The Outdoors Station - Audio

We are getting more and more people wanting to support us and making donations towards our hosting and running costs which is greatly appreciated. However, as good as this is, as we invest more into the future plans to produce better and a wider range of podcast and videos, it can be a bit inconsistent. Yes we have been approached for sponsorship and advertising, but this take an enormous amount of admin to service and the independent integrity we strive to maintain, can start to get lost along the way, which isn’t good. So we are now starting a series of text based monthly competitions to win some sexy gear. Please see the website for details.

Megan Cumberlidge has just returned (End October 2016) from this her first long distance 5631km (3519 mile) cycle trip from London to Athens. Not only was it her first cycle trip of this kind, but it also introduced her to her first wild camp and first experience of using Google Translate as a way of introducing herself to people in the countries she passed through. Her schedule was flexible and as you’ll hear she was fairly free to accept offers of assistance and social invitations along the way. This in itself was refreshing to find, as so many of us plan trips without any flexibility in them to allow for ‘luck’ or ‘chance’ to be welcome at our table. Please visit the website for all the links to her various accounts and blog, plus links to the subjects we touch on during the interview.

If you feel like you need a little inspiration today, then this podcast is for you. In May 2016, Nicky Spinks, 49, became only the second person to complete a double Bob Graham Round, that's 132 miles fell run across the Lake District's highest peaks, in a record time of 45 hours and 30 minutes. She’s a down to earth lass and who leads a practical life as a farmer and intends to fill her every moment to the max.

There is a vast selection of Podcast producers now on the scene. Some of whom produce good quality, entertaining material and others who quite frankly, don’t. I wanted to support those who do. Fellow creators who produce ‘the good stuff’ and especially those who produce material I feel will be of interest to my Outdoor audience. More variety, more passion and appreciation of the world around is a good thing right? So this is part one of a new series entitled Recommended Listening and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the Adventure Sports Podcast from the US and the Tough Girl Podcast in good old blighty!

This is a podcast to help you recharge your soul. When you feel that no one may understand your desire to get out more, or get away, or choose a different route in life, or your career, this could open the doors to a gathering happening very soon near London, which could help dust off the cobwebs of your soul and take you down a different path in life. Worth a listen? I hope so.

This is a fascinating chat with Quintin Lake a professional architectural photographer and the latest in a series of personal projects he is undertaking, entitled The Perimeter. As you’ll hear, he has set himself the task of walking around the perimeter of the UK and capturing as he see’s it, the abstract and the unusual images as they present themselves. No set up shots, no military planning, just going with the flow and seeing what jumps out at him at that very moment it ‘clicks’.

Martin Rye is someone probably well known to many in the outdoors social media world, as he is a major contributor to forums, blogs and articles relating to Wild Camping. He joins me for a lovely evenings walk on the Malvern Hills discussing this, his favourite subject, in much more detail and how he feels his relationship with the outdoors is fundamental to his well being and balanced approach to life.

In the beginning of September 2016 Rose set off once again with our Spaniel Pip, along the Pennine Way from Crowden. The place I picked up from, after her first attempt earlier this year which didn’t go to plan as she sustained an injury in a fall at the end of the first day. This podcast covers her trip and fills you in with some of the other news taking place at The Outdoors Station. I also explain how I am getting on with some of the interview suggestions made from people joining out newsletter and as a result, who I will be speaking with very soon.

This is Part 2 of the interview with David Broom, who in Spring 2016 set out to run the length of the Outer Hebrides, a distance of 150 miles south to north. In this podcast we complete the trip and discuss, equipment used and why, safety and the reinvigoration of the soul, a trip like this can reward you with. His purpose was to mainly to raise money for the John Muir Trust but also to reclaim part of his childhood, when as a child this magical place inspired him to become an Ecologist following his first visit as a teenager many years ago. One might think the series of islands to be rugged and undulating. However they are certainly very mountainous and challenging, both in the topography as well as the isolation, which puts the trip as ideal for those with a wild heart. The distance he estimated to be 150 miles and the height gain over the 11 days duration was in the order of 10,000m.

In May 2016 David Broom, a hill walker with a passion for wild places, multi-day trips and wild camping in some of the most remote places in the UK, set off the run the length of Outer Hebrides, a distance of some 150 miles. His purpose was to mainly to raise money for the John Muir Trust but also to reclaim part of his childhood, when as a child this magical place inspired him to become an Ecologist following his first visit as a teenager many years ago. One might think the series of islands to be rugged and undulating. However they are certainly very mountainous and challenging, both in the topography as well as the isolation, which puts the trip as ideal for those with a wild heart. The distance is estimated to be 150 miles and the height gain over the 11 days duration was in the order of 10,000m.

Well not strictly true. We didn't meet THE Lone Ranger, we met A Ranger, who was on his own, so technically he was 'alone' Ranger :) Anyway, pun aside, Richard Eales is a Ranger for Exmoor National Park and we decided to spend some time with him and a few others for a morning on Exmoor tracking and learning more about the wild Deer on the Park during August 2016. Although a simple thing to do, it was fascinating way to spend a few hours with someone who has a great understanding and passion for the animals. The conversation and questions from those attending ebbed and flowed regarding the habits, the relationship with local farmers, the ticks and to some extent, the financial benefits they bring to the area in the form of tourists. See website for the full story.

This podcast is an update with some exciting news about developments on Internet Radio, Podcast distribution and the breakdown of the survey which took place last year. All of which leads to a new website, further news and exciting plans. The start of a new chapter and great things to come!

In June 2016 Rose set off on the Pennine Way. A 270 mile route up the spine in the northern part of the UK through two National Parks which finishes the other side of Hadrians Wall. On this trip she decided to take Pip her 3 year old Springer Spaniel who is up for a walk anytime of day and anywhere. The more muddy the better. However this time the dog was carrying a pack along with Rose and they set off from Edale on an overcast and dreary day. This podcast is all about all the long term preparation, planning which goes into a walk like this and unforeseen circumstances which can suddenly happen and change everything in the blink of an eye.

I didn’t intend to do a podcast on the TGOC 2016, however so many people asked for more information on this years event, that the recorder made it out form the bottom of my rucksack and I started this piece, while sitting at the end of Loch Callater below Jocks Road, recognising this was the last wild camp of the trip. A good weather crossing this year, very few issues with cold, snow and rain. However for me, my mind was elsewhere the first few days as you’ll hear. It has also been a good time to sit and think about the future for The Outdoors Station and our current involvement in the outdoor scene. Changes are afoot! Thanks to all participants who took part in this episode.

So he finally achieved his goal. Over 1000 miles barefoot from Lands End to John O’Groats. The first recorded attempt of its kind in the UK. 38 Days, the whole menu of weather the UK could throw at him and a mixture of experiences and people he will never forget. The third and final podcast in the Barefoot LEJOG 2015 series with Aleks Kashefi.