Exploring and learning while out on outdoor adventures.
Hot on the heels of my adventure on the Isle of Rum, legs still sore and mind still buzzing, I found myself, just days later, gearing up for another epic outing: the YHA Peak Marathon. It was great to revisit my diary notes from all those years ago, and I’ve written them up here. Organised …
Continue reading “The YHA Peak Marathon from Edale to Ilam, 1997”
It’s been over three decades since I first set foot on the Isle of Rhum—spelled “Rum” in many an old guidebook. This trip was my second trip to the Isle of Rum, the first being a similar school trip year before with a group and my father. Flipping back through my tattered diary from the …
Continue reading “Remembering Rhum: A Fell-Running First on the Isle of Rum”
The train ride north offered time to reflect. My rucksack, stuffed with crampons, an ice axe, endless layers, and more than a few nerves, sat beside me. Leaving my kids was bittersweet, but this was an essential pilgrimage: a chance to develop my winter leadership skills, refine my decision-making, and learn to manage people in …
Continue reading “Winter Mountain Leadership Training (Cairngorms, March 2016)”
Sunday, 18th DecemberDistance: 20 kmAscent: 638 mTime: ~7 hours We overslept slightly and barely squeezed in a shower before breakfast at 7:30. I’m sure this is a side effect of so many consecutive days on the hill, plus all the planning. If I do something similar again, it would be nice to schedule a rest day in a …
Continue reading “Cairngorm 2016: My Solo Mountain Diary (Part Two)”
Monday, 12th December I handed in my work laptop and BlackBerry, then headed out with the team for our Christmas lunch, courtesy of Brendon. Afterward, I stopped by the office to grab my bags before heading to the train station for Edinburgh. In the evening, I picked up a few last-minute supplies (including food and …
Continue reading “Cairngorm 2016: My Solo Mountain Diary (Part One)”
Reflecting on a Multi-Day Adventure in the Scottish Highlands Ten years ago, I set off on a solo winter backpacking trip across the Munros of the Cairngorms. It was a week of cold nights, long days, and relentless wind, but also one of incredible solitude, wild landscapes, and a deep connection to the mountains—oh, and that unforgettable …
Continue reading “Lessons from a Solo Winter Backpacking Trip in the Cairngorms, A Decade On”
Friday: Arrival and Tranquility at Ilam Hall Driving through the rolling countryside of Derbyshire, my son and I arrived at Ilam Park as the winter sun was just saying goodbye for the day. After a short stroll through the parkland, taking in the views of the River Manifold and the limestone formations that define the region, …
Continue reading “A Weekend of Adventure in Ilam: Exploring the Peak District”
There is a calming hush that greets you the moment you step onto the grounds at Blacktoft Sands, located near the banks of the Humber Estuary. In January, with the sun riding low in a crisp winter sky, our local RSPB group arrived to explore this wetland tapestry of reedbeds, lagoons, and marshland. Armed with …
Continue reading “A Mindful Day Among the Reeds: Exploring Blacktoft Sands RSPB Reserve”
I finished my last work obligation on Friday afternoon with a buzz of anticipation. The Lake District was calling, with the recent weather condition there was some great wintry conditions reported in the fells. My drive up from the midlands was pleasantly uneventful; with my usual McDonald’s fix at Leeming Bar Services. I couldn’t help …
Continue reading “A Winter Escape to England’s Highest Peak: A Weekend in Borrowdale”
Last year, our family’s autumn getaway took us far from the urban clamor, high into the borderlands of Northumbria and North Yorkshire. There, we bunked in simple hostels and spent our days running across windswept moors and exploring National Trust properties. This year, however, with a school inset day granting us a precious long weekend, …
Continue reading “A Family Adventure Through London’s Treasures”