The thought of walking 3,000km down the length of New Zealand is equal parts exciting and scary. Exciting because it’s epic, it’s a challenge and it’s my home country. Scary because it’s seriously hard core, it’s epic, it’s a challenge and mentally I worry about it and whether I can do it. I chose New … Continue reading Tackling one of Te Araroa’s dangers – river crossings
Planning, training, skills
Facing my fear of kayaking – and not letting it hold me back from achieving my dreams
I’ve always been a little trepidatious when it came to kayaking. Ever since high school when kayaking in the school swimming pool was a component of PE. Physical education, for a geeky teenager who could barely throw a ball to save herself, wasn’t great at the best of times, but the kayaking class was something … Continue reading Facing my fear of kayaking – and not letting it hold me back from achieving my dreams
Adventure alert: I’m going to solo walk the length of New Zealand
I’m saying it, it’s out there – starting in November, I’m going to solo walk the 3,000km Te Araroa trail down the length of New Zealand. Yip, you heard right. New Zealand, Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud. Lots of walking. The thru-hike (or through-tramp as it’s known in kiwi land) will take around … Continue reading Adventure alert: I’m going to solo walk the length of New Zealand
More volcano adventures coming up
I might have been a bit quiet on the blog front as life has been seriously manic doing DIY ready for the return home of the boyfriend’s father after a 10-month stint in hospital following a bad stroke. But slowly things are returning to normal, or as normal as things can be. Plans, volcanoes and … Continue reading More volcano adventures coming up
Volcano update
Yes, I know, I’ve been a bit quiet on the volcano front. That’s mainly because it’s been, shall we say – slow. Last year’s grand adventure plans were put to the side after I decided it was in my best interests to apply for British citizenship, meaning I technically couldn’t travel – or book travel … Continue reading Volcano update
Ultimate beginner’s guide to walking the Cheviot Hills
Things to know for walking newbies venturing into Northumberland National Park The Cheviot Hills of England’s Northumberland National Park are a dramatically desolate landscape, born out of ancient volcanic activity some 350-400 million years ago when two continents (what is now Scotland and what is now England) collided. Melancholy yet romantic, these slopes, summits and … Continue reading Ultimate beginner’s guide to walking the Cheviot Hills
The pitfalls of preparing for volcano number nine
The bags are packed; map directions sorted. The boyfriend and I are about to set off up to the Scottish border to spend two days walking over the sparse and volcanically formed Cheviot Hills – subsequently bagging volcano number nine in my #40by40 quest. I have to admit, I’m a little excited. All that fresh … Continue reading The pitfalls of preparing for volcano number nine
5 steps to an epic volcano-climbing adventure (without making my mistakes)
Just over two years ago I came up with a crafty idea. I thought, why not set myself the ambitious quest to climb 40 volcanoes by the age of 40 – a feat that needed to be achieved in a five-and-a-half-year time frame? It was a bold, daring plan, borne out of a fascination of … Continue reading 5 steps to an epic volcano-climbing adventure (without making my mistakes)
5 things I learnt from SAS survival legend Lofty Wiseman
“If you ever get lost you need to stand out like a turd on a snooker table.” Those were the words that came out of the mouth of the enthusiastic and wickedly witty septuagenarian who held the audience in rapture. He sat in a camp chair, a wooden walking stick at his side and a … Continue reading 5 things I learnt from SAS survival legend Lofty Wiseman
Plans for volcano number nine
Finally, an update – plans for the next volcano in my #40by40 are coming together. This will tick off volcano number nine (if I include my accidental volcano as number eight). Hurrah! It’s not a volcano on my original list. It’s not a volcano that’s spectacularly tall and grand. It’s not a volcano that breathes … Continue reading Plans for volcano number nine