I recently saw a website belonging to a road building company that bemoaned the usurping of the term hardcore by the porn industry when its traditional use was to describe the stone and other crushed aggregates that provide the base for roads and paths. I agree, and am going to avoid the modern sophisticated “aggregates” in favour of the older “hardcore”.

What has this to do with lakes and the Lake District?  Well, the Westmorland Gazette this week carries an interesting story about an innovative use of fleeces from the region’s Herdwick sheep. Apparently fleeces laid down over water-logged ground provide an excellent substrate over which to lay a layer of hardcore (or more poshly, “aggregate”) when making a path.

When you’re next walking the Lake District hills you might well be walking literally on the backs of the sheep. What a nice thought that when fleece prices are so low there’s an environmentally friendly alternative use, and apparently it’s not even just a modern innovation; our forefathers used to do similar things centuries ago.

For a fascinating read about the amazing Herdwick, the sheep breed that for centuries has survived the worst that the Lake District fell weather has been able to throw at them, see the recent book by Geoff Brown. Click on the image for more details.

A few minutes ago I was tidying some magazines in my office when I came across a pile of Country Walking back issues. What immediately struck me was the frequency with which the Lake District featured on the front cover. Here are just a few.

This excellent monthly magazine not only contains articles describing great walks in many parts of the country, but also includes expert reviews of a wide range of outdoor equipment (gear and gadgets) relevant to the enthusiastic walker.

The photography is excellent and the writing of a high quality – clear and easily read. Each month also there is a series of route sheets, covering walks in many parts of the UK, conveniently sized for cutting out and laminating; each one has a relevant section of OS map.

For the Lake District enthusiast the February 2009 issue of Country Walking has an article on Buttermere as well as two Cumbrian walks in the Routes section.

Click above on the photo or here to order a year’s subscription, saving over buying monthly from the newsagent, and ensuring that you don’t miss a copy. And how about a gift subscription for a friend or family member?