This is the most ridiculous thing ever. I made a washing-up bag. When I go camping, I never have washing-up stuff. I traipse across a field carrying my plate and bowl and knife and spoon, I find a rusty sink tucked away behind the standpipe and of course, it doesn’t have any washing-up liquid or … More The camping kit-list: my washing-up bag!
In June, I tried the Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild challenge. Spoiler: it didn’t go too well. It started ok. Well, it started ok in May. I found myself continually doing things that made me think “I should be saving this for next week” but when June started, it wore off a bit. The first … More 30 Days Wild
You may have noticed that I went camping in North Devon recently. I really like Ilfracombe and my little mind was blown by the scale of the beaches – although I was less impressed by the number of washed-up jellyfish. I had a free weekend and I’d have a weekend away in the UK. I … More Camping in North Devon
In previous years I’ve written Guide Camp Kit List posts on “What is a plate bag?“, “what is a camp blanket?” and “how to make a bedding roll” and they’re perennial favourites that have huge spikes in views in the summer months. But I’ve never written an actual guide to what to pack for Guide … More The Guide Camp Kit List: What to pack for camp
Most people don’t start the Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman machine with Long Way Down. It’s a sequel to their 2004 motorcycle adventure around the world, Long Way Round, where they rode from London to New York via Siberia and Mongola. That was a big deal and a big adventure and I don’t think Long … More Travel Library: Long Way Down by Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman
You may already know that when I was a student, I was a very keen caver. That all ended twelve years ago with graduation and I’ve been back twice since then, the last time being four and a half years ago. I just don’t get to go anymore because you need someone to go with … More Cavers do it in rubber socks: a half day in Goatchurch
This month’s book from my Travel Library is more adventure than travel. Sometimes it’s impossible to say which of those a story falls into, which is why this blog is loosely themed around travel and adventure. In this case, All At Sea (original title: In The Bath) by Tim FitzHigham is definitely an adventure. It’s … More Travel Library: All At Sea by Tim FitzHigham
Last week I went to West Sussex for a couple of days of training. I’ve talked before about my forays into becoming a casual (read: occasional) outdoor activity instructor (archery | fencing | selection day) The full-time instructors were over at the training centre for two weeks (depending on what they were already qualified in) … More Bushcraft training day
I’ve talked before about getting my archery instructor qualification and before the end of the month I’ll tell you all about the climbing instructor training but for now, I’m going to tell you what it’s like to actually teaching archery sessions with a group of teenagers. The teenagers in question were my current Rangers, aged … More Inspiring kids: archery vs Rangers
I’ve wanted to start a series on travel books for a really long time and this is the one I needed to start it on. A few years ago Mick Conefrey wrote The Adventurer’s Handbook. I haven’t read it but I assume it’s along similar lines – small tastes of stories about travellers, adventurers and … More Travel Library: How to Climb Mont Blanc in a Skirt by Mick Conefrey
I Am A Polar Bear 