Pretend Vanlife With 2021 not having the best of starts when it comes to getting out and about, I’m super excited to share some happier news. After years of talking about it, I’ve taken the plunge and bought a van! OK, it’s not really a van. It’s more of a big car – technically a Multi-Purpose Vehicle, or MPV. Vanlife aficionados might well scoff but my pretend van could be the perfect vehicle for everyday adventurers who find themselves with…
The mechanics of taking a single step are anything but simple. Each time our feet make contact with the ground, the impact creates a shockwave that erupts through our limbs. Our brains subconsciously anticipate each footfall and make tiny adjustments to ensure the energy efficiently dissipates through our limbs. And it’s not just our legs. Our head, spine, hips and arms all have a part to play in keeping us balanced. Hillwalking and running, although good for us, can increase…
Blustery days After the calm of Summer, we’re heading into that time of year where the reds, oranges and yellows of fallen leaves mirror the colours of weather warnings frequenting our forecasts once more. With the right equipment and skills, inclement weather doesn’t have to stop play. Rain, fog, a chilly nip in the air, even snow might make the day more unpleasant but shouldn’t necessarily prevent us from getting into the hills. But strong wind is a different beast….
A combination of COVID-19 restrictions and decent summer weather has seen loads of new visitors to the fells this year. And despite what the papers say, I like to think they aren’t all defecating, litter-throwing, inconsiderate-parking, fire-lighting yobs. Some, at least, are genuinely there to enjoy the beauty of places like the Lake District for the very first time. Perhaps being cooped up during lockdown has made them realise how much we all need time in the great outdoors. And…
I’ve reached a pivotal moment in my life as a hillwalker. After agonising for some time, I couldn’t put it off any longer. I have bought something I never thought I’d want nor need. At the click of a button, I’ve become the proud, if not slightly sceptical, owner of a new set of walking poles. I know I’m a bit late to the party here; it’s hardly a new and innovative bit of kit. Poles are a common sight…
Wash your hands after touching anything. Or better still, don’t touch anything, and then wash your hands anyway. My permitted walks have become an exercise in crossing stiles without making contact. And immediately dousing myself in hand gel if my concentration lapses and I accidentally brush past a leaf. And human contact has stopped altogether. I’m not one for hugging every person I pass in the street but an element of touch does come naturally to us. We shake hands…
I miss the mountains. I miss fine-tuning the route. Reading guidebooks. Poring over maps. Checking the weather forecast. I miss packing my rucksack. Sorting my kit. Filling my water bottles. Making a sandwich and deciding how many Mars Bars to take. I miss loading up the car the night before. Laying out my clothes ready. I miss going to bed early. Waking up in the early hours. Sneaking out of bed and wolfing down some breakfast. Creeping around the house…
Writing has taken a back seat these past few weeks. COVID-19 – “The Virus” – has hit and cast a shadow over the world. And writing about the outdoors and work-life balance has felt, well, a little trivial. I’m lucky in that lockdown hasn’t meant too many adjustments for me. My work is largely done from home, I don’t eat out too often and I quite enjoy my family’s company. My friends joke that social distancing is where I excel!…
When it comes to hillwalking, having the right skills is a key component of being adventure smart. And competent navigation in the hills is arguably one of the most important. You might be a human TomTom but there’s always more to learn. And the good news is there’s no substitute for getting outside as much as possible to practise, practise and then practise some more. If you are just starting out then map and compass skills can appear somewhat as…
I reckon we should all try to have a little more patience. I grew up in a time before self-checkouts and online shopping. When sending an e-mail meant plugging a cable in and keeping your fingers crossed someone didn’t try to use the phone as you connected via dial-up. Mobile phones were used to speak to people. Doing a project at school meant heading to the library or, if you were lucky, digging out the Encarta CD-ROM. I remember the…