Who is popular today?

I love the idea that the countryside is full of happy young people in Gore-Tex, finding community in beautiful placesOf all the weird gen Z behaviours I have read about, this latest trend may be the most surprising: they are rambling. Yup, sturdy boots, waterproofs and Kendal mint cake (it’s vegan!). What next? Alfred Wainwright memes? Plastic map pouches as summer’s hottest gorpcore accessory?I have some experience of this: my younger son has gone on two serious hiking trips in the past year. “Who are you?” I whispered, baffled, at his retreating, cagoule-clad back, from the comfort of my sofa. I enjoy a modest country walk as much as the next middle-aged person, but wild horses couldn’t have dragged me up a hill in my teens or 20s. (OK, possibly a very strong wild horse could have.) Continue reading...