Take the Plunge: How to Take a Career Break for Travel and Adventure

Technology and digital innovation transformed how we work, allowing us to adapt to remote and hybrid arrangements when needed. Despite that, stress and burnout remain prominent issues among workers everywhere. In a feature on work stress and burnout recovery, vacations were found to help erase stress and prevent burnout — to an extent. A study carried out on teachers before and after holidays found that they returned to work feeling refreshed and engaged for just a month. To counter the short-term solutions, experts recommend occasional breaks longer than just a weekend for better recovery. However, a career break may be the answer when all else fails.

What is a career break?

A career break is a break from employment. Unlike vacations and leaves, where we spend time away from work knowing we’ll return to it afterwards, career breaks last longer. Essentially, a gap year for the working age.

So why are career breaks necessary? In some cases, taking a vacation as a leader (or even just a regular employee) can be counterproductive, with emails and calls piling on despite your Do Not Disturb settings. Before long, it starts to feel like another vacation is needed from the vacation to catch up with the tasks you missed. Some professionals also get stressed thinking about the work they must do when they return. This dilemma has led to an epidemic of unused vacation time among professionals. After all, why take time off when you know that work will find its way into your vacation anyway?

Instead of vacations, career breaks are the new trend. Proliferated by the pandemic and many reflections while in lockdown, people began reevaluating their career plans while others rediscovered forgotten interests. When the world was put on a seemingly momentary pause, it launched many workers into career breaks they didn’t know they needed and led them to new work opportunities where they were happier or more satisfied. In today’s post- pandemic age, people looking for a way out of toxic work environments or feeling stuck in their career trajectories are seeking career breaks to help them figure things out. Usually, they spend these breaks traveling and discovering the world, which can lead to amazing personal growth.

How to take a career break for travel and adventure

As tempting as career breaks may sound, it still requires some planning. After all, leaving your routine of employment and the security of financial stability is a big decision that shouldn’t be made on a whim. Below are some tips to help you take the career-changing plunge:

Plan your finances

Taking an indefinite break from your employment can threaten your finances. With the added costs of travel, the wrong decisions could end up costing you and causing you more stress instead of providing you time for relaxation and reflection. This means you will need to save up enough for this break, especially if you plan on traveling a lot. It’s not the most fun advice to hear, but it’s definitely essential if you don’t want to end up broke or directionless post- career break. Work on building your fund as early as possible. You can also consider earning on the side as you reevaluate your life. For example, Colleen Attia took a career break in 2018 and worked as a driver for Uber and Lyft and as an Instacart Shopper. This ensured she still had some income coming in.

Utilise your administrative skills

Truthfully, it’s not easy to take a career break without some guilt. Obviously, you don’t want to burden your colleagues by leaving behind a considerable workload and jetting off to your career break—that would be unprofessional, to say the least. As such, proper planning is critical to ensure a smooth transition, and you will need to maximise all the hard-won administrative skills you’ve picked up through your career: attention to detail, excellent communication skills, organisational skills, and a sense of promptness to handle everything well and leave your responsibilities with grace. Anthony Klotz, an organisational psychologist, and professor at Texas A&M, advises that you should consider how to minimise the impact of your absence on your organisation. For a seamless departure, Klotz recommends offering concrete suggestions in your resignation email, like creating a transition plan for training your replacement or offering a flexible notice period. A little consideration and efficient planning can ensure you don’t burn any bridges.

Consider the purpose of your break and travel

This will differ depending on your current job and situation. Some people take career breaks because they no longer feel satisfied or challenged at work. Others do so because work, unfortunately, becomes draining over time. For those who feel more adventurous about their lives, a career break can also be the perfect time to learn new skills and interests. Learning is doing, and a career break can often be the right amount of time for you to explore activities you’ve only ever read or dreamed about. Whether it’s public speaking or camping, or even volunteering opportunities abroad — taking the time to decide why you want a career break is the best way to make sure this time doesn’t go to waste.

Why hammock camping is good for the soul

Given the choice between sleeping on the ground in a tent and sleeping in the air in a hammock tent, I’d take the latter every single time. In the decade and a half since I started sleeping in hammocks so many brands have added to this wonderful world of sky camping and a recent favourite of mine is the Haven Tents range.

The Haven motto is to “make sleep the highlight of camping” and while that might sound simple, it’s a lack of perceived comfort that tends to put first timers off spending time in the great outdoors. And when it comes to hammocking, somehow a stigma has grown that sleeping in them is a surefire way to earning a bad back.

At home on the Mississippi River. Join me next time I go!

I’ve always figured that if you can happily read a book in a hammock on holiday then enjoying a good nap in the same spot isn’t a big leap, and whether your hammock has spreaders or forces you to pretend to be a banana, the sensation of swinging in mid air is an extra sensory experience that you can’t really find anywhere else. Except maybe in space. But a hammock is cheaper than a rocket, so let’s start on earth, or at least a couple of feet above the surface.

Em rolled up the fly and bug net for a full-immersion Mississippi River experience

There’s plenty of faff on the Internet and I’m not here to research what other people think. Instead, after over a thousand nights of sleeping in hammocks here’s what I know makes for a comfortable night in suspension, for me at least.

Lie flat. Insulate the underside. Avoid claustrophobia. Stay warm and dry. Don’t get bitten. And have fun, lots of fun!

Robyn Green loving a snowy hammocking experience in Montana!

Haven is one of the hammock brands that ticks each of these boxes, and visually it also illustrates the essence of what makes hammock camping brilliant, which is why their hammocks not only feature heavily in this blog, but why we recommend the first time hammock adventurers visiting our campsite at the Big Sky Hideaway try a Haven first.

The dimensions vary a little between the three sizes of Haven tent (the Original, the XL and the Safari) but each one is designed on the same principle. It is shaped around a thick sleeping mat, the lying position is flat and not banana-shaped, the spreader bars inside offer a really spacious feel, the bug net is incorporated into the hammock body and the rain fly can be separate, or bundled up together with no extra fuss.

When I first saw a picture of a Haven Tent I felt excited that in a world of a thousand hammocks there was one that looked different to all the others; the design made complete sense to my hammock enthusiast’s brain, it looked cool - like a floating sleeping pod (I have a fascination with sleeping pods) and most of all, in the Haven I saw something that would appeal to hammock skeptics.

The Greybeard Adventurer Dale Sanders falling in love with hammocking!

Recently I travelled to the USA and stayed at my good friend Dale Sanders’ house. He’s an all-round adventuring legend, but started his adventurers relatively late. At 80 years old Dale became the oldest man to paddle the full length of the Mississippi River. Then he became the oldest man to walk the Appalachian Trail. And then he became the oldest to walk the Florida Trail, and also walk the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim. While he was doing all that an 84 year-old guy paddled the Mississippi, so this year (in 2022) Dale went back and did it again, aged 87! As Em and I set up our Haven Tents in his garden Dale strolled over with the immortal phrase "I've never liked sleeping in hammocks" and with a grin I said, “ok my friend, jump in." Within a minute he said, "well, you know, I might just like sleeping in hammocks after this!"

Cold mornings are no worries when coming a Haven Tent and a Selkbag (a wearable sleeping bag!). Want one to save on your winter energy bills? Use the code SELK-BIGSKY15 to get 15% off

The same sentiment has been echoed this year by those visitors to our campsite who spent a night in the Haven Safari. Next year we’ll have all three sizes of Haven available to rent and I’m ready and waiting with answers to our hammock guest’s most frequently asked questions:

Will I fall out?

Those hammocks in movies that have those spreader bars, you might fall out of one of them. But the Haven is unflippable because the sleeping area is below the tree straps, or wherever the hammock is fixed.

Will I sleep well?

If hammocking is new to you then there’s a good chance you’ll wake up a few times during your first night, but you won’t regret any of it because in the morning you open your eyes up above the ground, below the forest canopy, with a big smile on your face.

Haven have a bunch of accessories, including a USB-powered string of ridge lights and a gizmo that inflates the mat in double quick time

Is it cold?

The key is to insulate a hammock sleeping platform and there a couple of ways to avoid the ghostly cold that tends to tickle your underside in a non insulated hammock. There are a few ways to do this but two are most effective: use an underquilt (which attaches and swaddles the hammock from the outside, trapping a layer of air between quilt and hammock) or choose a hammock with an inflatable mat, which offers insulation and also encourages a flatter sleeping platform. (Added bonus to the Haven Safari, is that the sleeping pad is deliciously soft and comfortable!).

Is it comfortable?

Way more comfortable than sleeping on a thin mat on the ground where all your pointy bits are aching in the morning. The flatter the sleeping position in a hammock, the more comfortable you’ll be.

The Haven Safari has a super soft sleeping mat and lots of space for gear and general hanging out

Where do I put my stuff?

Either put bags underneath the hammock and rain fly on the ground (or a mat), or hang them from a tree strap. In most good camping hammocks there will be a pocket or two for smaller items, the Haven tent has six pockets and also an internal ridgeline which makes hanging kit easy.

Is it easy to put up?

Once you know how it takes a minute or two to put a hammock up. Choose a good, strong tree and use tree straps to protect the bark and prevent your hammock from slipping downwards. We tend to have our hammocks at Big Sky ready to go for guests but I’ll always demonstrate how easy it is to take them down if they ask. When I’m travelling with a Haven I’ve got set-up time down to 90 seconds, and take-down time less than a minute.

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I’ve slept in hammocks all over the world, in all the seasons. Riverbanks and forests, south American boats, hanging off the arm of an industrial digger or a castle in a kid’s playground, the mooring chain of an ocean-going ship or on an island in the middle of a huge Scandinavian lake. The view is superb when you rise up a little and cocooned in a suspended temporary home, swinging with the wind and feeling protected no matter what the elements, hammocking is a really fun, good-for-the-mind, flood-free and happy go lucky way to spend time outside.

Em hanging out by the Mississippi River in an original Haven Tent

If you’ve never hammocked before and have a little curiousity, just try it. Before spending lots of money see if you can borrow a hammock from a friend or rent one at a campsite nearby. If you’re willing to travel to Lincolnshire, England we have a hammock village full of different ways to sleep between two (or three) trees and I’m always delighted to welcome in a first time hammocker. Over 100 people tried hammocking for the first time at the Big Sky Hideaway this year and I can’t wait to meet more of you.

Oooh and one final thing, I’m working on plans for the UK’s first ever hammocking festival to be held at Big Sky in 2023 (and hopefully every year after that). I don’t have all the details yet but there will be talks, hammock related prizes, trees if you have your own hammock and hammocks to rent as well. Sign up to the Big Sky Hideaway newsletter and I’ll share details as soon as tickets are ready to go!

The alpacas at Big Sky enjoy a hammock, too!

Links

• Try hammocking at our 15 acre camping farm in Lincolnshire, England!

• Take a look at the Haven Tents website

• Here’s an interview I did with Derek, who invented Haven Tents.

Ps. Haven sent us their tents because they believed in our mission at Big Sky. They didn’t pay us cash or ask us to do anything in return. I wrote this blog because I thought it would be a nice way to say thank you, I also think everyone should try hammocking at least once and Haven makes that experience very comfortable indeed.

Pps. Other hammock brands do exist, and I like plenty of them. If you have any questions about any type of hammock or aspect of hammock camping just drop me an email or write a comment below. Thanks for reading :)

Ten different ways we power our campsite with Jackery

Ten months ago Em and I moved to a fifteen acre site in Lincolnshire, which we lovingly call the Big Sky Hideaway. After months of figuring out how to power different areas of our site we’ve finally found the solution in a range of battery and solar panel products made by a company called Jackery.

The Big Sky Hideaway is home to some very cool accommodation options like converted buses and Landpods, a spacious camping meadow, a small herd of fluffy alpacas, a bunch of eco-friendly toilet and shower blocks, a couple of field kitchens and a big old barn that we’re turning into a community space. Plus a lot lot more.

From the off it was important to us that we power the site using renewable energy. We’re here for the long run and in that sense, renewables and solar in particular are as clever for our finances as they are good for the environment.

For a few months we looked at more conventional options for installing solar power but it never felt straight forward. Buying in solar converters, panels, batteries and inverters felt like a huge headache given we like simplicity, and with multiple areas to power on site we felt restricted with investing in solar for our barn, which was the priority.

And then we found Jackery. The idea of a portable electric battery with an outgoing wattage to rival the existing system on our converted double decker (The YesBus) felt dreamy, but could it really do everything we needed it to?

After a few weeks of research and general envy looking at the Jackery channel on Instagram we decided on our favourite options and then stared at our parcel box for 48 hours!

We opted for:

1 x Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station

2 x Jackery SolarSaga 100 Solar Panels

The aim was to test the power station and panels all over site in a number of different ways and then figure out whether or not the Jackery gear worked, and if it did then whether or not we needed more panels and power stations to ensure our off grid site never ran out of power.

The unboxing

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Jackery have definitely got their branding spot on. Of all the portable electric power stations on the market it’s hard to find any that come close to Jackery’s marketing. The packaging is swish, gorgeously put together and doesn’t do anything to numb the pending excitement of discovering what is inside.

And inside, there’s zero disappointment.

The Explorer 1000 is one of Jackery’s largest units and it’s a weighty little number, coming in at just under 10kg. It’s really well designed with rounded corners and edges and an inbuilt handle that makes for comfortable carrying. It’s solid, feels like it could withstand a bump or two, and frankly would make the best gift for a friend you want to really, really like you.

The Explorer 1000 boasts two 230V three-pin plugs (if you get it from the UK store, as we did), 2 x USB-C ports and 2 x USB ports, one of them a Quick Charge 3.0 output. There’s also a 12v car port (cigarette lighter style) and two inputs, including an anderson adaptor.

I was just as enthusiastic about the SolarSaga 100 panels as the power station. They’re folded in half with a hard shell with a velcro’d stand on each side of the panel to enable standing at different angles, and the attached charging wire is connecting to the back of the unit within a zippable pouch. The connector slots right into the left-most charging input on the Explorer 1000 power station.

How we use Jackery at the Big Sky Hideaway

We’d told Jackery that we could find endless ways to use their gear on our site and they set us a challenge to record at least ten of these, so….here goes.

1 - Coffee Machine

Doesn’t every day start with coffee? Although we love boiling the kettle up over a wood fire we headed over to the Cosy Cocoon Landpod in our woodland and set up the Explorer 1000 Power Station in the field kitchen, which shelters underneath an old army parachute. Our coffee machine usually lives in our home kitchen but it enjoyed a trip to the woods and the Explorer 1000 didn’t sweat, using up about 15% of its capacity on a full brew.

It’s worth noting that high draw electronics which need over 1000W at peak will not work with the Explorer 1000. Most power tools, hair straighteners, slow cookers and electric heaters would need more than 1000W but our coffee machine takes around 850W, so all good.

2 - Tools

We’re still in Year One at Big Sky so every day is spent creating a new space or building something. Battery-powered tools are our friend and we have batteries to charge for drills, jet washers, strimmers and saws. The Jackery makes mince meat of any of these batteries and can charge our whole battery collection at the same time, eight times over.

If we’re working away from the house the Jackery lives in the back of our electric buggy (which by the way, the Jackery can charge!) and keeps everything powered up. Job done.

3 - Cameras and Drones

Filmmaking and photography formed a big part of our pre-campsite life and work and not much has changed. Keeping social media channels and our website populated with enticing images is the name of the game for a (hopefully) successful small business and the Jackery Explorer 1000 keeps phones, drones and cameras topped up throughout the day meaning we never miss a shot.

4 - Game time

This is a lifestyle for us and while we work hard it’s great to chill out sometimes. I love my sport and the Explorer 1000 packs enough punch for multiple back-to-back grand prix, football/ tennis matches or like this Summer, day-after-day eventing in the Olympics and Paralympics. Grab a beer, put the TV wherever you like and light the fire. Bingo.

5 - Date night

This week saw in our third anniversary since we married in a woodland further south. While Em drove out to get a Thai takeaway I rushed around our small meadow setting up fairy lights, firebowls, candles and a nice little music system, which pumped Motown out into the dusk sky. Em loved it, I loved it, the alpacas loved it. Thank you Jackery, that was awesome. Next year we’ll be offering anniversary/ birthday/ special occasion packages that we’re now way more confident in.

6 - OFFice Grid

While I love having an office in a house after a decade of working on the move, it’s great to take the laptop out to different parts of our site on a nice day, and edit films and photos beneath the trees. The Explorer 1000 keeps a laptop charged for literally days, and my Mac is a 16” beast which guzzles power. Need to plug in the phone, camera batteries and even a second screen? No problem at all!

7 - EV charging!

We have this cool little electric buggy (it’s not a golf cart!) that helps us service our site, things like taking firewood to guests and getting us to the far flung pods with fresh water and other bits and bobs. We’re careful with its charge but now and then we run so low it…erm…doesn’t move. The Jackery Explorer 1000 won’t give it a full charge or put up with the EV’s demands for long, but it can provide a quick fire juice-up to ensure our buggy gets back to its proper charging point at our house.

8 - YesBus Battery charge-up

We have this awesome converted double decker on site called the YesBus. The YesBus is first and foremost a community basecamp for the YesTribe, a positive, kind and adventurous community that Em and I also happen to run. These days the YesBus splits its time between community basecamp and a rental for guests. On consecutive cloudy days the YesBus batteries, which are charged up with its own array of solar panels, can run low if lots of lights and gadgets have been left on, in which case up steps the Explorer 1000 which we can cleverly hook-up to charge the YesBus batteries. Genius.

9 - Alpackages

We mentioned cameras above, but keeping our phones charged up are especially important seeing as any given moment our cheeky alpacas will pull a move worth capturing. We offer alpaca feeding as one of our experiences here at Big Sky and people love photos of their hands being shnuffled by the pacas. My personal favourite for photographing is one of our babies, born just a few weeks ago, his name is Jammie Dodger and he has a marvellously bendy neck.

10 - The barn!

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Next year our barn (which was actually built as a hanger for the previous owner’s plane!) will be a centrepiece for any events at Big Sky. We’re turning it into a multifunctional event, community and chill-out space and if there’s anywhere on site that really needs a power solution it’s here.

These last two days I’ve built a south-facing woodshed just outside, which conveniently provides just enough space for both SolarSaga panels to spread out and sunbathe.

Just inside sits a brand new charging bench where the Explorer 1000 Power Station lives when the site is open. We’ve yet to give it a proper run-out as the barn is still mostly a shed for building bits and bobs for the site (the mancave game is strong!) but already we can tell we’re onto a winner with this system. It currently powers batteries for all manner of tools, the remote WiFi router, security camera modules, a hefty speaker, lights and most importantly, the fridge in the bar!

We’ll soon have a big drop-down screen for film nights and corporate team build presentations and the Explorer 1000 will power the projector, too.

Potential future uses

Film nights - these are just around the corner and we know the Explorer 1000 will power our projector AND popcorn maker. Bring it on.

Field kitchens - we have plans for a large field kitchen in our camping meadow, a place where guests can meet, cook, wash up and eat. Jackery will come in handy for powering electric cookers, the lights, people’s phones and no doubt other bits and bobs.

Bell tents, tipis and domes - we’re always thinking about different types of accommodation at Big Sky, the more unique the better. Each will need power so guests can be comfortable and we’ll definitely be using Jackery power stations and panels to keep the lights on!

It’s hard to remember what life at Big Sky was like before we got our Jackery gear, but if we use anything on site more than the Explorer from now on then I’ll eat….one of the solar panels.

We couldn’t be happier with the Explorer 1000 and on a sunny day the two Solar Saga batteries take the battery from 0% to 100% in around 5 hours, meaning most of the year we’ll not go wanting.

With two more field kitchens to build on site, both of which will need their own power units, we can certainly see how other Jackery portable power stations will become a part of our future. As an aside, if I was converting a van or a tiny home I wouldn’t consider anything other than a Jackery Power station for the power source. It takes the faff out of running solar-powered electrics through a vehicle or van, and obviously for shorter camping trips out of a tent or a vehicle, Jackery would be a safe option keeping a trip away comfortable and full of juice!

If you like the sound of this gear there are often decent discounts available on the Jackery store and if you’re considering your power options and have any questions please feel free to shoot me any questions via the comments below, or through Instagram channel @DaveCorn.

I’m always happy to chat about the different ways we use #JackeryUK and hope you can come enjoy a stay with us at the Big Sky Hideaway sometime. At the very least you know a cold drink will be waiting in the barn!

5 essentials for your next overseas trip

Even once the world opens up following COVID-19, if you are thinking about travelling you will need to prepare yourself adequately. Whether or not you are traveling abroad or keeping things local, traveling during this pandemic will require special preparations.

Traveling can give you the break that you need to recover from the challenges of this year. Plus, if you don’t want your trip to end, you will be pleased to know that the number of countries where travellers can move and live temporarily is growing gradually.

More and more countries, including Georgia, Estonia, Bermuda, Barbados, Georgia, and Croatia are inviting remote workers and digital nomads to trade their home offices for the chance to live and work abroad as the pandemic ensues.

As the contagion cases continue to surge around the world, more and more organisations are reporting that employees might not permanently return to an in-person office environment until mid-next year or never in certain cases.

As a result, more and more global destinations are breaking away from conventional tourism models that depend on a stream of short term travellers in favour of visitors that are willing to stay for longer periods.

So if living abroad in a far-flung destination has always been your dream, now is your perfect chance to make your dream come true. But first, you will need some essentials. Here are 5 essentials that you should consider for your next overseas trip:

A stainless steel water bottle

What’s on your itinerary? Whether you plan on vacationing on a beach or prefer to spend time in nature, one thing’s for sure; that you need to stay hydrated throughout. That’s where a stainless steel water bottle comes in. With a high quality one, you will always have fresh water on standby.

While bottled water is readily available, no matter what part of the world you are in. Relying on it can get pricey, which is a deal-breaker for anyone traveling on a budget. Plus, bottled plastic water creates waste, which has become a huge problem in our modern society.

A pedometer

Tracking your level of activity, no matter how little is something that most individuals have become accustomed to these days. If you plan on walking a lot, then you must bring your pedometer with you. Not only is walking the best way to get your workouts in during vacation, but it is also the best way to enjoy the sights and sound up-close.

A pedometer will help you keep track of how much distance you will have covered during your vacation. Pedometers are so advanced these days that they do a lot more than track your steps. Some common features include the ability to track steps and distance taken, one’s heart rate, number of calories burned, active minutes, and even one’s sleep status all while receiving text and call notifications.

Some pedometers are so advanced that they even allow you to control your other home devices and gadgets just with your voice. Some are capable of downloading playlists directly on your watch so that you can have your favourite tunes with you during your travels.

Disposable face masks

It has been proven that wearing a mask is the best way to prevent the spread of the contagion. Most countries already have mandatory instructions requiring people to wear face masks when in public. So you will need to make sure that you pack a few disposable face masks so that you are covered.

But here is the thing about constantly being in face masts- it can get exhausting and uncomfortable. Add to that the sore ears, the foggy glasses, and the skin irritation and you have the perfect recipe for a dissatisfied traveler. But things don’t have to be this way if you invest in the right face mask for your needs.

Remember to switch your face mask as soon as you land; you’ll feel so much better as soon as you do. If you want an extra layer of protection, you can also invest in a protective visor.

Hand sanitiser and alcohol-based wipes

You will need to use your hand sanitiser as soon as you touch any surface. The Transportation Security Administration now allows passengers to carry up to 12 ounces of liquid hand sanitiser in their carry-ons.

You don’t necessarily need wipes when you have sanitiser but disinfectant wipes can come in very handy when you need to get rid of germs and deadly pathogens on things such as your phone or credit card.

Only clothes that you need

Overpacking your suitcase with clothes and knick-knacks that you don’t need is the last thing you want mid contagion. Remember to only pack the clothes that you need, leaving a little space for any souvenirs and items that you may want to bring from your trip.

Generally, it is best to carry lightweight clothes that you can dress in layers. Should you need to do laundry during your overseas trip, lightweight clothing is best because it won’t take too long to dry.

Ensure that you also pack comfortable shoes; a pair or two, that you can wear and effortlessly combine with your outfits of the day. Plan for the terrain you expect to encounter, whether that’s cobblestoned streets or wild walking tracks.

A comfortable pair of day shoes, sneakers, and some comfy sandals should do just fine. If you are traveling during winter or you intend on hiking during your travels, you’ll want to bring appropriate boots too.

Final Thoughts

Even though the pandemic has certainly made it a lot more challenging to travel, it’s not impossible to do it safely. But whether you are traveling locally or abroad, it can be hard to resist the urge to overpack.

However, packing things that you do not require will only put a damper on your deserved and long-awaited escape. So this list of essentials above will make sure that you don’t leave anything important out.

Planning for a destination wedding? Consider these 5 American cities

While a lot of individuals opt to tie the knot in their childhood hometowns, a lot more prefer to jet off to another city or country for an amazing destination wedding. There are a lot of perks that come with getting married at home where you are surrounded by memories and everything familiar. However, nothing beats a carefully planned destination wedding.

Destination weddings are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that combine the beauty of traveling with the romance of tying the knot. Indeed, who wouldn’t want to make the single most important commitment of their lives while experiencing a new culture with their closest and dearest?

Destination weddings are an excellent choice for couples that are not as manic with their wedding planning. With these weddings, the couples often have to make major decisions from miles away. They also have to entrust the planning process with someone as they don’t enjoy opportunities to do certain things like view the venue or meet all the vendors in person before the big day.

Even though this can become unnerving sometimes, the great thing about destination weddings is that they can be any size that you want them to be based on your budget. Some weddings only involve the eloping couple or the couple and a few of their friends. Others are blown out affairs that require elaborate planning for months.

Whether you are in the market for a beach wedding or a snowy one in the Alps, here are 5 cities that you should consider for your destination wedding:

Baltimore

While destination weddings are becoming a more popular choice for couples, not everyone feels comfortable asking their guests to spend hundreds on travel and accommodation expenses just to watch them tie the knot. But you don’t actually have to travel miles and miles to enjoy a beautiful destination wedding. There are numerous locations all over the country, one of them being Baltimore.

Boasting bustling cities, golf courses as far as the eye can see, and stunning bays that make for perfect backdrops, Baltimore has it all for couples looking for an affordable but great destination for their wedding. The landscape in Baltimore offers more variety than you can imagine so couples will have an abundance of extraordinary wedding venues, both indoor and outdoor, to choose from.

Boston

If you are big on history, then Boston is a great pick for history buffs to get married in. As one of the oldest cities in the country, there are lots to choose from in this city. Choosing a wedding venue may even require more work than expected because you will be spoilt for choice.

Because it is the largest city in the state, Boston is an attractive option for couples planning their wedding notable for its culture and jaw-dropping skyline. From gorgeous forests to bustling cities and quaint little towns, Boston will offer you a variety of options for your Big Day.

If history is what you are after, fine museums and some of the oldest neighborhoods in the country are all the more reason to choose Baltimore as your destination of choice. Indeed, history and natural beauty interweave enchantingly in Boston. All couples are unique, so wedding planning will vary greatly.

Austin

Austin is the capital of the Lonestar State so it offers couples an eclectic atmosphere, a perfect blend of urban and country undertones with lots of great things to do. All marriages are permitted and legal in Austin include same-sex, religious, as well as civil marriages.

And don’t even get us started on the stunning range of wedding venues and vendors available. From barns and gardens to hilltops and unique buildings, the city has it all. The weather in Austin is also great all through so you can tie the knot at any point of the year whether spring, summer, winter, or autumn, and you are still guaranteed to have the best wedding experience.

Cape Cod

With its pristine beaches, grassy dunes, shimmering waters, and verdant countryside, Cape Cod is made up of a series of smaller towns each offering its unique personality. Collectively, each of these small cities will offer couples a range of settings that ran the gamut from luxury resorts to quiet getaways consisting of rustic fishing villages.

Surrounded by impressive views, you and your guests will feel like royalty on your special day whichever town you choose for your special day. If you are interested in a venue that offers a charming oceanfront venue promising wraparound views of the coastline, then it might take you a little longer to settle for a venue owing to the broad variety of options.  You simply won’t find charm like it in any big city so if you’ve always wanted a venue on the water, you should seriously consider Cape Cod.

Charleston

There is no denying that Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Thus, the city is a hot spot for couples looking to have a destination wedding. Offering couples a taste of Southern hospitality, numerous luxury hotels at affordable costs, and a plethora of delightful wedding venues, it doesn’t get any better than Charleston.

It’s also worth mentioning that Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the country. As such, if you are also looking for a destination with lots of history, then you will be pleased with what Downtown Charleston has to offer. Here, couples will be treated to cobblestone streets, colonial horse carriages, and all types of architectural designs that will provide the perfect setting for your wedding photography.

Couples really do get to enjoy the best of both worlds in Charleston, whether they are interested in a bit of city life or beautiful beaches. For those who would love to venture out of the urban area for a laid-back atmosphere, there are several options available too.

Final Thoughts

Saying yes after the big question was popped was easy. Embarking on a wedding planning? Slightly harder. But fear not, with these great destinations, it should be a little easier to plan the destination wedding of your dreams.

5 destinations to work from remotely during the pandemic

Ah, remote working. What used to be peculiar is now the norm amid a pandemic. Even though the idea of working from home has been a reality since about the 70s, its widespread implementation today has stemmed from the surging cases of the pandemic.

What this has done is shocked a society that isn’t used to working from home as the standard. The once half-heartedly implemented concept has now been embraced by big and small corporations and businesses alike. As such, if you are currently looking for destinations to work remotely from, you are certainly in good company.

Remote work has been a great way for businesses to maintain operations during the state-mandated shelter in place guidelines. This will remain the case even in the coming future. Back in the good old pandemic free days, people unable to work from home as they would like would often fantasise about becoming digital nomads.

Of course, for many, this would have meant quitting their office job in place of remote work in an exotic, far-flung destination. But that’s not the case anymore. These days, remote work is no longer seen as an indulgence but rather a requirement.  Nowadays, at least 2/3rds of the country’s workforce is working remotely.

As such, if you have always fancied the idea of becoming a digital nomad, the state has been set perfectly for you. Even though a lot of countries in the world are still adjusting to the outbreak, which has thus far curtailed international travel greatly, you wouldn’t believe just how many opportunities there are in store for people dreaming of working remotely abroad.

More and more countries have started creating programs designed to lure travellers looking to relocate and work in another country. Many of these countries have suffered immeasurable losses and have suffered financial challenges resulting from reduced travel amid the contagion. As such, longer-term travellers looking to work remotely would be a great boost to the local economy.

So if the idea of working remotely in another country sounds appealing to you, here are 5 destinations that you can work from remotely during the pandemic:

Las Vegas

Tired of the monotony of working from home? Then why not give Vegas a shot? Remote working vacations are big business in Sin City. So much so that resort casinos such as MGM have even launched "Viva Las Office" packages designed to offer remote workers a spirited workweek in the world’s favourite adult playground.

Like many top travel destinations across the world, Vegas has been badly hit during the pandemic. Resorts and hotels have therefore been forced to come up with such creative strategies in an effort to make up for the lost revenue caused by cancelled conventions and events.

Barbados

Barbados has one of the most inviting environments for remote workers yet. The Caribbean island even has a program referred to as the Barbados Welcome Stamp, that allows remote workers to stay in the country for up to a year. But there is a twist.

For one to qualify for the program, you must prove that you have an annual income of at least $50,000. This will demonstrate that you have the means to support yourself during your stay. Applicants will also be required to pay an application fee of $2,000 and $3,000 if one is moving with a family.

Bermuda

Like Barbados, Bermuda also has a similar program known as the “One Year Residential Certification”. The program allows remote workers to stay and work on the island for up to a year. Remote workers can take jobs from any part of the world and are not limited to employment opportunities on the island.

This way, remote workers can work in the pink sandy shores of paradise without displacing local workers’ jobs. Bermuda is a great choice for international remote workers because most parts of the island are still relatively unoccupied.

Whether you are looking for a quiet area to peruse that marketing book you’ve been holding on to or you need the perfect backdrop for your zoom meetings, you can’t go wrong with Bermuda’s island vibe.

To be considered for the program, you must part with an application fee of $263. You must also prove that you have eligible employment to support yourself during your stay. Once you are approved for the program, you can leave and re-enter the country as you wish, which is great news for anyone leaving family members back home.

Mexico

Mexico has had its doors open for travellers for some time now. Mexico has always been a great choice for digital nomads arriving from the States due to its proximity. Digital nomads can stay in Mexico on a tourist visa for at least 6 months.

Anyone wishing to stay for longer than 6 months can apply for a Temporary Resident Visa that will extend the stay to one year. If you like your stay in Mexico so much and would like to make it more permanent, you can extend the temporary visa up to 3 times. However, you must prove that you are capable of taking care of yourself financially during your stay.

Georgia

Like many countries on this list, Georgia also has a program designed to lure digital nomads. Georgia’s program, “Digital Nomad Visa”, was created for remote workers from all parts of the world. The program was created specifically for freelancers and self-employed foreigners interested in settling down at the now capped mountain destination.

Remote workers must supply proof of employment before they can be considered for the program. Upon arrival, they must Alsip quarantine themselves. Once the self-isolation period ends, the nomads are free to move around the country and work for up to a year. Digital nomads on the program also get 90 days of travel throughout Europe’s borderless 26-country Schengen region. If that’s not the perk of a lifetime, what is?

Final Thoughts

Remote work had been picking up steam before the pandemic. Now, however, the growth of remote work has accelerated at an alarming rate, which means anyone looking to work remotely abroad has numerous opportunities and destinations to choose from.

Whether you are a seasoned digital nomad or are working remotely for the first time, you will be spoilt for choice by the number of countries ready to open the doors to you and your iPad. So go forth, and explore!

nb. this bog was written before the third national lockdown in January 2021. Please do not travel against government advice and use the ideas in the article for future plans when the world is a safer place once more.

Five cool books to read while traveling

If you haven’t much time to read during your busy day to day, then a vacation or a trip can be the perfect opportunity to get your read on. Reading during a long commute or flight is easily the best way to occupy the time. Even after you’ve arrived at your destination, keeping a good book with you and convert just about any space or environment into a relaxed zone.

Not to mention, you can easily match your trip duration with the perfect length of the book. For instance, on a short weekend away, you can pack a slim narrative with you that you cab casually peruse during your downtime. If yours is a long trip, perhaps consider bringing something with a little more heft.

That said, you don’t even need to lug around a bulky book with you. Kindles and electronic readers have made it significantly easier to enjoy your favorite titles while downloading. Because they are so portable, you can download as many book titles as you would wish to have without cluttering your suitcase. This will even give you plenty of space for the new books that you will purchase after you settle down.

And if you are pressed for cash during your trip, sitting down in a quiet location to read is an affordable way to enjoy your surroundings. Reading is free (for the most part), effortless, and you can enjoy doing it in innumerable places. So if you’ve been meaning to catch up on your reading, here are 5 cool books to consider for your travels:

Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke

Artificial intelligence refers to the science of teaching computers to carry out human-like tasks. Artificial intelligence used to be the fodder of fiction movies, but this has all changed today. Artificial Intelligence in various forms is everywhere these days, from self-driving cars to virtual assistants in your pocket. So how can you not be curious about this wondrous technology?

Sure, artificial intelligence books may not be the most interesting thing that you will ever read while traveling. However, you don’t have to restrict yourself to the serious stuff. There are plenty of AI-based fiction novels that you can sink your teeth into. One such great read is Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke.

Childhood’s End is a gripping and thought-provoking story that features aliens. The premise of this story is quite simple: one day, the aliens arrive to prevent the extinction of the human race. Everything’s fine at first but as the years pass, the humans begin to see that the aliens are not as they appear.

The New Wilderness by Diane Cook

As far as science fiction books go, this one is pretty amazing. Not only is this one of the most talked-about science and literary fiction works of this year, but it was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It’s really that good!

The New Wilderness is set in a dystopic future where the world has been ravaged by the effects of climate change. The novel features a mother’s struggle to save her daughter from the Choking City. The Choking City is rife with poisoned air, which has been killing Agnes since she was born.

Bea intends to escape with her young daughter Agnes for the much cleaner Wilderness Zone where they must learn to live the ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle. This is a fast-paced and exhilarating story about survival and hope that you will want to read.

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

Ask any self-professed romantic and they will tell you that romance is one genre that never disappoints, no matter how many romance novels you go through in your lifetime. Why? Romance novels always guarantee a happy ending and who doesn’t want that warm, glowy feeling when on vacation?

You Had Me at Hola is as romantic as a romantic novel can get. After a devastating breakup, soap star Jasmine goes back home to New York, where she has to film a bilingual romantic comedy. Her co-star is handsome telenovela actor Ashton. With actors wanting to give their best, they take their rehearsal sessions offset, where a real-life romantic adventure of their own ensues.

Uganda Be Kidding – Chelsea Handler

If you are a fan of comedy or late-night entertainment shows, then you may already be familiar with Chelsea Handler’s work. This book is a collection of several short stories about her travel adventures. As you can expect, the stories in this novel are both hilarious and absurd, which will make for a great read as you make your way through airport security.

Whether Chelsea is on safari in Uganda or fumbling her way through the streets of Asia, her misadventures will crack you up, which will then make it so much easier for you to enjoy your own trip. And it’s not just funny stories that you have to look forward to. You will also come across lots of great travel tips that you can apply.

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

If you are looking for a little inspiration, then this biography by Malala will fill you with hope. This inspiring story will give you a closer look at what women in the Middle East have to endure. Malala will teach you how to approach everything in your life with courage and passion so that you can return to your day to day life ready to face whatever challenges are ahead of you head-on.

In this novel, Malala narrates the story of her life in war-torn Pakistan. Malala has spent years fighting for equal education opportunities for girls in the Middle East. Malala is the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner to date and this will be one of the most remarkable stories you will ever read.

Final Thoughts

There is little that’s more enjoyable than sitting on a beach, restaurant, or bar with a good book. Reading while traveling may not be the easiest thing to do for some individuals. However, if you do manage to steal a few minutes here and there to peruse a couple of pages from your favorite book, you will find the experience more cathartic than most.

Sketching the Murray

During a crossing of Australia on a skateboard back in 2006 I received a note from the illustrator Jules Faber. He included a little cartoon he’d made about my journey and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

A couple of years later Jules took it upon himself to join me for another journey, this time along the Murray River. Jules wasn’t actually there but every week he took the stories he’d seen me posting and sketched out a new cartoon.

Every so often I find the folder with these sketches and they make me laugh, smile and desperately want to learn that skill for myself. So here they all are, with a little back story to each….

Jules with me, in spirit and with pencil, paddling along the Murray River.

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The first section of this journey was in the Snowy Mountains, on foot. I managed to get myself caught in a snowstorm and suffice it to say, those few days up top were uncomfortable and fairly cold. I was rescued by a wild horse, but let’s save that story for another day.

Once in the kayak the weather was fairly damp for a couple of weeks. That combined with river life and a basic lack of outdoorsy skills meant my feet had a life of their own.

I was joined at the start of the journey by Queenslander Peter Dowling, who I’d met a year earlier on my book tour around Australia. We developed a habit of getting caught in thunderstorms and only afterwards did Peter notice that his paddle was made of a conductive material.

Let’s just say, the Murray flows through some remote spots…

I was still a green adventurer and packed far more than I needed.

What a treat to see Playpus in the wild, the only place where this is possible. They’re so playful, jumping clear out of the water right alongside the boat.

The reason for shoes dangling from power lines will differ depending on who you ask. Whether they signal a nearby drug den or the outcome of the actions of a random dreamer, we’ll never know. But for sure, there are lots of shoes dangling around in Australia.

I’m a child. Place names make me laugh and gladly Jules feels the same.

One day I was paddling along minding my own business and saw this neck and head rising up from the Murray. It was utterly terrifying and could only be one thing, my fatigued mind told me. A serpent! The truth was possibly even more random, it was an emu going for a swim! When she ran up the opposite bank her fluffy body was saturated. Just wonderful.

The biggest challenge of the journey: speed boats towing waters-kiers. Weekends were spent watching out for the water hoons who sometimes would actively try to capsize me.

There were plenty of fine moments on the river though, including my 30th birthday, which I celebrated with a group of strangers who became friends on Lake Mulwala upstream of Yarrawonga.

It wasn’t rare to see a skinny dipper or proud nudist on the banks.

And to be fair, sometimes that was me at the end of a long, hot day.

I paddled through a couple of bushfires, both times just in time to make it through before that section of the river was closed for a couple of days. Both spectacular and deeply sad to witness, these fires regularly taunted a river valley that had been in drought for a decade.

I mentioned the speedboats and water-skis earlier. Well, one of the boats sped by within touching distance of me so I aimed my camera at them. I mean, it was about the only weapon I had. A couple of minutes later he same boat came back, this time towing a jet-skier who reached out and tried to grab the camera at high speed. I was quite angry.

There were lots of spiders…

Every few kilometres these blue and white signs signalled how many kilometres remained.

So much kindness showed along the river. Surely one of the best nights was when Customs Houseboats let me stay. Sheer luxury! I slept well.

It was Australia. It was hot. And as a side note, the drought meant that in most parts of the river I could have climbed out of the kayak and walked.

Finally I made it to the Southern Ocean and had one more challenge, get over the first set of breakers to finally say hello to open water!

The Murray was the beginning of a love affair with rivers that continues to this day. A couple of years later I’d be standing for a descent of the Mississippi, not on a raft but a paddleboard.

An image tells so many stories but in addition, the fact that Jules took time out from his own life to tell someone else’s story made a big impact on me. I know for sure that the kindness Jules and hundreds of others showed me as I snailed my way around our world led to my own little efforts like SayYesMore , @theyestribe , @theyesbus and other bits and bobs.

Just the smallest thoughtful act of kindness could make the world of difference for so many others. Be a pebble that creates some ripples. The world needs those little waves of change.

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If you enjoy my stories and fancy saying thanks a really easy way is to Buy Me a Coffee.

I also have a membership where I send little treats, offer early access to content and generally get motivated to create more stuff that keeps people thinking and acting adventurously.

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Earning the sofa

Way back when, at a time when I spent hours each day soaked up by the warm embrace of a sofa-sized beanbag, I was thoroughly aware of a meet-in-the-middle between pleasure and guilt.

After a while those beanbags were less comfortable. They were still the same, of course, but I felt differently about them. I took them for granted.

The same went for my bed. Kitchen. Running water. All of it.

A few years later, once embarking on long, cheap adventures had become a habit, it struck me that for all the lessons that a good adventure offers up one of the finest was that taking things for granted is much less likely when you live a life on the move.

That old adage, comfort kills ambition, had never been so true.

Camping out in tents and hammocks and even wild camping in weird places like old barns, and olive groves and hidden inside concrete construction tubes can be fun, but they’re not comfortable. Not really.

These days I adventure a little less but I never climb into a comfortable bed or turn on the tap without feeling grateful. They’re a real privilege and I know how lucky I am because they weren’t always there.

So maybe it’s worth backing away from our comforts every now and then, if only for a night, just as a reminder of how valuable that sofa is.

Time away earns the reward.

Powertraveller Solar Adventurer

I’ve worked with Powertraveller for over a decade, charging my gear on river, coastal and land-based journeys which enabled me to navigate safely and share stories from my adventures.

Recently they sent me some of their latest gear and I thought I’d write a review of each bit of kit. I’m starting with one of my favourites; the Solar Adventurer, a clamshell solar panel incorporating a Lithium Ion battery, USB output and a carry case.

If you’re heading off into the wild and need a way to charge your gear, one option is to harness the sun. I have a soft spot for the Solar Adventurer and if I’m ever unsure whether mains power will be available this will be one of the first items in my bag.

It’s a solid option as a charger for short journeys, and also as a backup supply for anything USB-powered: phone, gps, headtorch, portable toothbrush etc.

On longer trips I’ll have a few charging options but the Solar Adventurer, at the very least, is an emergency guarantee that I’ll be able to generate power remotely.

Charge from the battery and top up via via solar

Why solar?

There are plenty of options these days for portable power and, assuming sun isn’t going to be in short supply, packing a solar panel is a strong choice. I’ll be covering standalone batteries, power packs and solar panels later in this Powertraveller series but the £74 Solar Adventurer (and it’s new sibling of the same price - the Solar Adventurer II) is a simple lightweight option for USB-powered electronics. Coming in at 265g and sized at 170m x 96mm x 22.75mm when folded, it’s an easy slide into a bag.

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So, how does it work?

This is pretty simple. Unzip the carry case and open up the panel. Make sure the panel is clean. Face it toward the sun and let it charge up.

Situated above the charging point is a 4 colour LED light indicator. This flashes red when the battery is at 0-25% capacity, orange for 25-50%, green for 50-75% and blue when the battery is 75-100% full.

When you need to charge your device, plug in the charging cable and the Solar Adventurer will automatically detect the plug-in and begin to charge.

Recommendation: Before leaving home give yourself a head start either charge through the mains (using charger provided) or sit it in the sun so the battery is full before heading off, then you won’t need to wait for an urgent charge.

The flashing LED light indicates how much charge is in the battery. Blue is 75%-100%

I make the most of the Solar Adventurer by leaving it out as I travel - attached to a backpack (using included Carabiner), atop panniers on my bike, or on a drybag on a SUP, canoe or kayak deck (this is best for flat water paddling, where splashes are limited and conditions aren’t too wet. The Solar Adventurer is rated IP65, good for dust and water from a nozzle, so as long as you avoid a complete dunking and ensure the dust cover is in properly, you’re good to go.)

Then when I stop for a meal or a coffee, I religiously plug my phone in for a top-up. I film, take photos and navigate with my iPhone so its battery takes a beating.

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Best for….

• Short one or two day microadventurers

• Additional back-up for a longer trip

• Camping trips

Not ideal for…

• Multi-day adventures with various items to power, and no additional charging options.

What will the Solar Adventurer charge?

The Solar Adventurer’s battery capacity is 3500mAh which Powertraveller suggest will charge a smartphone, GPS or headtorch 1 - 2 times, a Sat Phone once, an action camera 2 -3 times and a smartwatch up to 15 times.

I have an iPhone Xs with a battery capacity of 2,658 mAh which is on the low side for a smartphone, but most phones will have a battery in the region of 3,000 mAh so you’ll get at least one full charge from the Solar Adventure battery.

Even if the battery is flat on the Solar Adventurer you can still trickle charge your gadgets by plugging them in and leaving the panel in the sun. (Make sure you leave your gadget in the shade to avoid overheating)

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EXPERIMENT

On a day when the weather app suggested full sunshine I sat the Solar Adventurer - with no battery charge - outside and every hour rotated the solar panel so it directly faced the sun.

It was up to the blue (minimum 75%) capacity after 8 hours of charging.

I then ran my iPhone Xs down to 1%, set to airplane mode and plugged it into to the Solar Adventurer’s USB charger. It took, 1 hour to reach 60% and 2 hours 20 to max out at 100%

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What’s in the box?

As you’d expect from the new Powertraveller range, the Solar Adventurer comes in a tidy gift-friendly box, well designed and with a satisfying open.

The panel arrives in its zip up case, and also included is a charging cable, carabiner and instructions. (Instructions are also digitally downloadable on the Powertraveller website, or via the QR code provided.)

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Charging in the Swiss Alps after a Via Ferrata that I didn’t really enjoy at all! Image by Dan Wildey

Summary

As I’ve mentioned, the Solar Adventurer has been a favourite of mine for years so I come to this review with experience and a little bias! I travel light so don’t weigh my pack down with anything I don’t need, so if an item makes the kit list it means it does the job.

As a backup charger or a main option for a weekend microadventure, I’ve never been let down. It’s super simple to plug and play and I wouldn’t underestimate the sheer satisfaction of charging your gear with free electricity.

The Powertraveller Solar Adventurer is lightweight, robust and doesn't take up much space. Plus, the zip-up cover is great for dusty or wet conditions. If you're thinking about using solar to charge your gear while travelling, this is the best panel to get started with. I don't leave home without it.

Back to housesitting, post-lockdown

After six months of full-time housesitting the COVID-19 lockdown forced a change in lifestyle and for many housesitters the absence of animals was a tough task to bear. Emma Cornthwaite shares her take on post lockdown housesitting, and what it means for owners and sitters alike.

Home sweet home, Bear the puppy looks out for his mum!

It hasn’t been the year that any of us expected - plans have altered, circumstances have changed, lives have been turned upside-down and inside out. One thing is for sure - this pandemic has emphasised the power of community, good people and trust. 

Everyone on the planet has been affected by Covid-19 in some way and we have all experienced kindness in one form or another from other humans as we help each other muddle through and find some sort of normality. What normal looks like for one person will not be normal for the next and everyone has been managing it in their own way. 

For us, ’normality’ was living out of a few bags with no permanent address and a constantly changing environment as we briefly adopted a new family home every few weeks. We were full time Trusted Housesitters and we absolutely loved our unconventional normal.

Being trusted with a stranger’s home and furry family members is an enormous honour and something we never took for granted but we also didn’t realise how much we would miss when it was no longer an option. 

Having pets around is such a joy and has immeasurable benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing and we have really noticed a difference since Covid shut down people’s travel plans and meant that barely anyone needed a house sitter anymore. I bet the pets loved having their humans around the house more these past few months but it meant that we didn’t get to cuddle any!

The good news is, the tables are turning and housesitting is making a comeback like the first rains after a long drought. We are so grateful to report that we have spent the last two weeks being back to our old normal, caring for lovely homes and pets while their owners have been able to get away for a much needed break. 

Shara left her six month old Bear with us for a week after a last minute call for housesitters

We definitely aren’t the minority either - for every housesitting opportunity in the UK, there are tens of applicants wanting to step up sit for them. Having chatted to the TH community online, they are as starved for housesits as we have been and are longing for more sits to become available. 

TrustedHousesitters as an organisation have been really clear about following Covid-19 guidelines from the beginning and have remained supportive of homeowners and housesitters throughout. The communication from the support team is ever-present and we have absolutely no reservations about entering someone’s home and staying for a while to allow them to get away. 

Many people are feeling the need to get away, go on holiday, ‘staycation’ in the UK or head to see family as it’s been so long, but they are concerned about not being able to find a house or pet sitter. Our one message to you is - do it. You can trust that good people are still out there and happy (if not begging!) to come and sit for you as they are longing for the affection that only a pet can give as much as you are longing for your holiday! 

Being part of the TrustedHousesitters community has been so rewarding for us. We can’t wait to do more sits soon.

Read the Instagram Story thread about our return to housesitting

Get 25% off an annual membership on TrustedHousesitters

Read this blog about our Housesitting lifestyle

And check out our top tips for using TrustedHousesitters

The Backyard & Park Swing Hammock Scam

If it’s too good to be true…well, you know.

I found it on Facebook, on a page called Vonluxe. $19.99 for a hammock chair. It looked fun. My wife’s birthday was coming up. Bingo.

Of course, unless it’s Lego size there is no self respecting hammock chair that costs less than $20 but I was blindsided. COVID-19 and no income had decreased my shopping experience so I ignored gut instinct and paid for the thing.

The link took me to a website called Homemoon. The product was called Backyard & Park Swing Hammock. Don’t buy more than one at a time, they asked, demand was too high.

‘Well,’ I thought, ‘how lucky am I.’

Maximum 35 days to ship, they promised, and the wife’s birthday was in 29 days. I like a challenge that I have no control over.

The weeks past and of course it didn’t arrive. The tracking link on the order confirmation page never worked but once the wife’s birthday had come and gone, and then once the 35 day maximum shipping promise had expired, I wrote to the company to ask where the hammock was.

“It has been delivered,” they wrote back, actually including a tracking link that suggested that a package had come through my local post office.

“I haven’t received a hammock,” I replied, but after a few back and forth it was clear that customer service was lacking. They went as far as accusing me of lying and suggesting the package might still be at the post office.

And then I realised something. Strangely, one unrequested package had arrived from a Chinese address. It was tiny. I was confused. Even Lego hammock chairs aren’t this small.

I opened the envelope and squinted. A lightweight, plastic ring, with a tag on it for $199. ‘Platinum’ - it said.

This ring was not Platinum or worth $199. It was a toy ring, the kind you’re disappointed at when you win the last-place prize at a carnival.

Eventually it struck me, the scam was kinda clever. They’d sent a really lightweight product (the ring) from China in order to generate a legitimate tracking link. Of course, no tracking link confirms what is actually inside the package.

I continue to email the hammock chair scammers, hoping that eventually they’ll relent and send a refund for the hammock that never arrived. But I’d imagine for just the sake of £19.99 + £10 shipping most people will give up.

I write this blog in the hope that a hopeful but suspicious buyer will save themselves $30, five weeks of waiting and the indignity of having to re-home a crappy plastic ring.

Cold Weather Tent Camping

Just because the temperature is starting to drop doesn’t mean that you need to stop camping. There are plenty of ways that you can make sure that you’ll be able to stay comfortable when sleeping in a tent during winter. Let’s look at some of the best tips. 

Pick Your Campsite Carefully

First, during the colder weather, you’ll need to be a little more careful about where you elect to put your tent. You’ll want to find a place that’s sheltered from any wind or slow. This can often mean camping close to trees, as they will provide a natural windbreak. However, before you do this, make sure that you are choosing a healthy tree, so you know it won’t fall onto you during the night. 

If there’s a lot of snow, you might want to make sure that there’s no chance that you’ll be at risk of an avalanche. This can often mean avoiding camping on the side of a steep hill. Ideally, you want the slope to be less than 25 degrees. You’ll be able to check this using an inclinometer. These tend to be relatively small devices, so you’ll be able to take them with you if you’re hiking. 

Once you’ve found the campsite, you’ll want to pack down the snow around your tent. This will give you a flatter area, making it more comfortable to sleep. It will also make it easier for you to pitch the tent. 

Choose The Right Tent

It’s also important to make sure that you’re using the right equipment. Most importantly, you’ll need to make sure that you’re using the right tent. In this area, there are a few things that you might want to look for. 

First, you want to make sure that it will be able to withstand the colder conditions and trap heat. In many cases, the manufacturer will list the temperature range that the tent has been designed for. If not, you want to look for a tent that is fully covered the fly. This will help you trap the heat inside the tent. You also want to look for something that will be able to withstand strong winds and snow. Usually, this means that you’ll need to choose a model that incorporates multiple poles. 

You might also want to think about the way that you’ll be using the tent. For example, if you’re going hiking, you might want a lighter tent, which will be easier to carry. You’ll also need to make sure that there will be enough space inside the tent. If you want to review some of the most popular models, you can use this helpful tent for winter camping buying guide. 

Image by Paxson Woelber / Upsplash

Keep Hydrated

During a winter camping trip, you’ll need to make sure that you are staying hydrated and are eating healthy foods. This will serve a few important purposes. First, it will give you the energy you need throughout the trip. Also, the foods that you consume will be able to help you stay warm. At night, it’s recommended that you try to have a healthy, hot meal. Meals like stew or soup tend to be the best options during the colder months. 

The winter months tend to be the most active periods for some predators. To make sure that you aren’t having your food stolen by these animals, you’ll need to store everything securely. You might want to put your food in a bag and sling it over a tree at night. Often, raising it off the ground will be enough to keep your food safe. 

One of the biggest benefits of camping during colder weather is that you’ll be able to melt the ice to get water. However, you should make sure that you’re only drinking clean, white snow. You might also want to add a little water to the pot before you start melting the snow, making sure that you don’t get a burnt flavour. 

Get A Good Sleeping Bag

It’s important to make sure that you are using a good sleeping bag. This will keep you warm, even when the temperature is freezing outside. There are a few things that you’ll need to look for when picking your sleeping bag. First, most sleeping bags will be temperature rated. To get the best results, try to choose something that will be 10 degrees lower than the minimum temperatures that you will be expecting during your trip. Some materials, like goose down, can be best at trapping heat, keeping you warm throughout the night. If you need, you can add a sleeping bag liner to add some more warmth to your bag. 

Pack Warm Clothes

Finally, you’ll need to make sure that you’re wearing warm clothes during your trip. This will ensure that you’ll stay warm during the day, making it more comfortable to explore your local area. The key to staying warm is layering your clothing. First, you want to start with the underwear. During colder winter months it can often help to choose something that is longer. You should also be looking for wool, as this will take perspiration away from the skin and dries quickly. Next, you want to choose a thick jacket. Usually, puffy jackets tend to trap heat, keeping you warmer. Finally, you can finish up by wearing a thick coat, to protect you from the wind and snow. 

If you’re going to be outside for a long time, it can help to have some extra protection, like a winter hat. If there’s going to be a lot of snow, you might want to wear goggles or sunglasses, to protect your eyes from the glare. 

Conclusion

Just because the temperature is starting to drop doesn’t mean that you need to give up your love of camping. The winter months can be the best months to experience some locations, allowing you to do activities like camping or ice fishing. So, use some of these tips to make sure that you’re staying warm, even if it’s freezing outside.  

I have a few things to sell

With a new home around the corner it’s time to de-clutter and start paying off the mortgage! Em and I have a pile of adventure gear, camera and filmmaking equipment and other bits and bobs.

Happy to consider all offers. All suggested prices do not include shipping.

Electronics

Boosted Electric Longboard V2 - £650
Good as new
+ 2 x Replacement belts

SOLD! Macbook Pro 2011 - £100 + postage
This is an old macbook pro which still works fine. The battery doesn’t have much life at all left and the the charging cable is also on its last legs, duct-taped together. But as a desktop computer for basic tasks it still does a good job!
MacBook Pro
MacOS Sierra V 10.12.6
Processor: 2.6GHz Intel Core i5.
Memory 8GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB

PowerTraveller Solar Gorilla - £100
Brand new, still in the box

Powertraveller PowerGorilla - Used four or five times. Surface scratches but works as new £90
Extra product info

RAVPower Portable Solar Charger - 21W with Dual USB Port - SOLD
Used but as good as new
Waterproof, Foldable, Camping/Travel Charger with Two USB points
Includes Micro USB charger
£25
RRP 39.99
More info

Powertraveller Extreme Solar Clamshell Solar Panel - £35
Used, with minor abrasions on case. Still works perfectly. Not in box
The extreme solar is a lightweight, clamshell solar panel, offering a 5 watt, 5V 1A (Max) output - perfect for charging smaller devices such as smartphones, GPS systems and handheld action cameras on the move.

The panel opens to a 210 degree angle, making it easy to attach to back packs, tents or bike panniers whilst allowing optimum power from the sun.

The extreme solar features useful 2-colour LED indicator; when the LED shows red, solar charging is at a minimum, when the LED shows green in colour, solar charging is at an optimum level.

Housed in a rugged, water-resistant casing, the extreme solar includes MPPT technology which means the panel will still deliver power even in low light conditions - offering users reliable solar charging from a compact unit.

 5W clamshell solar charger
• 1x USB output: 5V/1A
• 2 colour LED indicator to show power output strength
• Clamshell design
• MPPT technology
• Opens to 220°
• Weight: 289g
• Size: 200mm x 114mm x 16mm (folded)

RRP - £65

Cameras & Accessories

Sony Nex 5-t camera package

Olympus Stylus TG-Tracker Waterproof Camera
Extra product Info

Olympus Tough TG-5 - £150 https://getolympus.com/digitalcameras/tough/tg-5.html

Samsung Gear 360 VR Camera - £30

Olloclip Camera Lens selection
Currently with iPhone 5/6 clips - but lenses can fit onto updated clips for latest phone models
Telephoto 2X
Wide Angle
Fish Eye
Circular Polarizing Lens 25mm

Filming Gear

Manfrotto BeFree Aluminium Tripod with Head - £140 (£184.95 RRP)
Full info - https://www.manfrotto.com/uk-en/be-free-aluminium-travel-tripod-with-ball-head-black-mkbfra4-bh/

Edelkrone Slider Plus Medium with Action and Target Modules - £1200
Professional Filmmaking Gear, used infrequently, saving of £800
Includes:Edelkrone SliderPLUS PRO Medium with soft case
Target Module
Battery Bracket Canon LP-E6 x 2
Canon LP-E6 batteries x 4
L Bracket for Target Module
Action Module
Offers accepted.

—

PANASONIC DMC-FZ330 CAMERA + Battery - £350

Brand new
Gitzo 2 way head, series 2 - Tripod video Head - £300
2 x Gitzo quick release plate, medium C - £50 each

Edelkrone PocketRig2

Edelkrone Wing3 - £200

MobiSlyder Small Slider - £15
MobiSlyder Glidetrack Slider - £30

360 Cameras

GoPros

GoPro Hero 4 Silver (with built in screen) + spare battery + Hard Back + Touch back + Case - £150

GoPro Hero 4 Silver Package
Soft Case
Waterproof case
Lens cap
2 x case backs one open one closed
1 x frame
2 x sticky pads, one curved one flat
1 x tripod mount
1 x action mount
2 x connectors
1 x microsd adaptor
1 x safety
Total: £140

Outdoor and Adventure Gear

Trespass Mens Wooster Waterproof Jacket Blue/Grey Size M - £39.99

Aquapac Stormproof Waterproof Messenger Bag 20L - £50

Hammocks for adults and babies. Yes, babies.

Random Stuff!

Smart (skipping) Rope by Tangram Factory

Lesser-Known Destinations to Add to Your Canada Itinerary

When you mention a trip to Canada, you’ll probably get a long list of recommended destinations to choose from. These attractions are so popular all over the world that most tourists often seek them out first. But, if you want to see a new attraction or try different activities, don’t worry there are plenty of hidden gems worth exploring in the country. Check out this list of lesser-known destinations that you need to add to your itinerary for your next trip to Canada.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Canada is home to many beautiful hidden gems. (Image Source: Pexels)

When it comes to the most popular national parks in Canada, Banff usually tops the list in tourists’ minds. If not, they usually head to Jasper or Lake Louise. While these are spectacular national parks renowned worldwide for their unparalleled beauty, Waterton Lakes National Park is equally stunning. 

It’s located a few hours from Calgary in the province of Alberta, and it’s known for providing a stunning drive that takes people through beautiful mountain scenery. Waterton Lakes National Park is not exactly a hidden gem, but it certainly deserves more attention than it is currently getting as it is overshadowed by other tourist attractions. 

Thunder Bay, Ontario

This town in Ontario boasts of gorgeous natural scenery that makes it hard to understand why it’s not as popular as other major destinations like Toronto. The Kakabeka Falls is the main attraction in Thunder Bay. While not as tall as Niagara Falls, it comes with a beautiful canyon, spectacular hiking trails, and a strong surge of water falling from the mountain above. Other notable attractions near this town include the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ouimet Canyon, and the legendary restaurant Hoito.

While there are many new developments in terms of real estate in this area, Thunder Bay continues to be a hidden gem. But, with many new condos rising in Toronto and the surrounding cities, it’s only a matter of time before this attraction gains more attention from tourists. 

Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County is another hidden gem located on the north shore of Lake Ontario. This area is noted for its rural lifestyle with an urban twist. It has a coastline that is known for its sandy beaches and towering limestone cliffs, and it’s a great destination for those seeking out artisan goods because they will find plenty of antique shops and boutiques in the area. Aside from beaches and artisan products, Prince Edward County also offers other attractions including the Macaulay Heritage Park and The Regent Theatre. 

Okanagan Valley

Located in British Columbia, Okanagan Valley epitomizes what a hidden gem is in Canada. This is a notable destination among wine lovers because this region is filled with stunning wineries and wine cellars. In addition, there are plenty of ski resorts in the area. As the westernmost province in Canada, this valley enjoys warm weather all year round (in comparison to the rest of the country). There is something for everyone here, especially those looking for a laid-back escape.

Fort Macleod

Fort Macleod is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and culture. It is located a couple of hours to the south of Calgary in Alberta. Fort Macleod is a Designated Historic Area within the province, and this alone makes it a worthwhile visit. When you explore the area, you will find many significant Old West buildings that are architecturally preserved. Don’t forget to visit the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Badlands in Saskatchewan

The province of Saskatchewan in Canada is home to a variety of natural gems, and the Badlands is one of them. If you want to experience the beauty and vastness of the region, there is no better destination than this. In particular, you will find unique land formations such as caves and buttes. Aside from the natural beauty of the Badlands, Saskatchewan also has an interesting indigenous history. You can explore the same cliffs and caves that the bandits and outlaws from the earlier days of Saskatchewan once roamed around in. 

The province is also home to another notable destination – the Dinosaur Provincial Park. This park is noted for having the richest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world.

Churchill is home to polar bears in Canada. (Image Source: Pexels)

Churchill Polar Bears

Churchill in Manitoba is known as the world’s polar bear capital. This is only one of the few settlements in the world wherein you can observe wild polar bears. You can go on a tour to see polar bears in their natural habitat, or you can stay in a wilderness lodge and enjoy the experience of having polar bears right outside your doorstep. Either way, this is an opportunity of a lifetime that you simply cannot pass up. 

Aside from the polar bears, there are a variety of wild animal species that you can spot during your time in Churchill. Some of them include bison, elks, whales, and more. As a bonus, you might also get to see the Northern Lights at night!

Plan your next adventure to Canada by exploring these hidden gems! 

Cooling down after long bike rides

Cycling is a wonderful way of getting the blood pumping, exercising, and losing weight. And, the best part about it is the fact that there are so many other benefits included as well. You get to be outdoors, you can travel in style, and you get to go off-road and experience many different surroundings. Long bike rides can be the perfect way to spend beautiful summer days, and they can change your life for the better. 

If you’re going to get the most out of exercise and bike riding then you need to embrace it the correct way, and look at techniques that will help you to approach this properly. That means you need to look at what you can do to warm up efficiently, but you also need to be sure you are cooling down correctly afterward in order to look after your body and ensure you are making the right decision to get the best results from this. 

There’s a lot of thought that goes into staying hydrated whilst pushing those pedals, but sometimes ensuring you have something to drink out of when on your journey won’t help your recovery when you’re off the saddle. Let’s take a look at some of the ways to ensure your down time is pain free. 

Why You Need to Cool Down

Now, there are a lot of things you should consider with this, and you need to work out the best ways of being able to make the most of the cycling experience. There are a couple of key reasons why you need to cool down after the fact. The first one is that you need to help your muscles and body get back to some degree of normalcy, as well as removing waste products from the muscle, and helping the blood to circulate more effectively. It’s also important for allowing you to mentally calm down after a long workout, which can often be just as important.

Easy Pedalling

One of the best ways of being able to cool down and get your body ready for normality after your workout is to do 4 or 5 minutes of easy pedalling after your ride. This is really important because you need to keep your body moving and active, but not in a strenuous sense. If you just stop completely this can cause your muscles to seize up and become sore. In order to avoid this, some easy pedaling can really go a long way toward helping with this, and it’s something you should look to get right as much as possible. 

Don’t Stretch Just Yet!

Make sure you think about the right way of being able to take this to the next stage, and help your body recover. Now, one of the biggest mistakes people make with this is that they stretch right away after finishing, but this is not the right approach. The state of your muscular tone and central nervous system can mean that immediate stretching is not the best idea. It might well cause you to feel a little off, as well as making your muscles sore. Instead, try to make sure you wait at least three hours before you actually attempt static stretching. And make sure you have a stretching routine in mind before you start; research the best possible warm-down stretches to help get your body back up to regular working order as much as possible. 

Get Your Shower Just Right

You might not think it, but the temperature of your shower can actually play a massive part in the process of getting this right. You have to make sure you do your best to work on improving your approach to cooling down, and a shower can be just what the doctor ordered. However, you also need to think about what you can do to make sure you get the temperature just right. Sometimes you just want to have a nice, hot, comfortable shower, and this is a good way of bringing out all the aches in your body. But, the best way of helping your sore muscles is to go for what is known as a contrast shower. This is where you use blasts of hot and cold water intermittently for 15 seconds all over your body. Repeat this about 10 times for the best possible results. 

Long bike rides are good for the body and soul, and there are loads of great benefits to this. You have to make sure you do as much as possible to find the right ways of enjoying a successful bike ride and exercise regime. The more you can do to make the most of this, the better it is going to be in the longrun. This is something you need to keep in mind moving forward. Try to come up with ideas that will help you here, and use these tips to make sure you are cooling down as effectively as possible right now. 

My antiracism commitment

I’ve been writing this blog since last Monday, and although I’m not yet ready to articulately lay out my thoughts after a few days of learning and conversation I wanted to let you know that I’ve been working towards progress behind the scenes.

I’ve waited to address this publicly because words and social posts can be empty, and the action we need to take can’t afford to be pushed along on a bandwagon. I needed to be sure of what I was saying and how I was saying it, and most importantly, to be sure of how to act.

I still have a lifetime of learning ahead but I am starting to be aware of how to begin.

I’ve been aware of my own white privilege for years and have been determined to put that privilege to good use, but am only now conscious of just how complicit inaction makes me when it comes to race and racism.

A few years ago I founded a community called the YesTribe, which despite all good intention has grown as a majority white community.

I’m lucky enough to have a number of friends who lead ethnically and racially diverse communities and businesses. Very few of them are white.

But many have been very kind and patient these last few days, as I sought advice on the best way to activate my small platform.

As a group that encourages people to develop their relationship with nature, the lack of diversity in the YesTribe echoes the same issues in the adventure and outdoors space.

So we’re going to do something about this, starting with the following steps:

1. To create a growing resource for our community to educate themselves on race and racism

2. More talks, interviews and discussions with experts and role models, and a diversity platform to encourage people of all backgrounds to explore nature

3. Live private video calls, not recorded, to further discussion within the YesTribe about the actions we can take against racism. (Please see the events list at the top of the YesTribe group on Facebook)

4. This is small fry, but we’ve started an anti racism section in our YesTribe library on the YesBus, with active reading days on the bus when the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic begins.

I run the YesTribe voluntarily with a team formed entirely of those who have put their hands up over the years.

This team needs to grow and diversify. If you would like to contribute please drop me a line. Our arms are open to everyone.

Learn by Doing

We’re surrounded by endless information, recommendations, advice pages and thought pieces. The blogosphere is now the home of people sharing how they do, learn and master the various skills that give them professional and personal success.

My recommendation, thus adding to the mix, is to read away but don’t ever think you’ve got a handle on what grabs you until you do it yourself.

I was rubbish at school. I didn’t understand how I could possibly learn anything by sitting behind a desk, whether it was geometry at 11, business studies at 16 or Uganda’s political stability at 22. I was behind a desk expected to trust the opinions and findings of others. I didn’t. I wanted to get out there.

I’ve only ever learned by doing. I know how to paddle a river because I went and paddled a river, splashing around in a lake beforehand didn’t teach me what I needed to know. Neither did reading Don Starkell’s Paddle to the Amazon or watching eskimo rolls on YouTube.

I’ve learned how to lead expeditions and campouts because I’ve set up expeditions and campouts and invited people to join me.

I’ve become a public speaker because I’ve spent hundreds of hours on stage.

Theorise about wind capture as much as you like but it’s just a notion until you’re getting pulled across the surface of the planet by a kite.

Love poems? They’re lovely, but you only know when you truly know.

Best way to learn how to swim? Forget the deep end, jump in a river and swim for two months. After four full days in the water my skin started to secrete extra oils, it thought I was becoming a fish. No more prune fingers, isn’t that incredible?!

I’ve only realised when I’m not capable of something by trying to do it. But at least now I can explain why I failed.

I’ve learned to question everything I’ve ever read by someone else (I expect you to be questioning this, right now).

I’ve read hundreds of books and seen just as many films and while they’ve given me ideas and inspiration, they haven’t taught me a thing.

I can’t recall one lesson a teacher told me at school that actively contributes to the way I live my life now.

So for all the vulnerability that Brene Brown can push our way, for all the business savvy shared by Seth Godin and for the brilliant awareness-raising of the importance of creative education by Ken Robinson, they are just things that other people know (or think they do).

Their ideas are not ours. And neither are their skills.

Yet.

Give yourself a platform to gain primary information about how something works, feels and plays out in your own life.

Simply getting somebody else’s opinions doesn’t mean you truly understand them, that only comes with living them yourself.

Enlightenment comes in the field, not in a comfy chair with the stories of others.

Go and practice. Do. Act. It’s the only way to transform clichè into comprehension. And until you have your own examples of life to base your understandings on there’s no need to pretend you’re the embodiment of everything you aspire to be and represent. You don’t need to, you’re on a path and that’s ok.

Be patient but act at the same time — patience is not stagnation.

Just as watching lots of films doesn’t make you a brilliant filmmaker, spending hours on TED doesn’t give you 17 minutes on the biggest stage of your life.

You can’t read yourself into becoming a better person, but you can move yourself towards being one. You won’t be happy reaching your death bed talking about the books you read, go live as though you want to write one yourself.

A Squirrel's Choice

I saw a picture online of a tiny picnic table, perfect in form and ratio, just small, for squirrels.

Seeing as I was staying in a place surrounded by squirrels I went outside, found some wood and made a small table.

I expected the squirrels to come in their droves, just to hang out in front of a motion sensor camera.

Perhaps it was because I placed the thing to the top of a five foot log store, but no squirrels visited. Some small birds. But no squirrels.

I made another table and attached it to a half foot stump. This was definitely within reach - and eyesight - of squirrels.

I even put some nuts on there.

Still no squirrels.

It struck me after days of waiting for that perfect moment that the best way to ensure a squirrel would oblige with my fantasy would be to make so many tiny picnic tables that they covered the entire field.

But then, not discounting the time this would take, would it be as satisfying as seeing a squirrel choose to dine at one of my few creations?

No, it wouldn’t.

I think that’s why I take my time when creating something new. I relish that rare sight of seeing someone reading my book on a tube in London, or knowing that just 500 people on this planet chose to come to a festival my friends and I created.

In the first month my new podcast had just over 1000 listens. That’s not even close to groundbreaking, but it felt good. My podcast is the most popular podcast in the UK, if you don’t include the 10,000 other podcasts that people enjoy more than mine.

I’m never going to aim for the top of a chart but seeing as I’m not famous, don’t have an agent or a publisher or a publicist, and knowing that word of mouth only travels when the subject deserves it, the chances of someone hearing about my blog or talk or book or podcast is minimal.

Which makes a person’s choice to consume one of these things very special indeed.

That is my thrill. That’s what I work for. The satisfaction of an intimate, personal choice.

So I’ll not cover the land with tiny picnic tables. Instead, one or two (or maybe three) will be enough.

And one day, when the squirrel visits, the wait will be worth it.