The Outdoors Station

Another mixed bag in this production taking you from the deepest heart of rural England in the depths of winter to the heat and aromas of exotic Asia. January is the traditional time the ancient ceremony of Wassailing takes place, to celebrate the humble Apple Tree, giving thanks for its produce and to scare away evil spirits. Supporting our local Apple Orchard and celebrating the rural way of life is important and ensures the correct balance. Beth on the other hand learns the art of haggling in the correct form at the biggest outdoor market in Thailand with the help of a Thai friend. Plus a load of other bits and bobs. The video I mention as a must see is "Morris: A Life With Bells On"

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

Here's something to warm you up this winter time. Download this podcast and close your eyes, as you are transported to the wonderful open space, where the sun always shines and the beer is always cold. We chat to lightweight evangelists Lynn Lobo and Jayne Jennifer in Adelaide, Australia and hear how the average Australian backpacker is still carrying far too much. We discuss just a few of the hundreds of trails on offer which they have experienced, wild camping, bush fires, food and of course gear. This is 50 minutes of pure escape and is guaranteed to put some sunshine into your MP3 player.

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

Derry Lodge provides us with a very still, calm and tranquil night. A truly wonderful wild camping spot, which if you catch it at the right time offers a wonderful restful night with excellent wildlife. Overcast and with the weather not looking good we wander up to the Hutchinson Memorial Hut and wait for it to clear before heading out to the ridge, however plans change and we scarper down to Loch Avon in the mist and search for the Shelter Stone. So many to choose from! The coldest and clearest water in the world pours from these high cliffs and we set up camp on the shores of the Loch for a chilly evening, however dawn brings with it a magnificent array of colours and glorious sunshine. Heading upwards to Cairn Gorm for a fantastic days walking who should we meet on top but Darren Pinne (Division Director for Gear protection and Travel Acc for Cascade Designs) who happens to be in Aviemore for a conference! But all too quickly, the trip is over and we bring this short three part series to an end.

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

Part 2. After a very wet and windy night Lee and I make our way from our exposed camp spot to Bruar Lodge Bothy celebrating the merits of modern design and materials used in tent manufacture. The Bothy itself is very cosy, but from all the comments written in the book, it is obviously a very welcome haven during the harder weather and snows which the Glen must receive each year. We finally make our way down to Blair Atholl in plenty of time to enjoy the benefits of the superb campsite facilities. We also enjoy the liquid facilities of the local Hotel, but sadly the much anticipated meal was a disappointment. However the following day Tony finally arrives telling stories of adventure with Scottish Rail but the breakfast soon makes it a distant memory. We set off for the beautiful and enjoyable Glen Tilt which is a magnificent walk. Following another good night stream side, we head for the much anticipated Derry Lodge. On the way Tony tells us all about his new rucksack and tent and the reasons behind his imports.

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

This is the first part of a 3 part series recorded in October 2010 where Lee Wells, and I walked a circular route from Aviemore to Blair Atholl and back during some quite mixed weather. Part one covers leaving Aviemore and heading onto the Cairngorm Plateau before dropping down and camping in Glen Feshie. The following day we cross the Minigaig in some very high winds before finally camping in Glen Bruar. Out usual kind of podcast full of general chat, descriptions, laughter and gear comments galore. Enjoy!

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

A bit of a smorgasbord this one. We touch base on some recent news, discuss a handful of interesting other podcasts and our plans for interviews in the near future. There's a pile of emails to catch up with from listeners around the world also. Rose and Beth head off into mid-Wales for some wild camping and Beth interviews Rose about her recent trip to Sweden. We discuss technology and the way it now rules our life and the girls share their thoughts on wild camping from the safety of a warm coffee shop in Hay On Wye. As I said, a bit of a mixed bag!

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

Rose was invited to Sweden by the Scandinavian Outdoor Group and while she was out in the wilds hiking, paddling and caving on the female only expedition, she interviewed the following people in order of appearance; Eva Arnlund - Woolpower http://www.woolpower.se/en/default.asp Maria Hyttnas - Guide http://www.aktivut.se/index.asp?langID=2 http://www.scandinavianoutdoorgroup.com/ Lena Bjelfman - Tentipi http://www.tentipi.com/ Erica Brodin - Fjallraven http://www.fjallraven.com/ Sophie Jugard - Ski Guide/Fjallraven Classic http://www.scandinavianoutdoorgroup.com/ http://www.fjallraven.com/Fjallraven-Classic/Home/Home/ Aukje van Gerven - Journalist/Cyclist http://aukjevangerven.com/ Ola Korpensoga - Accommodation/Horse Riding http://korpensoga.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=32 There's plenty of title nuggets of information in these interviews so, enjoy!

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

Shirley manages to get up early enough to enjoy the last day from North Water Bridge heading for St Cyrus. In the company of Sue Hawkins and Kate and Tim Wood, she passes the time with Sue explaining in great detail what it is like to be caught in an Avalanche. Sue also passes on a lot of information about her trip so far and how much enjoyment she has had this year. Kate also gives an overview of their trip and some of the interested places they visited such as Cougie and Mar Lodge. Tim lists some of his cooking skills along with a few key pieces of equipment which have performed well. As you finish the Challenge it is always a time of mixed emotions. Achievement, and thrill to finish mixed with sadness that it is all over for another year, as Andy eloquently explains.

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

After a 'refreshing' night in Braemar Shirley reflects on the previous 24 hours of food and wild dancing which took place at the evening party to the music of Bingo Wings. Whilst at Rucksacks Bunkhouse Jamie Morgan shares his enjoyment of the crossing and thoughts on the warm welcome they have all received at the hostel and Braemar generally. After she makes it into town she enjoys the classic fish platter for which the Hungry Highlander is well known for and while there discusses gear and stoves with John Jocys and Munro hunting Challenge routes with Alistair Pooler. Sadly the Tomdoun Hotel is making itself less popular with Challengers this year and John gives it a damming report. However on a brighter side, Paddy Burrows tells a great story of a tent and a Stag fighting. Unfortunately with him and his wife still in it at the time! On the long and winding road to Loch Callater Lodge she meets two legends staggering under the weight on cheese and wine, Alan Sloman and Phi Lambert. Andy picks his story up at Tarfside having walked through the Balmoral Estate to Ballater and after staying the night there, popping over Mount Keen to the hostel and the notorious Masons Arms. The following day Shirley emerges from Loch Callater Lodge and the social haze which envelopes everyone who enters there, to find all the others had gone. After a rapid climb she catches up with the wine and cheese party for another social in the middle of nowhere, before heading to Tarfside encouraged with the promise of endless Bacon Sandwiches. Andy is already there along with Cameron Mcneish, who apparently is quite enjoying his first Challenge! Naturally they discuss the contents of his rucksack and TGO things generally. The following day Shirley reflects once again on her food experience at Tarfside and the countless Bacon Butties she has enjoyed, as she starts her walk to Edzell along the riverside with Phil and Alan. Andy, still ahead of her, meets Philip Werner a US blogger on route from Edzell to North Water Bridge who reflects on his impressions of the event which he came to hear about, via blogs and podcasts. Another lightweight enthusiast his gear choice encourages an interesting discussion. Shirley arrives late as ever, but looking forward to seeing some friendly faces all resting before the final big push to the coast.

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

Shirley wakes to talk about her plans for the day, which seems to involve food more than Munros! However she start from Ryvoan Bothy via Bynack More and finally arrives at the Hutchinson Memorial Hut. Here she meets Caburn Chamberlain and begins to interrogate him about his trip so far and, once again, food! Caburn doesn't do dehydrated food, and the contents of his rucksack always leaves people salivating and watching in awe as delightful things appear at meal times! Then she starts to think about Braemar and her route into town which involves visiting all the cafes on the way to the Fife Arms and eating each menu speciality in the process. Andy wakes up at the fantastic Braemar Campsite and chats with first timer John Garner who has been slightly ahead of most walkers, but enjoying his trip all the same. He also has chance to have an in depth chat with Henry Shires from the US, about his trip and the range of lightweight shelters which he designs. In the Fife Arms Andy chats to first timer Louise Ward and someone who really was serious about coming to Scotland, Michael Firkins all the way from Australia. Finally Paul Mason discusses the magical repairing abilities of his new lightweight accessory, Gaffer Tape!

Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station