Country Notebook - Mud

The mud is back. You might argue it’s been here all along, but I reckon the wet, glutinous, slippery stuff has returned with a vengeance. I haven’t known the countryside to be quite so muddy for a long time.

All the recent rain has given the quagmire a boost, but I think what really made things worse was the long period in which frozen conditions prevailed. 

When the moisture in soil turns to ice it expands and has the effect of breaking the tilth up. And when a long period of sub-zero temperatures is followed by endless rain, then you have the perfect recipe for mud.

Cornish mud near St Mawes

Of course, there’s mud and there’s mud. In my valley we’re on red sandstone which turns to mud at the slightest excuse. But in my opinion it’s nowhere near as bad as any kind of mud that’s made from clay.

After a week of rain walk in the flat, rather bleak, coastal area that runs out to Hinkley Point on the shores of the Bristol Channel and you’ll see what I mean. The clay bound mud there is the most cloying stuff I know – within 10 minutes each of your boots will weigh half a ton – the more you walk the more it sticks, and the more you gather.

A zone of world class mud - The Undercliff west of Lyme Regis has the slipperiest mud of the lot

But my least favourite mud in the world is to be found in South East Devon – you’ll experience it on the otherwise glorious Undercliff walk from Axmouth to Lyme Regis, and it is the most slippery lubricant I have ever stepped on. Its fine grains coat everything and the walker has to take great care, especially on rocks where a thin layer of this stuff will have them over in a trice.

The majority of people regard that magnificent invention, the Wellington boot, as the ultimate armour in the war against mud – but I would disagree. Have you ever tried walking 10 miles in wellies? Not pleasant. 

My anti-mud vote goes to gaiters. A good pair will protect you even in the boggiest conditions - if they’re worn correctly - and the modern Goretex walking boot will see off any dampness that tries to invade through to your socks. 

More Cornish mud - this time some very slippery stuff on the coast path near Gorran Haven