Maps

There are few things in the world I love more than unfolding an OS map on the floor and kneeling over it to plan a route, familiarise myself with an area or just to look at a map. I really love maps. Especially OS maps. I think this love was kindled when I did my Duke of Edinburgh award when I was a teenager. 

I am also a big fan of a hand drawn map. Christopher Goddard is a ‘map-maker’ based in the North of England who writes wonderful walking books. A friend of mine bought me his West Yorkshire Moors and Calder Valley Woods books a few years ago. They are so good, his maps are beautiful, but more importantly, his walks are pretty easy to follow and they have made me feel more confident when I am out walking on my own.

He has recently written the first in a series of books for the England National Coast Path. The first covers the River Thames to the River Exe in Devon. I’ll be heading down to the south coast this month to see friends and family and do a bit of walking. I’m excited that I’ll be able to take Christopher Goddard’s guidance on this journey, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the northern sections!

It is interesting on these coastal walks that I find myself looking at a map far less than I would usually on a walk. The paths so far have been well signed and easy to follow and I just have to keep the sea on the right side (or left!).

As well as the maps I am carrying on my walks, I think maps make for beautiful art. This is my big map, on which I am actually tracing the edges! 

And I’m hoping that my partner will help me to create a digital version that will record my journey and that I will be able to share each year.