58
votes
Accepted
How does water depth affect swimming safety? Why do signs, especially in the UK, say "DANGER: deep water"?
Well, there's the obvious issue that the bottom may shelve very steeply, so that non-swimmers trying to paddle may drown.
Beyond that, I think there's a specific point and a more general point.
...
- 11.8k
30
votes
Why would one choose to use a Harvey map rather than an Ordnance Survey map?
Well, if you've ever tried walking in countries like Spain or Italy, we should celebrate the fact that we are spoiled for choice. You can always get by with an OS, so why would you ever choose Harvey?
...
- 11.8k
28
votes
Accepted
How likely are you to be injured by falling shot from a game shoot?
Pheasant shooters will almost certainly be using shotguns, not rifles. A shotgun cartridge contains many small pellets, and they lose their velocity much more rapidly than bullets do. In fact, their ...
- 4,785
24
votes
How does water depth affect swimming safety? Why do signs, especially in the UK, say "DANGER: deep water"?
I cannot swim, so if I am expecting something to be shallow enough to stand in and then it turns out that it is much deeper then I will die.
Normally I would expect that water gradually get deeper ...
- 340
18
votes
How likely are you to be injured by falling shot from a game shoot?
Falling birdshot stings a little, but I've never known it break the skin. It's no worse than having a 5p piece dropped on you from a couple of feet up.
If you're on a public footpath, guns may not ...
- 4,801
17
votes
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Difference between a "path" and a "footpath"?
A path indication on the map means that when the mapper mapped it there was physically a path on the ground. It gives no indication as to who is or is not allowed to use that path.
The brown ...
- 287
16
votes
How does water depth affect swimming safety? Why do signs, especially in the UK, say "DANGER: deep water"?
One thing not yet mentioned is quickness and ease of rescue.
In my younger years, I was a trained lifeguard, and though my certification is long expired, I remember most of the concepts.
A ...
- 5,188
14
votes
Accepted
Can you identify this lizard-like creature I observed in the UK?
That's not a lizard that's a smooth newt.
Source
None of the lizards in the UK look anything like that, and the tail and lines are what I am basing my identification off of.
Also see Attracting ...
- 69.4k
13
votes
Accepted
Getting into canoeing - UK
It will depend on whereabouts along the Thames you live but there are many canoe and kayak clubs and water-based outdoor recreation centres around. It is possible to get into it without any training ...
- 4,114
13
votes
Why would one choose to use a Harvey map rather than an Ordnance Survey map?
I've used OS 1:25k and 1:50k extensively in the UK. I also have a little experience of using 1:40k Harveys maps (Lake district, for mountain marathons).
I have been impressed with the Harveys: in ...
- 2,310
13
votes
Accepted
OS Map Symbols - Black Dots
According to the Ordnance Survey legend, those are
BOUNDARIES
Civil Parish (CP); England
or Community (C); Wales
See page 6 of the legend under boundaries. There are no other small black dots on the ...
- 69.4k
12
votes
Accepted
Is there a reason for seeing a lot of roadkill badgers in the spring?
Its a combination of the male badgers out looking for mates,
Springtime is the most perilous time for wild animals, says Whelan. “A lot of male badgers are killed in spring because they’re out ...
- 69.4k
12
votes
Accepted
Is it illegal to walk on single or dual carriageways in the UK?
A motorway is very strictly defined and will always be named Mn or An(M). There are A roads sometimes called expressways that look a lot like motorways but they don't have hard shoulders and their ...
- 26.7k
11
votes
Accepted
Where can I take a dip?
Here is a good summary of the legal position of swimming in the UK
www.river-swimming.co.uk/legal.htm
I think the opening line is most interesting "The right to swim is a complex issue which, in ...
- 923
11
votes
Do any of the routes up Scafell Pike start easy to a good "halfway point" where people can stop and return?
This is a bit tentative, as I haven't done it myself. So think of it as a suggestion to be looked at on the map, and apply all the usual precautions for mountain hiking, not just for you but for the ...
- 26.7k
10
votes
How does water depth affect swimming safety? Why do signs, especially in the UK, say "DANGER: deep water"?
Depth affects safety because you can't breathe if the water level is above your nose, when your feet are standing at the bottom. After that point, it doesn't matter much; there is no difference ...
- 101
10
votes
Accepted
Hiking/Scrambling Etiquette? (UK Specific)
It's not very different but here are a few things that might help
Coming up from behind, a greeting is more common than a warning. I'm often on a bike and if I'm gaining on a hiker or horse rider (on ...
- 26.7k
9
votes
Difference between a "path" and a "footpath"?
On Ordnance Survey maps in England and Wales, the brown background shows access land: see this legend. On such access land, access on foot is permitted anywhere. You cannot cycle here.
A path is a ...
- 27.3k
9
votes
What species of bird of prey is this? Kestrel?
I can't give a definitive answer, but it is probably a female kestrel, doing what kestrels do, which is to scan for small mammals either from a perch or on the wing.
The male's colours are more ...
- 4,785
8
votes
What hazardous wildlife is there in the UK?
You want the truth? This is Britain's most pesky animal!
In addition to the other excellent answers, you should be aware of the dangers of the infamous Scottish midge.
Before I destroy the Scottish ...
- 11.8k
8
votes
Accepted
Swimming in a river in England or Wales with a right of navigation
Basically, the law on river swimming in England and Wales is a mess. Below the tidal limit swimming is unambiguously legal, provided you access the water from public land. In fresh water, the true ...
- 11.8k
8
votes
Accepted
What are the most likely causes of unfilterable water contamination in upland UK areas?
Viral infection
Assuming you have a quality filter which genuinely removes bacteria and protozoa, you are probably safer from viral infection than you think.
Viruses are quite likely to be present ...
- 11.8k
8
votes
Where can I take a dip?
As a supplement to Martin Hugi's excellent answer I would add that there will likely be groups of people locally with an interest in outdoor swimming, and they will know all the best spots.
In my ...
- 11.8k
8
votes
Accepted
Why is the European robin associated with winter?
Robins are an all year round bird in the UK:
RSPB
with its bright red breast it is familar throughout the year and especially at Christmas! Males and females look identical, and young birds have ...
- 15.4k
8
votes
Why is the European robin associated with winter?
One unusual thing about robins is that they're territorial all year round. Combined with the way they sing from prominent spots to mark out their territory, this makes them really rather obvious in ...
- 26.7k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible