Freelance Copywriter and outdoor specialist
Any adventure, no matter how big or small, has the potential to avoid going quite to plan. Weather, kit, planning and physical ability can all stop even the best laid plans in their tracks.
As it turned out, my plans weren’t very well laid at all.
Continue reading “Adventures by train – the day I nearly didn’t walk across the Severn Bridge”
It was one of those ‘too hot to walk’ Duke of Edinburgh’s Award afternoons we all long for when it’s raining. Gazing at the River Dart as I waited for a team, I had a moment of revelation.
I am now an ‘older generation’ outdoor instructor.
When I first started volunteering in the outdoors my trainees were the same age as my children. Things, especially time, have moved on.
Now it’s the staff I work with who are the same age as my children.
Continue reading “Too old to be an outdoor instructor? Obviously not!”
The best way to test a hammock is to spend a whole night in it. This however is not always as easy to organise as you might imagine. Trees are relatively easy to come by but finding two pairs of suitable trees in a sensible location can by tricky.
Which is why Mr D and I recently ended up hammocking in our local copse.
You might have noticed my recent focus on adventures by train. At the beginning of 2022 I decided to explore the possibilities of travelling by train, not just for day trips or holidays but to enjoy all my usual outdoor activities, and hopefully a few more.
Continue reading “Three fantastic Devon walks from train stations”
When you look at map (or indeed a chart) of Tor Bay, you’ll see that our relatively small bit of shore looks like a bite out of the bigger sweep of Lyme Bay.
If you know your cardinal directions, you’ll have noticed that Tor Bay faces eastwards. Which means that we only get decent sized waves when there’s an east wind blowing.
We locals always know when there’s an easterly.
There’s a full moon. You’ve decided it’s time you finally went for that Dartmoor night walk. Or perhaps you’re even heading out wild camping on Dartmoor.
But it all seems a little bit scary.
I’m writing this on a sunny May day. We’re about to set off on a campervan trip. The house is covered in piles of gear, most of which will end up back in the house cupboards (we only have a very small campervan). As I pack, one thought is foremost in my mind.
I’m wondering what the weather will be like.
Continue reading “There can be a downside to sunshine days, especially if you’re camping!”
Exciting news. It’s Earth Day today.
I know, I hadn’t heard of it either.
But once I’d investigated I really liked the idea.
There’s plenty of environmental concern out there but Earth Day is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the good things that are happening in the world of environmental awareness.
And of course, do our bit to make a difference.
Continue reading “What’s even better than recycling? Repairing your old outdoor gear of course!”
Whether you’re interested in wild camping, campsite camping, self catering or even a bit of posh hotel life, there’s accommodation on Dartmoor to suit you. From freezing in a bog to luxuriating in a four poster, we really have got the accommodation thing sorted.
Don’t believe me?
It’s true! And I have the evidence to prove it. Here’s how Mr D and I set out to try as many different types of Dartmoor accommodation as we could during our three-night, pre-Easter visit.
Between us we managed four!
I mentioned a while ago that my favourite walk in the UK is the one I’m about to do.
It still is but I’m particularly proud of my recent canal walk.
My walk along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal was the latest in my series of UK adventures by train.
Continue reading “A bridge too far? Walking the Worcester and Birmingham Canal”
