pub-location><publisher>International
Institute for Environment and
Development</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[50]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Training
opportunities in agroecology do exist, but overall there is a need for more
training courses to supply the knowledge and skills required to operate an
agroecological holding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most formal
agroecological trainings occur outside of mainstream agricultural and
horticultural colleges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">If
considering organic trainings as agroecological, then trainings include those
provided by the Soil Association, Biodynamic Agricultural College, School Farm
CSA, Schumacher College and Garden Organic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scotland’s Rural College is the only mainstream college which provides
an organic farming MSC and other trainings to the authors’ knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shorter trainings include those offered by
the Kindling Trust (a 4-day commercial grower course), the Agroecology Land
Trust, Bridgewater college (Level 5); an Organic Gardening Course at the
Horticulture Correspondence College. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
Soil Association runs a ‘Future Growers Scheme’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this was previously a 2-year paid
apprenticeship with mentoring from the employing farm, it has unfortunately
been reduced to a series of 6 weekend courses and farm visits with fees upward
of £1,500.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This significant change is
largely due to a continuing problem with finding host farms that can afford to
pay apprentices year round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There
are several informal traineeships run by existing farmers and growers, which
provide on farm education, and experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These schemes are generally very positive in outcome, but more formal training
that include classroom-based learning could enhance student learning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LWA is currently investigating expanding
and enhancing the present system of informal traineeships with additional peer
to peer learning, farm walks and better information sharing between farmers,
and trainees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It
is essential that Defra supports existing ‘conventional’ farmers to engage with
agroecological practices to accelerate improvements to farming practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many conventional farmers are unaware of ways
in which they could reorient their farms to better integrate food production
and ecology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initiatives implemented by
Natural England to support farmers to reduce nitrate usage and improve wildflower
margins are a great start but much more is needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further support could be offered to enable
farmers to reduce pesticide use, introduce polycultures, regularly use cover
crops and integrate livestock and crops where appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">DEFRA’s
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Health and Harmony</i> consultation paper
states: “Making sure that our agriculture, horticulture, forestry and food
supply chain industries have access to sufficient and suitably-skilled labour
is essential to industry growth and competitiveness. We will take the
opportunity to stimulate a forward-thinking agricultural industry that invests
in the future through innovative practice and automation.” (p10). It is
essential to recognise that the innovations needed are not necessarily
high-tech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra needs to support the
innovative agroecological skills that are already being developed: skills
mentioned above which make farming enjoyable and rewarding to the next
generation of farmers, as demonstrated by recent research.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Laughton</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>212</RecNum><DisplayText>[28]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>212</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535541363">212</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Laughton,
R. </author></authors></contributors><titles><title>A
Matter of Scale: A study of the productivity, financial viability and
multifunctional benefits of small
farms</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Coventry</pub-location><publisher>Centre
for Agroecology, Water and Resilience
(CAWR)</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[28]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, in its section about ‘a skilled workforce’ the Policy
Statement only referred to plans to allow in migrant seasonal workers, leaving
questions about whether and how it might improve the skills of its existing
farmers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #E2EFD9; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 450.8pt;" valign="top" width="601"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ways forward<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra should encourage existing agricultural and
horticultural colleges and universities to incorporate agroecological
training into their curricula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra should provide support for bursaries and
scholarships for new entrants wishing to undertake a course related to
agroecology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would help support
the spread of agroecological practices and also demonstrate a governmental
commitment to this promising approach to farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra should also support existing farmers to incorporate
more agroecological practices into their farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Offering training but also on-farm support
(e.g. building on that provided by Natural England) is essential to protect
the remainder of Britain’s wildlife and soils. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408878"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A need
for supportive markets</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
structure of mainstream food markets is largely prohibitive for agroecological
production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High levels of consolidation
in trade, processing and retail, as well as a just-in-time supply chains demand
high volumes, high uniformity and high flexibility, while reducing the value
received by producers.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Wibbelmann</Author><Year>2013</Year><RecNum>291</RecNum><DisplayText>[51]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>291</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539874650">291</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Wibbelmann,
M.;</author><author>Schmutz, U.;</author><author>Wright,
J.;</author><author>Udall, D.;</author><author>Rayns,
F.;</author><author>Kneafsey,
M.;</author><author>Trenchard,
L.;</author><author>Bennet, J.; </author><author>Lennartsson,
M.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Mainstreaming
Agroecology: Implications for Global Food and Farming
Systems</title><secondary-title>Centre for Agroecology and Food
Security Discussion
Paper</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2013</year></dates><pub-location>Coventry</pub-location><publisher>Centre
for Agroecology and Food
Security</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[51]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These structural barriers to agroecology need to be tackled through, for
example, strengthened regulation to break down oligopolies and other regulatory
mechanisms, at both national and global levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Parallel to this, markets which support agroecological production can be
encouraged at local and national levels, as described in this section. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Given
that agroecological farms tend to be smaller, there are inevitably issues
around economies of scale. Logistics (including transport) and market access
(e.g. insufficient quantities to sell to certain purchasers) can make certain
markets – including those of large retailers and public procurement
schemes—inaccessible, particularly in the absence of cooperative-like
structures that enable producers to aggregate their goods, processing and/or
transport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Prices
received for products are an issue for all farmers, who receive a small
percentage of what consumers pay for food items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>According to Defra 2017 statistics,
total consumer expenditure on food, drink and catering services in the UK was
£220bn.<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>273</RecNum><Pages>103</Pages><DisplayText>[35]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>273</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538753098">273</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author><author>DAERA</author><author>DRAH</author><author>RESAS</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department of Agriculture, Environment
and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland); Welsh Assembly Government Department for
Rural Affairs and Heritage; The Scottish Government Rural and Environment
Science and Analytical Services
</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Agriculture
in the United Kingdom</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>London,
UK</pub-location><publisher>HM
Crown</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[35]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The total income from farming was only £5.74
billion,<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Defra</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>286</RecNum><DisplayText>[52]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>286</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539825846">286</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Defra</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural
Affairs</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Total
Income from Farming 2017 First Estimate, statistical notice</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>London</pub-location><urls><related-urls><url>https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/total-income-from-farming-in-the-uk</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[52]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
of which £3.7bn came from subsidies.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>273</RecNum><Pages>32-33</Pages><DisplayText>[35]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>273</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538753098">273</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author><author>DAERA</author><author>DRAH</author><author>RESAS</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department of Agriculture, Environment
and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland); Welsh Assembly Government Department for
Rural Affairs and Heritage; The Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science
and Analytical Services
</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Agriculture
in the United
Kingdom</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>London,
UK</pub-location><publisher>HM
Crown</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[35]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus it appears only 1% of consumer spending
went towards farmer incomes in Britain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecological
farmers have to compete with cheap food, sold at prices which do not reflect
the<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>true cost of this foods
production, which are otherwise paid for through taxes (e.g. to address
obesity, flooding, water pollution, etc.).</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Fitzpatrick</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>257</RecNum><DisplayText>[22]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>257</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538646092">257</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Fitzpatrick,
I.</author><author>Young,
R.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
Hidden Cost of UK
Food</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Bristol</pub-location><publisher>Sustainable
Food
Trust</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[22]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Prices are largely dictated by large-scale
traders (e.g. Cargill), processors and retailers </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Murphy</Author><Year>2012</Year><RecNum>99</RecNum><DisplayText>[53]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>99</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535538714">99</key><key app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Murphy,
S.;</author><author>Burch, D.;&#xD;Clapp, J.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Cereal
Secrets: the world&apos;s largest grain traders and global
agriculture</title><secondary-title>Oxfam Research
Reports</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2012</year></dates><publisher>Oxfam</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[53]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">, and consumers’ perceptions of a
reasonable price for fresh produce are influenced by the prices that consumers
see in the supermarket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Health and Harmony</i> White Paper
states, “…we will adopt a trade approach which promotes industry innovation and
lower prices for consumers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it is
essential that food is affordable, it is questionable as to whether lower
prices are needed or even feasible without further ecological degradation at
home and/or abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important that
Defra does not champion cheap food instead of affordable food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Cheap food fundamentally tends to reify
social inequalities, rather than addressing food poverty’.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite
ExcludeAuth="1" ExcludeYear="1"><RecNum>156</RecNum><DisplayText>[54]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>156</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535538911">156</key><key
app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Conference
Paper">47</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Millner,
N.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Can
we afford cheap food? What are the alternatives? </title><secondary-title>The
future of food and challenges for agriculture in the 21st
century</secondary-title></titles><num-vols>20</num-vols><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Vitoria</pub-location><publisher>ICAS
- etxalde</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[54]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cheap food also tends to disregard (or externalise) environmental
impacts of production, meaning it is not a viable approach in the long term.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rather
than reducing costs at the farmgate, shortened supply chains can help ensure
that a reasonable monetary return can be made from the agroecologist’s labours.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is working through these shorter
supply chains that most agroecological farmers make a living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A number of ‘alternative’ marketing models,
and food distribution networks webs which are operating successfully at present
using the short supply chain model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These tend to be based on relatively local markets, with ‘local’ being
defined differently by different actors and varying across different
foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four models, community interest
intermediaries, public procurement, cooperatives and community supported
agriculture (CSA) are presented below.</span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Community
Interest Intermediaries <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the retail value of food is currently captured by
intermediaries, rather than accruing to farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farmers markets and veg box schemes developed
in part as a response to this as they offer a way for farmers to retain most of
the retail value of their foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, not all farmers have the capabilities, resources or desire to
sell directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Community-interest
intermediaries can play a role in these situations. Tamar Grow Local<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
(TGL) is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company in Plymouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a low mark-up of 18% between the
producers and consumers, TGL offers producers fair prices based on the cost of
production, rather than global market prices; which have been, at times, up to 150-275%
higher than average farm gate prices.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Ferguson</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>280</RecNum><DisplayText>[55]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>280</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539819452">280</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Ferguson,
C.,</author><author>Wach, E. </author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Local
food strategies: what has led English councils to develop sustainable local
food strategies and what have these entailed?
</title><secondary-title>Transitions to Agroecological Food
Systems</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Brighton,
UK</pub-location><publisher>Institute of Development Studies and
Land Workers&apos; Alliance
</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[55]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TGL also creates new marketing outlets for
producers through shared label schemes and processing units. TGL’s ‘Grow Share
Cook’ scheme procures vegetables from local farmers and distributes them to
people living in food poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
programme has achieved a healthier diet for 85% of participants.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Ferguson</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>280</RecNum><DisplayText>[55]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>280</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539819452">280</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Ferguson,
C.,</author><author>Wach, E.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Local
food strategies: what has led English councils to develop sustainable local
food strategies and what have these entailed?
</title><secondary-title>Transitions to Agroecological Food
Systems</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Brighton,
UK</pub-location><publisher>Institute of Development Studies and
Land Workers&apos; Alliance
</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[55]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TGL provides support to 60 producers, has reached 200 low
income households and even more general consumers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a required external support of £40k per
year from donors, Tamar Grow Local is economically efficient in its support to
producers while also generating important social and health outcomes for
Plymouth’s population.<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Ferguson</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>281</RecNum><DisplayText>[56]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>281</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539819854">281</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Ferguson,
C. &#xD;Wach, E.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Strategies
for markets and finance to support agroecological farming in the
UK</title><secondary-title>Transitions to Agroecological Food
Systems</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Brighton,
UK</pub-location><publisher>Institute of Development Studies and
Land Workers&apos; Alliance
</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[56]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without support, however, it is possible that
such successful models would have to scale back or shut down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Public
Procurement <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Public procurement offers potential to create steady and
reliable markets for farms and to support farmers to produce sustainably, while
also providing access to healthy foods for the public, including people
experiencing food poverty or other challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The UK public sector spends £2.4 billion annually procuring food and
catering services.<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>Bonefield</Author><Year>2014</Year><RecNum>282</RecNum><DisplayText>[57]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>282</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539820078">282</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Bonefield,
P.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>A
plan for public procurement: Enabling a healthy future for our people, farmers
and food producers
</title></titles><dates><year>2014</year></dates><publisher>Department
for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[57]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sustainable Public Procurement’ (SPP) has the potential to
address environmental and social concerns.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>Soldi</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>235</RecNum><DisplayText>[58]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>235</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1537548050">235</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Soldi,
R.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Sustainable
Public Procurement of Food</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><publisher>European
Committee of the Regions</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[58]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such procurement is well within the remit of
current EU (and WTO) regulations: Article 67 in Directive 2014/24/EU allows for
Sustainable Public Procurement, in that the ‘most economically advantageous
tender’ can allow for not only cost but also ‘delivery conditions such as
delivery date, delivery process and delivery process…The weighting of the award
criteria further allows for achieving the best combination of price and
quality’.<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>Sonnino</Author><Year>ND</Year><RecNum>271</RecNum><DisplayText>[59]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>271</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538668459">271</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Sonnino,
R.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Creative
public procurement: Lessons from Italy and the UK
</title></titles><dates><year>ND</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[59]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was established in the Helsinki case
C-513/1999, in which the European Court of Justice ruled that contracting
authorities can take into consideration ‘production methods’ of suppliers as
well.<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN
EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>Sonnino</Author><Year>ND</Year><RecNum>271</RecNum><DisplayText>[59]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>271</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538668459">271</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Sonnino,
R.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Creative
public procurement: Lessons from Italy and the UK
</title></titles><dates><year>ND</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[59]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Within Europe, many local and regional authorities, have
altered their tendering procedures to source from small and medium sized
producers who are based in their locality and/or producing using ecological
approaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Examples include the school
sectors in Malmo (Sweden), Rome (Italy), Lens (France), Munich (Germany), and
Bath (UK); as well as municipalities of Zagreb (Croatia), Tukums (Latvia), and
Podravje (Slovenia).<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>Soldi</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>235</RecNum><DisplayText>[58]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>235</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1537548050">235</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Soldi,
R.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Sustainable
Public Procurement of
Food</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><publisher>European
Committee of the Regions</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[58]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, one of the best examples of public
procurement which supports ecology and family farms is that of Brazil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brazil’s school feeding and public procurement programmes
operate at national scales and are run through local municipalities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They explicitly aim to benefit both food
producers and consumers, particularly small-scale farms and consumers who are
living with food and nutritional insecurity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To achieve this, food is procured <span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">using a simplified and
smallholder-friendly procurement model which has substituted the traditional
bidding procedure’, thirty percent of funding for school meals must be used to
source food from family farms in the municipality, and agroecological and
organic farms (certified through a Participatory Guarantee System) are given a
price premium and preferential access to contracts.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;color:black'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Swensson</Author><Year>2015</Year><RecNum>237</RecNum><DisplayText>[60]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>237</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1537548624">237</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Swensson,
L.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Institutional
Procurement of Food from Smallholder Farmers: The Case of
Brazil</title></titles><dates><year>2015</year></dates><pub-location>Rome</pub-location><publisher>Food
and Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[60]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;color:black'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Defra commissioned <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Plan for Public Procurement</i> in 2014, its recommendations rely on voluntary
action by caterers and procurers and does not include provision to ensure
contracts do not only go to large scale suppliers.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Bonefield</Author><Year>2014</Year><RecNum>282</RecNum><DisplayText>[57]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>282</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1539820078">282</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Bonefield,
P.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>A
plan for public procurement: Enabling a healthy future for our people, farmers
and food producers </title></titles><dates><year>2014</year></dates><publisher>Department
for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[57]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The UK could learn from Brazil and other countries to leverage the
potential of Britain’s public procurement. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Cooperatives
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As
noted in the Health and Harmony White Paper, cooperatives are ‘a powerful way
for farmers to benefit from economies of scale and lower the costs of buying
inputs or hiring services such as storage and transport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agricultural cooperatives also enable farmers
to access new markets and reduce risks.’ (p57)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Supporting
more producer cooperatives, through making grants and technical support
available, could help address the aggregation and economies of scale problem
faced by many agroecological producers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">While
the September policy statement and Health and Harmony paper mention
improvements in the collection and sharing of data and information for
increased transparency and communication, it is unlikely that this will, in itself,
change the structure of supply chains so that farmers can earn a living wage
while covering the costs of sustainable production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While conventional farmers receive a very
small percentage of the retail price of food in mainstream supply chains, models
such as Tamar Grow Local, demonstrate that it does not need to be that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Another
model is that of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), in which people
subscribe or become a member of a farm scheme, making a direct linkage between
producers and consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some
schemes, consumers share a degree of risk, for example, accepting that they may
receive less food from the scheme if a harvest fails, while nonetheless paying
their monthly or annual share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CSAs can
also involve members working on the farm for a certain amount of time to
contribute to the production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CSAs may
be arranged by individual farmers or through collective groupings of
farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">CSAs
can provide consumers with a high variety of foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quality is guaranteed partly through the
ability for members to come to the farm and witness production processes, and
partly through the accountability that comes with a direct connection with the
producers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Rather than a distant,
anonymous production of food grown with chemical inputs certified ‘safe’ by a
government bureaucracy, CSA members not only know where and when their food is
grown, they know who grows it.’</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Cone</Author><Year>2000</Year><RecNum>301</RecNum><Pages>188</Pages><DisplayText>[61]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>301</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1540895782">301</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Cone,
Cynthia Abbott</author><author>Myhre,
Andrea</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Community-Supported
Agriculture: A Sustainable Alternative to Industrial
Agriculture?</title><secondary-title>Human Organization</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Human
Organization</full-title></periodical><pages>187-197</pages><volume>59</volume><number>2</number><dates><year>2000</year></dates><publisher>Society
for Applied Anthropology</publisher><isbn>00187259,
19383525</isbn><urls><related-urls><url>http://www.jstor.org/stable/44126935</url></related-urls></urls><custom1>Full
publication date: Summer
2000</custom1></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[61]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>CSAs also reduce distance between producer and consumer, leading to less
environmental impacts from transport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
two main reasons why people become members of a CSA is to access quality food
and/or affordable food.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Saltmarsh</Author><Year>2011</Year><RecNum>302</RecNum><DisplayText>[62]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>302</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1540897616">302</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Saltmarsh,
N.&#xD;Meldrum, J.&#xD;Longhurst, N.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
impact of community supported
agriculture</title><secondary-title>Soil Association CSA Support
Project, Making Local Food
Work</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2011</year></dates><publisher>Soil
Association</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[62]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A study of CSAs in the UK found that, ‘Although CSA members are more
likely to enjoy middle class incomes, all income brackets are represented: 12%
of members have annual household income under £15,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For 37% of initiatives, providing a service
for those at risk of social exclusion is a high or medium priority aim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A handful of initiatives offer discounts to
the low waged or accept Healthy Start vouchers, though more are planning to do
so and several offer free or discounted shares in return for work.’ (p30)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">CSAs
can offer an entry into farming for those who do not want to follow a
‘conventional’ approach or who find the status quo inaccessible, and has been
demonstrated to create employment in agriculture: an average of 2.6 full time
equivalent employees per initiative (Ibid, p31)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At
present, there are approximately 100 CSAs in the UK, serving an average of 40
households each.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>representative</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>308</RecNum><DisplayText>[63]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>308</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1541074506">308</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Personal
Communication">26</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>CSA
Network
representative</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Wach,
E.</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Number
of CSAs and their members in the
UK</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year><pub-dates><date>30
October
2018</date></pub-dates></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[63]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While this is not insignificant, there is certainly scope for its
expansion in Britain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #E2EFD9; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 450.8pt;" valign="top" width="601"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ways forward:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Community-interest intermediaries, sustainable public procurement,
cooperatives and community supported agriculture schemes can increase the
value of food retained by producers while also ensuring accessibility
(including affordability) for all consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These models can also improve transparency in supply chains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Defra should allocate explicit support, e.g.
through future iterations of Rural Development Schemes, to facilitate the
spreading of innovative local models that benefit both producers and
consumers, such as iterations of Tamar Grow Local or local CSA schemes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might include funding for start-up
costs (trainings, market research, etc.), and support for operational costs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Public procurement should source, at least
partially, from local agroecological farms to encourage and support this type
of farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is scope for the UK
to build on existing efforts to ensure publicly procured food delivers more
public benefits for both producers and consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The UK could learn from Brazil and go
beyond voluntary recommendations to require a percentage of publicly procured
food to be sourced from agroecological production. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Defra should support the formation of new cooperatives and
strengthen existing ones through offering bursaries for cooperative leaders
to participate in trainings and offering start-up grants for the initial
stages of cooperative building, as considerable investment of time is needed
to recruit members and establish decision making structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Based on Defra 2016 data, available from <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/616865/AUK-Chapter2-01jun17.ods">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/616865/AUK-Chapter2-01jun17.ods</a></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are indebted to Robin Grey for these
calculations. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
‘Horsiculture’ is a colloquial term for those using agricultural land for
horses. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
See <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://ecologicalland.coop/">http://ecologicalland.coop/</a></span>
for more details<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The inability to influence farming practices due to AHA tenancies was
referenced in a study of the Brighton & Hove Council’s Farmland
Estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See Wach and Ely 2018 for more
details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
For example, recently in Brighton & Hove, when a council farm tenancy was
ending with a retirement, the city council allocated the farm (approximately
200 acres) to an existing tenant farmer, enlarging his estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In contrast, other councils have downsized
existing tenancies to create more entry-level holdings. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
See <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.tamargrowlocal.org/">http://www.tamargrowlocal.org/</a></span>
for more information about Tamar Grow Local and the Grow Share Cook scheme<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/agroecology-part-four-climax.html">Part four to be found here ...</a></span></b><br />
<br />Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-7471756045548641482019-01-26T17:59:00.001+00:002019-07-14T18:11:16.765+01:00Agroecology briefing part two<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqRsYN3Nw9e7AXioFDRPTRTmDFnc7VDtkCRImt8jCQWidb-IVzDgjM00wcZhdJkPmq-SJSVcqen4gc5DGHV56Q1KEablSoS6qNvgUzzHn7nCeUIQiuhWUa2obMisEX_CRylQz2r4RSIwC/s1600/IMG_20170527_185322_187+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqRsYN3Nw9e7AXioFDRPTRTmDFnc7VDtkCRImt8jCQWidb-IVzDgjM00wcZhdJkPmq-SJSVcqen4gc5DGHV56Q1KEablSoS6qNvgUzzHn7nCeUIQiuhWUa2obMisEX_CRylQz2r4RSIwC/s320/IMG_20170527_185322_187+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408873"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Who
is practicing agroecology in the UK and what are they doing?</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecological
producers – what they produce and how<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As
outliers to both intensive non-ecological farming and conservation-focused
non-farming, there are a considerable number of smaller productive, mixed
enterprise, ecologically benign holdings which are making a modest living, from
their activities whilst providing meaningful employment opportunities, and
nutritious food for their local communities</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>Laughton</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>212</RecNum><DisplayText>[28]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>212</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535541363">212</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Laughton,
R.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>A
Matter of Scale: A study of the productivity, financial viability and
multifunctional benefits of small farms</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Coventry</pub-location><publisher>Centre
for Agroecology, Water and Resilience
(CAWR)</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[28]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of these enterprises fall within the definition of agroecological
holdings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecological
farmers produce a wide variety of animal products, as well as vegetables and
crops, with considerable variation across farms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A recent study in England indicated that they
do so with levels of productivity which, for some crops, </span>including
beetroot, kale, cabbage, carrots, broad beans, calabrese, French beans and
spinach <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">match
or outperform the yields per hectare of the average UK farm.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Laughton</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>212</RecNum><DisplayText>[28]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>212</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535541363">212</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Laughton,
R.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>A
Matter of Scale: A study of the productivity, financial viability and
multifunctional benefits of small
farms</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Coventry</pub-location><publisher>Centre
for Agroecology, Water and Resilience
(CAWR)</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[28]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">,</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Alliance</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>261</RecNum><DisplayText>[29]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>261</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538667379">261</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Land
Workers&apos; Alliance</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Production
Case Studies: UK</title><secondary-title>Horticulture Renewal
Programme</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><urls><related-urls><url>https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LGB-dFBroQtYhlIa91n-3Ircsh0krl7b</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[29]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This research corroborates international evidence collected across 37
million hectares which indicates that the adoption of agroecological approaches
results in a significant increase in yields, compared with mainstream
production methods, while simultaneously conserving ecosystems.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Pretty</Author><Year>2006</Year><RecNum>209</RecNum><DisplayText>[30]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>209</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535539335">209</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Book">6</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Pretty,
Jules</author><author>Noble,
Andrew</author><author>Bossio,
Deborah</author><author>Dixon,
John</author><author>Bragg, Rachel</author><author>W.
T. Penning de Vries, F.</author><author>Morison,
James</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Resource-Conserving
Agriculture Increases Yields in Developing
Countries</title></titles><pages>1114-9</pages><volume>40</volume><dates><year>2006</year></dates><urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.1021/es062733a</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[30]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">While
the Food Standards Agency (FSA) concluded in 2009 that there is no nutritional
difference between organically and conventionally produced foods, later and
more comprehensive research has concluded the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the FSA review only considered 55
publications (across crops, meat and dairy)</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Dangour</Author><Year>2009</Year><RecNum>300</RecNum><DisplayText>[31]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>300</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1540894028">300</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Dangour,
Alan D.</author><author>Dodhia, Sakhi
K.</author><author>Hayter, Arabella</author><author>Allen,
Elizabeth</author><author>Lock, Karen</author><author>Uauy,
Ricardo</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Nutritional
quality of organic foods: a systematic
review</title><secondary-title>The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>The
American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition</full-title></periodical><pages>680-685</pages><volume>90</volume><number>3</number><dates><year>2009</year></dates><isbn>0002-9165</isbn><urls><related-urls><url>http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2009.28041</url></related-urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.3945/ajcn.2009.28041</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[31]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">, in 2014, Newcastle University conducted
a meta-review of 343 peer-reviewed studies on crops and 196 studies on meat and
dairy</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE <span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE.DATA <![if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data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w:data>
</xml><![endif]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[32]</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data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w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">,</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE <span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE.DATA <![if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>3C456E644E6F74653E3C436974653E3C417574686F723EC59A7265646E69636B612D546F6265723C2F417574686F723E3C596561723E323031363C2F596561723E3C5265634E756D3E31323C2F5265634E756D3E3C446973706C6179546578743E5B33335D3C2F446973706C6179546578743E3C7265636F72643E3C7265632D6E756D6265723E31323C2F7265632D6E756D6265723E3C666F726569676E2D6B6579733E3C6B6579206170703D22454E222064622D69643D223277737478767039356665327669657270727370747764743278777A7878617776653032222074696D657374616D703D2231353335353336353932223E31323C2F6B65793E3C2F666F726569676E2D6B6579733E3C7265662D74797065206E616D653D224A6F75726E616C2041727469636C65223E31373C2F7265662D747970653E3C636F6E7472696275746F72733E3C617574686F72733E3C617574686F723EC59A7265646E69636B612D546F6265722C20446F6D696E696B613C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E42617261C584736B692C204D617263696E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E5365616C2C2043687269733C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E53616E646572736F6E2C20526F793C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E42656E62726F6F6B2C20436861726C65733C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E537465696E7368616D6E2C2048C3A5766172643C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E47726F6D61647A6B612D4F7374726F77736B612C204A6F616E6E613C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E52656D626961C5826B6F77736B612C204577613C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E536B776172C5826F2D536FC58474612C204B72797374796E613C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E457972652C204D69636B3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E436F7A7A692C204769756C696F3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E4B726F6768204C617273656E2C204D657474653C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E4A6F72646F6E2C205465726573613C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E4E6967676C692C205572733C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E53616B6F77736B692C20546F6D61737A3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E43616C6465722C205068696C697020432E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E4275726467652C2047726168616D20432E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E536F746972616B692C20536D6172616764613C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E53746566616E616B69732C20416C6578616E64726F733C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E596F6C63752C2048616C696C3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E537465726769616469732C20536F6B72617469733C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E436861747A6964696D697472696F752C20456C656E693C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E4275746C65722C2047696C6C69616E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E537465776172742C20476176696E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E4C6569666572742C204361726C6F3C2F617574686F723E3C2F617574686F72733E3C2F636F6E7472696275746F72733E3C7469746C65733E3C7469746C653E436F6D706F736974696F6E20646966666572656E636573206265747765656E206F7267616E696320616E6420636F6E76656E74696F6E616C206D6561743A20612073797374656D61746963206C6974657261747572652072657669657720616E64206D6574612D616E616C797369733C2F7469746C653E3C7365636F6E646172792D7469746C653E42726974697368204A6F75726E616C206F66204E7574726974696F6E3C2F7365636F6E646172792D7469746C653E3C2F7469746C65733E3C706572696F646963616C3E3C66756C6C2D7469746C653E42726974697368204A6F75726E616C206F66204E7574726974696F6E3C2F66756C6C2D7469746C653E3C2F706572696F646963616C3E3C70616765733E3939342D313031313C2F70616765733E3C766F6C756D653E3131353C2F766F6C756D653E3C6E756D6265723E363C2F6E756D6265723E3C65646974696F6E3E323031362F30322F31363C2F65646974696F6E3E3C6B6579776F7264733E3C6B6579776F72643E4F7267616E696320666F6F64733C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E416E696D616C2070726F64756374733C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E4D6561743C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E49726F6E3C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E4D6561742066617420636F6D706F736974696F6E3C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E6E2D3320505546413C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E6E2D3620505546413C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643ECEB12D6C696E6F6C656E696320616369643C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E444D20696E74616B653C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E646F636F736170656E7461656E6F696320616369643C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E4575726F7065616E20556E696F6E3C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E66617474792061636964733C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E6C696E6F6C65696320616369643C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E6D65616E2070657263656E7461676520646966666572656E63653C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E7374616E6461726469736564206D65616E20646966666572656E63653C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E756E7765696768746564206D6574612D616E616C797369733C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E76657279206C6F6E672D636861696E2046413C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E7765696768746564206D6574612D616E616C797369733C2F6B6579776F72643E3C2F6B6579776F7264733E3C64617465733E3C796561723E323031363C2F796561723E3C2F64617465733E3C7075626C69736865723E43616D62726964676520556E69766572736974792050726573733C2F7075626C69736865723E3C6973626E3E303030372D313134353C2F6973626E3E3C75726C733E3C72656C617465642D75726C733E3C75726C3E68747470733A2F2F7777772E63616D6272696467652E6F72672F636F72652F61727469636C652F636F6D706F736974696F6E2D646966666572656E6365732D6265747765656E2D6F7267616E69632D616E642D636F6E76656E74696F6E616C2D6D6561742D612D73797374656D617469632D6C6974657261747572652D7265766965772D616E642D6D657461616E616C797369732F42333333424330444434423233313933444446413232373336343941453045453C2F75726C3E3C2F72656C617465642D75726C733E3C2F75726C733E3C656C656374726F6E69632D7265736F757263652D6E756D3E31302E313031372F53303030373131343531353030353037333C2F656C656374726F6E69632D7265736F757263652D6E756D3E3C72656D6F74652D64617461626173652D6E616D653E43616D62726964676520436F72653C2F72656D6F74652D64617461626173652D6E616D653E3C72656D6F74652D64617461626173652D70726F76696465723E43616D62726964676520556E69766572736974792050726573733C2F72656D6F74652D64617461626173652D70726F76696465723E3C2F7265636F72643E3C2F436974653E3C2F456E644E6F74653E</w:data>
</xml><![endif]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[33]</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>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</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In crops, the Newcastle review found a 60%
difference in beneficial antioxidants in organic foods compared to conventional
crops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This equates to 1-2 extra
portions of fruit and vegetables per day in terms of antioxidants if consumers
switched to eating organic.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE <span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE.DATA <![if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data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w:data>
</xml><![endif]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[32]</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data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w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In meat and dairy the Newcastle team concluded
that organic and non-organic meat and dairy had significant differences in
nutritional composition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The review found
that organic milk and meat contain a better fatty acid profile (including 50%
more omega-3 fatty acids) than those produced via conventional methods </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE <span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE.DATA <![if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>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</w:data>
</xml><![endif]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[33]</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>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</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While not all organic farming would be
considered agroecological, and not all agroecological production would pass
organic certification </span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite
ExcludeAuth="1" ExcludeYear="1"><Author>Guthman</Author><Year>2000</Year><RecNum>46</RecNum><DisplayText>[34]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>46</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535537933">46</key><key app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Guthman,
J.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Raising
organic: An agro-ecological assessment of grower practices in California</title><secondary-title>Agriculture
and Human
Values</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Agriculture
and Human
Values</full-title></periodical><volume>17</volume><number>3</number><dates><year>2000</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[34]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">, the emphasis of both systems on
reducing agrichemical usage, building soils, improving the diet of animals
(e.g. pasturing, conserved forage and low use of concentrate feed for
ruminants) and rearing traditional breeds, indicates that these nutritional
differences would similarly hold for agroecological production.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Agroecology by land area<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Currently, evidence is lacking about the amount of land and
number of farms under agroecological production in the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using the figures from organic farming or
from farm scales could give a broad estimate, but both have significant drawbacks
as proxies. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">According to Defra
national statistics, 517 thousand hectares of land were farmed organically in
2017 across the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The area under
organic management has declined by about one third since 2008 as indicated in
the below table </span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-bidi-font-style:
italic'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>273</RecNum><DisplayText>[35]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>273</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538753098">273</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author><author>DAERA</author><author>DRAH</author><author>RESAS</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department of Agriculture, Environment
and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland); Welsh Assembly Government Department for Rural
Affairs and Heritage; The Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and
Analytical Services
</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Agriculture
in the United Kingdom</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>London,
UK</pub-location><publisher>HM
Crown</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[35]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently,
land under organic management represents only 3 percent of the utilised
agricultural area in the UK.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>273</RecNum><DisplayText>[35]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>273</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538753098">273</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author><author>DAERA</author><author>DRAH</author><author>RESAS</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department of Agriculture, Environment
and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland); Welsh Assembly Government Department for
Rural Affairs and Heritage; The Scottish Government Rural and Environment
Science and Analytical Services
</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Agriculture
in the United
Kingdom</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>London,
UK</pub-location><publisher>HM
Crown</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[35]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
low proportion of organic farmland in the UK indicates that organic and
agroecological farming is trapped in the niche market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sharp decline in 2008 indicates it is
largely dependent on consumer incomes, and largely unsupported by public
policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In contrast, in Europe the
amount of organic farmland has increased by 18.7% between 2012-2016.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Eurostat</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>274</RecNum><DisplayText>[36]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>274</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538753891">274</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Eurostat</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Agriculture,
forestry and fishery statistics</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Luxembourg</pub-location><publisher>Publications
Office of the European
Union</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[36]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-after: avoid;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 202.5pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 399.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata cropbottom="12437f" cropleft="3749f" cropright="36977f" croptop="30703f" o:title="" src="file:///C:/Users/RUTHHA~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoCaption">
Figure <!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-no-proof:
yes'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>SEQ Figure \* ARABIC <span style='mso-element:
field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">1</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-no-proof:yes'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->:
Total number of hectares of organic an 'in-conversion' farmland the UK, from <!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>273</RecNum><Pages>90</Pages><DisplayText>[35]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>273</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538753098">273</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author><author>DAERA</author><author>DRAH</author><author>RESAS</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department of Agriculture, Environment
and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland); Welsh Assembly Government Department for
Rural Affairs and Heritage; The Scottish Government Rural and Environment
Science and Analytical Services
</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Agriculture
in the United
Kingdom</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>London,
UK</pub-location><publisher>HM Crown</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[35]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
Using organic farmland
as a proxy for land managed in an agroecological way is problematic, for reason
given above, and because organic certification is often too expensive for many
small farms. Some farms find that short supply chains render it unnecessary
given that their customer bases know and trust their practices.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Panel</Author><Year>August
2016</Year><RecNum>275</RecNum><DisplayText>[37]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>275</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538754352">275</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Personal
Communication">26</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Farmer
Panel</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Transitions
to Agroecological Food Systems
Project</title></titles><dates><year>August
2016</year></dates><pub-location>Bristol, UK</pub-location><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[37]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
Another reason why
organic acreage is not an adequate proxy for agroecological farming is that
some farms are able to receive organic certification but would not necessarily
be considered agroecological by some criteria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In many cases, organic farms are indeed practicing agroecology, but not
always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While organic certifications
standardise certain environmental practices, some techniques such as
monocultures and low functional biodiversity mean that organic farms simply
substitute chemical inputs for ‘organic’ ones (sometimes at levels which result
in ecological problems), thus diverting from principles of agroecology.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, organic certifications do not
include standards for ‘social sustainability’ or transparent and short supply
chains and decent working conditions and pay for farm labourers.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Altieri</Author><Year>2011</Year><RecNum>20</RecNum><DisplayText>[7]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>20</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535537825">20</key><key app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Altieri,
Miguel A.</author><author>Toledo, Victor
Manuel</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
agroecological revolution in Latin America: rescuing nature, ensuring food
sovereignty and empowering peasants</title><secondary-title>Journal
of Peasant Studies</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Journal
of Peasant
Studies</full-title></periodical><pages>587-612</pages><volume>38</volume><number>3</number><section>587</section><dates><year>2011</year></dates><isbn>0306-6150&#xD;1743-9361</isbn><urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.1080/03066150.2011.582947</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[7]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This contrasts agroecology’s focus on
supporting rural communities as well as producing food sustainably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Thirdly, over half of UK farms are
20ha or less, and given that Defra does not collect data on farms under 5 ha,
it is possible that a significant amount of agroecological farmland is missing
from Defra statistics.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='color:black'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2015</Year><RecNum>262</RecNum><DisplayText>[38]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>262</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538667435">262</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Web Page">12</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>CAP
Payments Data
</title></titles><dates><year>2015</year></dates><urls><related-urls><url>http://cap-payments.defra.gov.uk</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[38]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='color:black'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="color: black;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Attendance of farmers at events such as the Oxford Real Farming
Conference (ORFC), an annual event which generally aligns with agroecological
principles, is testament to the fact that there is a growing number of agroecological
farmers in the UK. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2018, the event
sold out at 980 attendees with 250 people turned away.<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>van der
Zee</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>263</RecNum><DisplayText>[39]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>263</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538667531">263</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Newspaper
Article">23</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>van
der Zee, B.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Radical
ecologists v Big Agriculture: the rival factions fighting for the future of
farming</title><secondary-title>The Guardian
</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><pub-location>Online</pub-location><urls><related-urls><url>https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/05/radical-and-traditional-farmers-unite-in-oxford-over-an-uncertain-future
</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[39]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->
The Land Workers’ Alliance (LWA), a members-based organisation of people who
produce or harvest from the land using ecological methods, has more than 1,000
members, most in England though a few in Wales in Scotland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is likely that others practicing
agroecology are not involved in this organisation<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also important to acknowledge that
there is no clear boundary between agroecology and non-agroecology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, there may be many farmers practicing
some aspects of agroecology alongside non-agroecological practices, and these
farmers may not necessarily identify with a social movement related to
agroecology.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In sum, while there is a growing number of people practicing
and promoting agroecology in the UK, there is currently a lack of data about
the number of agroecological farms and the area of land farmed agroecologically
in this country, in part reflecting political indifference to the approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research about existing agroecological farms
could provide more information about the current scope and characteristics of
agroecology in the UK. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any case, it
is likely that those who practice agroecology are small minority of the farming
population, though not insignificant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Membership
of the LWA and interest in the ORFC shows that more people are interested to
get started in agroecological production as new entrants or would be interested
to incorporate agroecological principles in their existing farming
practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next section discusses
the factors that hinder this from happening, and also provides recommendations
for Defra for addressing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The difference between organic and agroecological practices has been documented
in California (Guthman 2000) and anecdotally elsewhere (Altieri and Nicholls
2003).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the authors’ knowledge, no
similar inquiry has been undertaken in the UK. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Other member-based organisations with agroecological trends are the Organic
Growers Alliance and Scottish Crofting Federation<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/agroecology-briefing-part-three.html">Part Three !!</a></span></b>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-15120905942107318282019-01-26T17:58:00.001+00:002019-07-14T18:10:52.560+01:00Agroecology briefing part one <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>Last summer i was sometimes excused from very hot field work, to the relative cool of the barn, to wrestle with writing a briefing paper regarding smaller scaled agroecological agriculture, and the part it might play in a post Brexit farming and food production.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>Some folks have expressed an interest in reading the results.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b> I'm putting it out here in several parts due to the publishing limits of this format.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>And because otherwise it makes for rather dense reading..</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>Its not designed to be entertaining, but is hopefully readable and informative.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>Aimed at a policy maker, or person broadly interested and active in ensuring that a more than adequate food supplies continues to be available in the UK.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>This work represents a collaboration between myself , Elise Wach, and Jane Sweetman, and many others - some of whose works have been referenced, but others perhaps not enough -</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b> No one, for instance, ever seems to reference the soil biology upon whom we all depend - </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>So Hey!! Thanks little guys...</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>Agroecology is all about cooperation, and collaboration, the synergies that arise between the producer, and the land, the wider ecosystems, the people doing the work, and the people consuming the end results.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>If we are to stand a chance of feeding ourselves well, into the future, but also leave a livable, and convivial planet for those to come, we must start to think and act differently, around enjoying our food. </b></span></span><br />
<b style="color: green; font-size: 20px;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: green; font-size: 20px;"> </b><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;">With
appreciation to Erik Millstone, Clare Ferguson, Santiago Ripoll and Chris Smaje
for their feedback.</span><br />
<span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbud0l4FTBA_bi_P5aXadAcWwB1SfzDPunjglZjg2AjtWmTYfTtQpZozcHRSQVbS7srOFibB-2dBhyphenhyphen8K9e3u5CbnDhyF_nJb3E7v0GgO63BiuDMiSUlGbdT_P81cF6Rxzm4dz3w735XY84/s1600/IMG_20180722_124013_860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbud0l4FTBA_bi_P5aXadAcWwB1SfzDPunjglZjg2AjtWmTYfTtQpZozcHRSQVbS7srOFibB-2dBhyphenhyphen8K9e3u5CbnDhyF_nJb3E7v0GgO63BiuDMiSUlGbdT_P81cF6Rxzm4dz3w735XY84/s320/IMG_20180722_124013_860.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<w:sdt docparttype="Table of Contents" docpartunique="t" id="-152917145" sdtdocpart="t">
</w:sdt><br />
<div class="MsoTocHeading">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Contents<o:p></o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #70ad47; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoToc2" style="tab-stops: right dotted 450.8pt;">
<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>TOC \o
"1-3" \h \z \u <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408870">Introduction<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408870 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:
field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">1</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370030000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc2" style="tab-stops: right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408871">What is
Agroecology?<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408871 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:
field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">2</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370031000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc2" style="tab-stops: right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408872">The
state of play, and why agroecology is needed<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408872 \h </span><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">4</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370032000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc2" style="tab-stops: right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408873">Who is
practicing agroecology in the UK and what are they doing?<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408873 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:
field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">6</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370033000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;mso-bidi-font-style:
normal;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc2" style="tab-stops: right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408874">The main barriers to agroecological
farming becoming more prevalent<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408874 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">8</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370034000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408875">1.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>Access to land<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408875 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">8</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370035000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408876">2.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>Poor access to capital<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;"> </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408876 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">11</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370036000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408877">3.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>Lack of skills and training<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408877 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">12</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370037000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408878">4.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>The need for supportive markets<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408878 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">13</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370038000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc2" style="tab-stops: right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408879">Agroecology promotes health and
harmony but is not supported in Defra’s proposed policies<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408879 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">16</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800370039000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408880">1.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>Healthy food<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408880 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">16</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800380030000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408881">2.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>Fairness in the supply chain<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408881 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">17</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800380031000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408882">3.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>Ecology and true support for
public goods<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408882 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">17</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800380032000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408883">4.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>The next generation of farmers<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408883 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">17</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800380033000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408884">5.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>Tech for food and the environment<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408884 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">18</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800380034000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc3" style="tab-stops: 44.0pt right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408885">6.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>Democratic process, beyond
consultations<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408885 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">19</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800380035000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc2" style="tab-stops: right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408886">Conclusions<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408886 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">19</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800380036000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoToc2" style="tab-stops: right dotted 450.8pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_Toc526408887">References<span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1 dotted;">. </span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;
mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> PAGEREF _Toc526408887 \h </span><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">20</span><span style="display: none; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hide: screen; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F0054006F0063003500320036003400300038003800380037000000</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-color-alt:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide:screen;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408870"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Introduction</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">British consumers are in need of healthy foods,
given high and rising rates of diet-related diseases, food poverty and
malnutrition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time,
degradation of British soils, pollution of water and drastic declines of
pollinators and birds require urgent changes in how land is used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Change is needed in farming and food policy
and practice in Britain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brexit could
make the need for change even more urgent, while also providing an opportunity
to address it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A departure of the UK from the European Union (EU)
would mean a change to imports and exports, and also a change in agricultural,
land use and food policies which have previously been decided at the EU level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reliance on the EU for our current high
levels of imports of fresh fruit and vegetables, or for trade in other
agricultural goods such as chicken carcasses,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
is likely to be less viable than currently, though this partly depends on what
kind of ‘deal’ the UK might receive from the EU.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Agriculture Bill, and Defra’s Health and
Harmony Policy Statement and White Paper indicate that there will be a
separation between support for environmental outcomes and support for farm
economic productivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is assumed that
this will lead to ecological food production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, this approach runs a risk that conservation will be pitted
against food production, perhaps even more so than at present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may also exacerbate attrition rates in
farming, leaving food production either to highly consolidated farms, or to
other countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this scenario, it is
possible that farming may cause the same more environmental damage, and that
access to healthy food would decrease in Britain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Instead, what is urgently needed is an
integration of food production with ecology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecology, an approach to farming and food
systems, has the potential to contribute to addressing food and agriculture needs
in a way that integrates ecology, food and nutrition, rural communities and
economies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With high yield potentials, agroecology
has demonstrated its potential to meet the food needs of Britain while also
enhancing, rather than depleting, our ecosystem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it provides meaningful employment, and numerous
employment opportunities per area of land, it also shows promise of
revitalising rural communities and ensuring that our food sector does not
disappear with an end to the availability of migrant workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At present, agroecology is extremely under-supported
by UK government policies and partly as a result, is under practiced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, during this time of transition, increasing
support for agroecological practices in the UK would contribute to enhancing
the UK’s food security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recent DEFRA
Health and Harmony White Paper indicating </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">that Defra “will support the industry
to adapt to a new world: one which will yield greater economic benefits and
improved environmental, biodiversity and animal health outcomes.”</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>278</RecNum><Pages>15</Pages><DisplayText>[1]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>278</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538758050">278</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Department
for Envrionment, Food and Rural
Affairs</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Health
and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green
Brexit: Consultation
Document</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><publisher>HM
Crown</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[1]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While the White paper and Policy Statement have indicated <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">much needed support for the environment, they
have done little to support an agroecological approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defra’s lack of a focus on food production,
and lack of support for sustainable food production and consumption, is likely
to reinforce a dichotomisation of farming in Britain between pioneers in
agroecology on the one hand and a large majority trapped in unsustainable
intensive production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agroecological
farming can produce food sustainably and meet ecological needs while supporting
improved economies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This briefing
explains how Defra policy could practically support this important and
promising approach to enhancing UK food security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The first section of this briefing provides an
overview of what distinguishes agroecology, including its principles and
benefits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, the paper provides an
overview of agroecology as it is practiced in the UK, given the available
data.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The briefing then highlights some
important barriers that currently prevent agroecology from being more widely
practiced, and how the UK government could better support agroecology, in the
context of Brexit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This briefing is based in part on the findings from
the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Transitions to Agroecological
Food Systems</i></b> project, in which the authors, a mix of farmers and
academics, participated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The England-based
part of the project included farmer-led participatory action research which
incorporated a wide range of research, consultations with diverse stakeholders,
and in-depth deliberative processes from 2016 to 2018.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408871"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">What
is Agroecology?</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The term ‘agroecology’ is relatively new and its
usage and interpretations have developed as a growing number of practitioners
and academics engage with the concept and practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agroecology first began as ‘ecology as
applied to agriculture’ </span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Gliessman</Author><Year>1998</Year><RecNum>247</RecNum><DisplayText>[2]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>247</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538642552">247</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Book">6</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Gliessman,
S.</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Engles,
E. </author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Agroecology:
Ecological Processes in Sustainable Agriculture
</title></titles><dates><year>1998</year></dates><pub-location>Washington,
DC</pub-location><publisher>Lewis
Publishers</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[2]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> with a focus primarily on farm-based techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While some proponents continue to focus
narrowly onto on-farm issues (e.g.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN
EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Lampkin</Author><Year>2015</Year><RecNum>248</RecNum><DisplayText>[3]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>248</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538642824">248</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Lampkin,
N.H.</author><author>Pearce,
B.D.</author><author>Leake, A.R.</author><author>Creissen,
H.</author><author>Gerrard,
C.L.</author><author>Girling, R.</author><author>Lloyd,
S.</author><author>Padel, S.</author><author>Smith,
J.</author><author>Smith,
L.G.</author><author>Vieweger,
A.</author><author>Wolfe,
M.S.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
Role of Agroecology in Sustainable Intensification
</title></titles><dates><year>2015</year></dates><pub-location>Scotland</pub-location><publisher>Land
Use Policy
Group</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[3]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">), others have extended their understanding of
agroecology to incorporate the social context and the consumption of food </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Francis</Author><Year>2003</Year><RecNum>41</RecNum><DisplayText>[4]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>41</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535537912">41</key><key app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Francis,
C.</author><author>Lieblein,
G.</author><author>Gliessman, S.</author><author>Breland,
T. A.</author><author>Creamer,
N.</author><author>Harwood,
R.</author><author>Salomonsson,
L.</author><author>Helenius,
J.</author><author>Rickerl, D.</author><author>Salvador,
R.</author><author>Wiedenhoeft,
M.</author><author>Simmons, S.</author><author>Allen,
P.</author><author>Altieri, M.</author><author>Flora,
C.</author><author>Poincelot,
R.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Agroecology:
The Ecology of Food Systems</title><secondary-title>Journal of
Sustainable Agriculture</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Journal
of Sustainable
Agriculture</full-title></periodical><pages>99-118</pages><volume>22</volume><number>3</number><section>99</section><dates><year>2003</year></dates><isbn>1044-0046&#xD;1540-7578</isbn><urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.1300/J064v22n03_10</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[4]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
shift towards considering agroecology as ‘the ecology of food systems’ “…expands
our thinking beyond production practices and immediate environmental impacts at
the field and farm level.” (Ibid p 99) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">One principle of agroecology is that it is
context-dependent; what works on one field or farm might not work on another: experimentation
and context-specific approaches are required to respond to unique ecologies,
even within a given farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
contradicts a uniform ‘top-down’ approach to agriculture and food systems which
currently predominates in policies (e.g. the promotion of specific crops,
techniques and products across large swathes of farmers and for all consumers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being context-dependent, rather than fixed
and rigid, the interpretations of agroecology are somewhat fluid, with
different interpretations across regions of the world, where societies frame
priorities for agriculture in different ways </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Wezel</Author><Year>2009</Year><RecNum>249</RecNum><DisplayText>[5]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>249</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538643308">249</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Wezel,
A.,</author><author>Bellon, S.,</author><author>Doré,
T.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Agroecology
as a science, a movement and a practice. A
review</title><secondary-title>Agronomy for Sustainable
Development</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Agronomy
for Sustainable Development</full-title></periodical><pages>503-515</pages><volume>29</volume><number>4</number><dates><year>2009</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[5]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">; </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Rivera-Ferre</Author><Year>2013</Year><RecNum>250</RecNum><DisplayText>[6]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>250</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538643549">250</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Rivera-Ferre,
Marta G.</author><author>Ortega-Cerda, M. </author><author>Baumgartner,
J.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Rethinking
Study and Management of Agricultural Systems for Policy
Design</title><secondary-title>Sustainability</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Sustainability</full-title></periodical><pages>3858-3875</pages><volume>5</volume><number>9</number><dates><year>2013</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[6]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
no certification scheme for agroecology as there is for say, organic
agriculture. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">However, there are broad principles which are
generally accepted across contexts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
terms of the ecological side of the concept, the core principles include: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">‘Recycling nutrients and energy
on the farm, rather than introducing external inputs;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Enhancing soil organic matter and
soil biological activity; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Diversifying plant species and
genetic resources in agroecosystems over time and space; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Integrating crops and livestock
and optimizing interactions and productivity of the total farming system, rather
than the yields of individual species’ </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Altieri</Author><Year>2011</Year><RecNum>20</RecNum><DisplayText>[7]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>20</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535537825">20</key><key app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Altieri,
Miguel A.</author><author>Toledo, Victor
Manuel</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
agroecological revolution in Latin America: rescuing nature, ensuring food
sovereignty and empowering peasants</title><secondary-title>Journal
of Peasant Studies</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Journal
of Peasant
Studies</full-title></periodical><pages>587-612</pages><volume>38</volume><number>3</number><section>587</section><dates><year>2011</year></dates><isbn>0306-6150&#xD;1743-9361</isbn><urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.1080/03066150.2011.582947</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[7]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-style:italic'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Agroecology, when considered in its ‘food system’
definition, also has an emphasis on producing healthy foods that support societies
</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Francis</Author><Year>2003</Year><RecNum>41</RecNum><DisplayText>[4]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>41</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535537912">41</key><key app="ENWeb"
db-id="">0</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Francis,
C.</author><author>Lieblein,
G.</author><author>Gliessman,
S.</author><author>Breland, T.
A.</author><author>Creamer, N.</author><author>Harwood,
R.</author><author>Salomonsson,
L.</author><author>Helenius,
J.</author><author>Rickerl,
D.</author><author>Salvador,
R.</author><author>Wiedenhoeft, M.</author><author>Simmons,
S.</author><author>Allen, P.</author><author>Altieri,
M.</author><author>Flora, C.</author><author>Poincelot,
R.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Agroecology:
The Ecology of Food Systems</title><secondary-title>Journal of Sustainable
Agriculture</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Journal
of Sustainable
Agriculture</full-title></periodical><pages>99-118</pages><volume>22</volume><number>3</number><section>99</section><dates><year>2003</year></dates><isbn>1044-0046&#xD;1540-7578</isbn><urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.1300/J064v22n03_10</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[4]</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]-->.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In the England-based research on Transitions to
Agroecological Food Systems, a panel of ecological farmers understood agroecology
to encompass a system of farming and food production that takes account of its
effects on the wider ecologies and society as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this two year process, f</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">armers
defined agroecology as a system of farming and producing, which places great
emphasis on producing healthy food, and other products, in a way that is
sustainable in the long term, with positive ecological and social outcomes,
both locally and in the wider world at centre front in terms of importance. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This included farmer livelihoods,
communities surrounding farms and gardens (e.g. enabling thriving rural
communities rather than depopulated ones), the ‘consumer’ (or, later on in the
research, ‘food citizen’) base, the contributions towards health and nutrition
of foods which are produced and processed, and ecology on and off farms.<sup>3</sup></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This emphasis on healthy food production differs
from our current mainstream food system, which is not oriented towards food,
but rather towards commodities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
commodities are produced in a way which does not maintain the resource base on
which their production depends, but rather ‘externalises’ the degradation of
resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agroecological approaches
seek to reorient farming towards the production of healthy foods, while simultaneously
ensuring that the way that these foods are produced supports communities,
livelihoods and ecologies.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
England-based deliberative panel determined that in order to realise an agroecological
food system, there would need to be some re-localising of British food systems,
utilising shorter supply chains, to create greater transparency, better returns
for producers, fewer food miles and more ‘food citizens’ who are aware of, and
engaged with, where their food comes from and how it is produced<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The panel also recognised that international
trade is appropriate in many cases – <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>agroecology is not a call for isolationism or
nationalism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This perspective coincides
with the Land Workers’ Alliance’s values-based approach to agriculture, which
emphasises the social and ecological outputs of a farm alongside financial
viability and yield.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></a></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #E2EFD9; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 450.8pt;" valign="top" width="601"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Are small farms agroecological? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">While
small-scale farming is sometime equated with agroecology, small scale farms
do not necessarily practice agroecology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many smallholders significantly rely on pesticides and inorganic
fertilisers, or concentrated animal feed, whereas agroecological farms
actively attempt to minimise such inputs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Further, many small farms in England produce commodity crops for industrially
processed foods and animal feed, whereas agro-ecological production focuses
on producing diverse healthy foods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">While
many agroecological farms tend to be smaller in hectarage (with many
agroecological horticulture operations less than 1 hectare), some large farms
do practice agroecology, for example by cultivating biodiversity and/or sustainably
grazing livestock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tablehurst and Plaw
Hatch biodynamic farms in East Sussex, for example, occupies upwards of 300
hectares of land.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Ravenscroft</Author><Year>2011</Year><RecNum>220</RecNum><DisplayText>[8]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>220</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535625446">220</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Ravenscroft,
N.; Hanney, R.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Tablehurst
and Plaw Hatch Community Farms</title><secondary-title>Access to
Land for Community Connected Agriculture in Europe, Project
2010-1</secondary-title></titles><dates><year>2011</year></dates><publisher>Terre
de Liens, Forum
Synergies</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[8]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc526408872"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The
state of play, and why agroecology is needed</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
effects of and trends in our current food system <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
current food system in the UK is unsustainable and dysfunctional ecologically
and socially. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite a recent shift in
the focus of EU and UK governments from production incentives to so-called ‘agri-environment
schemes’, the ecologies and landscapes of Britain are deteriorating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is already well documented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Changes in pesticide usage have resulted in a
sixfold increase in potential kill of honeybees from 1990 to 2015. </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Goulson</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>11</RecNum><DisplayText>[9]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>11</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1534349618">11</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Goulson,
Dave</author><author>Thompson,
Jack</author><author>Croombs,
Amy</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>Baird,
Donald</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Rapid
rise in toxic load for bees revealed by analysis of pesticide use in Great
Britain</title><secondary-title>PeerJ</secondary-title><alt-title>PeerJ</alt-title></titles><periodical><full-title>PeerJ</full-title><abbr-1>PeerJ</abbr-1></periodical><alt-periodical><full-title>PeerJ</full-title><abbr-1>PeerJ</abbr-1></alt-periodical><pages>e5255</pages><volume>6</volume><keywords><keyword>Insecticide</keyword><keyword>Neonicotinoid</keyword><keyword>Apis
mellifera</keyword><keyword>Pyrethroid</keyword><keyword>Organophosphate</keyword><keyword>Toxicity</keyword><keyword>LD50</keyword></keywords><dates><year>2018</year><pub-dates><date>2018/07/19</date></pub-dates></dates><isbn>2167-8359</isbn><urls><related-urls><url>https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5255</url></related-urls></urls><electronic-resource-num>10.7717/peerj.5255</electronic-resource-num></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[9]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Pollinator, bird and other wildlife
populations have declined dramatically </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>RSPB</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>251</RecNum><DisplayText>[10]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>251</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538645117">251</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>RSPB</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>State
of Nature Report</title></titles><dates><year>2016</year></dates><pub-location>https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/stateofnature2016/</pub-location><publisher>Royal
Society for the Protection of
Birds</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[10]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">; water is contaminated with high
levels of nitrates and other diffuse pollutants from farms </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE <EndNote><Cite><Author>Technology</Author><Year>2014</Year><RecNum>252</RecNum><DisplayText>[11]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>252</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538645165">252</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Parliamentary
Office of Science and
Technology</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Diffuse
pollution of water by agriculture</title><secondary-title>POST Note
</secondary-title></titles><volume>478</volume><dates><year>2014</year></dates><publisher>House
of
Parliament</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[11]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Gilad</Author><Year>2018</Year><RecNum>253</RecNum><DisplayText>[12]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>253</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538645227">253</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Web
Page">12</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Gilad,
S.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Brighton
ChaMP for Water: Rural Issues and
Interventions</title></titles><dates><year>2018</year></dates><pub-location>https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/care-for/water/brighton-champ-for-water/rural-issues-and-interventions/</pub-location><publisher>South
Downs National
Park</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[12]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">
</span></sup><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">cropping
patterns are increasing the severity of flood impacts,</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Farnworth</Author><Year>2015</Year><RecNum>213</RecNum><DisplayText>[13]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>213</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535542586">213</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Farnworth,
G., Melchett, P.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Runaway
Maize: subsidized soil
destruction</title></titles><dates><year>2015</year></dates><pub-location>Bristol</pub-location><publisher>Soil
Association</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[13]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> and soils are degrading at alarming
rates.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>FAO</Author><Year>2015</Year><RecNum>214</RecNum><DisplayText>[14]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>214</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535542698">214</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>FAO</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Status
of the World’s Soil
Resources</title></titles><dates><year>2015</year></dates><pub-location>Rome,
Italy</pub-location><publisher>Food and Agricultural Organisation
(FAO) of the United Nations</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[14]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Research
has indicated that biodiversity depends on the ecosystem health of the entire
land matrix: thus, conservation areas in themselves will not be able to
adequately protect biodiversity if the land between them is a hostile habitat
for life.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Perfecto</Author><Year>2009</Year><RecNum>215</RecNum><DisplayText>[15]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>215</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535542818">215</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Book">6</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Perfecto,
I., J. Vandermeer, and A.
Wright</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Nature’s
Matrix: Linking Agriculture, Conservation and Food
Sovereignty</title></titles><dates><year>2009</year></dates><pub-location>London</pub-location><publisher>Earthscan</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[15]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wildflower margins are of little use if they are contaminated with pesticides
</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE <span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN EN.CITE.DATA <![if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data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w:data>
</xml><![endif]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[16]</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:data>3C456E644E6F74653E3C436974653E3C417574686F723E426F746961733C2F417574686F723E3C596561723E323031353C2F596561723E3C5265634E756D3E31303C2F5265634E756D3E3C446973706C6179546578743E5B31365D3C2F446973706C6179546578743E3C7265636F72643E3C7265632D6E756D6265723E31303C2F7265632D6E756D6265723E3C666F726569676E2D6B6579733E3C6B6579206170703D22454E222064622D69643D223277737478767039356665327669657270727370747764743278777A7878617776653032222074696D657374616D703D2231353334333439333131223E31303C2F6B65793E3C2F666F726569676E2D6B6579733E3C7265662D74797065206E616D653D224A6F75726E616C2041727469636C65223E31373C2F7265662D747970653E3C636F6E7472696275746F72733E3C617574686F72733E3C617574686F723E426F746961732C20432E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E44617669642C20412E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E486F72776F6F642C204A2E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E416264756C2D536164612C20412E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E4E6963686F6C6C732C20452E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E48696C6C2C20452E3C2F617574686F723E3C617574686F723E476F756C736F6E2C20442E3C2F617574686F723E3C2F617574686F72733E3C2F636F6E7472696275746F72733E3C617574682D616464726573733E5363686F6F6C206F66204C69666520536369656E6365732C2053757373657820556E6976657273697479202C2046616C6D657220424E31203951472C20552E4B2E3C2F617574682D616464726573733E3C7469746C65733E3C7469746C653E4E656F6E69636F74696E6F696420526573696475657320696E2057696C64666C6F776572732C206120506F74656E7469616C20526F757465206F66204368726F6E6963204578706F7375726520666F7220426565733C2F7469746C653E3C7365636F6E646172792D7469746C653E456E7669726F6E2053636920546563686E6F6C3C2F7365636F6E646172792D7469746C653E3C616C742D7469746C653E456E7669726F6E6D656E74616C20736369656E63652026616D703B20746563686E6F6C6F67793C2F616C742D7469746C653E3C2F7469746C65733E3C706572696F646963616C3E3C66756C6C2D7469746C653E456E7669726F6E2053636920546563686E6F6C3C2F66756C6C2D7469746C653E3C616262722D313E456E7669726F6E6D656E74616C20736369656E63652026616D703B20746563686E6F6C6F67793C2F616262722D313E3C2F706572696F646963616C3E3C616C742D706572696F646963616C3E3C66756C6C2D7469746C653E456E7669726F6E2053636920546563686E6F6C3C2F66756C6C2D7469746C653E3C616262722D313E456E7669726F6E6D656E74616C20736369656E63652026616D703B20746563686E6F6C6F67793C2F616262722D313E3C2F616C742D706572696F646963616C3E3C70616765733E31323733312D34303C2F70616765733E3C766F6C756D653E34393C2F766F6C756D653E3C6E756D6265723E32313C2F6E756D6265723E3C65646974696F6E3E323031352F31302F30373C2F65646974696F6E3E3C6B6579776F7264733E3C6B6579776F72643E416E61626173696E652F2A746F7869636974793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E416E696D616C733C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E426565732F2A6D657461626F6C69736D3C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E427261737369636120726170612F6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E43726F70732C204167726963756C747572616C2F6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E456E7669726F6E6D656E74616C204578706F737572652F2A616E616C797369733C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E466C6F776572732F2A6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E486F726465756D2F6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E496E736563746963696465732F616E616C797369733C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E506C616E74204E65637461722F6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E506F6C6C656E2F6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E53656564732F6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E536F696C2F6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C6B6579776F72643E547269746963756D2F6368656D69737472793C2F6B6579776F72643E3C2F6B6579776F7264733E3C64617465733E3C796561723E323031353C2F796561723E3C7075622D64617465733E3C646174653E4E6F7620333C2F646174653E3C2F7075622D64617465733E3C2F64617465733E3C6973626E3E303031332D393336783C2F6973626E3E3C616363657373696F6E2D6E756D3E32363433393931353C2F616363657373696F6E2D6E756D3E3C75726C733E3C2F75726C733E3C656C656374726F6E69632D7265736F757263652D6E756D3E31302E313032312F6163732E6573742E356230333435393C2F656C656374726F6E69632D7265736F757263652D6E756D3E3C72656D6F74652D64617461626173652D70726F76696465723E4E4C4D3C2F72656D6F74652D64617461626173652D70726F76696465723E3C6C616E67756167653E656E673C2F6C616E67756167653E3C2F7265636F72643E3C2F436974653E3C2F456E644E6F74653E</w:data>
</xml><![endif]--></span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> and hedgerows
and pockets of woodland will be insufficient if between them exist Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operations, monoculture fields and/or urban environments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Food
poverty and the numbers of people affected by diet-related diseases are high
and rising, leading to premature deaths and high costs for the NHS.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Foundation</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>254</RecNum><DisplayText>[17,
18]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>254</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538645366">254</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Food
Foundation</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Veg
Facts: A briefing by the Food
Foundation</title></titles><dates><year>2016</year></dates><pub-location>London</pub-location><publisher>Food
Foundation</publisher><urls><related-urls><url>http://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/veg-facts/
</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite><Cite><Author>IHME</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>255</RecNum><record><rec-number>255</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538645523">255</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Web
Page">12</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>IHME</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Global
Burden of Disease
Compare</title></titles><dates><year>2016</year></dates><pub-location>University
of Washington, USA</pub-location><publisher>Institute for Health
Metrics and
Evaluation</publisher><urls><related-urls><url>https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/
</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[17, 18]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A recent study indicated that households in the UK are consuming large
amounts (up to 50.4% of dietary energy) of ultra-processed foods, for which the
commodity crops were produced.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Monteiro</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>256</RecNum><DisplayText>[19]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>256</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538645573">256</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Monteiro,
C.</author><author>Moubarac, J-C.</author><author>Levy,
R. B.</author><author>Canella,
D.S.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Household
availability of ultra-processed foods and obesity in nineteen European
countries</title><secondary-title>Public Health
Nutrition</secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>Public
Health Nutrition</full-title></periodical><volume>21</volume><number>18-26</number><dates><year>2017</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[19]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Currently,
80 percent of adults and 95.5 percent of young people<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> in
Britain consumes less than half of the recommended daily intake of vegetables
and fruits, based on the Eatwell Guide recommendation of 7 portions per day.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Hinks</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>221</RecNum><DisplayText>[20]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>221</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535627267">221</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Hinks,
R; </author><author>Nicolini, G;
</author><author>Ritchie, P; </author><author>Sutherland,
J.; </author><author>Taylor, A.; </author><author>Ward,
A.; </author><author>Wheeler, A.;
</author><author>Williamson,
D.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Veg
facts, A briefing by the Food Foundation</title></titles><dates><year>2016</year></dates><pub-location>London</pub-location><publisher>The
Food
Foundation</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[20]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Food Foundation estimated that the UK relies on imports for all or
part of the year for 40 out of the top 43 fruits and vegetables currently
purchased,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> and of
these imports, 75% come from the EU.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Foundation</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>222</RecNum><DisplayText>[21]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>222</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535627427">222</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Food
Foundation</author></authors><secondary-authors><author>EFRA</author></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title>Written
Evidence Submitted by the Food Foundation (BRT0051) to the Select Committee
Inquiry on Brexit Trade and
Food</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>London</pub-location><publisher>House
of Commons</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[21]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is an opportunity, and arguably a need, even in the absence of
Brexit, to address this gap between consumption and imports by agroecologically
improving domestic production of these essential foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A ‘no deal’ Brexit would make this even more urgent
if access declines to imports and prices increase for fruit and vegetables
coming to the UK.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
health and environmental effects of the current food system in Britain have enormous
economic consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A study conducted
by the Sustainable Food Trust estimated that the annual costs to the UK from
intensive farming approaches, including soil degradation, pollution and
biodiversity loss amount to £60 billion, with another £45 billion in health
costs related to poor diets (£23 billion for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular
disease and diet-related cancers; £17 billion in malnutrition; £3.95 billion
for obesity, £1 billion for hypertension).</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Fitzpatrick</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>257</RecNum><DisplayText>[22]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>257</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538646092">257</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Fitzpatrick,
I.</author><author>Young,
R.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
Hidden Cost of UK Food</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><pub-location>Bristol</pub-location><publisher>Sustainable
Food
Trust</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[22]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those ecological and health costs, while not exhaustive, dwarf the annual
£3.6 billion spent on farm subsidies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
structure of our food system<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Britain’s
food system is primarily oriented towards food as commodity – the economic
value of food is a primary concern, above its contribution to human health and
the necessity of producing food in ecologically sound ways that contribute to
thriving rural communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In
recent years, Defra has supported farm consolidation, justified by economies of
scale and competitiveness.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>DEFRA</Author><Year>2011</Year><RecNum>258</RecNum><DisplayText>[23]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>258</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538646351">258</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>DEFRA</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
CAP towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural resources and territorial
challenges of the future: UK response to the Commission Communication and
Consultation</title></titles><dates><year>2011</year></dates><urls><related-urls><url>http://www.supagro.fr/capeye/wp-ontent/uploads/reforme/Reforme2013/positions_EM/110128-uk-cap-response.pdf</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[23]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> The majority of farms sell into long
supply chains, where small numbers of large traders, processors and retailers hold
sway in terms of price setting, production standards and indeed produce
available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a large share of the
food economy ‘captured’ by these intermediaries, the overall effect of these
intermediaries is to ‘extract’ value from the food chain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The value extracted is often not just
financial but also nutritional. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
typically transform cheap and plentiful agricultural products into relatively
scarce and expensive processed commodities, capturing the value added when it
is sold at relatively high prices to consumers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Primary
producers in this model have to accept low prices and are locked in to
producing small numbers of products at large volumes, and at low unit cost. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, in the intensive poultry farming
sector, Cargill sells businesses the feed for chickens, owns the hatcheries,
the feed mill and the factories and also buys the chickens.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Wasley</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>259</RecNum><DisplayText>[24]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>259</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538666849">259</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Newspaper Article">23</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Wasley,
A.</author><author>Davies,
M.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>The
rise of the ‘megafarm’: how British meat is
made</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><publisher>The
Bureau of Investigative Journalism</publisher><urls><related-urls><url>https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2017-07-17/megafarms-uk-intensive-farming-meat</url></related-urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[24]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This makes ‘farmers’ into price takers for both inputs and outputs,
restricts their autonomy and creates a strong dependence on large
businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also limits the number of
products produced and traded, inevitably reducing the resilience of the prevailing
food system to shocks such as price volatility and extreme weather events, as
has been demonstrated during recent food price crises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Large
amounts of waste are created at many stages along the food chain, either
through ‘outgrades’ or spoilage. Overpackaging and overprocessing is often linked
the distances and times over which produce has to travel. Nutrition, freshness,
provenance, consumer sovereignty, are also diminished at multiple points
throughout industrial food chains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Due
to the low returns for agricultural commodities many farmers have left the
business or have retired without successors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This trend is particularly strong in England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eurostat figures indicate that the number of
farms in England fell by 48% from 2005 to 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wales saw a decline by 32%, Northern Ireland a decline by 9%, though in
Scotland the number of farms increased by 21%.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Willis</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>260</RecNum><DisplayText>[25]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>260</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1538666983">260</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Report">27</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Willis,
G.
</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Uncertain
harvest: does the loss of farms
matter?</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><publisher>Campaign
for the Protection of Rural
England</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[25]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In England, attrition in farming has been most dramatic amongst small
and medium sized holdings: the number of farms under 20ha declined by 85%
between 2000 and 2013, from 63,270 to 9,860 farms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similar sized farms in Scotland, Northern
Ireland and Wales have not seen such abrupt declines,</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Winter</Author><Year>2016</Year><RecNum>211</RecNum><DisplayText>[26]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>211</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535539740">211</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Journal
Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Winter,
M. and Lobley,
M.</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>
Is there a future for the small family farm in the UK? Report to The Prince’s
Countryside Fund</title><secondary-title>London: Prince’s
Countryside Fund. ISBN 978-902746-36-7<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span></secondary-title></titles><periodical><full-title>London:
Prince’s Countryside Fund. ISBN
978-902746-36-7</full-title></periodical><dates><year>2016</year></dates><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[26]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> indicating that these high rates of
attrition are largely related to domestic policies, rather than an inevitable
result of global market trends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In
an attempt to stay on their farmland, many farmers have diversified into other
businesses, which are not directly related to farming, such as camping, wind
energy or simply keeping their land clear of ‘dense scrub’ in order to receive
subsidies.</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-ascii-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
ADDIN EN.CITE
<EndNote><Cite><Author>Defra</Author><Year>2017</Year><RecNum>219</RecNum><DisplayText>[27]</DisplayText><record><rec-number>219</rec-number><foreign-keys><key
app="EN" db-id="2wstxvp95fe2vierprsptwdt2xwzxxawve02"
timestamp="1535561079">219</key></foreign-keys><ref-type
name="Government
Document">46</ref-type><contributors><authors><author>Defra</author></authors></contributors><titles><title>Active
farmer status: guidance and procedures for accountants
</title></titles><dates><year>2017</year></dates><publisher>Rural
Payments Agency
</publisher><urls></urls></record></Cite></EndNote><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">[27]</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While diversity in itself is not negative, decreasing incentives to produce
food increases the country’s reliance on potentially-unreliable imports. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is important in the context of Brexit,
because a ‘hard-Brexit’ or a ‘no-deal Brexit’ would probably result not only in
increasing prices for imported foods, but prices could also become increasingly
volatile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Some
farmers avoid producing through economies of scale by focusing on niche markets
for their survival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can include
producing high-end products, such as specialty meats, salads, ‘superfoods’ or
certifying organic for higher prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While many—though not all—niche farmers produce in agroecological ways,
their customers tend to be confined to a small, typically wealthy group of
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These markets obviously have
size limits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Not only does a dependence
on niche markets exclude the majority of consumers, it also is precarious and
limited for farmers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;">In short, the majority of UK farmland is
either used to produce intensively for global commodity markets, or is used for
extensive farming, which is less damaging for the environment but does not
produce much food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small number of
farmers produce for exclusive niche markets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, what is needed—and what is possible—is farming that produces
healthy, affordable and accessible food for all in the UK in ways that restore
the ecosystems on which we depend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Agroecological farming can provide that integrated set of outcomes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The trade in chicken carcasses was one of the NFU’s concerns expressed in its
response to the House of Commons inquiry on Brexit, food and trade in 2017. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span>
For a recent analysis, see Giles and Barker ‘The five scenarios for Brexit
Britain’ in the Financial Times, 11 July 2018 <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/555e6078-844b-11e8-a29d-73e3d454535d">https://www.ft.com/content/555e6078-844b-11e8-a29d-73e3d454535d</a></span>
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
More on the Transitions to Sustainable Food Systems project can be found at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ids.ac.uk/project/transitions-to-agroecological-food-systems">https://www.ids.ac.uk/project/transitions-to-agroecological-food-systems</a></span>
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The Land Workers’ Alliance refers to these farms as ‘small farms’, though does
not define them based on land area or number of workers. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Young people 11 to 16 years of age<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Ruth%20Hancock/Downloads/Agroecology%20FRC%2030Oct2018.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
This statistic is based on market share, though this has limitations as it does
not reflect portions<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/agroecology-briefing-part-two.html">Part two here</a></span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-31741680305969238372018-12-29T17:31:00.001+00:002021-05-02T07:13:32.182+01:00Kites, Cows, and other capers - Pyreneees Summer 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Making a start a little late in the day as per - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-The usual preliminaries - rushed preparations and panics</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Will we have enough chlorophyll ??"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8sPFjiAXYCw_3PkKkpduhs2yVVX-trYBZQBXe7OLCttfAKUe9DkhSF7dz7ai4-7pNbZzxhU2lYbSyl9-KnZiIy2at7JSUL5oIQWKJeXBaC8MyboKtZEM6k3u_Ho3zBIe0nW0e7sAE1Ml/s1600/IMG_20180811_181852_384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8sPFjiAXYCw_3PkKkpduhs2yVVX-trYBZQBXe7OLCttfAKUe9DkhSF7dz7ai4-7pNbZzxhU2lYbSyl9-KnZiIy2at7JSUL5oIQWKJeXBaC8MyboKtZEM6k3u_Ho3zBIe0nW0e7sAE1Ml/s320/IMG_20180811_181852_384.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Much parsley <i>was</i> slightly harmed through the process of dehydration .. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_p64NJbJZzoq8EFmwncMxhj8l9w_JQFe2Cnaiq5XDPhnGM4cloFbjJybCoG1Fok4HWasT90N5CZphsa0x47baMijGA5b4oxBHIhWgkn129vG77DWPD5KmYtF4w6tCtYbqC5lTl_lGDVJg/s1600/IMG_20180812_220242_893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_p64NJbJZzoq8EFmwncMxhj8l9w_JQFe2Cnaiq5XDPhnGM4cloFbjJybCoG1Fok4HWasT90N5CZphsa0x47baMijGA5b4oxBHIhWgkn129vG77DWPD5KmYtF4w6tCtYbqC5lTl_lGDVJg/s320/IMG_20180812_220242_893.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Lady garden looking good - a nice new touch instigated this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIOUZPHk68XTfZuBW2U10VTHssXGNL2EgCSNYry27osgtZa4GZeRcRR4HVJeBsB3TvvMHWuFd3Zt6lbaG9RxYjauDOJroAvtOWKyfkCC5zdzUHKRHHlDlcQdqrs3BiwHyHxfCfcOQkeiK/s1600/IMG_20180820_233959_849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIOUZPHk68XTfZuBW2U10VTHssXGNL2EgCSNYry27osgtZa4GZeRcRR4HVJeBsB3TvvMHWuFd3Zt6lbaG9RxYjauDOJroAvtOWKyfkCC5zdzUHKRHHlDlcQdqrs3BiwHyHxfCfcOQkeiK/s320/IMG_20180820_233959_849.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Crazee English laydees planting brassicae into the Serengeti - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boy was it hot this summer??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These guys did remarkably well after a hard start - they're ginormous now - belying their maritime origins ..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmvVocQKQZ1s8BHyWg0lPLfGV5ogYdDNk7QSXGt8Mm36qccqbqvttwCDaXG-_gbESpXmY5IhsAc09QF30a5by1WHFnBirda7wRM6rbKSyEkEw0xUQooq2G989tiYAYHGXPQFhVPcpGpT4/s1600/IMG_20170927_143828_026+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmvVocQKQZ1s8BHyWg0lPLfGV5ogYdDNk7QSXGt8Mm36qccqbqvttwCDaXG-_gbESpXmY5IhsAc09QF30a5by1WHFnBirda7wRM6rbKSyEkEw0xUQooq2G989tiYAYHGXPQFhVPcpGpT4/s640/IMG_20170927_143828_026+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Only half grown here - them's even bigger now ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMqlVmPU1tMguR5XMgdh3ErhYZsO8g-fAWlXxT-hCi5JYbnhHNdeWyjr40X-QIaMdD1laK4Z7s2Y1C-9C6UMl_lTAj-U5bVtg_iKeXp_Ff_-eTVKuwtw2SD-Zv-shCM9yGetoxPZbj77w/s1600/IMG_20180822_171439_539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMqlVmPU1tMguR5XMgdh3ErhYZsO8g-fAWlXxT-hCi5JYbnhHNdeWyjr40X-QIaMdD1laK4Z7s2Y1C-9C6UMl_lTAj-U5bVtg_iKeXp_Ff_-eTVKuwtw2SD-Zv-shCM9yGetoxPZbj77w/s320/IMG_20180822_171439_539.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And something to look forward to upon return - a lovely bit of artwork by Kate - we're all over the faux naiive style round these parts - fabulous tractors my dear . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJazU2Byvnr4gE0WhpbQqQqm4Zec6oko6x_b65_OSCrMjwEMcUqX9diKDuVBeTFraorkdRjqj1EHq3LImS7Pr-J8-ykFzfIRvX7R4Z6ounvMaFsO1sSoESS8abq_KhTqvXo9uv3sD9s_oP/s1600/IMG_20180825_065904_219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJazU2Byvnr4gE0WhpbQqQqm4Zec6oko6x_b65_OSCrMjwEMcUqX9diKDuVBeTFraorkdRjqj1EHq3LImS7Pr-J8-ykFzfIRvX7R4Z6ounvMaFsO1sSoESS8abq_KhTqvXo9uv3sD9s_oP/s640/IMG_20180825_065904_219.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
And lo it did come to pass - matchy matchy back packs - I vowed I'd <i>never</i> do it - but one mustn't become hidebound -<br>
<br>
Initial trials had suggested that OH's (Our Heroes) cast off was actually comfier, lighter, and had better pocket access than the trusty pack of yesteryears the Osprey.<br>
<br>
So casting aspersions to the wind, with intentions to dye for diferentiation if deemed suitable, things and stuff were packed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytodLzDIHQMp9s9BCs3GEy4kWtER0esrtO4atmUx1lOP5aio27RuYK861hsuJ3MvotQbBlyP5kglXeWExYK9pMakA8P2oeQuSXZzn4EnTIpRIpdK6CsEln7WJJrm_Gc7F1OCqyK3NnqDd/s1600/IMG_20180825_140849_376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytodLzDIHQMp9s9BCs3GEy4kWtER0esrtO4atmUx1lOP5aio27RuYK861hsuJ3MvotQbBlyP5kglXeWExYK9pMakA8P2oeQuSXZzn4EnTIpRIpdK6CsEln7WJJrm_Gc7F1OCqyK3NnqDd/s640/IMG_20180825_140849_376.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Afternoon train to London, convivial stay with almost rellies, and then mid morning train from st Pancras - a very civilised way to travel - especially with self supplied farmer lunch ... Nom nom nom - pleasantries for the peasantry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlsaDQFGN1Ok1ezoQxcbGYvd4ploWeIdFolv17tweGFqAl5xiRV9xoyBzBjICuCChBpyE32Dv9ehnUoM3V7qzK7xM9Vh4_sAjfuNtzdoxxmjTcMzAgoZqp3L0LxnV-6tj0tLSWwvi3eA_/s1600/IMG_20180825_181645_217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlsaDQFGN1Ok1ezoQxcbGYvd4ploWeIdFolv17tweGFqAl5xiRV9xoyBzBjICuCChBpyE32Dv9ehnUoM3V7qzK7xM9Vh4_sAjfuNtzdoxxmjTcMzAgoZqp3L0LxnV-6tj0tLSWwvi3eA_/s640/IMG_20180825_181645_217.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
St Pancras to Paris just here ... Then change via Montparnasse for Pau - really in truth - once you're bored of climbing aboard the top deck of a train to go south to the mountains then you'd be better off staying home and letting someone else go in your stead..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJe3LHoDAcxFd-nuBpEfLnmtUtuSPspOqicAn7miEuoiy1JqogNknmtFr-IufRdelP-CBBmy1ucLmJQfzfLtSApYIfy_pjhJDJ0PMdArDmiUmcjrUTh6qo7Bzo6bhX8_6hdVUTsDc2yhF/s1600/IMG_20180825_205859_940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJe3LHoDAcxFd-nuBpEfLnmtUtuSPspOqicAn7miEuoiy1JqogNknmtFr-IufRdelP-CBBmy1ucLmJQfzfLtSApYIfy_pjhJDJ0PMdArDmiUmcjrUTh6qo7Bzo6bhX8_6hdVUTsDc2yhF/s400/IMG_20180825_205859_940.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
In Continental Abroadland you can stay in a perfectly decent hotel for not too many euros, and <i>still</i> have some small change left, for breakfast ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhDB9b3kjSc2oznhjP-ceLtlipRVJhsO9eDfYqEn4f-w2j3_FESuzG_kQgvzSe4Mz65yptUI0egKXzoC-VpJ4GwawKreKLb8YLCzQY7i29TevzICCgBSuYqBoBhKHeDWFKsuG5_AJoPzv/s1600/IMG_20180826_130535_777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhDB9b3kjSc2oznhjP-ceLtlipRVJhsO9eDfYqEn4f-w2j3_FESuzG_kQgvzSe4Mz65yptUI0egKXzoC-VpJ4GwawKreKLb8YLCzQY7i29TevzICCgBSuYqBoBhKHeDWFKsuG5_AJoPzv/s400/IMG_20180826_130535_777.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Mmmmmmn, "Pain Perdu" - but unforgettable in truth.<br>
<br>
Yesterdays already eggy brioche, soaked in more egg than it will in fact absorb, fried in butter and then - dusted with sugar.<br>
<br>
I felt much <i>pain</i> for all the vegans, gluten free, dairy eschewing, sugar and carb refuseniks all at once..<br>
<br>
No really i did .. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bu3hix8IE6XSjOivZFYQwPa36YkydxmHN2MGviQ8MIuk3aJ5CibwVfKaifQiuRnbFZNz8B6ROiUA1Rci1f6C-A8OikicuHmqlErJGYKF8U4rp5XNvCW6B_VG7mnWzXDHvp_NKI_34gjG/s1600/DSC_6742+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bu3hix8IE6XSjOivZFYQwPa36YkydxmHN2MGviQ8MIuk3aJ5CibwVfKaifQiuRnbFZNz8B6ROiUA1Rci1f6C-A8OikicuHmqlErJGYKF8U4rp5XNvCW6B_VG7mnWzXDHvp_NKI_34gjG/s640/DSC_6742+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
We'd better do some trip planning now i guess ...?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<i> </i>From the 180* viewing balcon in Pau - look at all those pointy parts - lets head for them, shall we??<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoS8iWHagcOLb2T3Nu_-0L6FE8ifXI5QWTN1_LcXUO9pgFY-3kIgVkiGD8-aZqbcEWXe_kkNQWjsQX9uRkiMf1zzpOx_tTxK2aP6YE6XNHLEQCzCJoHn9TFuhc7sDxa1-y74uLv5xmv0Z/s1600/DSC_6749+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoS8iWHagcOLb2T3Nu_-0L6FE8ifXI5QWTN1_LcXUO9pgFY-3kIgVkiGD8-aZqbcEWXe_kkNQWjsQX9uRkiMf1zzpOx_tTxK2aP6YE6XNHLEQCzCJoHn9TFuhc7sDxa1-y74uLv5xmv0Z/s640/DSC_6749+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
A train to the end of the line - Bedous what a place to arrive, and to start from...<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRDllDNumK2dW_BfT7wPZOjyHzN6_9JxC2sFdTBUYbdh5SL53nPf0CcqteSTWv7AE3bqZfiYPoJYUiL2VICGcVZob0db1VBVJ2H74422XYp-UV0Prc0R3phCzsa0kpLoBXusXEOP44Sie/s1600/DSC_6752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRDllDNumK2dW_BfT7wPZOjyHzN6_9JxC2sFdTBUYbdh5SL53nPf0CcqteSTWv7AE3bqZfiYPoJYUiL2VICGcVZob0db1VBVJ2H74422XYp-UV0Prc0R3phCzsa0kpLoBXusXEOP44Sie/s640/DSC_6752.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
Then a bus to Etsau,<br>
<br>
<br>
quick courtesy patronage of local bar - then off we canter<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVm2GUQfm6Xak47BslvDk8Twj2Ehk0v4rwcT5or_-HMYb6kRDCD4v2KMs2C7HS97RkI-wHcWrkOOd3837gZX_9SgdMIkliT5YgzPKFdoqa_j1dKVPHy0ehGUOslCrk6nShNRGbZRo2qwkf/s1600/DSC_6758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVm2GUQfm6Xak47BslvDk8Twj2Ehk0v4rwcT5or_-HMYb6kRDCD4v2KMs2C7HS97RkI-wHcWrkOOd3837gZX_9SgdMIkliT5YgzPKFdoqa_j1dKVPHy0ehGUOslCrk6nShNRGbZRo2qwkf/s1600/DSC_6758.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Don't look down to the right if you suffer vertigo - this path is cut into an impressively sheer cliff - The Chemin de Mature</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Its hot - OH already has a few miles in his legs from completing "The Two Moors Way" a week or so before .<br>
<br>
Unfortunately going round in circles on an overheated veg farm hasn't had <i>quite</i> the same fittening effect for me - but it's all fairly easy going as we proceed up the GR 10<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRtNo75GRwZNr8v_XQoT2NX9RWc-7Y7sDasbiJlSaTbb_GmtZlC4H3SQ-R0lGkgS37d7HgRwV-ZgRQPQrmcKsnf8JgcCtPeRhBxhvotnScgiqElxyy8_skwXsgUt-xwdADUfpya29nI5L/s1600/DSC_6760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRtNo75GRwZNr8v_XQoT2NX9RWc-7Y7sDasbiJlSaTbb_GmtZlC4H3SQ-R0lGkgS37d7HgRwV-ZgRQPQrmcKsnf8JgcCtPeRhBxhvotnScgiqElxyy8_skwXsgUt-xwdADUfpya29nI5L/s640/DSC_6760.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz1luUkOkn1gy4IB_vdXSQk6nCuaepEdZ0JqAtjQDdegUm30CQgGKtkGRJJykaMSpXRf4j5oSAVZt7KGaoKrW93Kn7BEtY0yfPX_xfHKyRIqV7sk_VQxxfpTzfEDuI8O57-qJRmxxLRa2/s1600/DSC_6768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz1luUkOkn1gy4IB_vdXSQk6nCuaepEdZ0JqAtjQDdegUm30CQgGKtkGRJJykaMSpXRf4j5oSAVZt7KGaoKrW93Kn7BEtY0yfPX_xfHKyRIqV7sk_VQxxfpTzfEDuI8O57-qJRmxxLRa2/s640/DSC_6768.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
Alpine meadows thus achieved - I receive my instructions as to where best to erect the shelter -<br>
<br>
" Just <i>there</i> - and be <i>quick</i> about it woman"<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RxmXDLVddt8WovDdBr3fNWiiOB6zvvoFUKFlkK51DoDCOPKtwpCoL3GisUKO213OOBAXge8TAZN77ySW2XnDIFO-uipl2m4gBA1ybdi0zRzUqopXXVTpSgl0CIr1edLWcPu2OiOsoZ7Y/s1600/DSC_6770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RxmXDLVddt8WovDdBr3fNWiiOB6zvvoFUKFlkK51DoDCOPKtwpCoL3GisUKO213OOBAXge8TAZN77ySW2XnDIFO-uipl2m4gBA1ybdi0zRzUqopXXVTpSgl0CIr1edLWcPu2OiOsoZ7Y/s1600/DSC_6770.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Will this do?? Trusty Stratospire pretty much erects itself these days. There were many assorted livestock hereabouts too .<br>
<br>
Quite handy I guess if one were to use dung fires for cooking </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIO2_BEQ6iyEPYBsjPz9NsxBwf6hzAyQUt-A6R0kjh0slJ1JF5RC-BtwaLoD_hl2PJqhnIuobd9-eOG85_oDJxLvo-X960A-Adulcqse8uO23MR0ebeUJbdOG_6nJ1d2QzUd4CVGZ9ghG/s1600/IMG_20180916_075753_990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIO2_BEQ6iyEPYBsjPz9NsxBwf6hzAyQUt-A6R0kjh0slJ1JF5RC-BtwaLoD_hl2PJqhnIuobd9-eOG85_oDJxLvo-X960A-Adulcqse8uO23MR0ebeUJbdOG_6nJ1d2QzUd4CVGZ9ghG/s640/IMG_20180916_075753_990.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
This particularly fine n handsome fellow stood guard outside the tent all night -<br>
<br>
To be fair we had pitched on one of the few flat patches of ground in this Valley - so his passive aggressive stance of<br>
<br>
grazing just <i>slightly too </i>close to the guy lines whilst clanking his enormous bell all night long was fully justified.<br>
<br>
Ahh the peace and clanquility of the mountains<br>
<br>
"Ask not for whom the bell tolls"<br>
<br>
- It tolls for you, you b*st*rds who are kipping on my dinner actually ... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Suffice to say - early rising, and daily km targets aren't such a massive feature of our walking holibobs generally ..<br>
<br>
But onwards and southwards on the GR 10<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fM9MBXmUCX-o-1Govss4pagUWRQo-69wjOXfXRQ9bjzAd5B0WkZvCUgoW5Ao_OCUpA3Xuk2oUhZQEluqzhB13PLoPa_HwkZ79H04IgPuReu1-XwjXs62AajDFLwfWzIAtS2K-KfwHkIB/s1600/DSC_6781+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fM9MBXmUCX-o-1Govss4pagUWRQo-69wjOXfXRQ9bjzAd5B0WkZvCUgoW5Ao_OCUpA3Xuk2oUhZQEluqzhB13PLoPa_HwkZ79H04IgPuReu1-XwjXs62AajDFLwfWzIAtS2K-KfwHkIB/s640/DSC_6781+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Eye catching gaiters deployed already - the only downside of these things is you can never claim a stone in your shoe as an excuse for stopping ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
At Col de Lourquette the distinctive profile of pic du Midi is espied to draw us further.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
but a descent first, this bein all part of the inevitable ups and downs of Pyreneen trips.<br>
<br>
If it was easy going the place would be rammed..<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurT1fIF8RrOsPDgfWOuK50hdjN6HYVzjbAdqWvYQSy2rA_aDWtEIZEFK_Vsu3yC7k5sbI7pqcP5cH-XYmc_oQV7osC9KW8rzul9oijPxN10QfNAdNvMK7UezYZCw2qgIyb6SD-5GvsXXj/s1600/DSC_6823+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurT1fIF8RrOsPDgfWOuK50hdjN6HYVzjbAdqWvYQSy2rA_aDWtEIZEFK_Vsu3yC7k5sbI7pqcP5cH-XYmc_oQV7osC9KW8rzul9oijPxN10QfNAdNvMK7UezYZCw2qgIyb6SD-5GvsXXj/s1600/DSC_6823+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lacs de Ayou</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_x981JZhkCeNTpoLETDcSYKLmm3Ojwh-O5jjyhUw55dLN4_E8SpBo-IN9-0uQfUs6tIYHeFMADXB8Ajns_wI7XVVVwQ7SfM8ybKod-_VVJRIKr7dg6P2jd_cNLsOohjBNFetjQzQs_oK/s1600/DSC_6784+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_x981JZhkCeNTpoLETDcSYKLmm3Ojwh-O5jjyhUw55dLN4_E8SpBo-IN9-0uQfUs6tIYHeFMADXB8Ajns_wI7XVVVwQ7SfM8ybKod-_VVJRIKr7dg6P2jd_cNLsOohjBNFetjQzQs_oK/s640/DSC_6784+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Appearing <i>quite possibly</i> in the incorrect order - no responsibilty whatsoever will be taken for any followers getting lost...<br>
<br>
This is a scenic tour alright?? <i>Not</i> a guide book.<br>
<br>
It was on the way down here that i assisted with the three point turn of a pack carrying donkey </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nEIcTI7MnV9NA07l5JQV4AAi6BE_UJZdVy0xQ3WYSDFrOJpcDcfImEf3BBWKoOlehcOGkCI1b-iuo211Plbi6ZGbdmGr63BapLBZdC0XxZgfwjYWk4JgIVGXzRG-B4XUM9EWV0TTDmYA/s1600/DSC_6785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nEIcTI7MnV9NA07l5JQV4AAi6BE_UJZdVy0xQ3WYSDFrOJpcDcfImEf3BBWKoOlehcOGkCI1b-iuo211Plbi6ZGbdmGr63BapLBZdC0XxZgfwjYWk4JgIVGXzRG-B4XUM9EWV0TTDmYA/s640/DSC_6785.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br>
And yet more livestock.<br>
<br>
<br>
Pigs x 2 - Porcine encounters of a woodland nature - quite cute - if a tad "home from home"<br>
<br>
<br>
<div>
Towards Gave de Bious</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Right a bit ...Then a sharp left turn up the HRP </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6FGzcSs0NjX_XxewBcSzIlDXej7Y7_MkTY3kzLAPoHwV1Dp05XS4rpyPgs29Fe1YW0P7ETG5BjVN55jAz9CscXIohIcwJn0IYPcIp3pyGrFD9dIDGTGARgrfLwgvSgFkzi6FwGfHL3ZT/s1600/DSC_6791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6FGzcSs0NjX_XxewBcSzIlDXej7Y7_MkTY3kzLAPoHwV1Dp05XS4rpyPgs29Fe1YW0P7ETG5BjVN55jAz9CscXIohIcwJn0IYPcIp3pyGrFD9dIDGTGARgrfLwgvSgFkzi6FwGfHL3ZT/s640/DSC_6791.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Lac de Peyregret - <i>of course</i> we could have made it up and over the pass that afternoon - but what's the big ol hurry?<br>
<br>
Nice and flat for a bit of yoga practice too...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfKlEmyWQs1I8peiAK7pvIwpHHmCAXByUCQVQY3njxXLC4lXsTvFF2mWIofh77LihcXO1e8ylMgEjT68hPZ5mSLlVtlGNF9CGwOFTCALS1cvMBNOCEJdJ_QquhbdeuRBWUpYIeFwYWzHG/s1600/DSC_6801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfKlEmyWQs1I8peiAK7pvIwpHHmCAXByUCQVQY3njxXLC4lXsTvFF2mWIofh77LihcXO1e8ylMgEjT68hPZ5mSLlVtlGNF9CGwOFTCALS1cvMBNOCEJdJ_QquhbdeuRBWUpYIeFwYWzHG/s1600/DSC_6801.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6flux6Ch33At0fcleH8YHW9mPKDAomuWed0eCVJHM5hyfn7vetjFB6M0-9GkzwU5KCQMJmmJFIrlfC4hpwUnSu8DXrRsKP8kvWX9ymTObV6QH3RX5h2eC1Gaw7dRfrj5o6G_1cSm2Vxb/s1600/DSC_6806+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6flux6Ch33At0fcleH8YHW9mPKDAomuWed0eCVJHM5hyfn7vetjFB6M0-9GkzwU5KCQMJmmJFIrlfC4hpwUnSu8DXrRsKP8kvWX9ymTObV6QH3RX5h2eC1Gaw7dRfrj5o6G_1cSm2Vxb/s1600/DSC_6806+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Evening glow ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<br>
A short perambulate around the lake ...<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpAp5wQa8VvKGe8Vi4QdgLLvQpUPoBTEd1nqvkEqZLdb-FEpRJoRpx5IFx7EP9El66GiX_bK5pvwhyphenhyphenQj2ZLTqbr4lEhiv2-PnOgTmZq18KAUCCMnKLscAHSXsRk7Ko1taP3dRv8FlhT45/s1600/IMG-20180831-WA0001+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpAp5wQa8VvKGe8Vi4QdgLLvQpUPoBTEd1nqvkEqZLdb-FEpRJoRpx5IFx7EP9El66GiX_bK5pvwhyphenhyphenQj2ZLTqbr4lEhiv2-PnOgTmZq18KAUCCMnKLscAHSXsRk7Ko1taP3dRv8FlhT45/s1600/IMG-20180831-WA0001+%25281%2529.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Because <i>this</i> is the shot you need </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
Next morning<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3gtsERqFpfMvTYDkyAggjiL-xT4RPucwq5F88P-iz6BHJ3LLS8pyytpR6Vr38H0DGtBxF-SyP-ajA7CYF57DhO8Q5b-WDH6s8gX-GtX85CM40DniFJLW9gsTKN6atYbN3n-u2BVpr8p9/s1600/DSC_6810+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3gtsERqFpfMvTYDkyAggjiL-xT4RPucwq5F88P-iz6BHJ3LLS8pyytpR6Vr38H0DGtBxF-SyP-ajA7CYF57DhO8Q5b-WDH6s8gX-GtX85CM40DniFJLW9gsTKN6atYbN3n-u2BVpr8p9/s640/DSC_6810+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
Aha now it starts to get fun - hoppity skippity scampering over the rocks..<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VSeuv5U8ZsTXyH5TlAjwulVD7pVBrd-EJU_FKhZcZHlWk8hoY6YakEWGbE1CcvK_xHyfdkY3iqFd5Thi1ImgRP1rppbhfF0GPMAm4R5hRlOuu2WTSQUPZTlVXKTFcxm8OsKteoB5cUuY/s1600/DSC_6813+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VSeuv5U8ZsTXyH5TlAjwulVD7pVBrd-EJU_FKhZcZHlWk8hoY6YakEWGbE1CcvK_xHyfdkY3iqFd5Thi1ImgRP1rppbhfF0GPMAm4R5hRlOuu2WTSQUPZTlVXKTFcxm8OsKteoB5cUuY/s1600/DSC_6813+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Its almost as soothing as sitting doing a jigsaw puzzle - so absorbed in finding the next piece , are you, that all other thoughts and cares melt away... if it weren't for the gaiters you could easily lose him among the boulders </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67CsDniqaUx1Konx0OOqaKu03BeDcDyxx9ro2HgHh12F2munn6zTTkdn0K5mwUbULcNmAgUBFKTDo4_O62Kl9sxKrQJ6xSN2gk1EmgYSGQocONBQcYg9jMyhgzcQCbRGT2DhTGPF2qZYf/s1600/DSC_6818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67CsDniqaUx1Konx0OOqaKu03BeDcDyxx9ro2HgHh12F2munn6zTTkdn0K5mwUbULcNmAgUBFKTDo4_O62Kl9sxKrQJ6xSN2gk1EmgYSGQocONBQcYg9jMyhgzcQCbRGT2DhTGPF2qZYf/s1600/DSC_6818.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Looking a tad pinkish after a quick up and back skirmish,<br>
<br>
At col de Peyreget<br>
<br>
<br>
Not expecting a call from the catalogue modelling agency <i>any time</i> soon, but hey maybe there is a market for the 'Sturdy Farm Girl look'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXkjVSIYoSpW1ZE1Jffv0oJ5Il8BS1Q_INqyfL1YF2TnDSsn3LQq4x9XgUWCi9MYwPhGdNGOhRTzrfRZrm12L_GEOzgIn-zQ_8XCDD7BzWnuHWnTtGdbD3tSAxm2OVNCiy7FTXb_pLolx/s1600/DSC_6836+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXkjVSIYoSpW1ZE1Jffv0oJ5Il8BS1Q_INqyfL1YF2TnDSsn3LQq4x9XgUWCi9MYwPhGdNGOhRTzrfRZrm12L_GEOzgIn-zQ_8XCDD7BzWnuHWnTtGdbD3tSAxm2OVNCiy7FTXb_pLolx/s1600/DSC_6836+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Descending now past Lac de Pombie</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWoJs9gJGLmN0LwjXAg2WsgcHPCUvNuhte2Gkd_0lOI2iYPPwk1TaKZ6uBSQ5gvbtSJaqaIwXBHUAh81roUKJHRQi3IXRHQsHFuVMNGXyHWn4UhVKQLLu3pv-MxmhxwAh1wvJePWTQu3a/s1600/DSC_6838+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWoJs9gJGLmN0LwjXAg2WsgcHPCUvNuhte2Gkd_0lOI2iYPPwk1TaKZ6uBSQ5gvbtSJaqaIwXBHUAh81roUKJHRQi3IXRHQsHFuVMNGXyHWn4UhVKQLLu3pv-MxmhxwAh1wvJePWTQu3a/s640/DSC_6838+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
Refuge de Pombie - looking very smart - they do make an effort... its almost suburban in style..<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj586VpmDYsFL1frDSb7hyn5xz2J9UBiNPiFYQ47XnYBKHocXc2jCi99XWCO4g-CGdofrtWyZcio-MvByFj30XFA9surM8RpeN2sKZsz_oani7yQLngMQ-gdgSu_8-RO-PAMHQE8lMY19tZ/s1600/DSC_6843+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj586VpmDYsFL1frDSb7hyn5xz2J9UBiNPiFYQ47XnYBKHocXc2jCi99XWCO4g-CGdofrtWyZcio-MvByFj30XFA9surM8RpeN2sKZsz_oani7yQLngMQ-gdgSu_8-RO-PAMHQE8lMY19tZ/s640/DSC_6843+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
Slight midday glare<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
It looks very hot, in fact it <i>was</i> very hot - I like it hot - as some do ...<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKnUj9BOE02p2F9oIvDM0UUDt8wDi7PkUp4Y5Oh9qiF6qlJf0TO6IM76iReBPqlUWnZVzuWJZvIP3uXeDsG6dMeRP4LbAtzjzq45nP6VQGKoDf1z1wTbstfAa7mez_FWgzQkolmWkCaLP/s1600/DSC_6849+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKnUj9BOE02p2F9oIvDM0UUDt8wDi7PkUp4Y5Oh9qiF6qlJf0TO6IM76iReBPqlUWnZVzuWJZvIP3uXeDsG6dMeRP4LbAtzjzq45nP6VQGKoDf1z1wTbstfAa7mez_FWgzQkolmWkCaLP/s640/DSC_6849+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
But a little shade also on the midday ascents is welcome.<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVQPW5HloiczgKixOLhFM265PvpzT51-9_AO4GzZKC15bYCY1lezZSJwhuWN16uKXZHwQFhjIwFvMNKz3mcaAXwzk-DpQ2s7gplFPHvTQ553jB_41is2rSp7IL6RABdtzjwnSePAJtg5y/s1600/DSC_6851+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVQPW5HloiczgKixOLhFM265PvpzT51-9_AO4GzZKC15bYCY1lezZSJwhuWN16uKXZHwQFhjIwFvMNKz3mcaAXwzk-DpQ2s7gplFPHvTQ553jB_41is2rSp7IL6RABdtzjwnSePAJtg5y/s640/DSC_6851+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
Nearly drank the stream dry (Camelling up - ha!!) before a longish climb back up Quebec de Arrious.<br>
<div>
<br></div>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q5VZz_vaBat8BDMdRPZ3GvMmAb7h76IvlIBOIB0gQCr22zKBmGmwZjbFVCaI5S8_1XcmRDPFXsncnR8gSqq5zG8DYxGL2eYZ1wjnpBY8vfUqYP4BYoEGFVKdPY91DibWZs2Sd__-LgKS/s1600/DSC_6855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q5VZz_vaBat8BDMdRPZ3GvMmAb7h76IvlIBOIB0gQCr22zKBmGmwZjbFVCaI5S8_1XcmRDPFXsncnR8gSqq5zG8DYxGL2eYZ1wjnpBY8vfUqYP4BYoEGFVKdPY91DibWZs2Sd__-LgKS/s400/DSC_6855.JPG" width="225"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
A thirsty butterfly takes advantage of the dampness - or is it <i>sweetness </i>of my shirt.<br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: small;"> When i was about nine i visited this area with my family - I distinctly remember being alighted upon by tens of butterflies as we walked up a hot dusty track .. Sadly not nearly so many now - as an anecdote maybe its not significant - but invertebrate numbers are falling world wide - and we seem disinclined to do anything about it </span>.<i> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKMIcpPxAsNgX1uhZf_EDMdEMaDv5Lpq1C2H37C2RLDnZ7_DlpHngPH7T7CT4CrWcPZkDAGHUG12hh8VZoECG7urq5t9CjKFKB-ji3Dn4lQB7x3RDvduaSDMtDgdk9BD1SPyCuzruu6yl/s1600/DSC_6858+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKMIcpPxAsNgX1uhZf_EDMdEMaDv5Lpq1C2H37C2RLDnZ7_DlpHngPH7T7CT4CrWcPZkDAGHUG12hh8VZoECG7urq5t9CjKFKB-ji3Dn4lQB7x3RDvduaSDMtDgdk9BD1SPyCuzruu6yl/s1600/DSC_6858+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Taking advantage of the local geology - A shortish afternoon snooze in the shade of this monster boulder deposited long time back by a passing glacier - contemplating the forces involved ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PsgWkXysYl084eLqF6BSgA2-h48aARwlZnGM585JXgIsnkH9oEyss1bJL4bF9jE6mgTGpIn8_TY6Duy7eN9ZkBF2gtg30lO7XvPBm_X69XmItgA5zka9DEG8NGbyZNz0K_qKupWJF3ni/s1600/DSC_6865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PsgWkXysYl084eLqF6BSgA2-h48aARwlZnGM585JXgIsnkH9oEyss1bJL4bF9jE6mgTGpIn8_TY6Duy7eN9ZkBF2gtg30lO7XvPBm_X69XmItgA5zka9DEG8NGbyZNz0K_qKupWJF3ni/s640/DSC_6865.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Then within an hour or two, further up the valley ?? Oh another lie down is it??<br>
<br>
Yeah - But look at that view, and it was particularly hot - pre thunderous - afternoon ... The scabby knee?? I brought with me , a breeze block incident just before leaving the farm - inappropriate usage as a trailer prop .. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Oooops - this is why we have to come to the mountains to get me away from the dangers of the farm...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtAOka_sVceEXOX1NTaDEyoft7e9CyivKTY6K7_24M3ovI2fu1C4edwc3Rd8dKudAXeyhGDdw6oHWH9_N7-C3CGADan-a3Gy3kMyYS2WN6numMMMu9cjWCjpnJ2snRlYJLI61spTugjUr/s1600/DSC_6864+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtAOka_sVceEXOX1NTaDEyoft7e9CyivKTY6K7_24M3ovI2fu1C4edwc3Rd8dKudAXeyhGDdw6oHWH9_N7-C3CGADan-a3Gy3kMyYS2WN6numMMMu9cjWCjpnJ2snRlYJLI61spTugjUr/s1600/DSC_6864+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
She can <i>at last</i> be persuaded to shift.. The path here comprises easy going switch backs, to ascend the steeper parts -<br>
very civilised</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMMotZBZl6t1fz7RAai107SS2WyJEDi2K757xfPnp19dWvmklAF_0nopfQdS4RE2VRhsim8r7QLbBW5l7HqvuYfqRbFiTp-e_Wu0o4tShQ4VZvoeGqejDzT5bVfyZvifK9hwZmX9qrpD2/s1600/DSC_6866+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMMotZBZl6t1fz7RAai107SS2WyJEDi2K757xfPnp19dWvmklAF_0nopfQdS4RE2VRhsim8r7QLbBW5l7HqvuYfqRbFiTp-e_Wu0o4tShQ4VZvoeGqejDzT5bVfyZvifK9hwZmX9qrpD2/s640/DSC_6866+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
We achieve Col de Arrious, and decide for a high camp, thunderstorms were forecast, but that can add to the fun - <i>sometimes</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
So turn sharp right at the col towards Lac de Arrious<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF39KYNwYNqq0vXGH_i-5LniDqomjUSTTUQLy-yZp_u3TYCXGSs8mPpnTkgTt6Qdj0WN-YPkvlR_cR64eeMrYOXnC3Wou7pEMO2hv39R5udO8BvEqD7f2JtqSJahZx2oL38IRkbkdiMsr3/s1600/DSC_6870+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF39KYNwYNqq0vXGH_i-5LniDqomjUSTTUQLy-yZp_u3TYCXGSs8mPpnTkgTt6Qdj0WN-YPkvlR_cR64eeMrYOXnC3Wou7pEMO2hv39R5udO8BvEqD7f2JtqSJahZx2oL38IRkbkdiMsr3/s1600/DSC_6870+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
There is <i>allegedly</i> a pitching spot somewhere near this lake ..... looks a tad steep and rocky though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80zm5Ez8z7VT5AkIiDu0T4fiFJHxhyP83ehc_7W_DY9QaEotWaGObKQ0BjxhNmcg6hbwLGtz_pXihggTFZDsZG5q86uS5lwps4riwcw_P2IPICtkHahHOD7NEsCdsajSDw-yaLWODdV4T/s1600/DSC03900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80zm5Ez8z7VT5AkIiDu0T4fiFJHxhyP83ehc_7W_DY9QaEotWaGObKQ0BjxhNmcg6hbwLGtz_pXihggTFZDsZG5q86uS5lwps4riwcw_P2IPICtkHahHOD7NEsCdsajSDw-yaLWODdV4T/s1600/DSC03900.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
But plenty room really, just up above on a hillock, with pleasant lake vistas.. .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld6RKKmm7ZV1dCEvaHD11u9Ef4YWVtrjblMd48rvEMDMsBbRLWuysLSGwDErtb491ba6KLs865iQbwLveO2qS09RnpvynhOS__YsBiNCDJ9MHCp8HLXzrbjaU1FqlBYyYBOD1mLU92q-Y/s1600/DSC03905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld6RKKmm7ZV1dCEvaHD11u9Ef4YWVtrjblMd48rvEMDMsBbRLWuysLSGwDErtb491ba6KLs865iQbwLveO2qS09RnpvynhOS__YsBiNCDJ9MHCp8HLXzrbjaU1FqlBYyYBOD1mLU92q-Y/s1600/DSC03905.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
And a teensy dot of north facing snowfield that has escaped the summer heat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWA78oNWG0MaY-AaQVWJaCfokeK8Tkfkd5ngMq1uyxACHDK1LavCsJ4XTM_wffHJ7YEdUGFcGmIFBJphBOxbipDcrSCt7MgBjTjvJA71hxgdGDTs-1MygYw-Y65oGXrU5JW6muCYvMhu4/s1600/DSC_6873+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWA78oNWG0MaY-AaQVWJaCfokeK8Tkfkd5ngMq1uyxACHDK1LavCsJ4XTM_wffHJ7YEdUGFcGmIFBJphBOxbipDcrSCt7MgBjTjvJA71hxgdGDTs-1MygYw-Y65oGXrU5JW6muCYvMhu4/s1600/DSC_6873+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Expert bit of walling there from OH - one of his many rural skills ...<br>
<br>
Manfully resisting a bit of <i>pointing</i> to complete the picture - a proud moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gVTa2PIORWk9tJkbimvYQjDTiAMc954P-rJwF1Lu8d6DYyxkOgGLBe_YnarlQsW4JC3IgrtnJyjCiRZOzCyBIwqrRG1Lni71poRm1EVHt9dHmcbqqhiZ-A4Jw-XgyfAJaaOPiguj0CN5/s1600/DSC_6879+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gVTa2PIORWk9tJkbimvYQjDTiAMc954P-rJwF1Lu8d6DYyxkOgGLBe_YnarlQsW4JC3IgrtnJyjCiRZOzCyBIwqrRG1Lni71poRm1EVHt9dHmcbqqhiZ-A4Jw-XgyfAJaaOPiguj0CN5/s1600/DSC_6879+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
The prospect of a thunder and lightening storm is somewhat thrilling at five in the afternoon, it started with gusto just after dark, at eightish, and crashed on round the peaks for the rest of the night..<br>
<br>
Hard not to feel slightly foolish camping here - no who am i kidding ??<br>
<br>
A <i>teensy bit</i> nervous even, at this height -<br>
<br>
Being very much in amongst the electrical shenanigans, in a small shelter held up by two metal poles-<br>
<br>
I find one is very often <i>slightly</i> less brave at four in the morning.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gTOwoOlBPfyoSN4uTAIbpuVBn6JTArC93Lk5sxpozSVJ9AJH_t2b_9k7L1gfybyYCPmbDzL7UvCtMgD5J6WY_INzaiw0nqUGTl3aigzaJBI9BXrzZWP7zmiN42WEbbzXaxcVACmXRrn0/s1600/DSC_6882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gTOwoOlBPfyoSN4uTAIbpuVBn6JTArC93Lk5sxpozSVJ9AJH_t2b_9k7L1gfybyYCPmbDzL7UvCtMgD5J6WY_INzaiw0nqUGTl3aigzaJBI9BXrzZWP7zmiN42WEbbzXaxcVACmXRrn0/s1600/DSC_6882.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
All packed up - and ready to go - Survived to tell the tale - but not a lot of sleep - even <i>with</i> earplugs - the storm was <i>very</i> loud - and very bright...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qGjt4tZljIj9A_jRex7m64gM_cwO_3gDgtpnhXExvQTTZrJWGbkfsLMsrVcC5p1DWvXtfxlZTJDOQDtSijHP2y9GZDwaoiCuQvMbYyrcmsLI9E8HDQVhjLjanQ2oc1Kkm0Dx7UaejSGC/s1600/DSC_6883+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qGjt4tZljIj9A_jRex7m64gM_cwO_3gDgtpnhXExvQTTZrJWGbkfsLMsrVcC5p1DWvXtfxlZTJDOQDtSijHP2y9GZDwaoiCuQvMbYyrcmsLI9E8HDQVhjLjanQ2oc1Kkm0Dx7UaejSGC/s1600/DSC_6883+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smattering of an inversion - the reward for staying this high.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmM6-9YedwnoC122Qfj2GOEiwOTFDBaXfYkE_bGJQ7YmSoR8SDXSQQ6seq-aTgs6DOdkxgbo3jiRwjudSZGF7KlWJPllQRjhn6H_MsGA_EMbStVGlIxvjkVYVjuOxuQaF5MNI3FKPY0Lu/s1600/DSC_6884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmM6-9YedwnoC122Qfj2GOEiwOTFDBaXfYkE_bGJQ7YmSoR8SDXSQQ6seq-aTgs6DOdkxgbo3jiRwjudSZGF7KlWJPllQRjhn6H_MsGA_EMbStVGlIxvjkVYVjuOxuQaF5MNI3FKPY0Lu/s1600/DSC_6884.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Tranquility restored after the tempestuous night - hydration assured....<br>
<br>
Finding good water up here isn't usually a problem - we very seldom filter or sterilise it - I don't know for sure if this is the case - but maybe both having land based occupations and thereby ingesting a fair amount of good organic dirt on a regular basis leaves us well protected against stomach problems . </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b2Ob63NHx3dDBUOI_3blRUExIderLT39gbc27DTc7RbqvIpq-Lo0dnDOpMOxRyEBl5OT-roe9Y8N1IinR_CC1_od5jQBR80MtfAxZku6KGh61xwXXkWTf0zNpquTytXbGiMZrsEG1dH7/s1600/DSC_6885+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b2Ob63NHx3dDBUOI_3blRUExIderLT39gbc27DTc7RbqvIpq-Lo0dnDOpMOxRyEBl5OT-roe9Y8N1IinR_CC1_od5jQBR80MtfAxZku6KGh61xwXXkWTf0zNpquTytXbGiMZrsEG1dH7/s1600/DSC_6885+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
We didn't go this way ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Was it because we were tired, or just generally lacking in moral fibre ?<br>
<br>
Whatever it was, or wasn't - this was our first episode of 'bottling it' - we <i>could</i> have taken a 'shortcut' that traverses the base of that upthrust (with chains, to cling onto) with a sheer drop beneath it.<br>
<br>
Of course once you've fallen a certain distance, then terminal (very terminal) velocity is reached - there aren't varying degrees of dead - you either are - or you're not - but a few extra hundred feet gives one pause for thought .. and opportunity to spread ...<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH8iK6XuTyzuPoAvxRoVGgMeR0eVYt8UWiP1SumwW3lIu2g2QBB3gQEDtblkcTL0_e8d6bVCvbH6draiMA0QFIiPLfEpyfk4XKLbP-ekTH-SirzzXRFst7BGlq8UR1CLbdcqlPb4o8Acz/s1600/DSC_6890+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH8iK6XuTyzuPoAvxRoVGgMeR0eVYt8UWiP1SumwW3lIu2g2QBB3gQEDtblkcTL0_e8d6bVCvbH6draiMA0QFIiPLfEpyfk4XKLbP-ekTH-SirzzXRFst7BGlq8UR1CLbdcqlPb4o8Acz/s640/DSC_6890+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Anyhow - once some <i>properly rugged</i> sorts had passed out of sight -going in the opposite direction - we decided to discreetly take the long way round - and down and up ...<br>
<br>
But hey - if we'd gone the gnarly way we'd have missed these .. Eridgeron.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ViwaGJOFnibkNKiMf4NkIJP7TikaEjibpoeDuokQ52LYOQWQ2PsG08ZWLiA7ylf2iIOqaP3fvCzqDqsMHpV2zYYRg6OKlVAuvHnlvxiJpzkhThUqAUMhOMt9EDGrH04htiZH3cCZJUhk/s1600/DSC_6888+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ViwaGJOFnibkNKiMf4NkIJP7TikaEjibpoeDuokQ52LYOQWQ2PsG08ZWLiA7ylf2iIOqaP3fvCzqDqsMHpV2zYYRg6OKlVAuvHnlvxiJpzkhThUqAUMhOMt9EDGrH04htiZH3cCZJUhk/s1600/DSC_6888+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
And this ..<br>
<br>
For the kit aficionados - please note the natty little handle - on the recycled water bottle - actually quite useful when filling and retrieving from side pocket. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc94DPWCxCginUrEYMYz8w_P_pob7TM8StJRDN6XV0bCaRSLHIEhE4ReJn-dzsZCkXKbL-IZxfm1j7O2nGJhiPHg0wOfgheG2lxCHTPOJT1Qk6X0-CQGjwgyvlI1mINHvozNvFIbgn55ld/s1600/DSC_6896+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc94DPWCxCginUrEYMYz8w_P_pob7TM8StJRDN6XV0bCaRSLHIEhE4ReJn-dzsZCkXKbL-IZxfm1j7O2nGJhiPHg0wOfgheG2lxCHTPOJT1Qk6X0-CQGjwgyvlI1mINHvozNvFIbgn55ld/s640/DSC_6896+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
Later on we encountered a sign near The refuge of Arremoulit displaying the delights we had missed on the alternative route - sure it would have been fine - but didn't at the time regret the decision - perhaps next time ?? Ahh - The joys of having nothing to prove ..<br>
<br>
and possessing roughly equal degrees of mettle when it comes to coping with heights - this is nice - no one has to feel really held back - nor unnecessarily pushed on by the others' capabilities or lack of.<br>
<br>
It will vary from day to day as to who is feeling more courageous - so we can do encouragement without the need for any false bravado ..<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YXYEv94D0WkqSYPYJkCUQTo92PeISd5K-aO6iOesrM4q-L1i8PqaQupKmKtDwmjva4B5V6qptwimBqztGYydc2_I_V5zGQxwCOfqbQJoIanIvcZtRG1aeJTCwQKL-w78RSd1VBmchLXA/s1600/DSC_6897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YXYEv94D0WkqSYPYJkCUQTo92PeISd5K-aO6iOesrM4q-L1i8PqaQupKmKtDwmjva4B5V6qptwimBqztGYydc2_I_V5zGQxwCOfqbQJoIanIvcZtRG1aeJTCwQKL-w78RSd1VBmchLXA/s1600/DSC_6897.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
A quick pit stop, for coffee making outside the refuge Arremoulit.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudK-sU997kSh42wi_zcKQdLR-xzHgpOC8qqMwZWyvOE5Ksr0d07siWCivuZyvAPX_53W9nKK5ReGZO1RgRz0xzP1BkyRc3wx2e8a1rzMeC77GxbM6JiG-lLLwwE8Lu-vDc-rphvJlgp0_/s1600/DSC_6900+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudK-sU997kSh42wi_zcKQdLR-xzHgpOC8qqMwZWyvOE5Ksr0d07siWCivuZyvAPX_53W9nKK5ReGZO1RgRz0xzP1BkyRc3wx2e8a1rzMeC77GxbM6JiG-lLLwwE8Lu-vDc-rphvJlgp0_/s1600/DSC_6900+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Then more fun times rock-hopping - and another vestigial scrap of snow<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGvYdlDMYAyMn-j5glK0YM2S7bJvd8792KPzigA73JvhCfMfTk6b1dOM5LGp6onJU0N1Kkfljy6t7XfTFv_OfpHyz4qGq2bt6a9rTbGU0vZOxJcBJs_tCCS3fdf5BJwnbNsl8-Qi75x9H/s1600/DSC_6902+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGvYdlDMYAyMn-j5glK0YM2S7bJvd8792KPzigA73JvhCfMfTk6b1dOM5LGp6onJU0N1Kkfljy6t7XfTFv_OfpHyz4qGq2bt6a9rTbGU0vZOxJcBJs_tCCS3fdf5BJwnbNsl8-Qi75x9H/s1600/DSC_6902+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAad4VOyadUNMUBBniPJpYHLgalNkEu0TH_ZoD0N6EoYoNY1Vhb4A7jyM3GCXAuOgzDptdZqlC3Jts1Xr_hwo4ylSkV-WJhKrhxD031OqrVeqLBY2CaDKYyCg0AnCIcnbIWZdAEqYIT0dT/s1600/DSC_6905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAad4VOyadUNMUBBniPJpYHLgalNkEu0TH_ZoD0N6EoYoNY1Vhb4A7jyM3GCXAuOgzDptdZqlC3Jts1Xr_hwo4ylSkV-WJhKrhxD031OqrVeqLBY2CaDKYyCg0AnCIcnbIWZdAEqYIT0dT/s1600/DSC_6905.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
And hopping over the col du Palas - there reassured cheerily by three veterans coming the other way that the path 'wasn't too difficult'..<br>
<br>
And thence to pass over the border briefly into Spain for all of a 500 m long? traverse.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpuUP8v03y430VEg43t_1KPRuN8wY2LLNUBeZLqcm-kOeAcHG0xm4afk9JQVAkdZVzIXM3sKMy3wr30zPn_sIs-nniSbHqOMYG59cjSHVxtrY3o5CQh848XKw5j1Caq60zaKgp-Hm5pUA/s1600/DSC_6908+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpuUP8v03y430VEg43t_1KPRuN8wY2LLNUBeZLqcm-kOeAcHG0xm4afk9JQVAkdZVzIXM3sKMy3wr30zPn_sIs-nniSbHqOMYG59cjSHVxtrY3o5CQh848XKw5j1Caq60zaKgp-Hm5pUA/s1600/DSC_6908+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Hmm, in hindsight <i>all</i> these things are fine, but at the time the slight uncertainty of "Is this actually the way?"<br>
<br>
Will spoil the fun a touch - "Stay on the brown rocks - look out for the paint marks"<br>
<br>
When there isn't even a dashed line on the map - - - - you know that you're in for an 'interesting ' time..<br>
<br>
And maybe just as well for me, at least that we hadn't read a detailed account of the conditions.<br>
There was some vague mention of 'difficulty'<br>
<br>
Well yes please define 'difficult' - on occasion putting up an umbrella can be 'difficult' - or negotiating world trade deals i imagine they're awkward too - Parameters are useful.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeh_DJIZ0PP0lMSw_xIGS99X_FTay-P59eSiAtsYQDqDNoLGpYUKT5WIc1NXM0cKyfvQFHvzQJIRpi8Daem_KZspGxPcYyGBYkqFwo6M4rcot33ox0IGiXITshu7-K9T5zXyu2QIyIp8f/s1600/IMG_20180830_103740_138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeh_DJIZ0PP0lMSw_xIGS99X_FTay-P59eSiAtsYQDqDNoLGpYUKT5WIc1NXM0cKyfvQFHvzQJIRpi8Daem_KZspGxPcYyGBYkqFwo6M4rcot33ox0IGiXITshu7-K9T5zXyu2QIyIp8f/s1600/IMG_20180830_103740_138.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Approaching Port de Lavedin 2615<br>
<br>
<br>
But first there is a small matter of a rockshute, with a boulder the size of a family hatchback lodged therein.<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhXrrNkHz3iuL3_u4Z-ET7K2TviQJ5DRmyFN_LTb5Was7FRZed9ojz7fIwI8DOpRqMwML6e1h0FqB3wL2LQUOuXi9jd7NTmjvW5wh-gYxCQ6oj6fdQ5JZWgUzyiJp3Er5Yt_5_9M4QIj6/s1600/DSC_6909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhXrrNkHz3iuL3_u4Z-ET7K2TviQJ5DRmyFN_LTb5Was7FRZed9ojz7fIwI8DOpRqMwML6e1h0FqB3wL2LQUOuXi9jd7NTmjvW5wh-gYxCQ6oj6fdQ5JZWgUzyiJp3Er5Yt_5_9M4QIj6/s1600/DSC_6909.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Just up there in that notch <i>somewhere</i> ..<br>
<br>
Come on then, what are we waiting for ???<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Somewhere there are photos of this section of the escapade - but i can't find them right now.<br>
<br>
I find it tricky also to casually take photos when engaged upon unscheduled grade two scrambles.<br>
<br>
For me the hardest part wasn't getting over the obstacle itself - lodged as it was in an arm and a halfs span of near vertical cleft - it was more the not knowing what lay beyond - up and over was ok - sort of - with a bit of guidance and encouragement from OH - because I could see in advance - and try to memorise where hands and feet were supposed to go.<br>
<br>
But<i> if</i> what lay beyond defeated me - i absolutely <i>wasn't </i>going to enjoy the reverse procedure - down climbing into an airy abyss feeling for the foothold - maybe<i> i should</i> practice this stuff in slightly less perilous circumstances??<br>
<br>
Thankfully that was the worst of it - besides a nifty catch of my <i>proper</i> camera by OH - mid pack-haul - before it bounced of down the scree to its doom ..<br>
<br>
I hadn't been smart, or focussed enough to detach it from its usual velcroed on to shoulder strap position - and it made a sudden bid for freedom - and certain death - as my pack was passed upwards.<br>
<br>
Thankfully the rock was dry and fairly grippy - although i don't suppose we would have attempted it in poor weather.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nTwsYz3HzrgI12tqJNdpK3NShiyOpsP1fGNdFt6HD2P0Uw2gD7mhSDv1CXuQHC5tdsBu511ednZqiPVFVM6DhgD-zWND1bN4M8D4MfJtCiNhIl-TZIaGawhwBfebdEb_wwytl7DCNlHK/s1600/DSC_6910+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nTwsYz3HzrgI12tqJNdpK3NShiyOpsP1fGNdFt6HD2P0Uw2gD7mhSDv1CXuQHC5tdsBu511ednZqiPVFVM6DhgD-zWND1bN4M8D4MfJtCiNhIl-TZIaGawhwBfebdEb_wwytl7DCNlHK/s1600/DSC_6910+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hmmn descent into Mordor .. ??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
A brief stoppage at the top of the port - to catch breath, regain resolve, and to survey the scene ...<br>
Since we'd left, then regained France, not an hour and a half previously, she'd gone all grey and sulky.<br>
<br>
Clearly amends needed to be made ..<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mRzGGmeGzp0UVsGGlq2IfzlKYL30W_-Izq3IseD8YqkmDTWI-UKINQ7MRbe3vIE3jJO0jDvOpJGMDFd9sd0WjgAJzOPh1gtnloOAALIVIBVU2nI0gn71Iuw3E09p1RXZqAg4bAv_iPKn/s1600/DSC_6913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mRzGGmeGzp0UVsGGlq2IfzlKYL30W_-Izq3IseD8YqkmDTWI-UKINQ7MRbe3vIE3jJO0jDvOpJGMDFd9sd0WjgAJzOPh1gtnloOAALIVIBVU2nI0gn71Iuw3E09p1RXZqAg4bAv_iPKn/s1600/DSC_6913.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adding to cairns seems like a kind thing to do here - in some parts of the world they are frowned upon, <br>but if making your way down through piles of rocks like this,<br>they give some reassurance, that mortal human has passed this way before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
But onward, and down was the only option now - this particular skippity bunny wasn't retracing her steps, or foot holds.<br>
<br>
Slightly less <i>abysmal</i> down climbing next - we had heard that the scenery over this side was particular good.<br>
<br>
Hmmn maybe ...<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlfueP2haTXKod9PUOlldEkPZLGp_G8hPcodUbZAENuB9PRkeozwNxg8Kcnc5noeb491k50kH9l1385rGXGhgJw16Pcs90tD9uwd4vcXJotafGNpI_deOlA5JacYDzRUiXXUJ5rWu-oDM/s1600/DSC_6914+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlfueP2haTXKod9PUOlldEkPZLGp_G8hPcodUbZAENuB9PRkeozwNxg8Kcnc5noeb491k50kH9l1385rGXGhgJw16Pcs90tD9uwd4vcXJotafGNpI_deOlA5JacYDzRUiXXUJ5rWu-oDM/s1600/DSC_6914+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
You never know It <i>might</i> brighten up ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-Le9khLFVjJEfp6_O5lGS3OKxyY03Scrox7olQKMWfDxFt4LDgaRfSm8rHeCLVlqFJJvnVLtFnFXg8FwG7rmqHb3ESZsb_ZXuQEVlnkwqlzgqV4O5A3AXvOAGvq7jWc1b0GwCnlADJ8D/s1600/DSC_6917+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-Le9khLFVjJEfp6_O5lGS3OKxyY03Scrox7olQKMWfDxFt4LDgaRfSm8rHeCLVlqFJJvnVLtFnFXg8FwG7rmqHb3ESZsb_ZXuQEVlnkwqlzgqV4O5A3AXvOAGvq7jWc1b0GwCnlADJ8D/s1600/DSC_6917+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
The forecast was cloudy for the rest of the day, but clear for the next.<br>
<br>
Given the effort expended to get her,e we decided to find a pitch in the hope that the morning would bring us a view ..<br>
<br>
So there was rather a lot of wandering about in the hope of finding a scrap of turf amongst the rocks - not an easy task when visibility is down to twenty yards - but Lac de Batcrabere, is somewhere nearby.<br>
<br>
An eerie quest, when you really have no deep conviction that what you are searching for amongst the rocks even exists.<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXXfy0-Cwm2yK3Sn6pCGCIudjwY0OjIrvjE3Y14AZHnyBRVqhEoDSN5A4wU6clP052ZO00-t5iAxp8mqssFA-8g-WiTlnN8IIz8iZ1klmYjbeVZtxDSyyD29OKBZCcbHhi-w67u9Dk5q5/s1600/DSC_6918+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXXfy0-Cwm2yK3Sn6pCGCIudjwY0OjIrvjE3Y14AZHnyBRVqhEoDSN5A4wU6clP052ZO00-t5iAxp8mqssFA-8g-WiTlnN8IIz8iZ1klmYjbeVZtxDSyyD29OKBZCcbHhi-w67u9Dk5q5/s1600/DSC_6918+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Apologies to the beetles... We know you shouldn't move stones in wild places ... But .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKN1CDPrTdKh9HhtOa7Pc6SHBLo2gGTKCLFz6h04Nf1XkT_QwL_-6UHvbEtLzrBFMfTdlsycgawwAqvcTsN10OpsP76ZIthAnBeSz9c71PQ4AiBWa6HsyZl96SC486FJqeZKjXY0fn5OE/s1600/DSC_6920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKN1CDPrTdKh9HhtOa7Pc6SHBLo2gGTKCLFz6h04Nf1XkT_QwL_-6UHvbEtLzrBFMfTdlsycgawwAqvcTsN10OpsP76ZIthAnBeSz9c71PQ4AiBWa6HsyZl96SC486FJqeZKjXY0fn5OE/s1600/DSC_6920.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Quite a tight squeeze..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzeMf72EBv4OZ5uPjk_PmK0Y7s0v54TXE1KHU48tLmQPlN2pCI8YNLSEvi_3yfmdgVSj_2Os6SyCzcZTutjWEUM7sv6Yv5IV5E6iBhzDhwgbShX7lX0JfJADLwr8e3Lytu9wtT-Uyo8JY/s1600/DSC_6922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzeMf72EBv4OZ5uPjk_PmK0Y7s0v54TXE1KHU48tLmQPlN2pCI8YNLSEvi_3yfmdgVSj_2Os6SyCzcZTutjWEUM7sv6Yv5IV5E6iBhzDhwgbShX7lX0JfJADLwr8e3Lytu9wtT-Uyo8JY/s640/DSC_6922.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
<br>
There is an art to inflating a sleeping mat with a snozzle bag - <i>entente - </i>i didn't want to risk damaging my main source of comfort on the spikey rocks outside ..<br>
<br>
Yoga is such a practical form of bodywork..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIKuxGI1N2LX2E8vH3jb-7g7bkH_f6xvfQoM4lOJCXVqiOGu5PbXtNfk_Nl-Yql0sU7urGIWCaIuZdsQAHxFOkwtPartEqe6iY5Cx-Awds0gTsXzX-EYkFfB5MFHmHhmQV74BfVjpC9vj/s1600/DSC_6924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIKuxGI1N2LX2E8vH3jb-7g7bkH_f6xvfQoM4lOJCXVqiOGu5PbXtNfk_Nl-Yql0sU7urGIWCaIuZdsQAHxFOkwtPartEqe6iY5Cx-Awds0gTsXzX-EYkFfB5MFHmHhmQV74BfVjpC9vj/s1600/DSC_6924.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning all ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
Oh OK maybe they did have a point about the view -<br>
<br>
<i>This</i> is the kind of shot you show to folks who are <i>utterly mystified </i>as to why anyone would <i>freely</i> choose this kind of 'holiday' -<br>
<br>
- Not necessarily to convince <i>them to do it - </i>some people just <i>won't</i> get it - but it certainly reminds oneself ...<br>
<br>
<br>
Plus a cup of tea - and a breakfast biscuit - what more could any sensible human want ??<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwXF2RkP8NAIi9XUDkt82aYrnNG91y4rEM0xGPsqFC-kyZjYdDMoDbno8-YW8e-0B2mACiSGgrvEaufgZB12cgZTmqsWlMRISMJs9Cmux2jAzSMR0b0f_H-y4zYMCh3vg4sMi4Y-8RB9O/s1600/DSC_6930+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwXF2RkP8NAIi9XUDkt82aYrnNG91y4rEM0xGPsqFC-kyZjYdDMoDbno8-YW8e-0B2mACiSGgrvEaufgZB12cgZTmqsWlMRISMJs9Cmux2jAzSMR0b0f_H-y4zYMCh3vg4sMi4Y-8RB9O/s1600/DSC_6930+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
We had come down off of that the afternoon before, in the mist ..<br>
<br>
if i had the capacity to draw a squiggle on a photo i might indicate the route..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rY9eFpIXZXEhZM8imzdn37bUT0gNI-HXOBQ5hkTj32CQz4MbNfmVm4delmJbJ27ipmfEA4lrtQLlqhQ-ny917MikAfkwHcX61t97b5nsP9DdAYAjCHM9foVaphPg7QuvPwVM2pI25qwN/s1600/IMG_20180901_043235_718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rY9eFpIXZXEhZM8imzdn37bUT0gNI-HXOBQ5hkTj32CQz4MbNfmVm4delmJbJ27ipmfEA4lrtQLlqhQ-ny917MikAfkwHcX61t97b5nsP9DdAYAjCHM9foVaphPg7QuvPwVM2pI25qwN/s1600/IMG_20180901_043235_718.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Easy squeezy pitch .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
As you can see there's <i>alot</i> of geology right here - but its not such good croquet country ..<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMZpym6o2N7o3sT1ZAydGLG7BzENPgTAkB6BRK_PDT47c9-D5PxID9ZZ8iLxUXfzB-FviCb-s6PJOg8PYglUZklpdH1yHbG8JNjoUm2EDUz_tD1u5HHYcAEfSLn4SHspdXRk4f9leoofV/s1600/DSC_6932+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMZpym6o2N7o3sT1ZAydGLG7BzENPgTAkB6BRK_PDT47c9-D5PxID9ZZ8iLxUXfzB-FviCb-s6PJOg8PYglUZklpdH1yHbG8JNjoUm2EDUz_tD1u5HHYcAEfSLn4SHspdXRk4f9leoofV/s1600/DSC_6932+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Packed up and shifted before nine this time - speed packing by our standards<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJmeR_TckEv6Ax2vv_jSVHOR3P-i90DQUQjgUjErvcwX0_XzvUM_YraWol1YtoAiIinST6AqigKE_vbOt6Usv3sasZkTDFbuBexElTrv6sX_y5N7WPaDjOzFS6if-bFNrbyUbm3P_f2G8/s1600/DSC_6933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJmeR_TckEv6Ax2vv_jSVHOR3P-i90DQUQjgUjErvcwX0_XzvUM_YraWol1YtoAiIinST6AqigKE_vbOt6Usv3sasZkTDFbuBexElTrv6sX_y5N7WPaDjOzFS6if-bFNrbyUbm3P_f2G8/s1600/DSC_6933.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Another perfectly manageable cleft on the way to Refuge de Larribet - This is a particularly scenic section of the HRP - its all stunning in its way - but sometimes - even for such a resolute agnostic as myself, its hard not to believe sometimes that the placement of rocks, water , landform and tree hasn't been done 'just so' by an ambitious landscape gardener..<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtb8xLlx8dEdnzwXzjysdofcGAaUTceBEGp4TQzx8bVh6RAwE6FNHQXvQWb-FllFQ9TgLuu5GJ2Fo3irYh7AT9laPYy9cOQZjaMiBoXMAMtuTLL1IurOKLYpkZFNIVE0OXpKWi9knLQVet/s1600/DSC_6938+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtb8xLlx8dEdnzwXzjysdofcGAaUTceBEGp4TQzx8bVh6RAwE6FNHQXvQWb-FllFQ9TgLuu5GJ2Fo3irYh7AT9laPYy9cOQZjaMiBoXMAMtuTLL1IurOKLYpkZFNIVE0OXpKWi9knLQVet/s1600/DSC_6938+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
There was a rather sad broken legged sheep just here - one of the few moments i've wished i had a gun - or at least a sharp enough knife to do the necessary...<br>
life is harsh up here if you're not in fairly good fettle - This lady will have been recycled by the vultures by now - but not a nice way to go ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQ19wOcmbO03fpUg1GsynsVIVUC7LcV52uCAfCIVAanr3pPmhyphenhyphenjDwBf7BcozY5Ftly6vYcKGdTmFCEEZgqOaVlFop9Qbsbj9CMOlMWP9RgtqhqYX8U9yg8xMKYA6q5QGWuqXGTD6ElJ6r/s1600/DSC_6939+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQ19wOcmbO03fpUg1GsynsVIVUC7LcV52uCAfCIVAanr3pPmhyphenhyphenjDwBf7BcozY5Ftly6vYcKGdTmFCEEZgqOaVlFop9Qbsbj9CMOlMWP9RgtqhqYX8U9yg8xMKYA6q5QGWuqXGTD6ElJ6r/s1600/DSC_6939+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
A little further on a Space Age refuge - somehow it fits in the landscape - an astonishing situation for a building project.<br>
<br>
This kind of construction would attract a good deal of harrumphing in an equivalent Uk situation.. maybe thats fair enough.<br>
<br>
But we're kidding ourselves if we believe we really posses truly wild landscape even in the far north of scotland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPbeWYfScl4uERL_QY8vYdkcafq2rlFxK0LRJT-TK0eEe8T_7ivXx7eSZrXn4mD6OCj4lYDq9vLVDk6x5EkR5TgTdMKwkiBO-vFRVHBo-SludF3DaUlUKAYsu0fVPD3yky30Xx6QllXba/s1600/DSC_6945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPbeWYfScl4uERL_QY8vYdkcafq2rlFxK0LRJT-TK0eEe8T_7ivXx7eSZrXn4mD6OCj4lYDq9vLVDk6x5EkR5TgTdMKwkiBO-vFRVHBo-SludF3DaUlUKAYsu0fVPD3yky30Xx6QllXba/s640/DSC_6945.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
A bowl of coffee and a slice of gateaux de framboise - compensations of civilisation.<br>
<br>
<br>
And a quick scan of the map to plan subsequent manoeuvres - there was a plan of sorts - but always subject to adjustment on a whim of weather - fair or foul...<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiET9C99MzObDullK9y-oMQgHujckIy5FcScXA8aerTBP2DeBBuN2C5AT-F5uHRHThuC1FYwJ5zNVm3WS0ea9KrikYP2AtRrI1GoMKXhh07eH0iAXq4wbVvX3kqeU2j52ACXptivV7NDFE/s1600/DSC_6949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiET9C99MzObDullK9y-oMQgHujckIy5FcScXA8aerTBP2DeBBuN2C5AT-F5uHRHThuC1FYwJ5zNVm3WS0ea9KrikYP2AtRrI1GoMKXhh07eH0iAXq4wbVvX3kqeU2j52ACXptivV7NDFE/s1600/DSC_6949.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Then skippity skip on down the Valley towards - it could get rather tiresome endlessly mentioning how scenic it all is - the photos give some idea - but being there is of course the immersive thing<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka5IFJWp9CURV-duvE53ljX58b539Jhgwc2Hq4Qo9WjKuZUkzKaQKP7zMgbQP1trWaV2Pk7v9BLzJ6utuHEHhYMv7QF0DJBvd6U9Xj69YTH3QdQWyvjHFf9ADCYR10SLNJvl7H9A5fxvQ/s1600/DSC_6958+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka5IFJWp9CURV-duvE53ljX58b539Jhgwc2Hq4Qo9WjKuZUkzKaQKP7zMgbQP1trWaV2Pk7v9BLzJ6utuHEHhYMv7QF0DJBvd6U9Xj69YTH3QdQWyvjHFf9ADCYR10SLNJvl7H9A5fxvQ/s640/DSC_6958+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
This way or that way - timings should be taken as a very relative and rough guide - it really depends on things and stuff and snack bars...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On down the hrp towards Doumblas - a busy intersection, by our standards- whereupon reaching the lowest point . we turn a smartish right skirting the base of Berdoulet, still on the HRP<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaMEdVP6xvVFh2LUMW3NFhZ_QbgsMntM6t5D4AXVLLNziPhOsdmTrC3OOpG52rzStFEctJkw4HPymJ0BhbDqRbMESd0gI7x6haoHRNe0MFm8AmKe9aznI4FizFfv1G4XtZLsGCtiQnRDe/s1600/DSC_6959+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaMEdVP6xvVFh2LUMW3NFhZ_QbgsMntM6t5D4AXVLLNziPhOsdmTrC3OOpG52rzStFEctJkw4HPymJ0BhbDqRbMESd0gI7x6haoHRNe0MFm8AmKe9aznI4FizFfv1G4XtZLsGCtiQnRDe/s1600/DSC_6959+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Ok so maybe there isn't as much insect life as we would like to see, but crickets still abound, and bound.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIUptz6mr5q0m1VktMLvjORWO0fAAESszlIB2QaqQSWiB9FlTe-G2UgNBHMlhf_GgtUWhTm3cGCKtJfJAle4CURXaH5G2Gi2UHbj6mBSP-NkZFnSnPFQE06-xwezW0GHp6AQGY8rtbIoD/s1600/DSC_6964+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIUptz6mr5q0m1VktMLvjORWO0fAAESszlIB2QaqQSWiB9FlTe-G2UgNBHMlhf_GgtUWhTm3cGCKtJfJAle4CURXaH5G2Gi2UHbj6mBSP-NkZFnSnPFQE06-xwezW0GHp6AQGY8rtbIoD/s1600/DSC_6964+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
My poor white feet don't really stand a chance - farmer, and hiker tan combine to make my legs look better suited to a white socked chestnut pony - of the skittish sort ... Adho Muka Svanasana kinda stretches everything out ... Although my fellow yogis will correctly observe that i am perhaps overworking my lumbar - plus ca change..<br>
<br>
This was a brunch stop too<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE9e4xEERYI41Bt9DM_WOOKPUrAb40rCjYvk_fQx9OEKeXM01vrrlY6H3JhRuvOHpzWjTISuXOjFtWLRtPhlVaOgEdQLS87z1E9oy7Thf2RYFjw-nJbTDYLeVqeEHI2bgyN4DUejuqdak/s1600/DSC_6969+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE9e4xEERYI41Bt9DM_WOOKPUrAb40rCjYvk_fQx9OEKeXM01vrrlY6H3JhRuvOHpzWjTISuXOjFtWLRtPhlVaOgEdQLS87z1E9oy7Thf2RYFjw-nJbTDYLeVqeEHI2bgyN4DUejuqdak/s640/DSC_6969+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<span style="font-size: small;">Then further up the trail - The <i>almost</i> inevitable by chance.. how dee do dee, encore un fois encounter.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We had met this couple the previous year at a campsite further east, in the same range...They were headed in the other direction, this time, towards where we had just come from, with rather dubious mapping facilities. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The doubtless gallant, yet somewhat headstrong male of the party was dissuaded from taking a 'shortcut' that wasn't on any of our maps - not even dotted lines - could have resulted in a breakdown of marital relations - it had looked <i>very scrambly</i> from the other side... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp2MZDvpnlQulM2B8LjZOiZCukMSiQdlX70_cJkFmmzjEDFi6ORDSr4p74Y03iyaMpUbFnML1ccOFCxRDOX9pRw-2U9_BOHXSMNl9Q5ta3t145teU2YQ1XoyiMZcxYJax9bAVoEJntGDk/s1600/DSC_6971+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp2MZDvpnlQulM2B8LjZOiZCukMSiQdlX70_cJkFmmzjEDFi6ORDSr4p74Y03iyaMpUbFnML1ccOFCxRDOX9pRw-2U9_BOHXSMNl9Q5ta3t145teU2YQ1XoyiMZcxYJax9bAVoEJntGDk/s1600/DSC_6971+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Adieus said, and Good Deed (one hopes) done in<i> sensible</i> redirection, then were off upwards toward Collado de la Pelra de san Martin<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuFlNE8b_v19tJQDutNSL8gn3U3zL9iG8Ne93Jepx36mg2LJLEToj7xnX91Gg355S5_2BJDBvW77GL_pgmg3RpVtt4zxKaEMyj7_NC9-jTZkSo7JSfegrzBmjjU0NJVgT-M-HSG4ttp8P/s1600/DSC_6973+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuFlNE8b_v19tJQDutNSL8gn3U3zL9iG8Ne93Jepx36mg2LJLEToj7xnX91Gg355S5_2BJDBvW77GL_pgmg3RpVtt4zxKaEMyj7_NC9-jTZkSo7JSfegrzBmjjU0NJVgT-M-HSG4ttp8P/s1600/DSC_6973+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Leaving the cloud behind as we head roughly south - this ascent is long but the paths are easy - leaving ones eyes chance to feast upon the view.<br>
<br>
<br>
One day i shall get a clever app or some such that will inform me as to what sort of geology i am walking through - I'm guessing that knowing the names of things will add to my enjoyment in some way .. there's a uk version available <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/igeology/">https://www.bgs.ac.uk/igeology/</a> Maybe before long someone will make one for here..<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQTOoOg675EG3BJEXzmuMezrk85sW9pBnACfn2NZV7qMqNpa5Ee_2jg4j6U-JibeOStBLakxCxSOS7orhRYnYBo33ljXzjZh5BVWg9oRY4K2OrLCtLSpegJ4e1IqMPuDQamX0ZNaSweAF/s1600/DSC_6961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQTOoOg675EG3BJEXzmuMezrk85sW9pBnACfn2NZV7qMqNpa5Ee_2jg4j6U-JibeOStBLakxCxSOS7orhRYnYBo33ljXzjZh5BVWg9oRY4K2OrLCtLSpegJ4e1IqMPuDQamX0ZNaSweAF/s1600/DSC_6961.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Last glimpse back down the valley before we strike on towards Respomuso<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtzd2wvFTjaMOhcmOQqc_mWLWxuStkGVsVpQ9IlVnR0cAQ4J6f4kqyyubGb2S_FJwPDVi5B7F1WegWP_gACUhXbgBO0tg19etSRmfBxRjYjxxIo2t-NjSLPpgptshLJ4djvuuTrWMbQO7/s1600/DSC_6980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtzd2wvFTjaMOhcmOQqc_mWLWxuStkGVsVpQ9IlVnR0cAQ4J6f4kqyyubGb2S_FJwPDVi5B7F1WegWP_gACUhXbgBO0tg19etSRmfBxRjYjxxIo2t-NjSLPpgptshLJ4djvuuTrWMbQO7/s1600/DSC_6980.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Back to the plain of the jangling cows<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcItKqKklf15OMLjQjg4xAgIkFXO8QTQ0OPp8pCGX3G6epGAu1nQuIJWb1dT4BK3R-zWUrf_rIU2cA58hivzSzz-lcCMx_Pw5HSIROhbPgQItcta92lfWWLVHmkN4BnZqlN483pdTVEev/s1600/DSC_6982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcItKqKklf15OMLjQjg4xAgIkFXO8QTQ0OPp8pCGX3G6epGAu1nQuIJWb1dT4BK3R-zWUrf_rIU2cA58hivzSzz-lcCMx_Pw5HSIROhbPgQItcta92lfWWLVHmkN4BnZqlN483pdTVEev/s1600/DSC_6982.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Look at those saw tooth edges </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MkgmEB7mlo-kH-DP_Jpem7_dk9r-P_DTRHsBukNCWEewHPAJc_Rm6QohXDbOiI01MaQVY1SPrkLzwHig2ygGRjMXZ5-Z5EJ1dY4lYTJobSpl5AvtoxBvUYlbY1mhDEl-9sj82bNSbr6e/s1600/DSC_6985+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MkgmEB7mlo-kH-DP_Jpem7_dk9r-P_DTRHsBukNCWEewHPAJc_Rm6QohXDbOiI01MaQVY1SPrkLzwHig2ygGRjMXZ5-Z5EJ1dY4lYTJobSpl5AvtoxBvUYlbY1mhDEl-9sj82bNSbr6e/s1600/DSC_6985+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
I've seen worse prospects for a camping spot - just at the far end of the second lake as it happens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlhs8gHFBJCkb3EFaa8MPQUTaI34FI_stQwskH1BlwCHg2C08k6VEr4tjqCWJHwxSDbQQNZ940sUsYdC0FSsHd-dFqDSCrAf06UQ6LBzhSXoGpA8nbEyRVsn6f6xYLTTAxBXo8SXpps7Q/s1600/DSC_6987+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlhs8gHFBJCkb3EFaa8MPQUTaI34FI_stQwskH1BlwCHg2C08k6VEr4tjqCWJHwxSDbQQNZ940sUsYdC0FSsHd-dFqDSCrAf06UQ6LBzhSXoGpA8nbEyRVsn6f6xYLTTAxBXo8SXpps7Q/s1600/DSC_6987+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Oh yes <i>indeed</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF5fRRNCV6F0UAuHbkqlkDRonHYepI4OG9JK4nRQUY8NrvypmFKGl96c55DgF0wIABO8n-1ETU7_FTr_HIV4jtSOw_9zSRNQxfrAyzTN9kO8Ggso8Ii35mmvyznuYO8kdq89lMINAuJwm/s1600/DSC_6990+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF5fRRNCV6F0UAuHbkqlkDRonHYepI4OG9JK4nRQUY8NrvypmFKGl96c55DgF0wIABO8n-1ETU7_FTr_HIV4jtSOw_9zSRNQxfrAyzTN9kO8Ggso8Ii35mmvyznuYO8kdq89lMINAuJwm/s1600/DSC_6990+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
You do get tired, as in physically, bodily tired, doing this stuff .. And of course there are occasional moments of grumpiness induced by hunger, or plain old human moodiness - But really - how could you get tired of this?/<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6n21bavHt2vg-Fadt5QGG19dFK-teXowiTZ8jF-YjoaohhH2-JaVKY2u2Zsj8Hly4L9soytT8bocCOnEwpfNGMfGueuvZF5cYutr_O-1wRzPiB4ClHtEnjin1iYkQIchPAw4fkEwgVff/s1600/DSC_6992+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6n21bavHt2vg-Fadt5QGG19dFK-teXowiTZ8jF-YjoaohhH2-JaVKY2u2Zsj8Hly4L9soytT8bocCOnEwpfNGMfGueuvZF5cYutr_O-1wRzPiB4ClHtEnjin1iYkQIchPAw4fkEwgVff/s1600/DSC_6992+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<span style="font-size: small;">Go on tarp tent - give us a free shelter - just how many scenic spots - and taut pitches do you need to be persuaded??</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv961m_TO6LtnWdUAOjy5aGMYR-wW60zsKij_NzixALPqS9UCSOoZNbmhChBKpiXjnb00VGQb7GkBfH3LHXU9lb52XOhE7hewoTDgb2tvYYom3IHETg5jRxELWYc6sj1_XT_8OMoWK7Wqo/s1600/DSC_6997+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv961m_TO6LtnWdUAOjy5aGMYR-wW60zsKij_NzixALPqS9UCSOoZNbmhChBKpiXjnb00VGQb7GkBfH3LHXU9lb52XOhE7hewoTDgb2tvYYom3IHETg5jRxELWYc6sj1_XT_8OMoWK7Wqo/s1600/DSC_6997+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3-Iuf3URKh9gRxnhMWYQQL4b_pamp98eSXvo7CGTYHnr_iNpZcfcFggdNi6YiWPRWl0hTXr1f6hrN5s9J_W0xwuw8Y6Kw-95TjhKG8XUHlat3hyphenhyphenEVhMXpcLFBrA16CH4Uz5KW_7KcHUV/s1600/DSC_6998+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3-Iuf3URKh9gRxnhMWYQQL4b_pamp98eSXvo7CGTYHnr_iNpZcfcFggdNi6YiWPRWl0hTXr1f6hrN5s9J_W0xwuw8Y6Kw-95TjhKG8XUHlat3hyphenhyphenEVhMXpcLFBrA16CH4Uz5KW_7KcHUV/s1600/DSC_6998+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Night night !!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAZdDXuZzHV1dDr4WLElm-d1QuqrZvmA24ArlCM5pAJ8llOdfZpEL1KCKKGLsm4A0PWA-ShmbHkmlThC6Wx0bLhoZC3q_Kwc5aBzX3UaL7R85ayOJPNOXlLa1OAG2hS4aJkQ7LgykPEKo/s1600/DSC_7002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAZdDXuZzHV1dDr4WLElm-d1QuqrZvmA24ArlCM5pAJ8llOdfZpEL1KCKKGLsm4A0PWA-ShmbHkmlThC6Wx0bLhoZC3q_Kwc5aBzX3UaL7R85ayOJPNOXlLa1OAG2hS4aJkQ7LgykPEKo/s640/DSC_7002.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Morning!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVNPKxLkoklRR577XuNh_1FNGK8MuOxu91hFvnPrvfSrimJo4f3ai6a6fiTXpCFgrHyF00D4o0HnUFLghir_vgbpbU7gT9NyFKyJ_b1A8fbvPm4L1IIQUXG4iKw3pYeL_99d1Y0wC6kea/s1600/DSC_7004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVNPKxLkoklRR577XuNh_1FNGK8MuOxu91hFvnPrvfSrimJo4f3ai6a6fiTXpCFgrHyF00D4o0HnUFLghir_vgbpbU7gT9NyFKyJ_b1A8fbvPm4L1IIQUXG4iKw3pYeL_99d1Y0wC6kea/s1600/DSC_7004.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
I won - 0nce - and 0nce is enough to prove that it <i>can be done..</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Above - an 'istoric - likely <i>never</i> to be repeated moment - I was packed upright and ready to go first !!<br>
solar panel even installed upon my pack (for the electricals not me)<br>
<br>
<br>
My Man Friday who sometimes accompanies our hero on overnight trips, has a plausible theory about all this ..<br>
<br>
<br>
OH does <i>stealth packing</i> - all casual and surreptitious like - you know - "Tum de dum - no rush at all - <i>slow</i> and systematic"<br>
<br>
But then, there will be an <i>almighty flurry</i> of activity, followed by a vigorous jumping up whilst saying in slightly accusatory tone ... "Oh come <i>on -</i> aren't you ready <i>yet ??"</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<i><br></i>
<i>i think there may be something in this theory ...</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<i>And as a postscript i discover that another backpacking friend of the male persuasion does same subterfuge - lorks you guys can make a competition out of pretty much anything ;-)</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<i><br></i>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpRynpHCmLqloUCYGZ_ppuSnmCgekIBOHpocNlmkUE1nRTKk9Cw56BDIHdW3jXP5MY8uUq3FJtS8SKFu_2nY9cUZBigVw1eKqks0eKwX-X1-_9XXWoWB8np2LOH7CahGutEpOI_GEAZf8/s1600/DSC_7006+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpRynpHCmLqloUCYGZ_ppuSnmCgekIBOHpocNlmkUE1nRTKk9Cw56BDIHdW3jXP5MY8uUq3FJtS8SKFu_2nY9cUZBigVw1eKqks0eKwX-X1-_9XXWoWB8np2LOH7CahGutEpOI_GEAZf8/s1600/DSC_7006+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
So I let him go first now as a salve to that rather easily bruised and delicate creature - the male ego ... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOjV2mmf4DR7qlybbQeM5ZSg6pbWV8hWsdk8b6ImcUSeHnZ2ZV1t2tJCwMDBEQjMxGfja55YQGbrHAIGpmrxOn2WAxRSo-FkwUG0bgQ-TPWONrWuhXgnyuLXdXMGnx1UevXOKNvTpw2p9/s1600/DSC_7007+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOjV2mmf4DR7qlybbQeM5ZSg6pbWV8hWsdk8b6ImcUSeHnZ2ZV1t2tJCwMDBEQjMxGfja55YQGbrHAIGpmrxOn2WAxRSo-FkwUG0bgQ-TPWONrWuhXgnyuLXdXMGnx1UevXOKNvTpw2p9/s1600/DSC_7007+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
Lovely , lovely scabious - one of my favourite flowers - not a pretty name but a glorious pincushion of purpleyness.. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_9oeMbavB081Yt44lU_8dk48gE6SQ9G_Sml8hS0VvsKJ_oloi_lBjpcYckDYQiSqERR9-wU6wc95F6BuUR9G0qAV6z3L8bQbETn7iB47XSbiYEewQPkVDXkOzKkJbp6HFQDjav-4u1NZ/s1600/DSC_7008+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_9oeMbavB081Yt44lU_8dk48gE6SQ9G_Sml8hS0VvsKJ_oloi_lBjpcYckDYQiSqERR9-wU6wc95F6BuUR9G0qAV6z3L8bQbETn7iB47XSbiYEewQPkVDXkOzKkJbp6HFQDjav-4u1NZ/s640/DSC_7008+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
<br>
And just by the refuge a young couple a honey mooning - ah sweet ... I believe one was French the other German ..<br>
<br>
We had to do the usual profuse apologies over 'our' Brexit Bretheren - Yes we know - tragic - for us - but they'd probably be glad to see the back of us - etc etc ... They were tres sympathetique in return .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDeUnophJYnzGsSW4DcX80iPnpNUSm66mdWe8yCFiTYLZWCUbDwRLJ1FfPZFWfTCXvOg1zZIJl_tHhPVz81Phj6UogfrjYxXOgC6j8ty84a2omHp1TQZdIkxyac8qt7GCxLEH196bZCwS/s1600/DSC_7009+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDeUnophJYnzGsSW4DcX80iPnpNUSm66mdWe8yCFiTYLZWCUbDwRLJ1FfPZFWfTCXvOg1zZIJl_tHhPVz81Phj6UogfrjYxXOgC6j8ty84a2omHp1TQZdIkxyac8qt7GCxLEH196bZCwS/s1600/DSC_7009+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyTpIbH3T36Oifmf3y0TEKYReoXPML4h7Mn_th7SuUGVIBsVOOLzuqQKL4qwla9Ug2G0ztKQxGUf453WoQIJl3WLXQI67MoAV6BAnNNz5pKedc_Pm9gTqqRTiV0XxjtV63kk3oTSUzK6-/s1600/DSC_7011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyTpIbH3T36Oifmf3y0TEKYReoXPML4h7Mn_th7SuUGVIBsVOOLzuqQKL4qwla9Ug2G0ztKQxGUf453WoQIJl3WLXQI67MoAV6BAnNNz5pKedc_Pm9gTqqRTiV0XxjtV63kk3oTSUzK6-/s1600/DSC_7011.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
We'd come this way before , but in the opposite direction, maybe three years previously - it seemed hotter this time..<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyss_9PxDUJ4ADBruZ4bawaTDgiwxmwE_hvEgf-8X5GbcrY6QBlJNBJQrUvK-vnm0HQM0n6xPLnCsylKZttzBDMAJ0JTCTa02IBFU3v77nIoy5Ci-EEHevXliIj7MOgkQVA36TS2Fnlqxp/s1600/DSC_7013+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyss_9PxDUJ4ADBruZ4bawaTDgiwxmwE_hvEgf-8X5GbcrY6QBlJNBJQrUvK-vnm0HQM0n6xPLnCsylKZttzBDMAJ0JTCTa02IBFU3v77nIoy5Ci-EEHevXliIj7MOgkQVA36TS2Fnlqxp/s1600/DSC_7013+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Down and down the rocky path for hours - trying to look upbeat and encouraging to the day walkers coming up from the carpark dam below - how far to the top ??<br>
<br>
Well that depends - a vague time is given based on not very much - but worth it for the views.. Hopefully the refuge does good business from these weary travellers<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYJJZBtTo-Pjzd_833RfLncBS3mvKFFMOB5y4im8Wx-MNNebU02PGKBg4R5qkvuIyESvbdjaDDKMbv9kxthYB1GpxEBDVMTfAUJb1LxSNs86-YT6nDdfdhj2dxdy9VdstmlM3PTVHJwkP/s1600/DSC_7014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYJJZBtTo-Pjzd_833RfLncBS3mvKFFMOB5y4im8Wx-MNNebU02PGKBg4R5qkvuIyESvbdjaDDKMbv9kxthYB1GpxEBDVMTfAUJb1LxSNs86-YT6nDdfdhj2dxdy9VdstmlM3PTVHJwkP/s1600/DSC_7014.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Yes well that thin piece of horse wire is definitely going to act as a secure handrail..<br>
<br>
<br>
From another trip .... <a href="http://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-pyrenean-perigrination-part-three.html">http://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-pyrenean-perigrination-part-three.html</a><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihivpf0K-PopOIJN9L_oz2WrlN5SbWpQSriDcXfg72kzZSKJYkiVH1zSYx56qovF2bIw5ffVaTLkvcRr5WiYUa20NBUu63WsYTJcLd2Oaw2DVYhG8y73WSd-CHw_HYjLG1GxgZAi7kEJzH/s1600/DSC_7018+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihivpf0K-PopOIJN9L_oz2WrlN5SbWpQSriDcXfg72kzZSKJYkiVH1zSYx56qovF2bIw5ffVaTLkvcRr5WiYUa20NBUu63WsYTJcLd2Oaw2DVYhG8y73WSd-CHw_HYjLG1GxgZAi7kEJzH/s1600/DSC_7018+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
More late summer floriferouness of great beauty, to enjoy...<br>
<br>
Tinged sometimes with sadness - if i think <i>too hard</i> about it..<br>
<br>
Climate change is already forcing some mountain adapted species uphill to escape the unnatural warmth.. But before long they will have no where higher to go, eco systems, and species numbers are already collapsing.<br>
<br>
I try to do my bit in terms of modelling alternatives to food production, and farming practices, not flying, using much less and greener energy, and campaigning about it where i can ..<br>
Yes yes - enough of the virtue signalling.<br>
<br>
But<i> sometimes</i> it all feels a bit hopeless.<br>
<br>
And folks (even the ones who you think <i>might care</i> about this stuff) often will roll their eyes, and look the other way -<br>
<br>
Either '"Its not my problem" or<br>
<br>
" The problem is too big, and its too late to do anything about it" or<br>
<br>
" Its all a filthy conspiracy by those selfish climate scientists to further their evil ends..."<br>
<br>
Insert variation thereof.<br>
<br>
But <i>i'm not</i> giving up hope, or activism just yet, however eleventh hour it might all seem -<br>
<br>
Because that would be a despairing way to live -<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN4-fzDYrcpZRcDF6VaCalkktXDstK0Mt1p9qPAJrz2drqVqUtYovwhNQbgNsfd451JZX9NkfHwQWL9A_hxe91ShJ0nIeSi8oX2xVaB5uv28kyw5SKpFXxdpyVgljKfqKE8rxtYNVdMAM/s1600/DSC_7020+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN4-fzDYrcpZRcDF6VaCalkktXDstK0Mt1p9qPAJrz2drqVqUtYovwhNQbgNsfd451JZX9NkfHwQWL9A_hxe91ShJ0nIeSi8oX2xVaB5uv28kyw5SKpFXxdpyVgljKfqKE8rxtYNVdMAM/s1600/DSC_7020+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
The gorge narrows here towards its base ... The accompanying river flows companionably alongside.<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdpkihqHvpQAgpTdrGrI99mt6k-O4cSSrxrEOfvjnlmmUHpusJukzBPaqPXfiOgSgOVI-sYQtHy_eh1-S2xVbz916gnUxhCKYG0zwNtcYxfDPzhUSFupjTM9KIO41ltJOzDn53vQwa5yP/s1600/DSC_7027+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdpkihqHvpQAgpTdrGrI99mt6k-O4cSSrxrEOfvjnlmmUHpusJukzBPaqPXfiOgSgOVI-sYQtHy_eh1-S2xVbz916gnUxhCKYG0zwNtcYxfDPzhUSFupjTM9KIO41ltJOzDn53vQwa5yP/s640/DSC_7027+%25281%2529.JPG" width="360"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
But you<i> see</i> what corporal delights lie at the bottom ?? Beer and mobile signal - the essentials of modern life ..<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJK5gJMFmqi4OoxjLv5VA2Gk6XaYJ9-lVF8G4SdNWR3wCblYMKF4jHxOgTZ1GeYzaOF2y3UiEe6r4rz-DKthNFb3QEgeeCSEsRGbP32s8vBo0QV-plw28GzF3JMBdntg6IULMxvmNNW0Q/s1600/DSC_7028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJK5gJMFmqi4OoxjLv5VA2Gk6XaYJ9-lVF8G4SdNWR3wCblYMKF4jHxOgTZ1GeYzaOF2y3UiEe6r4rz-DKthNFb3QEgeeCSEsRGbP32s8vBo0QV-plw28GzF3JMBdntg6IULMxvmNNW0Q/s1600/DSC_7028.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hydroelectric house is a rather handsome building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
Then after a refreshing break, and a quick guest house booking... Yes a shower <i>would </i>be very nice<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OF0WK8RpzP_f3srMDhsD7J8UITlSZuque4eoAhvBlCvrXGckUgnRDPey5adlZK6SFSjy95l2vxMaHXrGO1FeZR3sth2NlC_i2bSNjY6XiDcnzh0UAra_r4TO3hl_vwTR21_WpDRaZIB7/s1600/DSC_7034+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OF0WK8RpzP_f3srMDhsD7J8UITlSZuque4eoAhvBlCvrXGckUgnRDPey5adlZK6SFSjy95l2vxMaHXrGO1FeZR3sth2NlC_i2bSNjY6XiDcnzh0UAra_r4TO3hl_vwTR21_WpDRaZIB7/s1600/DSC_7034+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Its off to undertake productive garden inspections, since we were here last - beans are looking well - and have a clean up - and shake down in an uberluxe bed for the night ... Well hello ...Salent de Gallego...<br>
<br>
Where we had stopped for coffee and provisions some years before...<br>
<br>
... <a href="http://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2015/10/pyrenean-perigrination-part-two.html">http://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2015/10/pyrenean-perigrination-part-two.html</a><br>
<br>
<br>
A little overnight rest now before heading off again - there's really no need to make a trial of these things...<br>
<br>
Also apologies i lured you in with promises of kites and cows and i'm not totally <i>sure</i> there have been any, as yet ...<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r7D5YmYX-Kfjp4U0RiABDGxAsAmdo99g79e-5kYRxhs7wBAB9sCWWDoZWE2nE644V-RiP4PLY18m2PPq4ySPXdM319mD4C-_F5brtFgqfHOF8hoxiVK0-lLyO47l6hrXSxEET5IjB7vM/s1600/IMG_20180920_131248_556+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r7D5YmYX-Kfjp4U0RiABDGxAsAmdo99g79e-5kYRxhs7wBAB9sCWWDoZWE2nE644V-RiP4PLY18m2PPq4ySPXdM319mD4C-_F5brtFgqfHOF8hoxiVK0-lLyO47l6hrXSxEET5IjB7vM/s1600/IMG_20180920_131248_556+%25281%2529.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> not long now ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg2ULE-n4BKOc3EZGilVVXK4DGyXlqJ3ASQ4-PayMeq-4b4kj6m1z8NGTruKvwKAxOFMaEtdRkSqrbVUPlL9AuQeo7utGJfPHy7-PZTP8NTDw4OVuDD7V-8fHFiPQ0fyhMQcFIfqss7gP/s1600/IMG_20180930_150117_040+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg2ULE-n4BKOc3EZGilVVXK4DGyXlqJ3ASQ4-PayMeq-4b4kj6m1z8NGTruKvwKAxOFMaEtdRkSqrbVUPlL9AuQeo7utGJfPHy7-PZTP8NTDw4OVuDD7V-8fHFiPQ0fyhMQcFIfqss7gP/s400/IMG_20180930_150117_040+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br>
Alright so its actually a Hefffalump - my first and favourite soft toy - brought back as a gift from Turkey i believe..<br>
Now safely residing in the drawer of my Pas old writing desk.. Ears worn off with love many years ago...<br>
<br>
But i do remember we had to cross back into Switzerland from France, through the then manned, and checkpointed border because i'd inadvertently left this little chap at passport control - ooops.<br>
<br>
The distraught protestations of an Ellie bereft five year old would have completely ruined the rest of the families Alpine holiday -- Clearly, always was a one for drama ...<br>
<br>
<br></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Fear not ...More picturesque cows will be along soon.. Here they are in fact -<br>
<br>
<a href="https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2020/05/pyrenees-2018-kites-cows-and-mild-to.html">https://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.com/2020/05/pyrenees-2018-kites-cows-and-mild-to.html</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-36168600572098202692018-07-14T23:58:00.000+01:002018-07-16T08:25:02.163+01:00Where to start? What qualifies you to speak ...?Over the last few years, I've become more personally and politically involved, in an in-depth excavation, and attempt to understand our food system.<br />
<br />
How it works to nourish us, as a human society, and how ofttimes that same system works in opposition to all the things, that we might hope it would achieve.<br />
<br />
The sheer complexity, and muddied obfuscation of how it all functions, or doesn't function is what is so difficult.<br />
<br />
Food affects us all,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc-jxerfid1Z7EVApXB-IXY4odYekoTogkxD4WWhAksyjR9UgJTTqgNfE90KpZymrDXUyI0DJgq3e5uvkkm0LlXC2K1jdle4cbNuxbek0ttOMqGam8I5SpsZUBALTxhfhHp5BBA8o8_Ms/s1600/IMG_20170929_190643_215+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc-jxerfid1Z7EVApXB-IXY4odYekoTogkxD4WWhAksyjR9UgJTTqgNfE90KpZymrDXUyI0DJgq3e5uvkkm0LlXC2K1jdle4cbNuxbek0ttOMqGam8I5SpsZUBALTxhfhHp5BBA8o8_Ms/s320/IMG_20170929_190643_215+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
From the most basic - do you have enough calories to stave off starvation?<br />
<br />
To debates around just which brand of balsamic is the most authentic - right now - darling.<br />
<br />
And all points in between.<br />
<br />
The environmental, social, and health consequences of our diets, how food is grown, transported, packaged. distributed, priced, controlled, traded, marketed and so on makes up a incomprehensibly vast and problematic, but also very vital, element of our lives, and economy.<br />
<br />
But its rather like examining a finely woven tapestry that has been added to over the years.<br />
<br />
Pull one thread to examine its origin, and many other fibres will move, and show how they are enmeshed or interconnected.<br />
<br />
Which is probably why so many folks, far more learned than myself have tried to make some sense of it all, and then backed away shaking their heads.<br />
<br />
Under the current western approach, the food system is something which the 'market' should take care of.<br />
<br />
There is a hands off, non interventionist attitude, which seems <i>mostly</i> to have lead to a 'Race to the bottom' in terms of food quality, public, and planetary health...<br />
<br />
But any attempt to intervene in this system, and well meaning attempts to effect positive change, can so easily attracts charges of 'Nanny State' - " Don't tell us what to eat, or where it should come from, or how it should be produced ; we are adults capable of making up our own minds..."<br />
<br />
Well yes , except evidence would suggest otherwise.<br />
<br />
Its a tired old trope that people are generally disconnected from the origin of their food, how it is produced, and the<i> true</i> cost of that food.<br />
<br />
The cost - both to themselves, and to the ecosystems where that food is produced.<br />
<br />
Food - one way or another - is made from plants - either directly through vegetable matter - or indirectly if we consider animal products - all this stuff happens out there in 'nature'.<br />
<br />
Which is what people are drawn to - put a picture of a tree and a happy cow on a packet of beefburgers, and that will make it <i>all</i> ok.... Oh please dont say it aint so ..<br />
<br />
But look at many of our planetary woes, and many of them can be traced back to food one way or another.<br />
<br />
We hear about depletion of soils, and their micro life through misuse of large machinery, <i>aggro </i>chemicals and ill advised cultivation techniques.<br />
<br />
With consequent loss of biodiversity, and habitat for all the other creatures, with whom we not only share this planet , but upon whom we depend for our survival. No man, is an Island, he is always supported by a complex lifesystem, human, animal , and vegetable ..<br />
<br />
The plight of the honey bee is well documented , but its is just one of only hundreds of species currently threatened by our activities.<br />
<br />
We know about expensive contamination caused by overuse of agri-chemicals, pollution of water courses, Depletion of underground aquifers by overcroppingof thirsty crops in sensitive areas.<br />
<br />
Mistreatment of animals in factory farmed situations.<br />
<br />
Land grabs by unscrupulous multinationals, looking to profit from low labour costs and dimished standards of conditions in the developing world, or in places where immigrant labour, which has a tenuous grasp on workers rights, is plentiful.<br />
<br />
Corporate seed, and genetic material ownership, which means that farmers can be prosecuted if their crops are contaminated, by GM material that they never wanted in their crops in the first place..<br />
<br />
These depressing problems, and too many others, have been discussed in <i>concerned</i> circles for decades..<br />
<br />
But largely ignored by the wider eating public, who have had plenty of other things to <i>personally</i> be worried, and distracted by.<br />
<br />
<i>They</i> aren't going to complain at <i>seemingly</i> cheap food prices, and the impression of greater choice, and abundance in the <i>super-</i>market<br />
<br />
So unfortunately, we are still engaged in, and further pursuing, what is an unsustainable food production model.<br />
<br />
And its not that we don't have <i>enough</i> calories - not to be unkind - but you do have to keep your eyes firmly on the pavement if not to be confronted by the fact that food calories themselves, are not in particularly short supply.<br />
<br />
Good nutrition - once we've got ourselves beyond a famine scenario - is not solely about getting sufficient calories in.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccaJecX0f0LGBFF7FjGGzh_6DigklBXSwOypD55b5jPK0rzNkr3nQ6J2zRAqEmNG_KaQkkGBaIsRX1jTvVAczmO00mdJn_c8_dROfvdluwtLqW0Likqydk9jT5_fVVFTkLYxeSx9ftJ3Z/s1600/IMG_20170726_083915_820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccaJecX0f0LGBFF7FjGGzh_6DigklBXSwOypD55b5jPK0rzNkr3nQ6J2zRAqEmNG_KaQkkGBaIsRX1jTvVAczmO00mdJn_c8_dROfvdluwtLqW0Likqydk9jT5_fVVFTkLYxeSx9ftJ3Z/s400/IMG_20170726_083915_820.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Agretti sweated in olive oil, and garlic and then dressed with lemon juice - totally delicious - One vegetable i can claim early adoption of, at least in this part of the world. Well over ten years ago a friend put me on to this, she had spent several years living in Rome and had fallen in love with this seasonal Italian delicacy ... Right now its highly sought after by foodie chefs in this country - I've no idea how much more i could charge for it , but right now, even in the drought its cropping well , so regular customers are probably getting a very good deal for themselves ... Monetary value being the nebulous thing that it is.<br />
<br />
This is the kind of deliciousness that makes vegetable eating a pleasure - rather than the kind of 'nanny knows best' chore that some folks seem to feel it is... To be honest, when I encounter the standard supermarket offer, grown for transportation convenience, vegetables, I understand why people don't like them so much - they either taste of nothing - or really quite unpleasant ...Eating should be about pleasure, and taste, flavour, and conviviality for the soul, as well as all the other bodily necessities... It always used to be, before we industrialised our eating, and commodified things for the convenience of the supplier, above the consumer. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But thankfully yes, <i>some</i> gains, for the sustainable agriculture scene might be claimed.<br />
<br />
At least nowadays if you mention 'Organic Agriculture' most folks know roughly what you're talking about, even if they <i>dont </i>buy it.<br />
<br />
There are still plenty of sceptics who will say<br />
<br />
"Oh all muck and magic, hocus pocus, anti science, unproductive " and so forth<br />
<br />
As its generally far easier to dismiss something you don't understand, or that has been ridiculed in times gone by, rather than to try to understand, or to become more aware of reality.<br />
<br />
moreover, the industrial agriculture sector with its big profits to make, has a far tighter grip on <i>information</i> dissemination, and lobbying budgets.<br />
<br />
But, be all that as it may, there does feel like there could now be a shift?<br />
<br />
Food,and its production, is back on on the agenda.<br />
<br />
In part because of our (regrettable?) decision to leave the EU, and by extension the common agriculture policy - usually known as The CAP.<br />
<br />
Although, I struggle to see how food could it ever really be so far from our minds, given as it is quite literally in our faces, three times a day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiuwOhDREsQNr516l9KV2QZN6m_Db90lCKm8RdEzAXn8_DAzBbShZ7ty7MCzVK14QCbjVrcId7rtHjSJkbJ5Fqvci7riLZVCN_4QGLqY9EUut35tIqGnNSeJYHWB8B6ytqiax9paW6uVw/s1600/IMG_20170729_150644_457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiuwOhDREsQNr516l9KV2QZN6m_Db90lCKm8RdEzAXn8_DAzBbShZ7ty7MCzVK14QCbjVrcId7rtHjSJkbJ5Fqvci7riLZVCN_4QGLqY9EUut35tIqGnNSeJYHWB8B6ytqiax9paW6uVw/s400/IMG_20170729_150644_457.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foraged - Chicken of the woods - brought in by an approximately hued Viking - to the local restaurant and charcuterie which is the final resting place for the carefree Oxford Sandy and Black piggles that frolic hereabouts </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
On the back of a participatory research programme that has been running over the last couple of years, I've been asked to co-write a briefing paper on agroecology -<br />
<br />
Which could loosely defined as farming which is generally human-scaled, which produces nourishing products for consumers, but is done in such a way which doesn't deplete environmental resources, or cause pollution, and which has a strong awareness of social consequences surrounding it... Which includes seeing that a proper monetary return is made to the farmer.<br />
<br />
<br />
Whilst upholding what is starting to be known as 'Food Sovereignty' - i.e. a general principal that <i>everyone</i> regardless of income, or social standing should have access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods.<br />
<br />
You might like to imagine that <i>that</i> might qualify as some kind of human right - but sadly, under our current governance it isn't so - by all accounts, its something that should be taken care of entirely by the market place, - supply and demand .<br />
<br />
OK, up to a point, in principal, but what if the marketplace is monopolised, and your choice is so limited, either through access or economy, that you are forced to buy the cheapest most denatured calories on offer , because that is what is available.<br />
<br />
Its not really a choice then is it?<br />
<br />
And if things get difficult enough? Welll then the debasing spectre of the 'food-bank' rears its ugly head ...<br />
How did we come to a place where the one thing that should form the centrepiece of a life well lived becomes a subsistance offering of charity - sadly this once unthinkable part of our life has become almost normalised.<br />
<br />
All credit to the good people who supply these services - but their very existence - in our supposedly civilised society speaks to many of us - as a sign of something gone deeply awry.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, what qualifies me to write about this, rather than some more learned academic who has spent many years studying all of this in great depth - someone who is quite likely to be far better at dredging up the appropriate references - and keeping them in good order?<br />
<br />
You should see the piles and piles of paper, and pamphlets, that i have on this ... A small <i>plantation</i> of paperwork.<br />
<br />
But in these slightly more enlightened times it would appear that the people doing <i>the thing</i>, rather than just the people studying the people who do <i>the thing</i>, are deemed to have a voice worth listening to ..<br />
<br />
Loosely we are looking at barriers to Agroecology, and how food policy could be adapted in a post brexit environment to encourage further, sustainable and smaller scaled, local supply chain, production of nourishing food, which upholds those food sovereignty principals as outlined above.<br />
<br />
Qualified to speak on account of having operated, from very small beginnings, a direct weekly marketing scheme of organic vegetables, grown by my own rather grubby hand.<br />
<br />
Done of course with immense practical support, and encouragement from family and friends. Who rather happily also seem to think of it all as an endeavour worthwhile enough to put some effort in.<br />
<br />
Through the usual confluence of good luck, and hard graft , the whole enterprise has turned into a reasonably successful business, which for its acreage makes a profit greater than many other enterprises, at the same time as feeding a good few households in the local area.<br />
<br />
It operates in such a way, which, although far from perfect, doesn't put overly much strain on natural resources.<br />
<br />
Not quite rags to riches - but started with £300 in the bank, the tools already in the garden shed, and an uncharacteristically cheeky advance to a local farmer who initially loaned me some land to get started.<br />
<br />
Again more luck - vigilant friends - and an enlightened mortgage lender - led to the purchase of the plot - as a bare acreage - just before land prices went meteoric - in order that the business be expanded further - to its own way - and make something approaching a living - so long as a Mercedes Benz isn't on your shopping list --- cue my favourite Janis Joplin tractor driving song ..<br />
<br />
So now folks will look at it all and go "Oh aren't you lucky?"<br />
<br />
Yes very much so - just over 12 acres of south facing grade one agricultural land in one of the warmest valleys in the south west , with a good population of concious eaters not far away.<br />
<br />
Who were also very supportive through the planning shenanigans required to actually build the infrastructure, and live on site.... <i>That</i> particular little drama is a small novels worth of bureaucratic fun all by itself ..<br />
<br />
Also backed up by over thirty years of working in the industry, a National Diploma in Agriculture - (which is probably more use for kudos, when chatting with other local farmers as for anything soo very practical - apart from some tractor driving skills, and business management - when i eventually get round to doing the books)<br />
<br />
If you can't make a living with all that behind you, well maybe you probably <i>are</i> in the wrong business.<br />
<br />
But anyone trying to start up now, is unlikely to get that much 'luck' behind them..<br />
<br />
This sector has been massively neglected as an industry, and profession for years now.<br />
<br />
I still remember the bafflement of the college principal , and his side kick , when I presented myself for interview, to be admitted to the local agricultural college.<br />
<br />
What on earth was I doing there ? Was the perplexed question... Not from a farming background, and with some academic qualifications that implied i could be pursuing a trade, or profession far more profitable, a lot less mucky, and not such hard work.<br />
<br />
Agriculture , and food production back then, was seen very much the Cinderella occupation, unless you happened to have been born, or married into it...<br />
<br />
And you probably don't have to task your imagination <i>too</i> hard to conceive the reaction of twenty eight farmers sons, at the <i>organic</i> notions of a female of non farming origin in the college classroom over thirty years ago... I had, by then done a few years practical graft, on other peoples farms, but its not the same as being born into it, is it?<br />
<br />
We were actually told that the farm is just another factory floor, and that soil is merely a substrate in which to stand plant roots whilst you feed it chemicals from a bag.<br />
<br />
The pace of change, in these matters is slow, for those who can see the urgent need for that change..<br />
<br />
But thankfully now, there are a gratifyingly high number of younger, bright, energetic, well educated folk, who can see the value, or even the essential task, of making our food system more sustainable, equitable, and nourishing for the population, whilst reinstating the status of the skilled craft farmer, as central to our survival, and health on many levels.<br />
<br />
System change, is required through all strata of the production process, from soil health principals , to government policy making .<br />
Its a big old task, with many players, stake holders, tensions, change agents, and a fair few who would see business carry on pretty much as usual. But looking at reality, thats not a viable option.<br />
<br />
<br />
So all this is <i>writing</i> about writing.<br />
<br />
Good old displacement activity, the why, rather than the what.<br />
<br />
But sometimes its useful to remind yourself why you are even approaching a task.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngj75mjNIIjvHjPAAKx_xWqLCmI7hZ7hVgEppKKVxufPJup9qR_1ng05ErYZe91l3V-L6Yj9GrM3h0d9_tKxoqlkQo_9dZ_xozg3m0qzSYqbwUkTuPmMQVitdCjuv1pc4PE0A4iB63uRC/s1600/IMG_20170705_220945_956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngj75mjNIIjvHjPAAKx_xWqLCmI7hZ7hVgEppKKVxufPJup9qR_1ng05ErYZe91l3V-L6Yj9GrM3h0d9_tKxoqlkQo_9dZ_xozg3m0qzSYqbwUkTuPmMQVitdCjuv1pc4PE0A4iB63uRC/s400/IMG_20170705_220945_956.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
The lackadaisical, dissaffected " Youth of today" Southwest growers group , getting hands on'among the onions last year , before a round table dinner, and discussion upon the delights of running a local veg box scheme..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169102184727965323.post-27447482535826748382018-01-01T23:07:00.001+00:002018-01-14T14:01:32.329+00:00Pyrenean Prologue<br />
<br />
Perspective ..<br />
<br />
That's only<i> one</i>, of many many reasons that we might cite, for wandering off to the hills for a stomp about.<br />
<br />
Being made to feel very small, and insignificant, being shown just how <i>truly</i> tiny we totally are..<br />
<br />
Whilst, sharpening our awareness of how very dependent we are on the essentials of food, water, shelter, half decent clothing, and an ability to find the way.<br />
<br />
Of course, its a holiday for us pampered westerners, <i>choosing</i> the luxury of privation maybe?<br />
<br />
Fully knowing, that given a day or so, we can bail out, and make use of a handy piece of plastic to have most of our whims met, if present conditions don't suit ...<br />
<br />
And then, there's the fabulous views, astonishing near natural landscapes, different places and cultures, food and all the rest...<br />
<br />
But before you go, you must provision thoughly, and <i>within reason</i> the lighter the better.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagDG5I-83xnDhcUWDdgr5JzSiGjH-BSqXYAoTzJfNB7JaJwv-dz6XA76IQPC6F5Xvn7Y2SoG13uDrN1VJJUFg5wtIQYEO8tr1ipyvPcXhL_KCrgLdVi2lnCOFdjBySqxcbVdTsZp-IO13/s1600/IMG_20170602_085045_856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagDG5I-83xnDhcUWDdgr5JzSiGjH-BSqXYAoTzJfNB7JaJwv-dz6XA76IQPC6F5Xvn7Y2SoG13uDrN1VJJUFg5wtIQYEO8tr1ipyvPcXhL_KCrgLdVi2lnCOFdjBySqxcbVdTsZp-IO13/s320/IMG_20170602_085045_856.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essential 'things and stuff'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
So before we head off , equipment must be found and fettled. Appropriate for summer mountains clothing selected, then deselected again by at <i>least</i> half.<br />
<br />
Good <i>enough</i> food stores laid in. Because bodies which are used to having what might be considered <i>optimum</i> nutrition - i.e. grown right there, outside the door, fresh picked and consumed within hours, or even minutes sometimes ; those same <i>bodies </i>get a trifle narked when offered too much, in the way of substandard fare.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, <i>perhaps</i> more of the bits and pieces later, that's not what this prologue is about - already we're getting bogged down in the details.<br />
<br />
This is about something more basic than finding food, clothes, suitable shelter, adequate mapping, finding passports, printing train tickets<br />
<br />
Something that trumps all of those ...?<br />
<br />
And a salutory warning - <i>if </i>you'd like to sashay off, on holiday, in a relaxed style.<br />
<br />
<i>Don't</i> have kids, who are off a wandering at the same time!<br />
<br />
Earlier in the spring; second born son had taken it upon himself to go excurse about in the Scandilands...<br />
<br />
Train, ferry, train, bus, then stay at a few places rural and rustique to work his passage as a farm and building site hand, for some weeks.<br />
<br />
And then what?<br />
<br />
Well seeing as its there, why not spend a few weeks hitch-hiking, with his tentlet to the most northerly part of Europe for the album cover photo shoot of the band that, who knows?<br />
<i>Might</i> even exist one day.<br />
<br />
Musical talent notwithstanding ..<br />
<br />
<i>Brilliant</i> - all very much 'Approved of by basecamp' activities... Get out, and do things, see places, meet people .<br />
<br />
Before he left, we had a good few discussions, around how there would, very likely be hours, or even days at a time, when he would get bored, tired, stuck somewhere unappealing, and wonder why on earth he was even undertaking this enterprise at all.<br />
<br />
It's the nature of unscheduled travelling, or <i>maybe</i> all sorts of travelling?<br />
<br />
I even suggested that there was a small statistical risk that he might not make it back <i>at all</i>.<br />
<br />
That had to be countenanced, as a tiny possibility, but not be used as a reason <i>not</i> to go ..<br />
<br />
<i>X </i>number of youngsters, sally forth a-journeying every year from their safe little homes. And inevitably not<i> all </i>of them make it back in one piece.<br />
<br />
<i> It was hardly t</i>hat he was going anywhere dangerous really, but stuff can happen anywhere.<br />
<br />
The suggestion that you <i>could</i> get run over by a bus, on the road outside your house, doesn't really hold much water in our locale.<br />
<br />
You'd more likely die from hypothermia, or starvation, lying in wait for an omnibus to do the dirty on you round these parts...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMw7Gt17VjauS-p3nUnXDFP0LxVtaGlU0o2bEdBse5ebgNcMlQYiGHApxnejxC3eToL0-uMnG7gNBZawO0jBZh_evkD6lW5mqb908LwHzv6dwTh51ne6MuxTk1r1nzyn2ET1qNR2O6a9w/s1600/2016-02-15+09.40.00+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMw7Gt17VjauS-p3nUnXDFP0LxVtaGlU0o2bEdBse5ebgNcMlQYiGHApxnejxC3eToL0-uMnG7gNBZawO0jBZh_evkD6lW5mqb908LwHzv6dwTh51ne6MuxTk1r1nzyn2ET1qNR2O6a9w/s320/2016-02-15+09.40.00+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More reliable for getting about, than public transport ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
So <i>there</i> we were five days before our <i>own</i> off.<br />
<br />
Quarter Master Designate had, as per, been doing most of the proposed trip kit riffling.<br />
<br />
Yours truly had been generally scudding round the farm, last minute seed sowing, tractorising, planting, hoeing, making lists of lists.<br />
<br />
In order to leave everything in the extraordinarily competent care of three fabulous femme farmsitters<br />
for eighteen or so days... Oh what joy, luck, and relief to have such help on hand.<br />
<br />
If I felt anymore grateful of it, I would probably burst, into little bits of thankfulness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiGjaWiIOGvThdehsJ49L9ogyRgqlNaTUBxh38o9gpwni0U8Vqox6whyPeT0It1ovQut4_VaLyJL8XavvUxRJAjJK_ddyNYtS0SyJYifC0e3pnxi8TRtvc8dEjaYIaAyusW_aNf7UEKGq/s1600/IMG_20170621_172001_121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiGjaWiIOGvThdehsJ49L9ogyRgqlNaTUBxh38o9gpwni0U8Vqox6whyPeT0It1ovQut4_VaLyJL8XavvUxRJAjJK_ddyNYtS0SyJYifC0e3pnxi8TRtvc8dEjaYIaAyusW_aNf7UEKGq/s320/IMG_20170621_172001_121.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Never any shortage of jobs - to add to the to do list ... Here picking sugar snap peas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, all things going along just fine.<br />
<br />
Then ; a terse ; and not very expansive message on one platform or another from second born; which <i>was</i> fine; <i>many</i> <i>days</i>, could go by quite merrily without any signs of life.<br />
<br />
And <i>this,</i> is the point at which us tedious oldsters will kick in with " Of course when <i>we </i>went off travelling as youngsters, we might not contact the homestead for weeks, on end...<i>Our</i> parents would have no clue as to where we were, or what we were up to (thankfully?)"<br />
<br />
But they <i>also</i> knew that a call home, from a far flung pay phone might cost the equivalent of a weeks food on the road, so it <i>wasn't</i> going to happen very often, if at all, <i>perhaps</i> they'd appreciate an occasional postcard?<br />
<br />
<br />
And of course, previous to that?<br />
Folks might go abroad by boat, or mule, or on foot, and a letter home might take months, or even <i>years</i> to arrive, if at all...<br />
<br />
Its all about our parameters of what is <i>currently</i> normal.}<br />
<br />
<br />
So back to this little electronic missive.<br />
<br />
Which constituted something along the lines of-<br />
<br />
" Hi i'm alright really, I'm just a bit cold, and hungry, and slightly lost - I'm near a fjord somewhere, my phones nearly dead, but don't worry I'll find a library tomorrow and charge it up, and get back to you in a day or so "<br />
<br />
By this time he'd visited the Lofoten Islands on the trip back down the west coast, but had, with that lofty air of the newly well traveled, declared them a bit <i>too touristy</i> and swiftly moved on.<br />
<br />
But he <i>could</i> have been anywhere South of there, North of Oslo.<br />
<br />
OK fine , not normally a panicky parent, he'll be fine.<br />
<br />
Give it a couple of days ..<br />
<br />
Radio silence.<br />
<br />
Zilch.<br />
<br />
Radio silence.<br />
<br />
Still nothing.<br />
<br />
A sleepless night, the day before we're supposed to leave - Oh <i>great</i>..<br />
<br />
4am <i>worst case</i> scenarios, really <i>are</i> the worst<br />
<br />
The morning of <i>our</i> proposed departure brings...?<br />
<br />
Uh huh?<br />
<br />
No - nada.<br />
<br />
Still; there's seventy or so, veg boxes to be packed on that day.<br />
<br />
To be done <i>before</i><b> </b>catching an early evening train to London, in order that the <i>Friday</i> morn would see us at St Pancras international to get southbound to the mountains.<br />
<br />
Midday passes, still nothing.<br />
<br />
Okayyyy ..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWuAYwkYFyQCa-V3RicUpv43ysYBV5A3zpCWa7W0kZlGldlEyA578sM5t1vjTdJIVRLd48aCBJBuBtO_XOjgyk92I7ajaxiiDEPf8fd3FCIrnAxZACWm0DD8sGwpa-1w-UMKZraFf47W6/s1600/IMG_20160917_210902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWuAYwkYFyQCa-V3RicUpv43ysYBV5A3zpCWa7W0kZlGldlEyA578sM5t1vjTdJIVRLd48aCBJBuBtO_XOjgyk92I7ajaxiiDEPf8fd3FCIrnAxZACWm0DD8sGwpa-1w-UMKZraFf47W6/s320/IMG_20160917_210902.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
He's the one on the left - curiously neither of them seem to have inherited their mothers inclination for colourful clothes..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It happened that this particular packing day, all other assistants (Excepting QMD) were of the sensibly child-free persuasion.<br />
<br />
Offering very many, totally <i>well meant </i>assurances along the lines of " I'm sure he will be fine, he's probably lost his phone, forgotten what he said" etc etc.<br />
<br />
Excepting <i>K'</i> who was<i> very</i> quiet , <i>unusually quiet.</i> Knowingly being supportive in her own way, keeping counsel. Doing the silent magic, imagining her own 'trading with The Universe' as many of us tend to do in these situations.<br />
<br />
" <i>If </i>everything is OK I promise I never / always will ..."<br />
<br />
She knew that once the primeaval stomach dragging dread, surrounding the welfare of ones offspring has kicked in, there is nothing - absolutely nothing will lift that ... Well only <i>one</i> thing..<br />
<br />
Of course, I <i>affected</i> bright and breezy, lets get this job done... In fact its most likely, that never in the history of salad grading, have mixed leaves been stared at with <i>such</i> intensity - you know what they say about focussing on the moment and all that other self help stuff...<br />
<br />
It kinda helps a bit..<br />
<br />
Anyhoos, we're bored of this now, and its abundantly clear that I <i>wouldn't</i> be writing this if disaster really<i> had</i> struck..<br />
<br />
I <i>could</i> have got on the train going east, because that would have been the 'correct' direction.<br />
<br />
To do what ? Exactly?<br />
<br />
<i>I don't know...</i> Make an utter blethering <i>fool</i> of myself explaining to some efficiently and kindly, yet nonplussed member of the Norwegian search and rescue services, that the youngster in question had last been heard of <i>near a</i> <i>fjord. - </i>brilliant!! <i>- Only</i> within a mere several hundred km stretch of coastline, wearing <i>all</i> black, whilst habiting a tiny green tent?<br />
<br />
Hmmn, that narrows it down a bit ...<br />
<br />
Doesn't this horribly expose also ? How <i>still ; </i>it's the fear of my <i>embarrassment,</i> at my lack of useful information that has sprung to mind..<br />
<br />
I am soo, hopelessly <i>British.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
But it would take a wayyy <i>cooler</i> Momma than I, to hop on a southbound train, not knowing the fate of the little fekker..<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
I can't recall now, what eventually constituted the 'signs of life' at just after One (!) in the afternoon, (hmm - train leaving at four).<br />
<br />
Did he 'like' an instagram post? Or even, send a message?<br />
<br />
Its bizarre, how once you know that they're <i>not</i> dead, just about all you want to do is strangle the little darlings for putting you through it.<br />
<br />
" Oh sorry, yeah i got a bit distracted, i forgot, I'm fine, sorreee ...."<br />
<br />
Arrrggh !!!<br />
<br />
O<i>f course</i> <i>they</i> know they're OK, so <i>what's</i> the problem?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhii7BjiBk397gx6spfTzFdYBeELED6-y7_kichKjmtGuscuTXclLEqHiiA7D4l-yZqiyGexulGYpFI5HBr8cw8Ww0543t9E-EGJyjlbnb5A-wo3YDdFdpaq4U-kZj5aoyGxLqURBlTiJTo/s1600/IMG_20160907_165106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhii7BjiBk397gx6spfTzFdYBeELED6-y7_kichKjmtGuscuTXclLEqHiiA7D4l-yZqiyGexulGYpFI5HBr8cw8Ww0543t9E-EGJyjlbnb5A-wo3YDdFdpaq4U-kZj5aoyGxLqURBlTiJTo/s320/IMG_20160907_165106.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /><br />This</i> is how shamefully behind i have got with writing up trips, one from the year before, but time, is eventually being carved out from the schedule ... Turns out doing things I enjoy, <i>just because,</i> is a valuable , even <i>necessary</i> activity - who knew? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
However, the <i>upside</i> to all this preparatory angst, is that <i>no matter</i> how well, or how badly ones <i>own</i> trip turns out, its done in the immediate light of 'Child is OK' - <i>That,</i> it turns out, is <i>the </i>baseline comfort requirement.<br />
<br />
Not having <i>precisely</i> the right socks, shelter, gloves, food, mapping, and so on, become somewhat <i>laughable</i> concerns, in comparison ..<br />
<br />
After all this <i>isn't</i> a polar expedition, or a machete wielding excursion into previously uncharted tracts of rainforest.<br />
<br />
It's a walking holibob ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5Yw-qBSHOfDq7q-VM6q4OpZLHq5En4W0ovbzB9BfH_28kJOjN4ChF_l3wQBrsW_G1Qk9FpWEdP3YuO7AWUODhEEoY5nJs8d_C780JhPpfZq73mcqH6flSTKnhFR1_oVNVyLliKD6tVOz/s1600/1482399403918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5Yw-qBSHOfDq7q-VM6q4OpZLHq5En4W0ovbzB9BfH_28kJOjN4ChF_l3wQBrsW_G1Qk9FpWEdP3YuO7AWUODhEEoY5nJs8d_C780JhPpfZq73mcqH6flSTKnhFR1_oVNVyLliKD6tVOz/s1600/1482399403918.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Lovely, lovely loveley.<br />
<br />
Child <i>is</i> alive - Honestly <i>don't</i> have kids, if you don't want to go through this...<br />
<br />
They're great, wouldn't be without them, love em to bits etc etc.<br />
<br />
But, let's face it, the world <i>really</i> doesn't need any more human beans in it.<br />
<br />
Probably the most <i>planet friendly</i> thing you can do by a very long shot, is <i>not</i> to get into the 'breeding more first world people' game.<br />
<br />
Trouble is, once you've got em, there is very <i>little</i> you wouldn't do to keep em safe.<br />
<br />
<br />
But at the same time, they are <i>not </i>your possessions to direct and control.<br />
<br />
They are <i>themselves</i>, doing their thing, choosing and taking their own risks, as we <i>must </i>take ours.<br />
<br />
<i>If</i> we are to grow, thrive, and learn ..<br />
<br />
All we can hope is that we've instilled into them some modicum of common sense, and the knowledge that they are valued, their lives, like everyone elses' are inordinately precious.<br />
<br />
But at the same time, cannot be spent, by <i>not</i> being lived, cannot be <i>preserved</i> by staying always in the comfortable places.<br />
<br />
<br />
Because the <i>truly</i> astonishing places, the most<i> lived </i>experiences are often to be found just <i>beyond</i> that <i>fearful</i> place, that sometimes we'd rather not visit.<br />
<br />
Yup, just there...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ruth Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633372212936572859noreply@blogger.com0