Our first date, over 30 years ago, was a walk up the hills above Osmotherley in North Yorkshire. The hedges were full of sloes and elderberries, so we ended up foraging. Our second date was pricking the sloes for sloe gin and stripping the elderberries for wine making. That was the start of our outdoor adventures together.
This blog has come about because we are both interested in nature and want to share our experiences of beautiful routes, stunning places and knowledge of wildlife.
Whether we are walking, trail running or wild swimming we do it at a steady pace, appreciating the wildlife around us. We do not go in for long distance challenges, just activities that anyone with reasonable fitness should be able to do.
Our articles include some of the wildlife we have seen on the route, so that you know what to look out for and when. The "what to look out for boards" will be updated as we repeat routes. We would love it if people who follow our routes share their sightings with us via our instagram feed.
Enjoy reading.
Arrochar 10k – Race Review
When we moved up to Scotland in early 2021, Arrochar 10k was the first race we entered and I am so pleased we did. This was a simply stunning course, starting at the head of the tidal Loch Long and then going up through forest tracks, down through woods and by a stream and finally…
Walk in the Trossachs
So Good We Went There Twice. Back in March this year we decided to have a week off work and spend some time exploring the wonderful area we had moved to. One of the first walks we did was up from Lendrick Hill, close to Brig O’ Turk. We loved the route so much, that…
Walking and Swimming in Swaledale
Wildflowers and Swim Spots Galore When we go on a holiday we enjoy going somewhere and being able to explore from our base. Upper Swaledale is perhaps one of the best places in the country to do this – stunning walks, either in the valley bottom or across heather-clad tops. A beautiful river, full of…
A Week of Wild Swimming
When the sun shines in Scotland you have to make the most of it, so when the sun came out in July we finished work early and set off for a wild swim. It was too good an opportunity to miss. As it turned out it was the start of a settled spell, so over…
Circular Route near Stirling
Sauchie Crags and North Third Reservoir. This is a short but spectacular circular route close to Stirling which has a variety of habitat, including spectacular cliffs, mixed woodland and banks of North Third Reservoir. It is one of the routes recommended in the book Scottish Trail Running, which I have previously reviewed. As it was…
Strathblane Circular Walk, Stirlingshire
Views, new plants and a lunchtime dip We have a bit of an ongoing joke between us that when I choose the route we end up without a footpath and when Peter chooses the route it is much longer than intended. As it was a hot day in July Peter chose this Strathblane Circular route…
Scottish Trail Running
Scottish Trail Running by Susie Allison What a fantastic Christmas present to receive just before our move over the border. Scottish Trail Running contains descriptions, route maps, elevation profiles and images of 70 great running routes in Scotland, ranging from simple 4km loops near Glasgow up to 48km routes in the Cairngorms. It is laid…
Walk at Lochmaben, Dumfries & Galloway
A Walk that Packs a Punch We discovered this walk from Lochmaben by pure accident – and what a happy accident. This walk has it all: a variety of ecosystems, local history, sculptures, excellent interpretation boards, easy navigation and good access – oh yes and willow tits. This 4 mile flat circuit around Castle Loch…
Beningbrough Hall Walk
In Search of the Jewel of York A favourite walk in the York area is around the perimeter of Beningbrough Hall. This is a lovely route for either a summer evening stroll or a winter trail run, not too long (approx 5km) and finishing at a lovely pub. We most recently ran the route on…
