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The Pennine Way
This is an introduction to my video diary of the Pennine Way. There are 16 videos to come, each representing my walk per day. This year the Pennine Way is officially 50 years old and I am uploading my experience to share and inspire others to explore!
Enjoy and leave your comments!
The Pennine Way Day 1
The Pennine Way Day 2
The Pennine Way Day 3
The Pennine Way Day 4
The Pennine Way Day 5
The Pennine Way Day 6
The Pennine Way Day 7
The Pennine Way Day 8
The Pennine Way Day 9
The Pennine Way Day 10
The Pennine Way Day 11
The Pennine Way Day 12
Wales Road Trip Video Diary 2013
A video diary of a road trip in the world’s smallest car to North Wales.
Music -“Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” by Jack Johnson (Google Play • iTunes)
Please watch in HD. Enjoy.
.holly.
Image, Instinct and Imagination: Landscape as Sign Language Film
Image, Instinct and Imagination: Landscape as Sign Language
The exhibition, unveiled by Julia Bradbury answers the question Professor Appleton poses at the start of his book: ‘What do we like about landscape and why do we like it?’
Simon Warner’s landscape photography allows visitors to try out their newly acquired skills of landscape interpretation.
Here is a short film about the exhibition held at Royal Geographical Society where geographer Jay Appleton and photographer Simon Warner join forces to explore Jay Appleton’s Prospect-Refuge Theory of landscape appreciation.
First published in his book The Experience of Landscape where aesthetic taste in landscape and landscape art is shown to derive from primitive, hunter-gatherer instincts for viewpoints (Prospect) and shelter or concealment (Refuge).
1st April 2014.
please watch in HD. Enjoy.
.holly.
The Norfolk Coast Article
A trip to the Norfolk coastline will never let you down, whether the sun is shining or the thick ominous clouds are present, it always seems beautiful.
A lot of this coastline is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are various Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation that pass through and protect a variety of flora and fauna, so dogs are meant to be kept on leads.
Holkham is one of my favourite beaches in the whole of England and I believe many others voted it as Best British Beach last year. It must be the perfect mix of golden sandy beaches and the dunes with the protection of a pinewood forest.
This coastal area has two long distance footpaths, they are the Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path, both originating from old Roman roads. I am yet to walk them but maybe this summer.
Off shore windmills are becoming ever more popular and in my opinion I don’t think they are an eye sore at all. It’s just one step closer to green technology and I don’t think they damage the aquatic ecosystem too much. Not as much as other energy sources to say the least.
As the path winds from the harbour down to the beach, it weaves through fields and these are the fields that provide the perfect hunting ground for a variety of birds and you will always spot bird watchers perched up along the way.
When the day comes to an end there is nothing better than sitting on the beach with a sandy bum, some fish and chips, locally caught of course and watching the sunset behind the horizon.
.holly.
Exploring Northern Norway Article
Tromsø in northern Norway is about 400km within the Arctic Circle and most definitely one of the most remarkable places that should be on everyone’s travel list. The lodgings vary from large, contemporary hotels to the rather small Sami tents.
Winter gear we like: Oakley Crescent 2.0 Shell 2l 10k Snow Pant
The days are surprisingly bright even though the sun isn’t present for most of the year. The midnight, crystal clear winter sky does provide the most stunning scenery whether you are expecting the northern lights or not.
There are many activities that embrace the climate found in northern Norway, one not to miss is a dog sledding expedition. The dogs are specifically bred for the minus conditions and enjoy every minute they are running.
The dogs’ high protein, high fat diet is important as they start training around 8 months to maintain fitness up to the age of 13. The silence is broken as soon as they can sense they are about to get harnessed up.
There are many myths about the aurora borealis dating back from the very first arctic explorers who would have never seen or heard of anything like this before. Even though there are many photos available today, there is nothing like seeing them with the naked eye.
For many this will be a once in a lifetime experience and even though the temperature might not be above -21°c being cold shouldn’t be an excuse to go indoors when watching the aurora borealis.
There is nothing more magical than to be wrapped up in merino wool and down filled jackets, not forgetting a thickly knitted hat watching the silent movements of the northern lights.
.holly.
The Suffolk Countryside Article
Constable country is definitely one to visit when exploring the countryside in England. Suffolk is a county that I have known all my life and it never ceases to amaze me.
Harvest is an important time of year in all of England, but especially in Suffolk. The nutrient rich soil provides a perfect base for a variety of crops. The fields look spectacular with all the heston bales lined up neatly, even if one does get left on his own.
I have spent my time growing up in this county, being on farms and learning the rules of the road, well footpaths… and many footpaths in Suffolk resemble the muddy tracks that once upon a time used to be main roads for horse and cart traffic.
Tourists mainly flock to the Suffolk coast where beauty can be found in the variety of buildings placed in the landscape. Even if the weather is moody and the sea harsh against the shore it can still provide vivid experiences for all ages.
There are many artists who have been inspired to draw, paint and create all types of sculptures in Suffolk and Maggi Hambling was one who created this iconic shell on the beach of Aldeburgh.
Away from the shores there are many meadows and pasture lands for grazing animals. The church remains the main feature as the centre of many villages all over the county and the hedgerows grow high and mighty sustaining the hamlet lifestyle for the wildlife as well as the village people.
Being British, we all have the fail-safe conversation starter about the weather. Even in the east of England we have similar talk, however we also most probably have some of the best weather that England has seen and I hope I have inspired many of you to come and visit it for yourself. Why not check out some explorer maps from Ordnance Survey here.
Three great places to stay in Suffolk:
Woodland Retreat Shepherd’s Hut near Brundish
90 seconds Promotional Commonwealth Walkways Film
Here is a 90 second promotional film made for the Outdoor Trust, now the Commonwealth Trust.
The Walkways start and finish at the most important landmark of a town or city. This film shows the different steps in producing and inspiring Commonwealth Walkways around the world including exploring and mapping out the city of Glasgow. As well as the placement of the first marker of the Glasgow Commonwealth Walkway.
Enjoy.
.holly.
2 Minute Swiss Alps Cloud Time-lapse Film
Here is a collection of the time-lapse videos taken whilst in the Swiss Alps. Enjoy.
.holly.
Winter at Chalet Martin Article
Winter this year has and still is, a white wonderland. There have been many opportunities for everyone staying at the Chalet to Ski, Snowboard and carry out many other activities. From neighbouring village Barboleuse, and local town Villars there are tele-cabins taking you up to a variety of pistes.
The Christmas of 2013 was celebrated by decking the chalet with greenery and baubles throughout, and spending time with loved ones. It was a busy environment yet still cosy. The many stories from 35 people, both french and english, made their way around the dinner table as our three course dinner was in progress. The christmas tree this year has seen many guests in and out of the chalet, both long stays and the short. All taking away brand new stories to tell at their next dinner table.
The traditional Boxing day walk was replaced with an afternoon snowshoeing. Many others went Cross Country Skiing or sledging. We all made it back to the chalet where there was a thick hot chocolate waiting. The evening was spent all together playing a variety of games the chalet has in the living room in front of the fire.
For New Year Eve, some dressed up as field mice and some as polar bears and they gathered together and explored the lit up, musical town of Villars. Back at base camp, New Years was seen in singing old lang syne surrounding a glowing amber bonfire, watching the clear, starry sky being lit up with explosions of bright light. With our glasses full of local bubbly we were surely set for the New Year. 2014.
However, the first day of 2014 was spent up a local mountain piste, Roc d’Orsay (2000m). The cold air filled our mind as we took off paragliding. Slowing gliding over the surrounding mountains inhabited by mountain goats and skiers you sure do get a beautiful view. Bring on 2014… .holly.
Holly Brega 