Читать книгу The Cotswold Way. NATIONAL TRAIL Two-way trail guide - Chipping Campden to Bath онлайн

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Health, safety and emergencies

When walking the Cotswold Way you’re unlikely to encounter the natural hazards associated with trekking in a mountain region, but common-sense precautions should nonetheless be taken to ensure you remain safe and healthy throughout. Be especially careful when descending steep slopes during or after rain when paths can become slippery – a trekking pole (or two) can be a great help in this, as well as reducing the chance of knee strain.

Avoid high, open ground if caught out by a thunderstorm, and do not shelter from a storm beneath isolated trees.

If you’re walking with a dog, be especially careful if there are any cattle in a field through which the path takes you. Cows can be extremely inquisitive or nervous when they see dogs, which may cause them to react out of character. Keep your dog under close control, but should you be threatened by a cow or cows, let the dog run free and the cows will chase after it – not you.

Ticks can be a hazard, since these tiny blood-sucking insects inhabit long grass, bracken and shrubs from which they attach themselves to animals or human beings. Walkers wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts are especially vulnerable. Once attached, the insect buries its head beneath the skin in order to feed off your blood. Usually this is painless, because the tick injects a toxin which anaesthetises the bite area, but since it may be carrying Lyme Disease, there’s a chance of infection. At the end of each day, carefully examine warm, moist areas of your body – in particular those pressure points where clothing presses against the skin, such as the back of the knee, armpits and groin. Should you discover a tick, remove it by firmly grasping the insect as close to the skin as possible (tweezers are best) and with a steady movement, pull its body outwards, without twisting or jerking which may otherwise leave the head beneath your skin. Cleanse the bite area with disinfectant. If you suffer lasting irritation around the bite area, or flu-like symptoms a few days later, consult your GP.