Get Up Go Outside - Everyday Adventures 10
Spring and Summer are colliding and nature is look wonderful. What better time to spend more time outdoors.
So this is the my first newsletter for a couple of months. Sorry for going radio silent, but life hits you hard some times, like it has for me this year, and taking the time to sit down and write these posts felt pointless compared to everything that was going on. I’m back now though. Motivated and with a new spring in my step, so these posts will go back to being monthly updates.
That’s not to say I haven’t spent time outdoors in the time that has passed. I’ve still been busy adventuring when I can.
Leicestershire Round - A 100-mile Hike
I’ve done long distance hikes in some beautiful locations. The Lake District and Norfolk Coast to name a couple. The Leicestershire Round sits on my doorstep though. With it being so close to home, I decided to take a different approach and complete it over the year, a little by little. My partners been joining me and so far we have completed around 25% of the walk over 4 different hikes. You can read my blog posts for each walk here.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Two weeks ago it was Mental Health Awareness Week, and to raise awareness for this I organised a step challenge with some colleagues at work to encourage other people to spend more time outdoors walking or running. It got me out and about a bit more each day, taking extra walks on my lunch break and even a long morning stroll around Leeds when I was away for work for 2 days.
The Northern Lights
Like half of the Country, I was blessed to see the Aurora that illuminated the skies over Britain. I’d seen a few updates on Facebook of people seeing them, but the sky was it’s regular old self from my living room window. Thinking it was probably worth the risk, I put my coat on at 11PM and headed away from my village and into the hills in the hope of catching a glimpse. I wasn’t disappointed, and was treated to what I can imagine will be a once in a lifetime experience.
Morning Dog Walks
Our family extended again last week with the introduction of Betty, a 4-year-old crossbreed who we rescued from a local shelter. She’s been keeping me busy each morning with walks, including a walk up to the top of a local hill where we sat and watched the world go by with a morning coffee.
When I find myself with free time that isn’t spent outdoors, I usually end up reading or watching other people spend their time outside. Here are a few things that have taken my interest recently:
The Time of Day Is Broke - A short film about the Pacific Crest Trail
I Spent My Life Savings and Bought A Van - Film maker Natalie Lynn documents her decision to buy a van and escape her regular life.
Jasmin Paris made history when she became the first women to ever complete the notorious Barkley Marathon.
I’m going to be truthful here now… I’ve given up on this entire challenge. With the past few months whizzing by in a blur of emotions, it’s not been a priority for me and now seems unlikely to be something I will complete in a year. I’ll carry on with the grid squares as and when I find the time to do them, but this will be the last time this segment is included in a newsletter. There’s nothing wrong with accepting that sometimes things don’t quite work out!
The Unlikeliest Backpacker by Kathryn Barnes is the story of a couple who leave the corporate world of London behind on a whim and set off on a journey to complete the Pacific Crest Trail. Having no longer backpacking experience, most people (including themselves) thought they were set to fail.
Despite obstacle after obstacle, Kathryn shares her experience of trundling along the trail and discover a whole new version of herself.
Thanks for reading Everyday Adventures. The next instalment will be coming in a few week’s time, so if you enjoyed reading this then please consider subscribing for free. In the meantime I’ve got a favour to ask! If you enjoy these newsletter then could you please send the link to a couple of friends of family members you think might also enjoy it… It’ll help share Everyday Adventures with more people!
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