Achieving a state of "flow" can be easily attained with the help of nature. It's a state of blissful harmony where we immerse ourselves fully in the present moment. Finding and establishing flow in our life is easier than we think. Here are some ways to get outside and do it today.
Read MoreHere is the fourth list of ideas in my series of Creative Writing prompts. The purpose of these writing prompts is to encourage both children and adults to get outside, be inspired by their natural surroundings and start writing. This time our focus is Earth Day, which is celebrated on 22nd April.
Read MoreThe last 12 months have been a challenging time for us all. Restrictions to our freedom to travel to destinations near and far, the opportunity to visit our friends and family and the chance to enjoy many of the hobbies and pastimes we are so used to do free from any form of obstacles have been temporarily taken away from us. Now is the time to get back to nature? Read on to find out more.
Read MorePeople of the Outdoors is my latest series whereby I acknowledge those individuals who are inspired and motivated to spend their lives in the Great Outdoors. This series forms a selection of personal interviews and imagery taken from these dedicated individuals. This second interview is by Outdoor Enthusiast Fiona Reid, who enjoys her time in the outdoors, capturing precious moments.
Read MoreIs It Time For A Change? At this challenging time in our lives, it is now more important than ever to create and maintain a routine. It does not matter what that routine is, or what it looks like, but by establishing some form of regularity in our lives, means it can go along way to helping our overall mood, mental health and well-being.
Read MoreWalking is free and can be easily fitted into your daily routine, with doctors recommending 30 to 60 minutes a day. All you will need to start walking is a sturdy pair of walking shoes or trainers, a suitable place to walk outdoors and a desire to enjoy your new-found freedom. Enjoy these great benefits and start walking outside today!
Read MoreCycle Commuting through the Winter months provides a significant challenge for any hardy soul and cycling enthusiast. As a fully committed cycle commuter and someone talking from experience, I would like to share a few essential tips that will keep you out on the bike, happy, motivated and safe this winter. Read on to find out more.
Read MoreWith the autumn season in full swing and the inevitable changes in its weather patterns, it is still important for us to feel positive and make the most of the many fun outdoor activities we can still enjoy outdoors. Here are 5 great outdoor activities you can enjoy this autumn.
Read MoreOver the summer holidays, and with valuable time on my hands. It was good to get outside and find the opportunity to explore some more locations in the Netherlands I don't necessarily have the chance to visit all that often. Read on and find out more about what the east has to offer.
Read MoreAn exciting Stone Age-inspired craft activity, that is ideal for all Key Stage 2 aged children, which can easily support any Stone Age Topic. It is a practical activity, and it can easily be implemented in the classroom or at home.
Read MorePeople of the Outdoors is my latest series whereby I acknowledge those individuals who are inspired and motivated to spend their lives in the Great Outdoors. This series forms a selection of personal interviews and imagery taken from these dedicated individuals. This second interview is by Outdoor Enthusiast Mathias Wielinga, who enjoys hiking and exploring the wild outdoors.
Read MoreA Camping trip is meant to be fun. However, when you are dealing with the elements of nature, one mistake can turn the whole experience sour. When it comes to the outdoors, it pays to be prepared. This article talks about the complete checklist of things one must keep in mind before they venture out into the wild.
Read More50 Bucket list ideas to do in the Great Outdoors is a comprehensive list of fun activities that any child or adult can enjoy in their own free time. I hope these 50 ideas help to serve as inspiration and motivation and indeed help others get outside, enjoy the natural world around them, without spending large amounts of money on unnecessary extras.
Read MoreDuring my own childhood and Primary Schooling, back in the 1980’s. I have very clear and distinct memories of how cool my school was. With my local Primary School being a diverse and exciting place, where I was not only lucky enough to be inspired by the world around me, but also by the bold and inspirational individuals who led us along this beautiful learning journey. One thing was clear, I really enjoyed learning from the Great Outdoors.
Find out more about the Surprising Benefits of Outdoor Learning in my new blog post.
‘Thoughts and Stories from the Great Outdoors’
Read More'Do more of what makes you happy’ is a frequently used saying. It is also a saying that is often misused or perhaps overlooked. Feeling happy or finding happiness in life is something we all seek. How we get there or how long it takes, is always a question the individual has to answer themselves.
A practical view on how we can utilise what is all around us in order to bring some extra positive thinking and overall happiness into our lives.
‘Thoughts and Stories from the Great Outdoors’
www.garethmate.com
Read MoreRead all about my latest Camping visit to Delflandhoeve in the Netherlands.
A great little campsite in South Holland, close to the city of Delft.
#placestowanderandexplore
Read MoreIn pursuit of further developing creativity, I decided to present my class with another open-ended and creative task.
A task that would not only encourage the children I teach to work together, think expansively, but also build stronger levels of resilience and perseverance in order to reach and hopefully achieve a desirable goal.
Read on to find out more.
Read MoreHow to Reproof an Outdoor Jacket with Nikwax Waterproofing. It is time to test out some Nikwax waterproofing products, which were kindly given to me by Nikwax. Nikwax is the world Leaders in waterproofing. You can read all about my detailed product review and how I reproofed an old outdoor jacket. Breathing new life into it and saving money on buying a new one.
www.nikwax.com/
Read MoreFeeding our natural instincts by getting back to nature is vitally important if we are to fulfil and attempt to live a more healthy lifestyle.
I this particular blog post I aim to share some thoughts and ideas on how we can all make a positive change and begin spending just 30 minutes a day in the outdoors.
#30minutesoutdoors
Over the last few years, there’s definitely been somewhat of a revolution in the number of people choosing to cycle to work. Maybe it's down to increased traffic on the roads, personal issues relating to health, cost or simply trying something new. Either way, there are many great benefits of riding into work, rather than driving or using public transport.
In this particular post, I hope to highlight some of my Top Tips, after I decided to ditch all modes of transport, in order to complete a 32 mile/52km cycle commute each and every day.
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