Adventures – I Am A Polar Bear

One really simply does not walk into Mordor: swimming in a volcano & getting stranded in a lava field

February 2, 2026

This is a really old adventure that’s had two or three posts over the years but deserves a new write-up and a new place at the very front of this blog rather than being buried in its bowels: the day I swam in an active volcano, got stranded for hours in a lava field and … More One really simply does not walk into Mordor: swimming in a volcano & getting stranded in a lava field

Snowshoeing in the dark above Lake Geneva

January 12, 2026

As I flew over to Switzerland on Friday, it felt like I was the only person not wearing my skiing outfit and carrying a helmet. I don’t ski. I snowboard a little – badly and nervously and rarely, if ever, getting off my heel edge (and not for nearly thirteen years, so putting it in … More Snowshoeing in the dark above Lake Geneva

Why doesn’t anyone go to Parc Asterix?

January 5, 2026

And after the usual end of year/beginning of year blogs, I’m back on the last trip of last year, my weekend at Parc Asterix. If I didn’t mention it in my post about their Gallic Christmas event, part – most – of the reason I went was that I saw one too many people on … More Why doesn’t anyone go to Parc Asterix?

Gallic Christmas at Parc Asterix

December 25, 2025

Welcome to the least festive of festive blogs ever posted on Christmas Eve! This is the tale of my trip last weekend to Parc Asterix for their Noël Gaulois, Gallic Christmas, event. If you’re not familiar with Parc Asterix, it’s a theme park north of Paris dedicated to beloved long-running French comic album character Asterix … More Gallic Christmas at Parc Asterix

Ice skating at Somerset House: iconic London Christmas experiences

December 15, 2025

One of my own personal Christmas traditions is to go ice skating. Usually it’s at Bournemouth but last year I tried (and failed; the blades weren’t sharp enough) in Reykjavik and this year I finally had the opportunity to have the iconic Christmas experience of skating at Somerset House in the heart of London, or … More Ice skating at Somerset House: iconic London Christmas experiences

Lampworking: making a Christmas tree using a blowtorch

December 11, 2025

This is an exciting Christmas activity that I saw Sandy Breitmeier, aka sandymakessense, do a month or two ago and the moment I saw it, I knew I had to give it a go. It’s a lampworking workshop, where you use a blowtorch to melt and twist glass to make a Christmas tree ornament. I … More Lampworking: making a Christmas tree using a blowtorch

Easy hikes in Iceland: Svartifoss

October 13, 2025

If you’re looking for an easy hike in Iceland with something worth seeing at the end, you’re spoiled for choice. A popular one is Stuðlagil, which is about a 6km round trip from the lower, eastern car park and is pretty much flat and paved all the way. But today we’re going to a more … More Easy hikes in Iceland: Svartifoss

What was the best place I swam in Iceland?

October 6, 2025

That was the question my boss asked as I signed off the day before I headed to London. “I want you to do me a favour. Tell me where you swim and tell me which is the best pool”. I already knew that was far too big a question to be answered with a single … More What was the best place I swam in Iceland?

Rebel Summer Camp 2025: Sunday & Monday

September 15, 2025

Part two of Rebel Summer Camp! If you don’t know what it is, go back and read the first part because I’m picking up on Sunday morning with no further explanation. Sunday started with a hike down past the gladiator duel, through the woods, under the road and through a bit more woods until we … More Rebel Summer Camp 2025: Sunday & Monday

Rebel Summer Camp 2025: Friday & Saturday

September 11, 2025

Rebel Summer Camp is always such a big thing that it deserves two posts – you just can’t get the whole thing in one. So this is Friday and Saturday. I dithered over going to camp this year, since it’s three or four hours away up the M5 and M6 but eventually I decided I’m … More Rebel Summer Camp 2025: Friday & Saturday