Author: Fi Darby

How to claim a refund on UK train tickets

What to do if your UK train is delayed and you need a refund

If your train has just been cancelled, it might help your annoyance levels to remember that delays and cancellations are an inevitable part of any travel network.

Plan your own adventure by train

It can be difficult to work out what to do when you get that train cancellation email or even when you arrive at the station to find no train, but there is some good news.

In the UK you can get train ticket refunds.

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REVIEW – Montane Women’s Spirit Waterproof Jacket

I’ll start this blog post with a huge ‘thank you’ to Ordnance Survey and Montane who recently sent me Montane’s Women’s Spirit waterproof jacket as part of my role as Ordnance Survey Champion.

It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!

If like me, you love getting outdoors in all weathers but prefer not to carry too much weight, the Spirit could be the waterproof for you. I’ve already discovered its versatility. This jacket is great for walking, hiking, catching the bus, even going to the loo (camping only, we have an indoor loo at home).

There’s plenty to like. And all of it fits easily into a small rucksack.

And all of it will keep you dry.

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How about a campervan Christmas… In Cornwall?

Where to camp at Christmas

A UK campervan Christmas isn’t for everybody but if you fancy swapping the family noise for a bit of peace and quiet, there are campervan sites open all year and finding campsites at Christmas isn’t as tricky as you might think.

Two years ago we decided to turn our backs on the traditional family gathering and try a campervan Christmas instead. Despite living in Devon, we didn’t opt for Christmas by the beach but set off instead to one of the UK’s best campsites at Christmas.

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Five map symbols to help you explore Scotland

We all know there are map symbols for rivers, maps symbols for forests and map symbols for the coast but did you know there are also some map symbols that are especially useful if you are travelling to Scotland?

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What to wear to wee in the woods

Which bedding do you choose when you’re going on a campervan trip?

Because you don’t have to carry your gear in a rucksack, the list of potential campervan bed linen is almost endless. It doesn’t need to be light, it doesn’t need to fit into a rucksack and you (usually) don’t need to worry about keeping it dry.

All very cosy but getting up for a wee often isn’t.

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Dogs in campervans – my top tips

Before our recent road trip to Scotland, I wondered how compatible dogs and campervans really were.

But even in our small van, I have been pleasantly surprised.

This fortnight road trip around Scotland was Fred’s third campervan holiday but it was also his longest. When he was just an excitable pup we celebrated a white Christmas in the van at Glen Coe.

Once he’s clean, he makes an excellent hot water bottle.

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Dry robe review. The D-Robe Beaufort Robe

Disclaimer: The Beaufort dry robe was gifted to me by D-Robe, who did not ask me to write this review. It is an honest and open account of my opinion.

Whether your outdoor swimming pool is at the beach, a river or a lake, as winter approaches you can be sure of one thing.

The water is going to get colder.

Cold water swimming is amazing for your physical and mental health. I would recommend it and the communities that surround it to anyone. Wild swimming, especially sea swimming is absolutely the best way I’ve found of cheering myself up on darker winter days.

But I do find it difficult to warm up afterwards.

Until now I’ve resisted the urge to try a changing robe. In fact I’m almost the last person in my swimming group not to have one. but I am aware that putting the heating on to warm up after a swim isn’t great for the environment or my energy bills.

So when D-Robe offered me their Beaufort outdoor robe to try, I was keen to take the opportunity.

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Six really helpful coastal map symbols

We tend to associate map symbols with hills and footpaths but our popular coastal walking routes like the South West Coast Path have their own idiosyncrasies. Luckily for us, Ordnance Survey maps have a set of map symbols to help us safely navigate coastal areas and enjoy being by the sea.

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Adventures by train – Par’s Time and Tide Bell

One of the things I love most about my train adventures is they take me off the beaten path to explore places and discover treasure I wasn’t expecting to find.

Like a bell in the middle of a lonely beach.

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Ten Devon and Cornwall train adventures

Have you noticed any hints of autumn yet? I have but they’re so slight, I’m choosing to ignore them and make the most of the last few weeks of summer 2024.

So far I’ve had a grand summer.

Especially when it comes to train adventures.

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