A personal library

As one strides through the countryside, the mind will dwell on just about anything- music, relationships, films, composing poetry and letters, tonight’s meal, clouds building to the left, what can be left out of the pack next time, that twinge in the left thigh…

On foot, a change of terrain makes itself known immediately, rock and soil types are also noticed, especially if wet. Even the most ignorant amongst us will also notice a change in flora. What can help add interest to a hike is to have some knowledge of what we are passing through. The weather, the flora, the fauna, mans imprint upon the land, the why. To this end, Three Points of the Compass believes that a well stocked book shelf at home and time taken out to read and gen up on various subjects is almost as important for a decent walk as the walk itself, almost.

Alongside this are the various volumes that have been published that can aid greatly in either planning, or simply provide the inspiration or encouragement to carry out or consider an adventure.

I am not referring necessarily just to a guide to a particular trail, though I gain much of interest from the sterling research work that many hikers and authors have put into a whole bunch of these that sit on my shelves. I have done a number of posts that have given a brief glance at some of the volumes that I value.

Ornithology-