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I'm a freelance writer and content creator with a passion for the outdoors and sustainable travel. I specialise in sustainable travel, gear reviews, walking routes and outdoor advice. Let's chat about your next project.
Fi Darby Freelance
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About Fi
  • CONTACT
  • OUTDOORS
    • Outdoor gear reviews
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    • Ideas to get you started
    • Station to station walks
    • Devon and Cornwall
    • UK train adventures
    • Europe train adventures
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National Get Outside Day writing tips – how to enjoy the outdoors and improve your writing

September 28, 2019

Tomorrow is National Get Outside Day, which means that I won’t be sitting at my desk or even typing, digital nomad style, in my camper van. Tomorrow I will be out and about with Two Blondes Walking, enjoying the outdoors and getting a bit of inspiration for my outdoor writing. Most of us have experienced the clearer-head feeling that goes with being outside but the great outdoors can go even further than that to encourage, energise and enhance our writing. We have three tips about how to get outside and improve your outdoor writing:

  1. Have a digital-free get outside day

The demands on modern writers, especially copywriters are many. The latest information, brand new ‘secret’ locations and bespoke images are often required by editors, and almost always involve having your day outside interrupted by digital technology. However those of us who have tried digital time out can report that creativity usually flows better when it isn’t being confined by the need to capture THAT IMAGE or rush towards THAT DEADLINE. Give digital-free a try and you will be amazed by how much writing you can do in your head or, failing that, a notebook.

2. Visit first, research later

This one sends even me into a panic but visiting an outdoor environment before you have read about its ‘best views’, ‘suggested walks’ and ‘must do activities’ is just like meeting a complete stranger. You are free to form your own opinion and, maybe more importantly for a writer, ask your own questions. With so much repeated information available online, the very best way to write an original piece with a unique angle is to let your mind wander along its own imaginative routes.

3. Make yourself comfortable

None of us work well when we are physically uncomfortable. Your writing isn’t enhanced when you sit shivering at your desk or forget to have lunch, and the same applies when you are outdoors. Take enough warm and waterproof clothing, snacks and warm drinks to allow you sit or stroll with your thoughts for as long as you need to. You might also like to consider packing something to sit on, some form of shelter (a tarp or storm shelter) and a waterproof notebook.

How you choose to get outside is entirely up to you but we recommend trying a range of outdoor activities at different times of the year to find out which has the most positive impact on your writing. Whether you are writing about the outdoors or not, being outside can be truly inspirational, and make a significant difference to the results you see when you put finger to keyboard. Tomorrow is National Get Outside Day, we can’t think of a better day to get yourself out there and find out how being outside can help you improve your writing.

How to become an outdoor writer

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September 28, 2019
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OUTDOOR AND TRAVEL WRITER

Outdoors life by Loch Lomond in Scotland

You love the outdoors. I love the outdoors.
Let's make beautiful content together.

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There really isn't anything as good as outdoor swi There really isn't anything as good as outdoor swimming.

Okay so there probably is but my first sea swim of the year was just glorious. The sea is still cold and I did get seaweed stuck to my goggles but you really can't beat wild swimming when it comes to waking up.

The great news is that this Devon beach is just across the road from Torquay train station. That's only 3 hours from London and even less from Exeter.

Come on down. The Bay's looking great.

#swimming #beach #seaswimming #devon #outdoorswimming #sea #summer #calm
Want to.keep cool while you're walking? If you've Want to.keep cool while you're walking?

If you've ever walked on the Salt Path aka the South West Coast Path, you'll know it can be a hot place to be in the summer. 

All those sea views are marvellous but my favourite summer walking routes are river walks. With trees, pools and opportunities for outdoor swimming,  the UK's rivers have so much to offer.

And are perfect for my menopausal body.

There are rivers near train stations right across the UK. I've chosen three of my favourite locations to share with you. All of them are on long distance walking routes but walking sections can be just as rewarding.

1. The Thames Path. Walk from Kemble station to the source of the River Thames then on to London and beyond if you have the time. On the way meet Ratty and Co from The Wind in the Willows, visit Windsor Castle and dip in gently flowing waters.

2. The Ribble Way. Walk from Ribblehead station onto empty Gayle Moor to find the springs that feed the river then down to its estuary at Preston. On the way visit the famous Ribblehead Viaduct, cross God's Bridge and pass through beautiful salt marshes.

3. The Speyside Way. Join the route at Aviemore for a mountain town vibe then wander along Scotland's second longest river through the Cairngorms National Park then on to beautiful Moray Firth.

We are so lucky to have such a wonderful variety of rivers right on our doorsteps. They all need looking after. Perhaps the summer of 2025 will be the one when we all get to know them better.

#rivers #walkng #trains #walkingroutes #trainadventures
I haven't done this for a while. Sea swimming thr I haven't done this for a while.

Sea swimming through the winter saved my mental health through menopause but now, as I slowly come out the other side, I find I don't need the cold water kick as much.

Which means winter swimming doesn't happen as often.

Today I decided to celebrate summer by getting back in the sea for the first time since November.

It was cold but not biting.

And utterly marvellous.

Down here on the beaches of Devon, May is definitely the start of summer.

#devon #beach #seaswimming #outside #beachhuts
When you don't like your legs enough to wear short When you don't like your legs enough to wear shorts

But do it anyway.

The South West Coast Path in the sunshine; what better place to let my legs have a taste of sunshine.

Being a plus size and over fifty, I often envy people who have the confidence to wear shorts but find it difficult to accept that my legs are suitable for public view.

Today I decided that I actually didn't care.

It was very liberating.

Perhaps I should write an outdoor gear review for my legs.

#plussize #outside #outdoors #shorts #outdoorgear #gearreview #legs #overfifty #southwestcoastpath
Which of these counts as litter? ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป 'Take a Which of these counts as litter? ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป

'Take all your rubbish home with you.' It is an important part of the Leave No Trace message and it's particularly important when you're camping in beautiful wild camping locations.

But what counts as rubbish?

It's a question I ask DofE trainees every year.

1. Chocolate bar wrappers? Yes -take it home
2. Tea bags? Yes -take it home
3. Orange peel? Yes -take it home
4. Noodles? Yes -take it home
5. Banana skins? Yes -take it home
6. Toilet paper? Yes -take it home
7. Tampons? Yes -take it home
8. Poo? Yes -take it home (or bury it properly)

Some of these cause comments but arriving prepared to take everything (including yours or your dog's poo home) home is the best way to look after the places you wild camp.

Things we traditionally think of as 'biodegradable' will (after a long time) eventually disappear from view but everything leaves an invisible trace that wouldn't have been there if you hadn't.

This summer, let's look after the places we love.

#wildcamping #leavenotrace #location #walking
#outside #getoutside #takeithome #outdoors
I've got some news for you... There are only 43 d I've got some news for you...

There are only 43 days until the summer solstice. That's 43 days until the nights start drawing in again.

The weeks between the start of May and June 21st are my favourite of the whole year. They are the weeks when the world turns green and the sun sets golden.

And the days stretch on forever.

Summer might not officially start until June but May brings summertime to my heart.

It's easy to waste these long evenings though. Busy lives can often be tiring and getting outside after work can seem like a lot of effort compared to sitting in front of the TV.

But it's so much better for the soul.

Why not set aside an evening next week to spend some time outside. This was Dartmoor on a Thursday night but your evening outside could be anywhere. The local park, the beach, a nearby hill or even just a footpath.

I promise, you'll sleep much better than you would after a night watching Netflix.

#dartmoor #notflix #outside #summer #may #eveningwalk
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I'm a freelance writer and content creator with a passion for the outdoors and sustainable travel. I specialise in sustainable travel, train adventures, gear reviews, walking routes and outdoor advice.

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