get yerself down there.

poles for less than a tenner.

them things for keeping the bottoms of your trousers dry £12 a pair.

they've gone all outdoor pursuits, and it's all in black only so you get to pretend you are a ninja.

Nat have a look on the Millets website. They have a selection of poles from around £10 upwards and there is one in Yeovil. They also have a good selection of rucksacs. I can recommend the Berghaus Freeflow as it has a good mesh system that keeps the bag off of the back. They do a ladies version in 30 litre size which would probably do for you, but have a try of one first as what suits one person is not always good for another.
Peace , Lubin.

I just fashion hazel sticks as ever, but I hear from a friend that a sprung 'proper' walking pole like wot they do in Blacks is tha bomb.

Nat, I'm taking the family to Cheddar for T's birthday in a couple of weeks, I haven't been for 30 years so can you send me any tips?

Is Wookey Hole worth it still?

Bah

Just lost mine at the foot of Caer Caradoc

I was sceptical at first but a full convert now. They take so much weight off my creaky knees and I find I can walk for much longer/further.

Mine cost about £17 and had a moulded grip, was telescopic and quite light. It also was spring loaded for shock absorption.

As for the back pack, anything by North Face or the regular walking manufacturers seem quite good, but try them on first to see how they feel and get one with side pouches for a water bottle - oh and get a small water bottle!

Hi Nat, personally I think there's a real walking pole craze going on nowadays. People would use three if they could. I have to admit that one is absolutely necessary, if only to have a third leg in difficult situations, or ward of unfriendly dogs and who knows what...

I think two poles are only necessary for balance when you're quickly going downhill, or fording some burn in spate in the Highlands. Also, as I found out last year, if you hurt both knees and you have two days to go to get from Strathan over Sourlies to Inverie, it's handy to drag yourself across the sludge.

All this said, except for these exceptional circumstances, I *never* use poles when simply walking. It tires me both physically and mentally as I get the impression I'm dragging a pole with me, and the bloody thing always goes wher it shouldn't when I'm taking a pic. But make sure you got a telescopic one in your backpack, maybe two if you're alone.

I'll check out which ones I have tomorrow. Don't let them sell you this hyper-sophisticated spring-inside hyper-softened grip stuff. The ones with a spring inside are only necessary for older people to cushion the joints, but they decrease stability. Just make sure they're telescopic, lightweight, that they have this little plate at the end for muddy soil, and maybe a grip that is slightly bent. In long distances, you may feel the difference at yr wrist, but it depends on a person's hand.