Some weeks it’s very easy to spend time outdoors every day. Other weeks, not so much. The key for me is making the most of the time I do have, and doing my best not wasting time thinking “oh if only I had more time”. Easier said than done, perhaps. The key is using my lunch break and commute to squeeze in the all important fresh air and and natural light so I don’t miss out even on the busiest of days.
Kate is very much like me in that she just loves to be outdoors whenever she can doing all kinds of activities – but sometimes struggles with the daily grind getting in the way. Kate is also a history nut, and she loves nothing more than exploring places that the war greats have trodden – especially Nelson. She took some time to answer my questions – read on to find out more.
(And yes, GetOutside has new branding… looks good doesn’t it?!)
The GetOutside Interviews | Kate Jamieson
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you? Where are you based? What do you do (the day job)? What’s for dinner tonight?
I’m Kate, I live in Hampshire, about eight miles from the sea (but soon to be closer). By day I work in marketing (and now a bit of logistics too) for a race yacht charter company. By night? I write a blog – The Adventures of Kate, volunteer with Sea Cadets and DofE, spend as much time outdoors as I can and am about to start a part time Masters in naval history. I like being busy… Dinner tonight? Leftovers I have some chilli, avocado, wraps and cheese that all needs using up, so I’ll make some kind of Mexican concoction and wing it!
Where and how did you spend time outdoors today?
Today? I’ll be honest I haven’t been outside yet, with the exception of a 10 minute walk to the postbox! I’m working from home at the moment and find it incredibly easy to just sit inside all day and carry on getting work done until the evening, but I know I need to force myself to get fresh air and take a break! I had a sports massage for an injury last night, and am feeling a little bruised today, so will probably just go for a quick blast on my bike when I finish working!
Tell us about your favourite outdoor activities.
I like to have a go at everything, because I know that I can reach more people that way and try to find a way that they may want to, or feel inspired to, GetOutside. Playing in the mountains or on the coast path are my favourites, but I’m a keen cyclist and sailor as well, so try to get that in as much as I can.
I’m doing a bike ride later this month from Sword Beach to The Seine, along the D-Day beaches and following the route taken by the 12th Devonshire Regt (My Grandad served with them and landed on Sword Beach). I like to tie my adventures in with a little history as it gives me more of a purpose to a walk, but also I’ve found people always ask questions, especially I it’s something they’ve perhaps never heard of. I came across a lot of people who had never heard of The Trafalgar Way, when I cycled it last year. Now I have friends planning their own trips, and people who, at the very least, now know some naval history they didn’t before!
With all the pressures of normal life, how do you make sure you find the time for outdoors adventure?
I wish I had the motivation to get up for sunrise in the summer! Winter is definitely easier… It depends entirely. At the moment life is a little hectic with volunteering, work, trying to sell my flat and buy a house. So, by the time the evenings roll round, I am absolutely exhausted. I try to pop out for a decent walk or bike ride two evenings a week and do something every weekend, even if I’m so busy that it only ends up being a short walk. I’d like to be whizzing off to the mountains all the time, but my hamstring is currently not working as it should and I’m a little limited, so mostly it’s been bike rides, New Forest walks and dreaming of the mountains! Hopefully it will be fixed by the time Scottish winter rolls around…
As you are a GetOutside Champion it goes without saying that you want to encourage others to spend time in the great outdoors. Why do you feel this is important?
I grew up spending all my time outside, but from working with young people I’ve found out that this is not the norm, and so many young people are growing up having never been to the national parks or the coast. This actually goes for adults too… I have friends who have such large misapprehensions about the outdoors and it’s finding a way to educate people and make them want to be outdoors and reap the benefits.
A lot of people have a belief that they can’t do something or that it’s beyond their capabilities and it’s really not. The great thing about the GetOutside campaign is that it champions everything. You can go and climb Everest if you want to, but you can also go for a walk at lunchtime or after work. Even just getting out in your garden gives you those benefits of being outdoors, getting fresh air and mental stimulation.
Of course if you like a challenge, the challenges are always there, and I love them.
Thank you to Kate – you truly are my first GetOutside buddy and I love being on this outdoor loving journey with you.
You can follow Kate over on her blog or on twitter, instagram or facebook.
And for more information about the Ordnance Survey GetOutside campaign, you need to be here.
If you are feeling inspired by my friends, please drop us a line to let us know – sharing the love is always good.