It’s a warm Sunday morning in late July. The river is quiet. The only sounds are the paddling of two swans and their fluffy half-grown cygnet, a lot of ducks quacking, a weeping willow swishing very softly in the breeze and the splash of oars as a rowing boat comes upstream. And then:- “*#$%!^*%!&! trees! … More Messing about on the river: Juliet vs the reeds
Last year I did my first ever virtual race. You sign up and even get a downloadable bib (has anyone ever printed and worn this?) but you do the race by yourself at your own pace at your own place. You don’t even have to run. I walked it but cycling is also an option. … More Virtual running and swimming
If you’ve read my posts about my previous kayaking adventures, you may have noticed I have something of a love-hate relationship with the sport. I liiiike it… but I’m not very good at it and I don’t like the sea. Why not use rivers and lakes for your early kayaking experiments instead of leaping straight … More I went sea kayaking and I didn’t capsize
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
I Am A Polar Bear 