File:Crop field - geograph.org.uk - 607117.jpg

This northerly facing photograph of a cultivated (autumn sown) field was taken from a 607094 on a public footpath connecting 343888 (behind the viewpoint, southerly) and 362589 (ahead, northerly).

The post on the right shows that a second footpath crosses this one. This second 606165 connects the 364547 (left, south-westerly) with the B6039 near 602971 (right, north-easterly).

In the distance on the right is 365420.

For a more northerly (ahead) photograph of the footpath, click here 610905. For a more southerly (behind the viewpoint) photograph of the previous stile along the route, click here 607554.

The problem for the walker here is that unless you are carrying a large scale OS map, and apart from the small disc indicators, there is no obvious route across the field because the farmer has not remade the path after ploughing and sowing.

There, are in fact, two disc indicators showing this route (the second is on the stile behind the viewpoint) and they actually indicate slightly different directions. By the time the walker has crossed the field they could have arrived at quite different points in the opposite hedgerow, perhaps by as much as 100m apart.

Standing at the stile and looking for clues won't help because from here its not possible to see an obvious exit.

The actual route can be spotted by looking toward the field boundary opposite and by then allowing your gaze to follow the hedge to the left until you see a corner in the field. The footpath follows a straight line across the field to this point, where there is another stile.

• * *

In not remaking the footpath, and because of inadequate signage ahead, the farmer and the walker, both of whom have a perfect right to use and access the land, become frustrated and angry at each others perceived arrogance and carelessness. The one because they see walkers tramping all over their crop, and the other because they see the farmer as doing nothing but making a healthy, legitimate pastime difficult to enjoy.