Exploring and learning while out on outdoor adventures.
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”
Falmouth to Treworthal – A Journey Begins Saturday, May 4th, marked the beginning of the next section of our exploration of a bit more of the south west coast path. An early morning start with the alarm jolting me awake at 4:30 a.m. I made it to the 5:30 train from Bristol, a quiet ride …
There’s a unique magic in retracing the footsteps of one’s childhood, especially when those steps lead through the enchanting landscapes that inspired some of the most beloved adventure stories ever written. My recent week-long holiday through Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset was not just a trip down memory lane but a bridge connecting my past to …
From Coal Face to Wild Place: A RSPB local group field trip at Fairburn Ings Another weekend, another adventure. After wrapping up work, we swapped our usual camping gear for binoculars and warm layers, loading up the car for a change of pace. This time, we were heading north of Leeds for a cozy night …