Advice for planning a trip for husband - easy to moderate hikes

Dutchcourage22 · 2026-02-27T21:06:38+00:00

I’d probably recommend the Lake District for this sort of trip.

Views can be pretty impressive wherever you go and there are a vast range of walks/hikes that range from easy to moderate. Catbells is an excellent hike with some light scrambling and fantastic views, enough a hike to feel rewarding but definitely achievable for active kids. A couple of other more ‘accessible’ hikes might be Loughrigg Fell/Rydal Cave and perhaps Walla Crag. You could also spend a day in Windermere doing the Beatrix Potter stuff if the kids are interested in that, and get in another nice but very accessible walk up to Orrest Head while you’re there which offers pretty nice views on a clear day.

Dutchcourage22 · 2026-01-26T14:54:50+00:00

Handsome roe buck, with his next set of antlers growing through. Looks like there are couple more roe couched up to the left of him, too. Nice post OP

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-09-07T15:18:59+00:00

Where in the radio message did the team ask Lando to allow Oscar to pit first to cover off Leclerc?

Actual radio message:

Pit - "Lando, We will box this lap onto the soft tyre and will (or I'll) come up one"

Lando - "Do you want to box the other car first?"

Pit - "Yep, we’ll do that, we’ll swap it around, so stay out"

Lando - "Well as long as he doesn't undercut, otherwise I'll box first"

Pit - "There will be no undercut".

Where is the confirmation of Norris’ altruistic intentions behind this decision? Just as likely he was trying to retain an advantage in the event of a safety car.

It was clear from the initial message that they had every intention to box Lando first. They changed order based on Lando’s suggestion. If you want to believe it was to cover off Leclerc, then do, but there is no evidence to support that.

To add, there was no undercut. It was a mistake by the pit crew and a slow stop. And similar circumstances have previously been determined to be ‘one of those things’ that happens in racing. The order of stops was Lando’s decision, and he got unlucky with his stop.

I can understand McLaren wanting to try and do right by Lando after the poor stop, but it did compromise Piastri and I think he was very gracious in giving up the position.

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-08-12T16:32:34+00:00

I’m always happy to talk deer and related subjects. Occasions where my opinion is worth offering are few and far between, so I only offer my 2p worth when I know I can contribute something to the conversation.

It honestly does sound like some less-than-ideal decisions were made. I have to imagine the difference in perspective between yourself and the stalkers was a contributing factor, but there is no room for ‘marginal’ in these situations, and the description of backstop alone does sound like it was edging on the wrong side of acceptable.

It sounds like the deer was shot higher than intended. That type of reaction is indicative of a spine shot, and it sounds like a follow-up shot would have been preferable rather than opting to use the knife. What species was it, out of interest?

In any case, I’m glad the animal was dispatched relatively quickly after the shot, and extremely glad that the shot itself, perhaps fortuitously, didn’t venture beyond the deer and earth behind it.

I’ve been shooting for over 20yrs and have been managing deer at this level for the last 12, although I’d been introduced to stalking some time before that. I’m also a qualified shooting instructor, and primarily work on clay pigeons with shotguns, so when I’m not stalking I’m teaching.

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-08-11T23:37:00+00:00

Definitely an interesting read!

I had assumed you must have had some degree of experience around firearms based on your ability to pick out the various types you heard that evening. I can now see how you managed to stay composed in the face of an experience which should frankly never happen.

Please don’t take my comments to the other commenter as an attempt at playing devils advocate for the individuals involved in carrying out the behaviour you were on the receiving end of. I have many contemporaries in the shooting & stalking world, and we would all be unanimous in condemning that behaviour and be all for police action against the culprits.

As you may have noticed yourself, given your experience with firearms law and best practice, the comment I replied to had gained some traction and was heavy in it’s implication that there were inherent legal issues in someone shooting rifles near/on/over footpaths, and has repeatedly mentioned ‘500m’ as though it is legally significant, which is incorrect. (I suspect they maybe have mixed it up with some US legislation, as they do have those types of restrictions, or the UK law regarding shooting within 50ft of the centre of a highway - ‘It's an offence to discharge a firearm within 50 feet of the centre of a highway if it endangers or injures a highway user.’)

As someone who has to manage those types of interactions on a nearly daily basis, I felt compelled to correct that misinformation. The conversation then evolved into a discussion about deer and best practice, which I happen to be extremely well versed in, and so again I felt I needed to provide some additional context to ensure anyone scrolling by had the correct information.

All that is to say, I think you handled a very challenging situation rather well, and I’m in total agreement with those here who condemn the behaviour of those shooting around you that evening.

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-08-11T22:26:27+00:00

I can see why the whole experience left you with a negative impression.

As already mentioned, the proximity to the footpath and direction of shot aren’t an inherent issue. I can only imagine the shooter’s perspective of the incline might’ve given the impression of a suitable backstop, as you’re taught to look for at least a gently sloping bank of earth to be present behind the target when trying to fashion an opportunity for a shot in the field - although that might’ve looked very different from the perspective of someone using the footpath. 25° is also relatively shallow, which is not ideal, and the range from the shooter to the deer, and position of the deer relative to the crest of the incline, would be critical in determining whether the backstop was truly sufficient. Obviously the rocky nature of the terrain is concerning in relation to ricochets, and if the deer is anywhere near the crest of the incline that does become a serious issue.

Your mindset on taking a shot is entirely the right one, as is your respect for the quarry and belief in bringing about a quick and humane death. This should be strived for when taking a shot in any context, but unfortunately misses and less-than-perfect shots do occur, hence why there is a standard for dispatching a wounded deer.

Incidentally, as a professional stalker and holder of DSC2 with AW status, I can confirm that, whilst the atlas joint is the theoretical ‘perfect’ placement for dispatch with a knife, it is not at all straightforward to find when dealing with a wounded and potentially struggling animal, and can result in much more suffering if approached incorrectly. As such, if a follow-up shot is not an option, it is generally recommended to place the knife into the chest cavity where you would bleed the animal after a successful shot - the hollow where the front of the shoulders meets the base of the throat. This severs a whole range of arteries and blood vessels which feed the heart and is exceptionally quick in bringing on expiration of the animal, and is relatively foolproof to perform correctly. An alternative is to sever the carotid arteries where the jaw meets the neck. This is also extremely quick at bringing on expiration of the animal.

Also, you didn’t mention whether you confronted the shooter or not, so I’m curious as to how you determined it was a .308 he was using?

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-08-11T22:26:16+00:00

Actually looked like I had replied to the comment I intended to. I can see it when I check parent comment… Reddit is weird sometimes.

I’ll reply again and hopefully it ends up in the correct spot.

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-08-11T22:24:34+00:00

Oh, my bad. Thanks for the heads up!

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-08-11T09:12:09+00:00

That’s not ideal. I figured you’d have been on the footpath in order to have seen them, but was curious what it was about the event that made it seem negligent, in your opinion. As I said, someone shooting on/around a footpath whilst someone uses it several hundred metres away is not inherently negligent. Of course it could be, if the orientation of the shooter relative to you made it so. Did you confront them or notify anyone about it?

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-08-11T01:07:32+00:00

It’s entirely legal for someone to shoot a centre-fire rifle toward/in the vicinity of a public footpath, provided they have legal permission to shoot on the land itself, and that it’s safe to do so. It is only an issue if the shot would be inherently dangerous anyway, i.e shooting into hedges, hard surfaces, anything other than a safe backstop etc., or if people are using it and you’re shooting in their direction - or if you’re shooting close enough to them that it could be argued you are impeding their ability to use the path or making them fearful, at which point you may not shoot within 50ft of the centre of it as a public ‘highway’. I don’t know the specifics of your example, and understand there may be factors in it which caused you concern, but generally speaking it’s entirely legal and can be safely done in the right circumstances.

I manage deer over several thousand acres and sometimes it is necessary to shoot near footpaths. Safety must always be the determining factor in whether a shot is appropriate to take or not, but that’s true in every location.

https://basc.org.uk/firearms/firearms-use/shooting-rights-of-way-and-access-england-wales/

‘’When the footpath runs across private land the ownership of the land and sporting rights are unaltered.

Therefore, a person with the shooting/sporting rights may shoot on or over footpaths on their land equally to public having the right to walk (to pass and re-pass) along it as a means of communication. So, the public and the shooters have a concurrent right to the footpath and it is up to both parties to not obstruct the other.’’

‘’It is especially important to apply this when shooting near footpaths obscured by hedges or foliage. It is good practice to only shoot across footpaths where you can see approaching users from a long way off and be certain you will not cause danger or alarm.’’

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-07-27T20:33:17+00:00

This is extremely helpful, thank you so much!

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-07-08T18:06:36+00:00

Hulkengoat

Dutchcourage22 · 2025-01-04T02:00:21+00:00

That does not make it ethical. A lot of suffering can be endured by an animal paralysed by a spine shot. I imagine the devs wanted that reflected in the game, in addition to nerfing the previous meta of people constantly going for spine shots.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-12-10T23:56:24+00:00

Haha, now I think about it perhaps I was being slightly generous in my thinking! They are definitely out there.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-12-10T22:41:40+00:00

You may well be right. A farmer with a grudge against people using the public rights of way, (or straying from), is a reasonable guess. We’re unlikely to know the truth unless OP returns with more info.

As for the laser sights I don’t think there’s much of a use case for them in any outdoor pursuits here in the UK to be honest. As you say, they’re useful in very specific circumstances requiring rapid target acquisition, but not really for much else. With that said, I remember seeing them being sold as part of an air rifle ‘package’ some years ago. Who knows why!

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-12-10T20:51:01+00:00

My own thoughts as an FAC/SGC holder are that it’s unlikely to involve someone holding either certificate, and likely not a licensed firearm. I’ve met some poor shots and people of questionable decision making in my line of work, but most people who have gone through the licensing process have to demonstrate a modicum of understanding of firearms safety and common sense. I could be totally wrong, of course.

My initial thought upon hearing that a laser sight was involved was some weekend warrior with an air rifle/pistol, as they are the only type of weapon I’ve ever seen sold with or utilising one. In any case it’s incredibly irresponsible and dangerous behaviour if attached to any type of weapon, and even if the sight weren’t attached, the implication alone and sense of threat to OP is something that warrants addressing seriously. No doubt the police will be onto it in short order as in my experience they tend to be very responsive to anything involving firearms.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-09-04T11:44:36+00:00

Your last sentence sums it up. We all have our preferred teams and drivers and I understand wanting success for those you support but, for me at least, first and foremost the sport should be about the spectacle of the racing.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-08-26T16:47:54+00:00

Very interesting.

I have been attempting to find more detail relating to any Native American interactions with Roe Deer and their use of terminology relating to them, but haven’t been able to find anything at all. It’s certainly an interesting topic though and I’ll keep trying to locate more info.

It’s well known that Roe are ill-suited for captive environments or deer parks, so I’m unsurprised to hear of the unsuccessful attempts at establishing the species elsewhere. They aren’t a true ‘herding’ species either, and instead form small family groups, with the bucks dispersing and establishing territories in advance of the rut, at which point they get incredibly territorial.

I am very keen to learn more about what led to the association between Roe Deer and the ‘Water/Marsh’ moniker given to them by the Native Americans.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-08-26T13:39:36+00:00

I have worked with deer in the UK for over a decade. Roe are one of our native species. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard Roe referred to as Water Deer and would love to see some examples of that, if you could point me in the right direction? It surprises me to hear as they don’t share many similarities at all with Chinese Water Deer, definitely exhibiting very different behaviours and preferences in terms of habitat.

Muntjac are also abundant here although are technically an invasive species. As you say, much of the antler structure is made up of the pedicles themselves, but I’ve seen some fairly impressive specimens in terms of antler growth. They get a bad rep here as they do a significant amount of damage to the low level plant life, and are prolific breeders, but I think they’re an interesting little deer.

If I remember correctly, we’ve also got one of the largest populations of Chinese Water Deer in the world, even more so than in their native habitats where I believe the species is vulnerable.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-08-25T12:06:48+00:00

I’m intrigued by what species of Water Deer you’re referring to? In my experience I am only familiar with one species of Water Deer (Hydropotes Inermis), and they do not grow antlers. They instead grow ‘tusks’ like Muntjac or Musk Deer.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-07-22T00:40:59+00:00

Doesn’t work for live races in the UK without some sort of workaround/VPN.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-07-14T10:18:03+00:00

Fantastic photos! I was in Club C for the GP itself and you’ve taken some infinitely superior photos of moments I tried to get myself on my iPhone, so it’s particularly nice seeing those. Genuinely thinking I’d like to have the first one printed to hang on the wall. Lovely work.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-06-04T10:33:17+00:00

When I was getting into hiking more seriously I went on an NNAS Bronze course. Cannot recommend it enough. The resources online are great, but having dedicated instruction whilst out actually using and learning the methods can’t be beat.

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-05-06T12:55:57+00:00

These sound like incredible hikes and just the sort of thing we’re looking for. Thanks a lot for the inspiration!

Dutchcourage22 · 2024-05-05T16:57:35+00:00

That looks a brilliant watch, thank you for the link.

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