The Outdoors Station

Is it possible to cook a ‘real’ three course Christmas meal under a shelter, in a storm, in December, in Wales? Well the answer is an emphatic ‘yes’! Truthfully, there were a few extra influences which I hadn’t really considered as I planned with military precision, my cooking techniques while sitting in a nice warm office. Namely that the weather conditions on that particular night, in that particular place could just be the worst of the year. 60 mph winds, heavy rain throughout the night and sub zero temperatures were forecast as the day drew near. Of course, if you are going to be doing any wild camping and cooking during December in Wales, you would have thought I would have taken that into account, like any sensible person? Well I did, I just didn’t expect to be cooking with one hand, as the other was occupied holding the tent down most of the evening! So how did this come about? Andy Howell, my friend and trusty part time contributor to the Podcasts called me a few weeks ago and said that we hadn’t had our promised Big Day Out trip during 2011 and it was about time we did something. Conversation flowed and looking back on i, ideas got expanded far too quickly. Before I knew it I had suggested that it was only right and proper that we should have our Christmas party, wild camping in Wales and cook a three course meal in the process. Follow the full story and pictures on the website www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk

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This is part two of the Cambodia ‘backpacking on a shoestring’ trip where Beth and her friend Claire took 3 weeks to travel around Cambodia in the early part of 2011. As they moved around on public transport, they had plenty of time on their hands and so recorded conversations with locals and other travelers on route. Full of atmosphere and ideas which will make you think, that maybe something away from the package trip could be much more rewarding in the long term.

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As the Autumnal weather takes hold and the chill starts to reach the bones once again, it is easy to day dream about backpacking somewhere warm, exotic and ideally, cheap. Beth spent 3 weeks in Cambodia in the early part of 2011, with her friend Claire and a shoestring budget. They wanted to record and share their experience about the travel, accommodation and people they met on route to encourage others to consider independent travel as a cost effective alternative, in these financially austere times. This is part one of a two part series, where you get to travel for free with two twenty something women, living life to the ‘cost effective’ full, getting the most from Cambodia and all it has to offer.

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This is the second part of the interview with David Lintern who recently completed a 500 mile journey along the border of France and Spain, using the high mountain routes of the Pyrenees, mostly the HRP, wild camping on the way, including a week's detour into Spain and the Ordesa Canyon during the 60 days trip. In the first part he talked about his preparations and the gradual changes which came over him as his left his normal urban world behind. Here we begin to get into the nitty gritty of the trip, the people and the equipment needed. Plus of course the commitment and costs of taking 60 days off work. Please view his blog while you listen to this, which is www.selfpowered.net as it is full of images from the trip, and there plenty of eloquent, amusing and interesting observations of the people he met and the places he traveled through. We continue where David starts to describe some of the people he walked with and the strangers he met on route, who soon became good friends.

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You may remember the series of interviews with Chris Townsend which I released earlier on this year, where Chris was joined by David Lintern up in the Cairngorms for a series of interviews discussing conservation, writing and the art of long distance backpacking. No 321 to 323 if you're interested. Well the interviewer David Lintern himself has recently completed a 500 mile journey along the border of France and Spain, using the high mountain routes of the Pyrenees, mostly the HRP, wild camping on the way, including a week's detour into Spain and the Ordesa Canyon during the 60 days trip. This is the first part of a two part interview where he talks about the walk, his preparation, emotions and practicalities of taking 60 days off work. Please view his blog while you listen to this, which is www.selfpowered.net as it is full of images from the trip, and there plenty of eloquent, amusing and interesting observations of the people he met and the places he traveled through. In this part he describes the route and how he came, as a recent convert to lightweight backpacking, to undertake such a committed walk and the changes in emotions and approach which gradually took over.

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After a bit of a delay here's our latest offering which gives you a round up of recent commercial news from the outdoors trade, a look at some new products due in 2012 and a discussion regarding blogging and the increasing influences of outdoor PR companies. Of course we also update you on some of the general outdoor gossip regarding GoYomp, Inov-8 and Golite. Small decisions which may effect your purchase opportunities in 2012!

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The Channel Island Way Pt 6. Having witnessed the numerous German fortifications dotted around the islands, the evacuation history as told by John and Peggy Laine brings the whole episode to life and makes the emotion of those times much more real. However, an early start for us and a short flight transports us to Alderney where we complete the circuit of the island before chatting with Joanna Parmentier about island life and some of the key moments it has played in history. Lastly we conclude our trip with a delightful trip out on a Sea Kayak in the company of Anthony Ford-Parker. Useful links; www.visitguernsey.com - www.vaugratcampsite.com - www.auringy.com - www.alderney.gov.gg - www.outdoorguernsey.co.uk

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The Channel Island Way Pt 5. Guernsey (2) We do a quick run through our pack so you can see you don't need much for a few days away on these islands. Then we cycle to the bottom of the west coast to review some of the beaches and historical places amongst the countless bays which go to make up this meandering coastline. Gill Girard once again joins us at key locations with choice pieces of local knowledge, and we chat with a kiosk tenant about the dilemma of juggling the enticing draw of the beach, with the serving of customers and running a business. Just a chilled out day really! Useful links; www.visitguernsey.com -www.guernseyhire.co.uk - www.embersmerino.com - www.gillgirardtourguide.com - www.vaugratcampsite.com

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The Channel Island Way Pt 4 - Guernsey (1). We start the walk around Guernsey from St Peters Port on a lovely warm June day. As we travel we talk with Gold Accredited Guide Gill Girard who provides a wealth of background information about the locations, the history and lots of practical hints and tips about the island, getting around and island life in general. Hopefully you'll enjoy sharing this walk with us, as we travel along the rugged and varied terrain of the East and South Coasts. A wonderful location for walkers, bird watchers and fishermen. Useful links; www.visitguernsey.com - www.sunnycrofthotel.com - www.embersmerino.com - www.gillgirardtourguide.com

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The Channel Island Way Pt 3. The following morning we continue to explore the island and this time head south to Little Sark, via the impressive La Coupee. A high windy single track with sheer drops either side, which virtually isolates Little Sark from the rest of the island. Interesting history is always just below the surface no matter where you turn. A famous daring raid by Commandos during the Second World War and the painful story of riches to rags which resulted in the change of the bloodline of Seigneurs who manage Sark to this day. We also lunch at La Sablonnerie Hotel and chat to the owner who can trace her family living on the island back to 1565. www.visitguernsey.com - www.sark.info - www.sarkshippingcompany.com - www.lasablonnerie.com - www.avenuecyclessark.co.uk

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