I awoke to the sounds of countless cockerels in the gardens of the homestay. The day started with a noodle breakfast overlooking the Mekong. There seemed to be some cloud cover ahead and I wondered whether it would be slightly cooler today. No sooner had I thought this, the sun burned through the clouds and it was once again, sweltering.…
I flicked the lightswitch next to my bed in the hotel. The light did not turn on so I panicked, not because I was afraid of the dark, but I was on the fifth floor of the hotel and today was my day of departure. I was facing carrying all four panniers bags and my bicycle (still in the box)…
My flight from Heathrow landed into Guangzhou, China, at 17:55 local time, or 09:55 London time. I'd slept intermittently on the flight and watched an excellent film called Wilder People starring Sam Neill. It's about the adventures of a boy and a man in the New Zealand bush and had me laughing out loud which I always think is a…
It all started with a freakishly promising weather forecast in one of my favourite places in the world – Snowdonia. The last weekend of October wouldn’t ordinarily be associated with good weather, but this weekend was different, so Dave and I decided to plan a weekend of adventure in North Wales. We left early on Saturday and arrived into Betws-y-Coed…
I’ve only ever owned two vehicles, my trusty 2001 Fiat Punto (that I reluctantly sold for £130 after many adventures – it was all very emotional), and now a Nissan NV200 black van. The Nissan is a great little van, perfect for filling with cycling and climbing kit for adventure weekends, and incredibly fuel efficient – it’s a match made…
First Aid Courses have been an integral part of my life as an instructor and leader in the outdoors. In order for my outdoor qualifications to be valid, it is a requirement that I hold as a minimum, a Rescue & Emergency Care Level 2 first aid certificate. This certificate lasts for three years and explores the skills and develops…
I got a taxi to the metro at Kartel which was undoubtedly the most dangerous thing I’d done in the last year. This was the second taxi I’d used since arriving in Turkey and unfortunately I was still in the UK habit of getting in the back seat, clutching the seatbelt and expecting there to be something to fasten it…
I’m sat on a plane on my way to Istanbul, my sister moved over there a few years ago and, despite my travelling lifestyle, I haven’t visited her once. I am a terrible brother (and uncle!), but better late than never. My 35th birthday is next week and for the first time, I’m paying some attention to what it all…
Learning to ski has been on my bucket list for longer than I can remember. Having not learned as a child or on a school trip, I’ve been consistently putting it off for a long time. I’d spent countless days mountaineering all around the world, in both summer and winter conditions, so this was a really exciting step and I…
Driving to the Alps has always been a hugely popular way for Brits to access the snow and ice of Europe. With regular ferries and Channel Tunnel crossings daily, it has never been easier to get onto to the continent. The actual costs of doing so however depend largely on when exactly you wish to travel and how long you…