Because late August into… well, halfway into October, really, was incredibly busy, I began to fantasise about taking a weekend away from it all. Glamping with a hot tub, maybe. A cottage in the countryside. Somewhere cosy where I could have long lazy mornings, do some writing, not think about work or Guiding. But glamping … More A Halloween weekend in Purbeck
This is a tradition on this blog: the first post of the year (or occasionally the second) is always devoted to my Christmas Adventure with Tom on either the 27th or 28th December. There are two rules: first, we always go to the coast and second, there must be wine. However, this year’s adventure got … More A windy Christmas Adventure on Portland
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to take you along to Knowlton Church, which besides being the most haunted Church in Dorset, is also one of the most interesting churches in Dorset. Today, it’s a ruin. The church that became the ruin was built in the 12th century in the Norman style, somewhere … More Knowlton Church: the most haunted church in Dorset
I like to go camping. That is, I think I like to go camping. The reality is that for one reason or another – or several reasons – I never really actually sleep in a tent. But I like to get away from my life for the weekend without feeling like I need to explore, … More My latest camping disaster
The “A Daycation in…” series is one I was planning to start in 2025, to showcase some of the best and most interesting places around Dorset and Hampshire, delving into what elevates something from a mere “day out” to a “daycation”. But I got started a bit earlier than planned, because Bournemouth hotel The Nici … More A Daycation at… The Nici, Bournemouth
Over the last ten or fifteen years, Girlguiding has cultivated four flagship events, held simultaneously at anywhere between two and four of its Training & Activity Centres. The really big one is Wellies & Wristbands, a festival camp for Guides & Rangers, the 10 to 18-year-olds. Then came Magic & Mayhem, a circus-themed fun day … More Sparkle & Ice 2024: the one in a shepherds hut
At first, camping on Brownsea Island seems dreamy and idyllic – your very own island, free of tourists for the evening, and more astonishingly, free of Scout camps! But then you realise there’s an infestation of hornets within the campsite and then thunder rumbles over and you realise you’re on an island a mile and … More Camping on Brownsea Island (again)
I have many Christmas traditions (these three decorations must go here, here and here on the Christmas tree, making mince pies with Dad, putting out the boots, eating my body weight in After Eights) and one of them is that on the day after Boxing Day (or the day after that, depending on whether there’s a … More Christmas Adventure at West Bay
When I left you last week, I was just getting home from my adventures on the water – and when I say “home”, I mean back to my tent near Corfe Castle. So this is what else I got up to. First, I snoozed a bit and then stuffed my face with Pringles and chocolate … More My Outdoors: on dry land
Last summer, I set off to Purbeck intent on a weekend of “adventure”, which I spent at Norden Farm Campsite, exploring Corfe village in the pouring rain, doing my first sea swim and getting to jump into the cab of a heritage steam locomotive. This year I found myself back there for the “My Outdoors” … More My Outdoors: a night on the water