I’ve been tearing around the Austrian pistes and the Welsh mountains in Odlo’s Blackcomb Evolution range of winter sport underwear, partly made from recyclable materials. I tested out the long baselayer pants (£65) and baselayer shirt (£65). Cosy, comfy and…
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In 2015 veterinary surgeon Sophie Wilford took on the toughest horse race in the world. Modelled on Chinggis Khaan’s postal route across the Mongolian steppes, the Mongol Derby, run by the crazy cats at The Adventurists, involves navigating 1000km of…
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If one of your New Year resolutions is to dust off your bike and go exploring country lanes, woodland trails and shining mountain roads on two wheels then Halford’s fantastic new cycling essentials guide will help you kit yourself and…
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Crackling logs, the smell of canvas, charcoal-like marshmallows burning your fingers… camping is pretty great, isn’t it? If the weather’s looking on the clement side and you’re itching to run for the hills and set up a tent in the…
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It ain’t easy looking good in a blizzard, but help is at hand! These wonder products will help you ski, surf and have slightly blue hair all winter long, without the cracked lips and chapped face. All together now: “the…
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Another summer, another awesome climbing weekend on the stunning Dorset coast. Gavin, Beren, Pete and I headed to the Isle of Purbeck to conquer some rock, indulge in some salty sea swims and try some mental local cider.
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“Gower is a very beautiful peninsula, some miles from this blowsy town… As a matter of fact it is one of the loveliest sea-coast stretches in the whole of Britain.” So wrote Dylan Thomas in letters to his first girlfriend,…
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Another year of travels in the outdoors, and it’s fun seeing which of my Instagram pictures you’ve liked the most – they include some of my favourite places from 2015 – snow-capped Kenyan mountains, Australian desert islands, Swiss glaciers and…
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A totally charming weekend at Groves Cottage in Talybont-On-Usk, one of Brecon Cottages’ handpicked places to stay in the National Park. We curled up by the wood stove, wandered in the woods and drank hefty amounts of mulled wine.
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It’s finally getting a bit chillier out there, isn’t it? If you’re planning to get out in all weathers and walk off all the Christmas toblerones you ate, wrap up in bright waterproofs, tough boots and cosy knitted jumpers. Squirrel…
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Hey wonderful readers! This post isn’t about the great outdoors or my new favourite hiking boots, but bear with me. I recently travelled to the island of Lesvos to write an article, and whilst there I met some of the…
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A few weeks ago I train-hopped my way around Switzerland on assignment for Greentraveller. I took a series of incredible rail journeys, stopping to admire the Christmas markets in Zurich, ski in Les Diablerets and eat my weight in fondue…
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Happy Christmas my dears! Here’s a very nice present for you – you could win a gorgeous pair of Hunter Field wellingtons from Country Attire, perfect for Boxing Day walks and new year adventures.
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Searching for the perfect winter coat? If you’re after a hard-working parka that also feels like wearing a cuddle in jacket form then I’d recommend Fjallraven’s Greenland Winter Parka, £295 – it’s warm, waterproof and a bit of a stunner.
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Wild open spaces and adventures off the beaten track are closer than you think – get inspired to go exploring in Britain this winter with my ideas for cold weather fun over at The Independent‘s travel section, from ice climbing…
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Adventuring in hot and cold climates with the female-specific fit Osprey Talon Tempest 20 litre daysack, £80.
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Mistletoe, wine, last-minute gift panic… It’s that time of year again. And I’m writing this on a train trundling through the snow-clad Swiss mountains, so I am most definitely feeling the festive love. Be everyone’s favourite person by giving them…
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More of my explorations in the Kenyan highlands, including the most beautiful pool I’ve ever swam in, a climb up Hyena Rock, a flower-filled haven of a farmstay and a REALLY big dog named Colonel Lawrence.
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Off on a ski season this winter? You don’t need warm pants, extra scarves or photos of your dog. Trust me, I’ve seen enough emergency care packages get delivered to Cadbury’s-starved seasonnaires to know that if you’re off to work…
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The first post from my adventures in Kenya this summer – photos from a game drive through the wonderful Oj Pejeta wildlife conservancy. This amazing wild place is home to some of the mightiest and yet most vulnerable species on…
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Cycling kit so lovely you’ll be desperate to head out on your bike on sub-zero mornings just so you can show it off. My picks include bargainous jerseys, lustworthy coordinated kit and a jacket that could well save your life.…
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Think making movies takes time, experience or fancy software? Think again. If you own a DSLR, a tripod and a couple of lenses you already have everything you need to find your inner videographer. I headed to the Forest of…
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Fancy becoming the next adidas Outdoor athlete. It’s a more tangible dream than you think. adidas Outdoor are on the hunt for people with dreams of big adventure to submit project ideas that would enable them to #claimfreedom. The winners…
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Get seriously inspired by Angelica Sykes, a British pro snowboarder who is tearing up the mountains are a freerider. I first met the lovely Angelica when we were both seasonnaires in Cervinia, in Italy. She was already getting into boarding…
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My penchant for men’s jackets continues with this pumpkin-orange Arete waterproof jacket, £90 from Sprayway at Blacks. It’s been all the way up Mount Kenya and back with me and we’ve both lived to tell the tale.
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Dublin is well known as a city of friendly folk and really great beer. But it’s also a remarkably outdoorsy place to visit, a cosmopolitan hub nestled within arm’s reach of hills and sea. From foraging in the city centre…
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I’m a huge fan of the #ThisGirlCan campaign, inspiring us all to get fit and explore outdoors. Now Snowsport England are encouraging sport lovers to GO SKI GO BOARD and try their hand at snowsports in the UK. I sent…
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Hiking the Trotternish ridge, eating like kings, sleeping under the stars and getting very wet socks with Skye Wilderness Safaris.
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Rosehips are abundant in British hedgerows in autumn and early winter, and are easily recognisable – fat, bright red buds with spiky black ends. They are a bit of a wonder food – high in vitamins C, A and B…
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Ahh, the simple pleasure of kicking through autumn leaves in welly boots! Celebrate the season by entering Joules’ lovely new competition and design your very own Joules wellies – the winner’s creation will become a beautiful boot, with all proceeds…
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Giddyingup on a ride across Dartmoor on a gorgeous quarter horse called Fred. I met a proper cowboy and everything. Then I wrote about it for Countryfile.com.
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My wonderful and bike-mad mate Mary Spender took a five day cycle trip through Catalonia. Here’s her diary from her time exploring this beautiful part of Northern Spain on two wheels, including pristine beaches, tasty treats and, um, kissing lion…
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Fancy raising your adrenaline levels over your lunchbreak? Watch Finnish adrenaline junkies StuntFreaksTeam perform incredible feats and then edit them into a stunning action video using Dell Technology.
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In my third travel column for The Independent I’ve rounded up some of the world’s most beautiful and unusual swimming spots, from Thai waterfalls (modelled here by the lovely Flo) to Melanesian forest pools and Mexican bat caves. Read the…
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Ahh autumn, the time of mists, mellow fruitfulness and really great jumpers. I am unashamedly in love with all of the season’s sparkler-waving, pumpkin-carving, fire-warming cliches – after all, is there anything more British than a chilly woodland walk followed…
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I’ve found the dream way to get about in busy London – paddling along the Thames. Last week I spent a fantastic day with my mates at Tenderstem® and a gang of active girls trying out standup paddleboarding on the…
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Abergavenny to Hay on Wye and back with the dream cycling team. We took pony selfies, conquered the Gospel Pass and ate our weight in jelly babies.
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I’ve teamed up with wonder vegetable Tenderstem® and the lovely Josh of the Guyrope Gourmet to create a set of easy recipes that celebrate al fresco eating in the beautiful British countryside. If you’re after no-fuss, fresh and healthy food…
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