What is happiness? I'm sure we all have a different take on that. But something philosophers have pointed to for centuries - is that Happiness is a state of mind. It isn’t something handed to us by external circumstances, nor is it something that can be permanently...
We seem to live in a time where more and more people feel dissatisfied with life. At the same time, gratitude has become a bit of a buzzword—something we’re told we should practice because it’s “good for us.” And there’s truth in that. Genuine gratitude has a...
"We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them." ― Epictetus The most powerful story in your life isn’t the one others tell about you - it’s the one you quietly repeat to yourself every day. Your life is,...
Why we need to be outdoors to fix the world (and ourselves) We are living in changing, challenging times, with new issues surfacing constantly: Mental health problems are rising (with rapidly rising rates of anxiety & depression, 1 in 5 young people in the...
Feel better by changing your focus. You don’t need to change your life to change your mindset—just change what your brain is looking for. Your brain has a built-in filter, the Reticular Activating System (RAS). Think of it like a spotlight operator in your...
THE BEST WALKS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT I guess it's no big secret but The Lake District provides some amziong walks and infact some of the best walks to be found anywhere in the UK. Located in northwest England, the Lake District National Park is famous for its dramatic...
When the weather is good you can get absolutely epic 360 views from the summit of Robinson in the Lake District and you feel like it's the centre of the Lakes. You can spot all major Lake District summits including Helvellyn, Great Gable, Pillar, Scafell Pike,...
The view from Sharp Edge in it's full winter coat giving epic views over Scales TarnSometimes the best decision in the hills isn’t to push on, but to respect the conditions and turn back I’ve climbed Blencathra more times than I can count, and the route via Sharp Edge...
Sleep is not a luxury - it's a necessity In a world that celebrates productivity, hustle, and constant availability, sleep is often the first thing we sacrifice. Late nights, early starts, scrolling in bed, work stress, caffeine dependence – all of it quietly erodes...
I recently watched Perfect Days, an Oscar-nominated film that, on paper, felt exactly like my kind of story. I expected to be moved in obvious ways — to be handed clear, quotable wisdom. Something I could point to, pull out a quote, and say, that’s the message. But...
SUTTON BANK - A PERFECT SPOT FOR SOME EPIC YORKSHIRE WALKS Sutton Bank, perched on the edge of the North York Moors, is one of the most spectacular starting points for a walk in Yorkshire. Rising sharply above the Vale of Mowbray, it offers instant drama and sweeping...
Saunas have been used for thousands of years, from Finnish smoke saunas to modern infrared cabins. What was once simply a way to relax and socialise is now backed by a growing body of science showing that regular sauna use can have profound benefits for physical and...
Lago di Sorapis Hike – All you need to know The Dolomites in northern Italy are home to countless alpine wonders, but few have captured the imagination of hikers and photographers quite like Lago di Sorapis. Known for its surreal turquoise waters, this glacial lake...
The Italian Dolomites are an absolutely epic place and for any hiker it as to be on your travel bucker list. I'd always wanted to visit the Dolomites and on my first short trip I managed to tick off everywhere I wanted to see on this holiday that had been on my travel...
The surprising number of biological and psychological benefits of woodland air Ever walked through a woodland and breathed in that unique smell of the fresh forest air and thought it feels pretty damn good? Well you are intuitively onto something... Walking through...
A Gentle Walk from Skelwith Bridge to Elterwater Village via Elterwater Perfect for kids, Pushchairs, Wheelchairs, and those with mobility issues An epic walk with superb Lake District views doesn't always have to be about strenous hikes and if you're looking for a...
For years, the number 10,000 steps per day has been the gold standard for daily activity. But in recent years, research has shown that you may not need to hit that high number to enjoy the health benefits of walking. In fact, 7,000 steps per day may be the new sweet...
WHAT AN ADVENTURE THIS WAS - I FOUND 'THE BEACH' - SCOTLAND STYLE! I'll keep this post brief, as I made a promise to a local guy I came across on one of these remote beaches who asked "please don't share this location on facebook!" So I won't - some places deserve to...
Heart Rate Variability, or HRV, has been gaining attention in recent years among athletes, wellness enthusiasts, and healthcare professionals alike. A lot of smart watches also now allow you to track it. But what exactly is HRV, why does it matter, and — perhaps most...
Old Man of CONISTON Walk: THE BEST WAY TO HIKE THIS ICONIC PEAK from Coniston Village in the Lake District The Old Man of Coniston is one of the most iconic fells in the Lake District National Park. Rising to 803 metres, this majestic peak towers above the...
5 of my favourite walks in Northumberland Northumberland is a hidden gem in the UK, offering a landscape that is as diverse as it is breathtaking. The county is home to rugged coastlines, with miles of untouched beaches that stretch into the horizon, where the...
In a world that is constantly switched on — notifications buzzing, feeds refreshing, noise everywhere — isolation is often seen as something to avoid. If you happen to be on your own - the temptation is to reach for someting that will distract, often a phone, usually...
Easington Beach is a stunning stretch of the rugged County Durham coastline - and unless you are from the area - you probably won't have heard of it or seen it online before! THE COUNTY DURHAM COAST - A HIDDEN GEM The County Durham coast offers breathtaking scenery,...
Admiring the views of Thrunton Woods from Coe Craggs - my favourite viewpoint on this walk!Thrunton Woods walk near Alnwick If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and take a step into the wild beauty of the Northumberland countryside, Thrunton Woods...
I recently listened to a podcast by Rangan Chatterjee with Brian Mackenzie (How your breath affects the way you burn fat - The importance of a daily 45 walk with your mouth shut) - and it mentioned the benefits of nasal breathing whilst walking and it made me realise...
WILD CAMPING IN THE LAKE DISTRICT & ENJOYING THE SIMPLER THINGS IN LIFE Wild camping in the Lake District is an experience unlike no other that immerses you right in the heart of nature, offering a rare sense of freedom and break from the modern world in a simpler...
The Perfect camper van spots This is a rather short post in terms of text - but I wanted to collate some of my favourite camper van spots in the Lake District & Yorkshire to illustrate the freedom to be found in these stunning national parks. Now...
The serene and relatively unknown Harrop Tarn, surrounded by pine trees and perched 300m above Thirlmire, which is just a short walk from the car parkHarrop Tarn - a hidden Lake District gem Harrop Tarn is a secluded and picturesque mountain tarn nestled in the...
Simonside Hills are an excellent walk no matter the weather, but in the winter when the snow lands the area looks extra special and turns into a winter wonderland.About Simonside Hills The Simonside Hills, located near Rothbury in Northumberland, England, are a...
What a stunning area of the Lake District - Loughrigg Tarn in the foreground, Elterwater to the centre left and the Langdale Pikes in the distance. This photo was taken by my drone and the walk is relatively flat with some stunning low level views, made all the more...
Walk more to burn fat Why walking is one of the best forms of exercise to lose or maintain weight Did you know that the humble act of walking can be more effective for burning fat stores in your body than other forms of exercise? Particularly when...
The stunning Blea Tarn from above by drone. How amazing is this place? If you have never been - you have to go! BLEA TARN - a must visit lake district beauty spot! Blea Tarn, nestled in the picturesque Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England, is a...
Lakes in the Lake District - A LAKELAND PARADISE with 16 Major lakes The Lake District National Park in England is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, and its stunning lakes are the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite the name of the 'Lake...
Hiking above the clouds is an amazing experience to behold. A temperature inversion is not a common occurance - but if you know what conditions give rise to them it can help you plan a hike of a lifetime! Read on to learn more WHAT ARE TEMPERATURE INVERSIONS?...
Do you feel like life is just one big endless “to-do list”? And you’ll take some time to be happy at some point in the future? Stop that. It’s futile and you’ll be forever chasing the carrot on the stick I say this because I do it myself (more so in the past) and see...
9 health benefits of Walking in woodlands A lot of us know about the health benefits of walking in general - but did you know about the extra added benefits of walking in woodland settings? Some of us find woodlands a nice environment to walk in, we intuitively...
Dunstanburgh Castle - One of BRITAINS best coastal walks in Northumberland Dunstanburgh Castle, perched dramatically on the rugged Northumberland coast in North Eastern England, is a striking and distinctive medieval ruin with a rich history and makes for an...
Why Walking barefoot is good for you! Walking barefoot or standing on the earth with no shoes on, known as "earthing" or "grounding," is a practice that has gained quite a bit of attention of late for its potential health benefits. These benefits are thought to...
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PLACES IN THE NORTH YORK MOORS TO SEE THE HEATHER IN BLOOM In late summer at the back end of August into September the heather in the North York Moorscblooms with masses of pink carpet everywhere. One of my favourite places to witness and...
This is an excellent shortish walk from Egton Bridge to Beggars Bridge along the River Esk and returning via the Eskdale Way and East Arncliffe Wood with an excellent pub stop at the end (and even half way if you want!) It's an idylic and quiet river & woodland...
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