With a trip to Snowdonia planned for next weekend (I say planned in the loosest possible sense – I have not actually planned any routes or where we are camping yet!), I have gone on a bit of an outdoor kit spending spree, inspired almost entirely by @PhilOutdoors kit list and videos from his TGO Challenge.
I love the idea of soft shell jackets – jackets which are nicer to wear and more breathable than traditional waterproofs, yet give you more protection from water and wind than a fleece. It is a combination that sounds brilliant, and I was finally able to put one to the test this month when I was sent a North Face Apex Bionic Soft Shell Jacket to review by Webtogs. Can a soft shell replace a fleece / waterproof jacket combo?
[Disclosure - this jacket was provided by Webtogs for me to give my own personal opinions on it and they have no influence on these views and no editorial control. Webtogs have a whole range of soft shell jackets available on their site]… Read the rest of this entry »
As a kid, I always loved the outdoors. We lived in a house in the countryside with a large garden, orchard and three small fields, and I have memories of being outdoors in all weathers climbing trees, playing soldiers with my brothers (fir cone wars) and creating bmx tracks. Although I do remember going on walks, it was not until I was about 13 that I discovered the joy of… Read the rest of this entry »
After successfully tackling Fur Tor and the wilder parts of Dartmoor the previous day, the plan for the Sunday was to explore the more popular Western moors and Tors (a route lifted almost entirely from Backpackingbongos). We were camping at Langstone Manor, a lovely quiet campsite (with it’s own bar serving pretty decent meals!) tucked on the edge of the moor, so, after consuming some bacon sandwiches, we left the campsite and began the gradual climb onto Whitchurch Common.… Read the rest of this entry »
For various reasons I am a little behind with my weekly list of my favourite outdoor related blog posts, so here is a bumper issue covering the three weeks from 18th April 2011.
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We left Bristol early on Saturday morning (fuelled by bacon sandwiches) to head down the M5 and A30 to Dartmoor in a convoy of three cars (6 people, 1 big dog and lots of car camping kit). During breakfast, I had been updated by @DanSantillo that the hills were still shrowded in mist, and I was a little nervous as the haze covered countryside flew past. Fortunately though, by the time we arrived at the tucked away Lane End carpark, the sun had done it’s job of burning away the mist leaving mostly blue skies and glorious sunshine.…
