Travel

Haven Hotel, Sandbanks – Great Views

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Ellie & I went on a climbing trip last weekend with a friend of ours, Gilles. Well, I went with a friend of ours, and my wife tagged along. It was because of her, that I picked the Haven Hotel, Sandbanks, for her and me to stay at. (Our friend stayed at an Air B&B nearby.) The lady wished for some distractions and a bigger town. She was not eager on bunk beds in a hostel at our climbing location, the Isle of Portland, an hour’s drive away. 1920s BEACH RESORT GRANDEUR To make up for the fact that I was going to do ‘my thing’ this weekend, I booked the only affordable four-star hotel available. It was built in 1926 and retains its rustic, heavy art deco grandeur both inside and outside. There are elements of the Victorian era designs and furniture of its two predecessor buildings and a […]

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Fun

How to get started outdoor climbing independently

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There are all kinds of different climbers. Indoor boulderers are often amongst the best technical climbers. However, they might have no intention to put on a harness and use a rope. Some top indoor lead climbers have no interest to get started outdoor climbing. On the other end of the scale, many trad climbers are doing relatively easy routes. Only long-lasting, heavy rain will push them into an indoor gym, if that. (Trad climbing or traditional climbing is where you set your own protection, without any pre-existing bolts or anchors.)   NO ONE SAYS YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO GET STARTED OUTDOOR CLIMBING It is perfectly fine to stay indoors for all your climbing activities. However, if, like me, you are planning on using your indoor gym experience as a stepping stone and training practice for the great outdoors, then you’ll probably ask yourself at some stage: How to […]

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Fun

Best Caving Locations in England

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Ellie & I only started to do some caving about three years ago. We had come across the so-called Wild Wookey experience at Wookey Hole in the Mendips in Somerset. It turned out to be one of the best caving locations in England. The three hours underground were so much fun, we have been going caving ever since. HOUSE-KEEPING To be clear, this article is not the gospel. I have only been caving in England a dozen times so far (not counting show caves), and some of the caves below I have never been to. The Three Counties System, for example, I’m scheduled to explore month after next month. This means I have thoroughly researched it, but not entered it, so far.   Feature photo (c) BerkeleySqB; above 2 pics (c) Somerset Adventures; Where not otherwise indicated: (c) BerkeleySqB Where I haven’t visited the cave myself yet, my information comes […]

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Fun

Best Long Distance Open Water Swimming Events in and near London

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Truth be told, I’m not a great swimmer. Don’t get me wrong, you could probably drop me a few miles off the sea shore on a stormy day, and I’ll find my way back without overly exhausting myself. I like to think that I’m a strong swimmer. The thing is, it will take me a very long time to swim back. I’m just so slow. TAKING PART IN LONG DISTANCE OPEN WATER SWIM EVENTS While I’m working on improving my technique and becoming faster, for the time being, the problem still persists. So I should mention upfront that I’ve not completed a lot of long-distance open water swimming events so far. Over the years, I did take part in quite a few. RESEARCHING FOR THIS ARTICLE At those events, at my swimming club, and elsewhere, I also spoke with a lot of long-distance open water swimmers and asked them about […]

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Fun

Best Runs in and near London, from 5K Fun Runs to Marathons & Ultras

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What are the best runs in London? Ever since my mid-twenties, I try to run every day, usually 7 to 12K, 10K on average. Often I don’t run at all for lengthy periods, when my knees or feet don’t feel 100% or I’m generally under the weather. However, when I’m feeling on top of my game, you can bet I run every day. Ellie sometimes joins me running. Never for the proper daily runs. However, we sometimes go on shorter runs together and I do my run afterwards. About once per month, my wife and I do the odd organised 5 or 10K ‘fun run’ event together. I am also registered for several half marathons, one marathon, and one ultra, all in or near London, this year. Sometimes I get asked which runs I recommend. This made me think, I could do a little blog post about this topic, so […]

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