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  • ABOUT
    • About Fi
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  • OUTDOORS
    • Outdoor gear reviews
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    • Station to station walks
    • Devon and Cornwall
    • UK train adventures
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There’s a fruit fly in my office – a different type of productivity

November 6, 2020

‘I’m currently harvesting a great crop of Drosophila melanogaster from my compost bin.’

Remarked my neighbour over the garden wall. Remembering secondary school biology experiments, I nodded wisely and responded,
‘Me too but mine are in my office.’

There would have been a time when an abundance of desk-bound fruit flies would have shocked me. Not any more. My home office is currently doubling as a greenhouse. This former spare room isn’t alone in its multi-occupancy status. The kitchen has developed into a sourdough micro-bakery, and the lounge has gained additional status as a flour warehouse.

There would have been a time when all of this would have annoyed me but these days I find it exciting. Please allow me to explain.

A couple of years ago I enjoyed a session of business coaching. I learned many useful business skills but the one thing that has really stood the test of time is the idea that for me, business success relates to the concept of livelihood.

It was a seminal moment. I realised I wasn’t out to conquer the freelance writing world, make millions of pounds or mash my rivals into submission. All I really wanted was a livelihood. A way of living that would provide the physical and emotional necessities of life for both me and my family.

Which is probably why, when March lockdown reduced my income, I didn’t panic (too much). I worried of course but turned my thoughts to how I could use my newly spare time to ensure the continuance of those necessities. So I turned to gardening. Permaculture gardening to be precise. All summer and autumn I have grown, foraged, baked, and preserved food for my family.

With a small, north-facing garden, we haven’t even come close to self-sufficiency. However, I’ve realised this doesn’t matter. What’s more important is that this year has helped me redefine my ideas of personal productivity. Whereas my previous ‘good days’ were all type-till-you-drop ones, they now also include garden and kitchen tasks. My concept of ‘work’ has stretched, leaving me more satisfied than I have felt in many years.

Which brings me to productivity. The business world is full of it. As a species, increasing our productivity should apparently be our end goal but what is this doing to us, our loved ones, and our planet? Perhaps if we all focused for a while on the idea of livelihood, the concept of just having enough, we might find ourselves in a happier and healthier place.

November 6, 2020
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Outdoors life by Loch Lomond in Scotland

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

fi darby
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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? 👇🏻 'Take a Which of these counts as litter? 👇🏻

'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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