Rustic Looking Walking Sticks

Q. Anyone know where I can buy rustic looking walking poles/sticks, rather than the hi-tech collapsible sort please?

Tony Letts, Bristol

A. I presume Tony means sticks that are a natural tree/shrub stem, complete with bark.

These are on sale in just about every gift shop in the Peak District - you know, the shops that sell jars of 'local' (ha! ha!) jam, tartan scarves, and green wellies to people who never get out of their Range Rovers - and in some of the proper outdoor shops, too.

I can't bring the name of any particular shop to mind - I've certainly seen them in Hartington, Castleton, and Bakewell - but I'll look out on my next walk, and let you know.

Ron Linton, Cheadle Hulme

A. Further to my earlier response, I have just found a supply of such poles - in the tobacconist shop in the Royal Exchange shopping arcade in Manchester! (and no, I don't know why anyone should need to lean on a trekking pole whilst smoking a cigar!)

The shop is:

C. Aston, Tobacconist,
8, Royal Exchange Arcade Manchester M2 7EA
Tel: 0161-832-7895

The range which I saw included Y-shaped tops (to hook your thumb into), plain rounded tops, rounded top with a leather wrist strap, and a full shepherd's crook. Most had a grey bark (don't know what the timber is); one style was stripped of its bark and varnished. They are 4 - 5 feet long, and priced around £12 - £13.

Ron Linton, Cheadle Hulme

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