The main story in this weekly blog should have been a lovely long motorcycle ride over to the Brecon Beacons – or Bannau Brycheiniog as I need to remember to call it now. However, thanks to an upset stomach, I spent my Saturday feeling sorry for myself at home, and not out in the wilds of Wales riding my GS.
All has not been lost this week, though. While I didn’t get out on a long motorcycle ride, I did launch my Cotswold Way Adventure Journal series with my day zero and day one posts both published since my last weekly blog, had some nice lunchtime walks in what is most definitely now springtime here in Gloucestershire, enjoyed some time with friends up on Cleeve Hill in the sunshine on Sunday morning, and got a bunch of bits and bobs done at home.
Maybe I should mention the title of this post to begin with, though. It’s actually a quote from Erling Kagge’s The Philosophy of an Explorer, which I listened to on my lunchtime walks this week. The full context is (and I paraphrase):
“Look around you and up into the sky, towards the sun, the moon, the stars. And listen to the surroundings, the rain falling, your foot rising from the wet moss, and the silence. Ask yourself, where am I right now? Thanks, I am here.”
I really like that and appreciate the sentiment, it speaks to me and how I need to remember to live in the now whatever that might look like at the time. Keep reading this weekly blog for my review of this little gem of a book a bit further down the page.
Planning my Next Hike
Jenni (from Coast to Coast and West Highland Way fame) and I are planning a hiking trip in Cumbria next month, and so it’s time to start getting properly organised for that. I mentioned in my bucket list post earlier this year that we are planning on hiking the Cumbria Way – or at least the first three or four days of it, before sacking off the last day (weather depending) for a couple of mountain summits instead.
For the longest time we thought we’d do this as a multi-day camping trip, but once we got talking about actual mountain tops in addition (which the Cumbria Way doesn’t really do), we decided that staying indoors so we didn’t have our tents on our backs would be much more sensible. We just don’t have – and don’t have the means or desire to purchase – ultralight gear to keep the size and weight of backpacks to a level which would still allow comfortable ascents and traverses of Lake District mountains. And that’s okay, this is our hiking trip, and we can and should stay indoors if that makes it more fun for us.
Bucket List Accommodation
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that our overnights are now all sorted, two of which are thanks to my friends over at YHA – they are supporting me again as they did for the Coast to Coast hike. They’re putting us up in their Coniston Holly How and Keswick hostels, which will be really nice – bring on the supper club!
We’re also using a hotel, guest house, Airbnb, and, most excitedly, spending the night in Skiddaw House – the highest hostel in Britain. It is 3.5 miles from the nearest road, and so all who enter must walk, run or cycle there. All being well, this sets me up to tick off ‘a stay in some kind of walk-in-only accommodation’ from my 2023 bucket list, and I am very happy indeed about that. Have you stayed there? Any tips?!
We’ve also now sorted out the logistics of travel. I know lots of people do their outdoor adventures using public transport, and that’s great, but it really is a pain in the proverbial to organise – and very costly. Honestly, as I said in my last Coast to Coast adventure journal post, using public transport in this country really does require a degree in logistics! The last stage of my journey north, for example, takes the same amount of time by train or bus… but a bus is £2 single, the train? Nearly £15!! Now I just have to hope that nothing (including strikes…) gets in the way of it being a smooth and comfortable journey to and from the Lake District. I guess I’ll let you know!!
The Winchcombe Way
But before all that, my actual next proper hike will hopefully be before I write my next weekly blog episode. Now there’s a promise to myself!
I did the first half of the Winchcombe Way, a 42-mile figure of eight route in the north Cotswolds, back in April 2021. It was such a great day hiking; the trail and scenery were just wonderful, and the 21 miles of the western loop took me something around eight hours including my breaks.
I had dreams of tackling the route in two consecutive days, but in all fairness I was kidding myself with that ambition. I just wasn’t fit or strong enough to do that at the time. Then I thought I’d do the eastern loop, the second 21 miles, another weekend that summer. That clearly didn’t work out either, because it’s now over two years later and the trail is still incomplete.
When chatting during the Cotswold Way, Fiona encouraged me to tackle my unfinished business by putting a date in my diary to get it done. I picked this week as it’ll be midway between the Cotswold Way and the Cumbria Way, and a big hike like this will make for a good way to check on my walking fitness.
Taking 25 months to walk one 42-mile trail is probably some kind of record, but hey, at least I didn’t give up on it entirely!
Given that I have few adventures to chat about this week, I’m bringing back some old favourite weekly blog features… In the Mail, That’s Entertainment, and Outdoor Gear Wishlist.
In the Mail
Everyone loves receiving packages, it’s just so exciting. It doesn’t matter whether it’s something I’ve ordered and am expecting, or if it’s a surprise, I just love getting deliveries!
Bob and Brad Massage Gun
It seems I am very late to the massage gun party, as when I asked on Instagram if any of you had one, I received loads of replies saying you’d been using yours for ages. And here’s me still using my foam roller and little cork ball of pain!!! I’ve never been very good at keeping up with the trends!
I received the Bob and Brad C2 Massage Gun as a gift from the team at Bob and Brad so I can test and review it over the next few weeks. Bob and Brad, you may know, are YouTuber physical therapists, who make videos offering “get fit, stay healthy and pain-free” advice.
This massage gun is designed to help muscles recover, reduce muscle pain, muscle fatigue and lactic acid build-up, encourage blood flow, improve range of motion and flexibility, and help with muscle stiffness. It has a quiet brushless motor, is lightweight while still feeling solid, and very easy to hold, has five massage speeds including one at 3200rpm, and comes with five massage heads suitable for different parts of the body.
So far, I’ve mainly been using it instead of my cork ball on my feet, which is part of my evening routine to help keep my feet happy and healthy. I’ve also given my calf muscles some treatment to see if there’s any way of reducing some of the tightness that has built up over the last decade that I really should have seen a sports therapist about…
I’ll write a proper review after I’ve had chance to use it a bit more, but if you already know you want one, then I’ve got a 10% discount code to buy it from Amazon – use BobBrad401 to get my discount.
That’s Entertainment
Film: Hooks, Stephen Pern
Given that I was at home on Saturday I went on the hunt for adventure films to watch, and landed on Hooks by Stephen Pern. It’s been sat in my watch later list on YouTube for a while, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I really enjoyed it. In short, back in 2016, Stephen Pern walked from his home on the southeast coast of England to visit the hundred or so bothies scattered across upland Britain. His idea was to supply each shelter with hanging points for wet clothes and gear, walking 3,000 miles with a supply of hooks and screws. He says that there is never enough places to hang wet gear. Great premise for a bespoke walking adventure.
The film is slow and gentle, with plenty of lovely British scenery along with Stephen’s musings on the places he visits, how the miles felt, and of course documenting getting those hooks up in each of the bothies. Well worth an evening of your time when you’ve got one to spare.
Audiobook: The Philosophy of an Explorer, Erling Kagge
One of the things I enjoy when writing my weekly blogs is the opportunity to share mini book reviews. I am a big fan of audiobooks (I subscribe to Audible but also ‘borrow’ audiobooks from my library via BorrowBox), generally leaning towards adventure stories and related genres.
Erling Kagge’s The Philosophy of an Explore is a short (less than three hours) book with some wisdom and advice for those who want to live a meaningful life. Kagge’s Walking is one of my favourite audiobooks, and I enjoyed hearing some more of his wisdom in this one.
Kagge is a polar explorer to the extreme, having walked to the North Pole, South Pole, and summit of Everest (do you walk to the summit of Everest?!). He provides 16 meditative but practical lessons using examples from his life as an explorer. None of it is rocket science, but it’s a good angle to hear some simple teaching from.
Along with the quote at the top of this weekly blog, I thought I’d share a couple of others that have stuck with me:
On optimism, Kagge says (I paraphrase): “The struggle lies between the ears, not in the feet; the body’s able but we can’t convince the head, it isn’t easy to get anywhere.”
And on luck: “Thinking positively is part of my preparations. I’ve simply made up my mind not to think negatively about something once I’ve begun it, instead saying ‘This is something I’m going for. With heart and head, until it’s proved undoable.’ – This applies as much to big things as to small.”
Am I now ready to take on the world and tackle an incredibly crazy project? Maybe not quite that motivated! But I still recommend this for your lunchtime walks or weekend drive.
Amazon | Waterstones | Hive
Audiobook: The Treeline, Ben Rawlence
I’m still working my way through The Treeline by Ben Rawlence mentioned back in weekly blog episode 112. Subtitled “The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth”, it’s a particularly meaty listen which is incredibly interesting, but not exactly an easy listen. I’m doing my best to take in all the information, taking heed of the environmental message while also enjoying the beautifully descriptive writing. I think breaking it up with other – slightly lighter – adventure books is the way to go.
Amazon | Waterstones | Hive
If you’re looking for other audiobook suggestions in this adventure/exploration genre, do give my adventure books post a read next.
Outdoor Gear Wishlist
Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket
Ages ago I mused on here how my old puffy coat was at the end of its life. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of testing out the Berghaus Cullin Insulated Hoody, a synthetic puffy, which has been great, and at the moment has become the natural replacement. While it doesn’t pack down quite as small as my old Thermoball, it’s not far off. But if I’m completely honest, I’m still in the market for a new puffy, and I think I’ve decided which one I need in my gear cupboard…
I saw the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket in person on the Valley and Peak stand at the National Outdoor Expo back in March. It’s a jacket I’ve heard other people recommend, but I had kind of ignored it in my puffy coat research because I had no way of getting holding one to see and feel what it was like without actually ordering one. But I tried it on at the show, and it immediately went on my gear wish list (I did well not to wave the credit card!). It’s not a baffled puffy like most out there, and I like that about it, and the reviews seem excellent.
At £180 it’s an investment piece, but I think a good puffy is something that is worth getting right. I’ll stick with my Berghaus this spring and summer, and if I still really want this one heading into autumn then I might treat myself as an early birthday present.
Lightweight Hiking Socks
I hiked the Cotswold Way alternating my Darn Tough Hiker Boot Midweight socks and my (very old) Bridgedale Trekkers. And while both are superb, especially the Darn Toughs which are still reasonably new-to-me, they are going to be way too thick and heavy for summer hiking this year.
I’ve therefore got my eye on the lightweight version of the same socks – the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks as a better option for warm days on the trail. These would also be great for hiking in trail shoes. I know other hikers that wear these ones in the warmer months, and I definitely think I need a couple of pairs in my sock drawer.
It sounds like a lot, but £22 for a pair of good hiking socks is fine with me – I’ve had some of my hiking socks for years and years (probably too long…), and it’s hard to put a price on truly happy feet when out on the trail. Oh, and they do these cute designs, too!
KAVU Jacket
This one is a bit of a wildcard – not really outdoor gear as such, but simply something that I want so I can wear it outside! The KAVU Saratoga is an oversized hooded jacket made from lightweight cotton jacquard (so not for hiking), with a zip front and big kangaroo pocket. Don’t you think it would be just perfect for garden campfires, camping trips, and even packing on motorcycle adventures?
I mean, it’s £90, and while I’d spend more than that on a puffy coat, I struggle to spend that amount on something for casual wear. Maybe if I find some cash down the back of the sofa I’ll give into temptation!
I haven’t come across KAVU before – apparently the name is an aviation acronym that stands for “klear above, visibility unlimited”; the perfect day for an adventure.
See You Next Tuesday!
This has felt like a weekly blog from a couple of years ago, what with the return of In the Mail and my Outdoor Gear Wishlist… I hope you’ve enjoyed reading a rather bloggy blog this week.
As I mentioned, in my next weekly blog I hope to be able to tell you I’ve been out and completed the Winchcombe Way. If you could send a message or two regarding the weather that would be super, thanks!
Buy Me a Cuppa?
If you enjoyed this weekly blog episode and fancy supporting me and my mini adventures in 2023, you can “buy me a coffee” (well, tea, if that’s okay). Head over to Ko-fi to find out more. Thank you.
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