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.
Howsham Bluebell Woods and a Favourite Walk
May is the time for walks in bluebell woods. Around York there are a number of beautiful bluebell woods to enjoy as the weather gets warmer. We made the most of a warm mid-week day by leaving work slightly early and heading to a favourite walk round Howsham Woods. You can start this walk either…
Bishop Wilton Re-visited
This is a lovely 5km walk from the pretty village of Bishop Wilton, 15 miles to the East of York. As the start is from the village pub, this is a perfect way to walk off the calories after a pub lunch or to build up a thirst on a summer’s evening. With your back…
Curlew Call Lifts Spirits
On World Curlew Day (21st April) I thought it appropriate to write about my encounters with this beautiful bird. This year I fear I will not hear it’s evocative call, the call of the wild moorland. one of my harbingers of spring. This 2020 spring has me stuck in suburbia, but I have so many…
A Mausoleum and Many Monuments
Yesterday we returned to Castle Howard parkrun for the second time. This is one of the toughest courses I know, with the last kilometre or so uphill. Yesterday it was also into a biting wind. The course designers have done a really good job in showing off all that Castle Howard has to show, with…
Our 500th parkrun
From 0 to 250 in 9 Years Yesterday I celebrated my 250th parkrun and Peter his 200th. In the last 8 years parkrun has become “what we do” on a Saturday morning – we don’t even consider missing one unless there is a very good reason. It has given us friends, helped us discover lovely…
Dollar Glen in Winter
We were visiting family up in the central belt of Scotland last week. The area doesn’t look very promising to outdoor enthusiasts, particularly on a wet and windy winter weekend. Naturally we did our weekly parkrun, on this occasion a return to Callendar Park in Falkirk. It was our second time at this run and we both…
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