Now I’m back from the Lake District, I’ve simply had to book another holiday there, so I’ll be going again next spring. I really must try and wean myself away from the place and maybe go to Scotland or Ireland….but I’m addicted to the natural beauty there. It has it all for me, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, forests, babbling brooks….and it still has so many secrets yet to be revealed…..

Image credit: Cumbrian Cottages Lake District Map

For those of you unfamiliar with the Lakes, here’s a map. We always stay in between Grasmere and Ambleside, right next to a thundering waterfall.

Now that we have Sam, we’re discovering so much more wildlife as he has the keenest sense of smell I’ve ever known in a dog. If an animal is close by he goes wild and spins on his lead. That’s how we spotted these deer in the woods, until Sam scented them we had no idea that they were there.

I am always surprised to discover wildlife in the strangest places, like these minnows that live in the shallow waters of this cave….and I wonder, how on earth did they got there in the first place?

Image credit : www.fellscape-walk.co.uk

This is one of my FAVOURITE walks, it takes about three hours and the landscape is breathtaking.

While in the Lakes I spent several evenings watching badgers in a heavily guarded sett, but now I have to worry that these beautiful animals that I’ve watched for many years may soon be culled. They have survived badger baiting and the busy roads nearby so how awful to think that they may now fall foul of the gun.

Sadly, it’s shooting season again here and two culls have taken place over the summer in the West country, with many more being planned for next year.

Given the badger became a protected species in 1973, I find this shocking.

These culls are yet another attempt to tackle bovine T.B in cattle which resulted in 25 thousand cattle being slaughtered last year. They are intended to reduce the badger population by 16 percent which seems odd to me as nobody really knows how many badgers there actually are given they are a shy, nocturnal creature. It’s as though someone has plucked a number out of the air.

Vaccinations are available for badgers, but the government refuses to consider the option of badger protection groups and animal welfare organisations trapping and vaccinating badgers.

Now, I understand the problem of bovine TB but it absolutely baffles me why more time and money is not spent on speeding up the development of an oral cattle vaccine, which is apparently still years away.

We can send probes to distant planets and land men on the moon yet SERIOUSLY we can’t produce a vaccine for the cattle????? Or is it just much cheaper to shoot at wildlife?

Research has shown that this practice of culling has little effect and is cruel. Healthy badgers are killed and injured along with sickly ones, and badgers merely flee the area, potentially spreading the disease even further. There are many images of dying badgers who have only been winged….and have died slowly and painfully. It makes me wonder why there has to be such endless cruelty and suffering in this world?

It has also long been known that some farmers have been illegally gassing badgers, and as the number of badgers killed during these culls is 850 as opposed to the 5 thousand they wanted to kill, now even more farmers are gassing the badgers to up the numbers. Protected species??? Really??? Having said that, many farmers are opposed to culling and gassing badgers and do their best to protect the badgers on their land.

If anyone would like to find out more about the current culls, which have actually been extended for another three weeks, or about protecting badgers, the Badger Protection group is a National organisation that also has regional and local groups…..to find out more go to www.badgerprotectionleague.com/

And finally, a quick sketch I did which I’m using as a guide for a larger watercolour. I hope this isn’t all that I’ll have left to remember these incredible little creatures.

 

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49 Comments

  1. Pingback:Lake District Karte | grurbanadventurerace.com

  2. Goodness. I was sure I’d commented here, but it sure doesn’t look like it! You’ve caught some amazing images of these badgers — I like the glitter of their eyes reflecting the light. No wonder you are sad about the culling, especially when it causes other problems, too.

    • Thanks Nikki, you probably got confused because this is another post about the Lakes.

      Oh I do love badger watching but hate these culls.xxxx

  3. Wow, it’s a beautiful sketch! You’re talented 😀
    I’ve never been to Lake District but I’ve heard many people said it’s a stunning place. I guess I have to put it on my bucket list.

  4. Sorry to read the disturbing news about the badgers…it’s advocates like you who can and do make a difference.

    I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed the Lake District, a place that is quite familiar to me since I was born in Carlisle! My mother and father had a story about being swept along in a boat on Lake Windermere when they were courting. A bit of a frightening experience, from what I remember. I have visited the Lake District during two of the three times I have returned to England in the last 20 years or so; I enjoyed revisiting by checking your map! Thanks 🙂

    • How lovely that you know the area, I didn’t realize you came from Carlisle. You do have to watch the water on Windermere, I’ve heard it can be quite dangerous. Let me know if you’re ever heading this way again, it would be nice to meet up.

      Hoping the cull ends soon….thanks Glo.xxxx

  5. I do know that walk Dina. I once saw lots of people swimming in Alcock tarn on a lovely warm day. I didn’t have my cossie with me, so I rolled up my trouser legs and had a paddle. From that spot you can look down from a height and see Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere. What a fantastic spot.
    I do love your sketch of those lovely badgers. I am so upset about the cull too. Man is so cruel to animals and other creatures. I wish things were different. 🙁

    • How lovely that you know the walk Kegs, it is fantastic isn’t it? Lol, I’m glad you had a good paddle and the views from there are breathtaking aren’t they?

      I too wish things were different. Thanks Kegs.xxxx

  6. Glad you had a good holiday and the Lake District seems to be ‘your place’ and I can completely understand how a place/area can get hold of you, for me that is Scotland and for many years went there every year for holidays visiting different parts. Its just great to find somewhere that makes you so relaxed.
    As for the badger cull, I just can’t get my head round it at all, so disturbing, it doesn’t make sense at all.

    • I love Scotland too and really must try and get there more often. It is lovely to have a special place that you know ticks all the boxes isn’t it…

      I agree re the badgers, it doesn’t make senseThanks Annie.xxxx

  7. I can’t believe that the cull is going ahead it’s absolutely disgusting. Lovely pics of the badgers though, lets just hope they remain under the radar x

  8. The Lake District is a truly wonderful place.
    The upper bodies work in very mysterious ways which is beyond belief at times. As you say, the monies spent on other projects are crazy and are they really necessary? I don’t think so. xx

    • Ahh yes….the Lakes are stunning….

      The government seem to do as they please don’t they and constantly come up with these inhumane schemes….I can’t understand why they refuse to let animal organisations help….xxxx

  9. It’s definitely just cheaper for them to implement a cull. Ireland have managed to decrease the amount of TB outbreaks but every herd (including our’s) is subject to rigorous testing and lock downs if an outbreak is found. There are also government funded badger culls, it’s just a sad narrow minded way of dealing with the problem.

    • I couldn’t agree more Hannah, I’m really hoping for a cattle and badger vaccine to be implemented soon. Thanks.xxxx

  10. What a lovely story! Damn… we passed through the area last July, but we didn’t stop as we pointed directly at Whitehaven on the sea!
    From your beautiful photos, I realize that we missed an opportunity… certainly we have to go back, even Scotland was beautiful!
    I had never seen so many badgers together, here where I live we have a big one (perhaps a male) and one small; they don’t appear very sociable, so they move in search of food only at night. I really can’t understand why over the Lake District they don’t try to find another solution instate of killing these poor animals, do badgers really carry TB? I belive that’s only a pretext… Maybe the real solution could be that we (humans) stop eating flesh and try to reduce the consume of milk and its products. Doing this, automatically the cattle farms will gradually decrease. It’s question of “time”, I like to think so, and one day mankind will make the sage choice.
    Your sketches is lovely… you’re quite talented! Hugs :-)c

    • Ahh, what a shame you missed the lakes. They are very beautiful and I know you’d love them.

      It is lovely to see a whole sett interacting and hunting which makes it even worse to think they may one day be culled. I think we have to wake up to a lot of things and realize that the quick fix rarely works. I hope like you that we find a better way forward. Thanks Claudine.xxxx

  11. I agree with your sentiments about only getting a taste of places when visiting, I thought that while travelling around Australia….I don’t think I will ever tire of the Lakes, and as you say, revisiting a well known place is always different as the weather and seasons are changing endlessly.

    It is dreadful what is happening to the badgers, but there is hope as so many people are fighting their cause….yes our badgers are very different aren’t they….I shall look forward to hearing what your badgers have to say about ours. Thanks Shimon.xxxx

  12. First about going on vacations and trips. When I was young, I really wanted to get to know the world… I had a thirst for it. But the more I found, the slower I progressed… and realized fairly early that I would never be able to see it or know it all. That it was always just a little taste. Now it doesn’t bother me to go back to the same spots over and over again, because each time I reach another aspect, another intimacy with the place I thought I knew. It is very precious to move now and then… keeps us awake. But it doesn’t have to be a different place. The plight of the badgers is very sad. But I thank you for sharing pictures and stories of these charming animals. They are completely different from the living creatures I know of as badgers. But that happens sometimes. You might meet a fellow down the road who calls himself Shimon… and he won’t be that much like me… but friends do manage to find one another, despite the confusion. I’ll tell my badgers about their striped namesakes, and see what they think about it. All the best to you always.

  13. The Lake District is stunning, and to sleep with the sound of a waterfall must be magical!

    I am saddened by this badger culling thing as it doesn’t seem to have any sound logic to it. Can’t understand why the cattle cannot be vaccinated…. It seems terrible to kill such stunning creatures for no good reason.

    Your painting sketch captures that lovely badger thing with their dear snouty snouts truffling about!…. I look forward to seeing the finished painting when you’ve done it! xxx

    • It’s wonderful listening to the waterfall….a great way to be lulled to sleep.

      I can’t understand why vaccinations aren’t being brought into play, I suspect it’s the cost though….so much cheaper to just shoot the badgers.

      Lol……badgers are such snouty snuffling things….Thanks Arose xxxx

  14. Love the information about the Lakes area, Dina. Have read about it so often in novels and biographies, etc., but to have such lovely maps is wonderful.

    The Badger culls sicken me; Wisconsin, since the Dread Governor Walker came to power has (some, powerful) hunters who can’t wait to shoot wolves, bears, sandhill cranes and the horribly menacing (sarcasm, a bit) mourning doves. It’s sickened me and, like you, I find it so depressing. We donate money, write letters, etc., but it never seems to change under this administration…I don’t understand it, at all. Blessings on the badgers and on your heart: there’s a better way and we’ll find it.

    I LOVE your sketch and hope you’ll show us the finished painting. Such a beautiful representation of a beautiful animal.

    • Oh no…..hearing about the Governor has incensed me, how can a person shoot at a creature for pleasure….I will NEVER understand it either, these people need to get a dose of buckshot to see what it feels like!!! It is SO depressing….here, so many petitions and campaigns have failed to protect our badgers….I hope and pray something changes soon for our wildlife and yours.Thanks Kitty.

  15. So sad about the Badgers’s. I saw a programme a few weeks ago about the discussion as to whether or not to use shotguns on them. They were discussing about how some badger’s would be injured and maimed and would end up dragging themselves off to die. OMG how can this happen?

    • I know it doesn’t doesn’t bear thinking about does it, and I’ve seen some terrible images of dying badgers….Thanks Sam. xxxx

  16. Said situation. I used to live in Wisconsin, which calls itself the Badger State. There is a statue of a badger in the State Capitol building.

    • It is sad and I hope it stops soon. How interesting that you lived in Wisconsin, there is such fantastic wildlife there. Thanks Jason. xxxx

  17. Beautiful photos again from the Lakes – no wonder you’ll be going back. I can understand why you go back again and again when you have such a love for a place – I’ve found a place like that too that works its magic as soon as I arrive there.
    I completely agree re: Badger Cull . It’s an appalling thing to happen in Britain today – and it will get worse. Badgers are shy, wonderful creatures and they deserve protection – not cruelty.
    Love your sketch of them.

    • Oh…you must tell me more about your special place….it is lovely to find somewhere were you feel so comfortable isn’t it?

      It is disturbing to think shooting at badgers is acceptable and I agree that it will get worse. They are supposed to be protected which is something of a joke when they are being gassed and shot at….

      Thanks Wendy.xxxx

  18. Thank you for a lovely lunch ……. we must do it again.

    I’m looking forward to re-discovering the Lake District

  19. Lovely post…..especially yuour trip to the Lakes….:yes: A most enchanting place…we loved our visits there…..Always something new to see….:lalala:
    Mmmmm….:yes: Badgers are most delightful animals who can attract very passionate argument….
    No doubt there must be ways of keeping such wonderful creatures under control…..:roll: Hopefully, sense will prevail. 😉 xx

    • I agree about there always being something new to see Bushka, and it seems that it gets better with each trip.

      I do believe the only way to go is to vaccinate both badgers and cattle. Thanks Bushka.xxxx

  20. The lake district is so beautiful, I can understand why you return 🙂
    I too am furious over the badger ‘cull’. If the Welsh assembly can agree to vaccinate the little souls what’s wrong with the mob we’re stuck with?
    TB is spread by water droplets – breath, how often do badgers get that close to cattle anyway? The cull is a nonsense.
    Rose H
    x

  21. I’ve never been to the Lake District, though It’s somewhere I’d really like to visit, I’m sure I’d love everything it has to offer. Badgers are such beautiful animals, there’s so much cruelty goes on in this world.

    • Oh, you really should go one year Jo, I’m sure you would enjoy it.

      Yes, it’s heartbreaking to think of these beautiful creatures being shot at and having to flee their homes, and it’s even worse to think of those who are maimed and suffer lingering deaths,,,,thanks Jo.xxxx

  22. I can understand the appeal of the Lake District, and don’t blame you for wanting to go back time and again.
    Needless to say the badger cull appals me, all the more so since the government has ignored it’s own scientific advice and the fact that it may well end up making matters even worse. Flighty xx

    • The Lakes are magical for me, but I suppose I’ll have to branch out eventually ….

      The badger culls are disgusting aren’t they….and everyone knows they are making things worse and not getting to the heart of the problem which can be resolved with vaccines….I wonder when we will ever learn…Thanks Flighty.xxxx

  23. Scientific evidence also seems against culling too. It just seems to me that the government are thinking more of their support base than what is ‘the right thing to do’.

    We often pop over to Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales for the day as ut is reasonably close.

    • I think you’re right about the governments support group as opposed to dealing with the problem in a humane logical way….it’s crazy to think they continue on such a destructive path despite all the evidence pointing to the fact it simply doesn’t work….

      Ah yes….I too love the Yorkshire Dales, how lovely it would be to have a place there.Thanks Sue.xxxx

  24. So glad that you enjoyed your Lakes holiday – I have only been once and it rained the whole time and I have never been back. I find this badger thing really distressing, for as you say, it doesn’t make any logical sense. We have many setts round here there always dead badgers on the road, it wouldn’t surprise me if some motorists actually aim for them. They visit my garden frequently and cause absolute havoc digging holes and using them as a latrine – but when you live in the countryside you have to put up with the more unpleasant side of wild life – I still wouldn’t go out and shoot them that’s for sure.

    • It doesn’t make sense yet the government insist on blindly following this course of action despite being outnumbered by their own party members….glad to hear you put up with the wildlife problems Elaine….as you say it isn’t all easy riding but we have to share our space as wildlife is being continually squeezed out……thanks Elaine.

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