YesTribe weekly: Young at heart

I’ve seen a good number of members share their adventures with their kids recently, and it makes me think about how different their experiences must be to ours. Kids tend to see the world differently than us adults because they have experienced less and still have a lot to learn – they have innocent minds and wild imaginations! 

When you go for a walk with young children, you often see them in a world of their own – singing to themselves, jumping over cracks in the pavement, walking on the wall, skipping, swinging around posts…you get it! They haven’t a worry in the world and they make a simple path as fun as possible. We take children on adventures because we’re the adult, but what would happen if you let your child lead the way? You might just see the world a bit differently (you also might end up skipping in public..).

Dressed for a worry-free adventure!

Our member, Tea Kay, took her grandchildren for a day out on an adventure walk; 

“We found critters, visited fairies, climbed, ran, hung upside down, played in the sand pit and walked a long long way.”

The little girls looked so happy, walking along tree trunks and posing with fairies! What stood out for me was their outfits – one of the girls was clad in a fluffy pink jumper, a pretty white dress, trainers with glittery straps, and some big pink heart shaped sunglasses! If only everyone dressed like this when on their adventures! With their colourful jumpers and pretty dresses, these girls were fun and fearless in the pursuit of adventure.

This week we also saw Joanne Carr taking her kids kayaking and they decided to jump in the river afterwards, despite having no towels to dry off with. Of course they didn’t care – they just ran around playing until they dried off! 

Having no swimwear or towel is the perfect excuse for an adult to say ‘No’ when someone dares them to jump in the water, but what’s the worst that will happen? Jump in! It’s a small thrill having that sense of letting go, and the other grown-ups will think you’re really cool…honest!

No towel, no worries!

Another member and his dad did in fact decide to act like big kids themselves – while taking a walk through the beautiful New Forest together, James Harper and his dad both decided to take a jump on a rope swing over the stream. Both fully grown adults, having a child-like carefree time.

You don’t have to wait for the kids to be around to act like one – most adults are just big kids acting sensible! When you really let go of your worries, you can let loose and have fun just like James and his dad.

Let go of being a grown-up!

Commit to a better commute

Another trend I spotted this week was people making the most of their commute to work, which is fantastic – many people don’t enjoy their commute, and many more don’t even enjoy their jobs! So why not make the most of that time before you get there, and enjoy the journey.

A good morning can set you up for a better day. When I worked in offices, my morning routine was always the bare necessities – alarm clock, shower, food, outfit, drive to work. It felt monotonous and was never a fun start, it was a chore before the daily grind. But what if you change your morning to include something you enjoy, something you do which makes you feel refreshed or energised before the working day begins? 

Despite feeling tired from his working week, Andrew Postans decided to take a five mile walk before work one day last week, and it made all the difference to his day;

A better view for the morning coffee

This view is something I would normally enjoy on a day off! Sitting by the river with a coffee looks much more appealing than sat on my living room sofa dreading the commute! Your view and commute before work does tend to set you up for the day, so if you can change your environment or routine, you will change the way you feel when you start work. Even if it just means having breakfast in the garden instead.

A few of you have also been getting the bikes out before your working day – Nick Withers said he felt great for finally ditching the work van to commute by bike instead, and Scott Wallis enjoyed a bike ride around a reservoir before work, plus he also met up with a fellow YesTriber for a river walk! 

Taking a bike ride or walk before work – or TO work – will make a whole lot of difference to the way you feel before you start your working day. It gives you energy, a sense of freedom, the exercise improves your mood, and that fresh air will fill your soul with the good stuff!

If you need a little boost before work, say yes to something different in your morning routine!

Start the day refreshed

Wild Camping: Leave No Trace

After months of restricted movement the countryside has become an escape for many, but if you’re thinking of a camping trip please keep nature and future visitors at the forefront of your mind.

We’ve all seen post-lockdown images from beaches, woodland and even national parks; litter strewn around, abandoned tents, empty booze bottles, plastic bags and scorched ground courtesy of one-use BBQs.

There’s an enormous difference between heading off on a camping holiday and enjoying a quiet wild camp, and they’re best summed up by three little words: Leave No Trace.

The YesTribe was born out of wild camping, a low-level way to commune with nature. From the off we’ve stressed the importance of responsible camping and leaving no trace, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t just about removing all signs of the previous night’s camp.

England sadly doesn’t boast the Allmansratten or right to roam that is commonplace in Scotland, Scandinavia and several other European countries,, so wild camping needs a little extra thought.

Of course, there’s more to acceptable wild camping practice than carrying out waste and avoiding campfires. A ‘trace’ can also be psychological, it’s not just about litter.

We’ve always encouraged a respectful, positive attitude, limiting the likelihood of encounters with passers-by, hikers or morning dog walkers by choosing an off-the-beaten track spot for a camp. If you do encounter someone, bid them a hearty hello and “good morning!”

The size and appearance of a camp also has a big impact on those who happen upon the area. We’ve always banned tents from traditional wild camps, they’re bigger, more visible, leave a larger footprint and give the impression of a more permanent camp. A walker can’t comfortably engage with a human who is inside a tent, whereas a bivvy bag or hammock is a lot less intimidating.

Every engagement a person or group has while camping contributes to the overall reputation of wild campers in general, and anyone choosing to venture outdoors should act as an ambassador. Yes, there will be idiots who trash a woodland and walk out without thought of their remnants, but it doesn’t take much to plan an enjoyable, respectable wild camp.

Although wild camping isn’t strictly legal in many parts of the UK, there’s a chasm between an impromptu rave and a couple of friends hiding away in search of a peaceful night beneath the stars.

The National Trust are keen to distinguish between discreet wild campers – who pitch late in remote locations and go early without leaving any trace of their presence – and larger groups camping in inappropriate places and leaving behind rubbish. [Guardian, 19 July 2020]

While there’s no set guidebook for how officials or members of the public will respond to discovering a group of wild campers, there’s a growing sense of proportionate reaction. Act responsibly and you’re less likely to be found or moved on.

Here are an easy-to-follow set of suggested guidelines for wild camping in England:

Rule One: If you’re wild camping and nobody finds you, or would know you’d been there after you’ve left, you’re doing it right. They call it stealth camping in North America for a reason.

If you can, ask permission from the landowner. If asked by a landowner to move on do so with respect and without argument

Avoid any areas likely to be considered ‘peak’ destinations. Join wild camping groups and get a feel for where is acceptable and not.

Find a remote location, away from main tracks, houses and farms.

If you’re heading into an unknown remote location, consider downloading an app like OS Locate to ensure you can always pinpoint your location.

Pitch camp late - just before dark - and leave at first light.

Minimise numbers of campers in your group.

Keep your camp low-level and unintimidating. Try to stick to bivvy bags and hammocks. If you have a tent, ensure it’s a natural colour and make an extra effort to hide away.

Don’t assume everyone knows how to camp responsibly. If you encounter inappropriate campers, call them out. Educate them on the spot if you feel comfortable enough to do so. Don’t publicly or online shame, just educate. Education is the key, if they knew it, they’d likely not be doing it.

Use a proper camping stove (not a portable BBQ) for cooking. Don’t light a campfire or use portable BBQs without permission. Scorched earth isn’t just a visible stain, there’s potential damage to habitat, insect life and underground fires to consider.

Use tree straps for a hammock.

Do not use soaps or detergent for washing in streams, lakes or rivers.

Maintain the peace by being as quiet as possible during your camp.

Don’t remain in the same spot for more than one night.

Toileting should be well away from any water source or path (30 metres minimum). Carry paper and sanitary products out with you, do not bury.

Do not dig drainage ditches, move rocks or cut down trees. Avoid trampling plants, wild flowers or causing damage to your surroundings.

Avoid a disposable mentality. Buy sustainable, well-made gear and look after it. It’ll last longer, give you more pleasure and will save you money in the long run.

If you like the idea of a more comfortable, traditional camping experience, book into an official campsite.

Act responsibly. It’s the irresponsible behaviour that gets the bad press but everyone gets tainted with the same suspicion. Please don’t ruin the wild camping experience for anyone - or anything - else.

Lastly, LEAVE NO TRACE. Carry out your equipment, food scraps and litter. Leave your camp site as you found it.

If you like the idea of wild camping responsibly but haven’t yet done it yet, join a group with an experienced leader. Outside of the pandemic The YesTribe lead regular wild camps and have regional groups all over the UK.

YesTribe weekly: Early risers

It’s been a beautiful and busy week on the tribe! You guys have been introducing yourselves, sharing your stories, asking for recommendations for places to go and things to do! I love seeing people come together for ideas, encouragement, and making new friends.

Take a dip before your morning coffee

You’ve also been putting me on a guilt trip this week, posting about all your early mornings! As I’ve mentioned before, I struggle with early mornings, however I do still make a point of having them occasionally as it is one of the best times of day to be awake. There’s nothing quite like having the world (almost) to yourself to enjoy and appreciate.

You’ve been getting up early to catch the sunrise, go canoeing, and have a wild swim – Debs jumped in the sea before grabbing a coffee, Andy was up at 6am for a swim in the river, and Karen got up for an early dip in the sea before heading back to snuggle up and watch an inspirational film! This all sounds like a perfect soul-cleansing way to start the day.

Don’t hold back

Don’t let injury or age hold you back

Something I have seen a few times this week is people sharing that they have difficulties with their health or life in different ways which can hold them back from doing things. What I have also read is that despite their circumstances – whether it’s an injury or illness, age, life complication, or even just bad weather – these people do what they can and don’t give in to a sedentary life. They find a way or do it anyway.

It’s good to show what you can do despite the things which could easily hold us back, and it encourages others too! Sometimes I’m feeling either a bit deflated, unfit, hopeless, or simply unmotivated, and I know if I see someone post about what they have been doing despite their holdbacks, that I will get that “Yes!” feeling again.

Doorstep delights

A member posted this week that she had moved somewhere new and that this place had everything she loved on her doorstep for her to do. So many people commented on Liz’s post giving her positive vibes, but also asking where she had moved to. Even I scrolled through the comments to find out where her secret dream location was! A little while later, I thought again about this post and the interest it gained – we were all so excited by what Liz had said she had on her doorstep, that I failed to realise what was on my own.

What can you enjoy on your doorstep?

When you see other people’s lives, you spot things you admire and/or desire, and I think we often forget that other people may just look at our lives and do the same! 

Seeing Liz’s new location with all these wonderful things available nearby, it made me think about what was available to me where I am. Sometimes I think the familiarity of our homeplace can give the feeling of being monotonous. This feeling can cloud our vision and we lose a good perspective on what’s around us.

You may not have everything on your doorstep, but take a look on a map or a guide for local information, or even try just 1 hour further afield, and you may find escapes and adventures are closer than you thought.

YesTribe Weekly: Wild Waters

We all find different ways of feeling refreshed and putting a little adventure into our day, something to take you away from it all for a short while, and for some people in this group recently it has been wild swimming!

One member of the YesTribe posted this week that she had said yes to a sea swim despite the less than perfect weather, and I loved this! There are days when the weather is cold, windy, grey, rainy…but we still have that need for a little refreshing activity in nature, and let’s face it – the sun doesn’t always shine.

Of course, I admit, when the weather is what we often refer to as ‘miserable’, I do sometimes decide to have a cosy day indoors and watch the world outside the window! But most often, if I need nature and the weather is less than perfect, nothing stops me and I take myself out to enjoy the elements. 

My partner once picked me up from my place of work – an office at the time – after a bad day and he drove me to the beach. We stripped to our underwear as we had no swimming stuff, and raced each other into the water for a chilly swim, then drove home wearing nothing but our massive hoodies which we had in the van as we had no towels either! It was totally spontaneous – he knew I needed it, and god did it make us happy. I totally forgot about my bad day.

Enjoying the elements

I remember swimming in rivers and lakes on so many camping trips as a child, and they were the best holidays! It was so exciting to jump into the water in the middle of nature, or walk down streams just to explore and see where they lead! One of our members, Emma, ended up going for a wild swim this week after being invited by another YesTriber, and decided to take her kids too!

I think this kind of thing is just awesome for kids – there’s something magical about releasing them into the wild, so to speak! The magic of nature, the freedom, the escape, the fresh air and fresh water! I think kids benefit massively from spending time in nature and it’s so great to see them exploring and enjoying the elements.

The kindness of strangers

I read a post this week which was asking members to remember times when a complete stranger had helped them during their travels or adventures.

Sue Wallace spoke of two occasions on her travels where some kind strangers had insisted on helping her – these strangers had invited Sue into their family home when she had been stuck for a place to stay in a different country, and they asked for nothing in return. On one occasion, Sue chose to walk two hours with the stranger’s son to help collect water, and realised the scale of their generosity where a family who did not have much, still shared what they had with her.

People who have little, still give kindness

The truth is, adventures are not always smooth sailing. There are times when things do not turn out as planned or you end up a little stuck. Although we often deal with the situation the best we can and try to smile through it, there is nothing more comforting than the kindness of a stranger to relight your spirits! 

When you are stuck somewhere unfamiliar or in a situation where you can’t move forward (we’ve all had a puncture and no repair kit at some point…right?) and a stranger approaches to help you, it just lights you up inside I think. These people make everything so much better at times when we don’t expect it, and at times when we need it.

If you see someone who looks lost, stuck, or even sad – try to offer something, whether it’s a favour or just a friendly smile. You don’t know how much of a difference you could make to that person’s day.

YesTribe Weekly: No adventure too big or too small

When it comes to adventures, I’m comfortable saying that we’re pretty highly qualified as a group. From dancing to hiking, kayaking to knitting, climbing mountains to baking cakes – we’ve got a lot of areas covered in the adventure department!

We had a post from one of our members this week who said she had been taking part in some of her own little adventures with her kids in the form of some wild swimming and stand-up paddle boarding. Jane shared that one of her memorable conversations from last year’s Yestival was based around the thought that our adventures are what we perceive them to be, which I entirely agree with and think is very important. Jane explained;

“Your adventures don’t have to be huge or outrageous to be life affirming”

We should all remember this whenever we have those little self-doubting thoughts that make us feel like what we are doing is not as great as what someone else is doing – some people need to climb mountains, some people just need to feel the grass under their feet, but whatever gives you that sense of excitement or makes you feel alive, it doesn’t matter what it is – it matters what it does for you.

Daylight robbery

This week saw the summer solstice, and a few of you captured some beautiful photos. The sun has a way of creating some of the most beautiful views, right? One of our members, Helen, managed to get herself up at 4am to greet the rising sun on the day of the summer solstice – that’s dedication in its finest form! And what a beautiful reward she got for her effort.

Sunrise

The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, which means we get the most daylight before the days start getting shorter again. We all love the sunshine and I think many people feel like the day is over when the sun has gone down but, as the saying goes, life is what you make it.

I have had to remind myself many times that the day isn’t over when it gets dark. Sometimes I feel like this because I want to enjoy being outdoors in the daylight as long as I can, and when it gets dark I feel like a kid who has been told to come indoors by my mum! I sulk, basically (I hope this isn’t just me..!). However, when I change my mindset, I can enjoy the darker evenings.

I can enjoy being more productive with other things indoors without the distraction of the outdoors pulling me away! Or even better – I can ‘allow’ myself an early night and therefore an early morning.

Now I am also not the best early morning person…not because I’m grumpy or lazy – I just struggle to get up, but some of the best mornings I’ve had are from being awake early! The air, the light, the birds, the sounds – it’s all so different first thing in the morning when most of the world is still asleep. Dawn has this magical power of creating a ‘morning world’, which fades as the rest of the world eventually wakes up.

So instead of being sad about shorter days (which aren’t actually shorter…mind-blowing!), think of what you could do to make the most of them. If you need ideas, you know who to ask…

Good things

In a world where there is so much bad news on TV and so much negativity in the media, we need people like Jordan. Jordan posted in the YesTribe this week to say that he planned to walk for peace in several countries, in an attempt to prove to himself and the world that;

“Outside of the news, the world is full of wonderful people who are just doing their best”

What a beautiful sentiment to have, but someone told Jordan that his dream of a better world would never happen.

Maybe that person is a realist, but I think it is an admirable trait to be a person of hope and someone who sees the good in the world. 

His post spoke to me in many ways, and I felt for Jordan who seemed to want to prove to the world that it’s a beautiful place outside of all the negative media that we are constantly fed. Now I don’t think anyone wishing for world peace is expecting perfection or a miracle, but just that more people spread happiness and love than they do hate or negativity. 

The truth is, the world is a better place than it would be without people like Jordan. It all makes for a better world to spread happiness, find the good in people, and encourage peace and kindness, and I believe Jordan is in just the right place in our tribe, where he can find that goodness he seeks in thousands of YesTribers who feel just the same.