Exploring and learning while out on outdoor adventures.
Exploring Belfast on foot After a summer holiday spent driving around Ulster with the kids, this time I was heading back to explore some of Belfast itself. The trip began with the train into Liverpool Lime Street. Before our ferry to Belfast, we had time for a quick meal at Liverpool ONE. The city was …
Continue reading “Ferry to Belfast: Walking Tours, Titanic Quarter and West Belfast Murals”
Dresden The journey began in the familiar grey of a British winter, rolling steadily south by train towards Heathrow. We spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express at Terminal 4, a surprisingly calm pocket of comfort on the edge of one of the world’s busiest transport hubs. By morning, we were travellers again, setting …
Continue reading “Walking Through Dresden, Saxon Switzerland and Berlin”
Our London trip began with the typical dash to the train station, followed by a welcome bit of calm on the journey before the city buzz. After hopping off the train at St Pancras, we wandered just a few minutes to Camley Street Wildlife Reserve, a tiny green hideaway tucked between the railway lines and …
It all started back in June with a message from my friend Dan: A quick check revealed the event was being held in Manchester, an easy trip from Sheffield, so the answer was clear. Even if I couldn’t make the whole event, I could still get over to lead a run! So yes, I was …
Continue reading “Manchester Sunrise Run: #DataFitClub on Tour at Data Decoded”
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”
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 …
Day One: arriving The drive from Calais had been surprisingly smooth—just over four hours of rolling countryside, quiet motorways. As we turned off the motorway and onto the final stretch, we were hit by a bit of what I expected counted as the local rush hour traffic. I felt a gentle sense of relief wash over …
Nearly 15 years ago, I found myself stepping onto the platform at Bristol Temple Meads, my mind buzzing with anticipation for my first proper software service delivery project at a customer site. As a young professional, the prospect of weekdays away from home was both exciting and daunting. However, one thing quickly became clear: I …
Continue reading “Revisiting the Bristol Triangle: A Journey Through Time and Trails”
Nearly 30 years after leaving Bloxham School, and with my quest to obtain a copy of the Norway expedition video footage reconnecting me to some of my old teachers who were still teaching at the school, I decided it was time to revisit the school. In particular, I wanted to run some of the old …
Continue reading “A Day at Bloxham School Founderstide: Reminiscence and Reflection”
Trains, Trains, Boat, and More Trains: The Journey to Ireland Begins We picked up our belongings and headed to the train station. Our first train was running a little late, which was concerning since we were already facing a complex journey across the county and through Wales to get to the ferry terminal at Holyhead. …
Continue reading “Easter Holiday in Ireland’s Ancient South East”