I am chuffed to bits to learn that Local has been nominated for the most prestigious award in Nature Writing – the Wainwright Prize. When I began writing the book I was very worried about veering away from my background in travel and adventure writing. I didn’t know whether I’d have anything useful or fresh to say in a field filled with experts and fabulous writers, and I was uncertain that those of you who’ve kindly supported me for years would want to pivot with me towards looking at the natural world more closely – its delights and problems. While I was writing the book I harboured a ..read more

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Edmund Hillary Problem to Address: Many people struggle with the fear of the unknown and the anxiety of where their choices might lead them. This fear can sometimes cause them to compromise their core principles in search of certainty and security. However, staying true to one’s values while embracing the uncertainty of the path ahead is crucial for personal growth and authentic living. Story about this Problem: During my journey rowing across the Atlantic, there were numerous times when the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the gruelin ..read more

“Embrace big dreams and start with small steps.” – Unknown Problem to Address: Many people struggle with starting new adventures, whether they are physical journeys or life changes. The inertia of beginning can be a significant barrier, often fueled by fear, procrastination, or the daunting nature of the tasks ahead. Story about this Problem: When I first decided to cycle around the world, the scale of the challenge felt overwhelming. I had no idea how I would traverse continents or deal with the numerous obstacles that would inevitably arise. But the key to overcoming this daunting prospect w ..read more

I normally steer well clear of furious Twitter wars, but the recent story of a farmer spraying a wild camper with slurry has given me food for thought. First of all though, watch what happened: I have spent hundreds of nights camping in fields like this, so I’ve got lots of opinions about this video! If I camp in a clearly-used field like this one I make sure to arrive late and leave early (leaving no trace, of course). This cyclist’s sleep has overlapped with the farmer’s working day. And farmers work hard, so you need to be up and riding early! The first thing I ever do if someo ..read more

A good friend of mine enjoys teasing me for moving into the thrilling viral content world of making videos about picking up litter. He thinks I should be doing something bigger and more important with my time, and that moaning about litter is a very privileged thing to be worrying about given the state of the world right now. With what’s on our TV screens and the health services on the verge of overwhelm, haven’t I got anything better to do than grumble about a few skellies throwing a crisp packet away in the woods? But here’s why. I secretly think that this discarded crisp packet is the key ..read more

Hi again, The sun is shining and the weather feels too nice for long introductions… Here are some things I’d like to share with you today: I’m speaking in Keswick, in the Lake District, on 15 and 17 May. I made a short film about returning to revisit the first grid square I wrote about in Local. How my life (and approach to life) has changed since the day I set out to try to cycle round the world 10,500 days ago. Why you should try your first Micr ..read more

The Microadventures book is ten years old today. Crikey! Who knows where the times goes… Here’s everything you need to know to plan your first microadventure, in one simple infographic. And here are 10 Lessons learned from 10 Years of Microadventures. ### Ten Life Lessons from Microadventures **1. Embrace Simplicity** Microadventures remind us that life’s joys are often found in the simplest of experiences. Whether it’s sleeping under the stars in your garden or a spontaneous hike up the nearest hill, these small escapades strip life back to its basics, bringing clarity and peace without the ..read more

When did the idea of taking a drink from your river become so tangled up with fears about agricultural runoff and sewage discharges? Is your river clean and safe? Is the fear of pollution stopping you from enjoying your river? Is a chemistry set and some curiosity all you need to explore new places? I walked upstream in search of a clean cup of water to drink, uncovering the pollution issues that plague most of Britain’s rivers. Despite these challenges, he also finds beauty and fresh water existing alongside justified anger over the rivers’ condition. And he remembers that the essence of a g ..read more

I’ve started a new email newsletter. It’s called Adventure + Purpose, and it’s about trying to work out how those of us who love adventure and nature can start to take more action to fix its many problems. Please sign up and have a read! The post Adventure + Purpose appeared first on Alastair Humphreys ..read more

When I decided to spend a whole year exploring the small map I live on, I hoped it would help me slow down, pay attention, discover new places and learn more about nature. Each week I explored a single one-kilometre grid square, picked at random. The project helped me to build a routine of exercise, fresh air and mental headspace. It was an opportunity to step away from emails and beeping notifications for a few hours each week. As such, I wanted as little to do with my phone’s tempting distractions as possible. But, if used with purpose and self-control, my phone was also a very useful tool i ..read more