King Alfred’s cakes (Daldinia concentrica), also known as cramp balls and coal fungus, are a type of inedible fungus. They are most commonly found in broadleaf woodlands. You will see them growing in groups, on dead or dying trees, most often, but no...
Overview County: Berkshire Area: Ashampstead, Yattendon Distance: 7.5 Miles (with optional short cuts) Time: 4hrs Refreshments: Pub, Café and Shop in Yattendon, and farm shop/café near Ashampstead This circular walk shows off the beautiful Berkshire...
County: Wiltshire Area: Savernake Forest, near Marlborough Distance: 11.5 Miles (with optional extensions, or short cuts) Time: 5hrs 30 (this included lots of photo stops, and a picnic stop) Refreshments: Pub and Shop in Great Bedwyn, but none on the...
Guest post by Alan Halewood Alan Halewood is a respected friend, colleague (occasionally – happy for it to be more often!), and one of the UK’s top mountaineering instructors. When he accepted my invitation to share his wisdom and love of Scotland, I...
These two little quirky figures arrived in the post today, along with the cute chameleon. They will be accompanying me on some of my adventures and having some adventures of their own! However, they need a name. I am opening it up to you all to have...
County: Hampshire/Berkshire Area: Ashford Hill, Wasing Place and Brimpton Distance: 7 Miles Time: 4hours Refreshments: Yes – pubs in villages A 7 mile walk in the relatively unknown and quiet countryside of the Hampshire/Berkshire border is perfect f...
The Mountain Training Association (MTA) was set up in 2005 by Mountain Training. It aims to support walkers, climbers and mountain leaders who are working towards a qualification and help those who already have them to further develop their skills. ...
Did you know that you can still practise your navigation skills at home? There are lots of ways you can do this … from simply getting a map of your local area and finding the bearings to certain buildings, to estimating the distance and time it will...
Helicopters, Whirlybirds – What am I talking about? You might have been hoping I meant proper helicopters, but instead I mean the beautiful winged fruit (yes, they are not a seed!) of Field Maple, Ash, Sycamore and Norway Maple. These are the four sp...
In May 2007, Xtreme Everest sent a research team to the summit of Mount Everest and took the first ever measurement of the level of oxygen in human blood at 8400m, on the balcony of Everest. This was the centrepiece of an extensive and continuing pro...