Here in the northern hemisphere it’s officially summer time, the longest day and shortest night occurring last weekend. The summer solstice. It’s funny how summer begins just as we tip away from the light isn’t it? Although we know there is potential for many weeks of sun and warmth to come, the solstice really marks the beginning of the end; a slow descent towards autumn and the darker months ahead. But, let’s not dwell on that, there is much to be done and adventures to have…

We have been waiting all day. Packing and repacking bags, making sure everything is in its right place. This is the trouble with heading out on an adventure late in the day; there is enough time to let doubt creep in, to make changes to plans and to pack extra bits of kit.

Despite its relatively small size, Mellbreak looms ominously as you approach by road towards Crummock Water. Distinct from the surrounding peaks, it is a solid chunk of rock rising steeply out of the earth, craggy and roughly conical; the shape of a mountain if you were to draw one idly on a scrap of paper. On this sunny Sunday, Mellbreak loomed especially large having warded us away from its summit twice previously and this being our THIRD attempt and probably our final chance to redeem ourselves.

Is there anything better than getting out while the early dawn light is still blue and the land lay in shadow, the day laced with anticipation of the thing you are about to do? An adventure of any kind, any size, it doesn’t matter what or where - you have ignored the niggling doubts, the desire to lay slumbering for a little longer and opted to make the most of another day on planet earth.

I do so love the snow, the precious fleeting gift of winter that allows us to see the world anew - the landscape and everything within made momentarily magical. Celebrating a week of wintry weather in the Lake District.

Last week on our hike around Buttermere, the narrow, craggy ridge leading up to the summit of Fleetwith Pike caught our attention as being a small but rugged mountain that looked fun to climb.

Speaking at this year’s Kendal Mountain Festival with Fjällräven about Slow Adventure and Nature connection in the outdoor industry.

Finding camaraderie and affirmation along the trail on the Fjallraven Classic Uk.

Warming teas and syrups for the colder months ahead

Saying a sorrowful goodbye to our beloved van

Life can feel kind of chaotic sometimes, right? A frantic blur of working, scrolling, hustling, squeezing in some time to get outside if we’re lucky. Society demands that the default is fast, we are told to strive for bigger and better. Each new tech innovation promises greater speed and efficiency - but for what? Where are we going in such a rush and why? What are we missing out on in our hurry as life flashes by in a blur?

We were each sent a pair of Hanwag Banks GTX back in October and have been wearing them on all our hikes and slow adventures since. Join us on a hike in one of our favourite spots to find out how they fared.

The walk started like so many, sat in the van waiting for a shower to pass. We had driven to the Borrowdale Valley for a walk we had wanted to do for while, but the weather was much worse than predicted. Rain pelted the metal roof of our van, clattering loudly like someone rummaging through a tin of nuts and bolts.

12 years ago, me and Emma had recently come back from a hike in the Swedish wilderness that changed almost everything.

We were young and it was right at the start of our journey as outdoors people. The ideaof the northern wilderness captivated our imaginations, it held the allure of a life lived more adventurously, rugged and raw.

An introduction to who we are and what we do...

We share our four favourite tips for nature connection...

We are still writing regular posts about our adventures, nature, conservation, woodworking and woodland crafts but we’ve moved over to Substack. We hope to see you there!

We have a new Podcast! Lessons from the Woods is available to listen to now!

New year, new adventure. This is our first post of 2022 and our first from our new home in the Lake District! We’ve moved here to pursue new adventures and opportunities, read on to find out more…

A week in the woods beavering away making leaky dams and other woody natural flood management features for Sussex Flow Initiative.