Intro to us

My husband and I are outdoorsy types - birdwatchers, naturalists, conservationists both at work and in our spare time. Weekends are spent walking, birding, botanising when we can. Our life also seems to centre around holidays - always excitedly planning for the next one be it a couple of nights away or a 3 week trip. Often we're under canvas in one of our trusty tents (recommend Terranova Quasar! http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-spares/all-tents/quasar-tent/). For the past few years our summer holiday has been a big adventure for us - 3 weeks camping in Alaska and two trips to Arctic Sweden hiking and carrying all our stuff for 2 weeks at a time. These are the times when we are able to dedicate our days to the natural world and we totally relax.

Trusty Terranova, Sweden

Stream crossing, Sweden

Cooking in the rain, Sweden



View from the tent, Glen Einich, Cairngorms

In September, we became parents for the first time to a beautiful little girl. This marked the start of a new life as a threesome.  Its a funny thing to happen and we're just starting to get our heads round the fact that we are parents and now responsible adults! But everyday I look at our daughter I wonder and dream of the adventures the three of us will have together. Different adventures to the type we are used to maybe but better and more exciting because we're a family and every experience will be new to her and even in a small way will shape and influence the person she'll grow into.

It is important to us that we try to keep up our outdoor lifestyle and take our daughter along with us. We want to give her as many exciting experiences as possible and expose her to the wonder of the natural world. But I don't mean that we are trying to force her interest in it. It doesn't matter what path she chooses in life. We ask only that she is happy, takes opportunities that are given to her and is kind and respectful to others. She may have no interest in the outdoors or the natural world as she grows up but we hope she has an adventurous spirit which will help her in later life.

But all children love animals - just look at how many toys and books have an animal theme. I love this quote by David Attenborough:

"When people ask me, ‘How did you get interested in animals?’ I reply, ‘How on Earth did you lose your interest in them?’ Every child is interested in animals.”
David Attenborough

Its also well known now that being outdoors has a positive impact on well being and health  http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/355439-just-one-in-five-uk-children-connected-to-nature-groundbreaking-study-finds and scarily, only 20% of children have a connection with nature http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/connecting-with-nature_tcm9-354603.pdf.

I don't what my child to be in that 80%.

So this blog attempts to document some of our adventures, some of the gear we use and where we go. When I was pregnant I looked on the internet for advice on what buggy to buy, how to take kids camping, what baby carrier is best etc etc. Info was hard to find. So I'll post anything I think might be interesting or useful here too.