I’ve got plenty of good stuff to share this week, so I’ll dive in straight away (after a quick reminder to any parents of 7-12 year olds that I’ve written a new book for children which I’d love you to purchase)…
The Glorious, Almost-Disconnected Boredom of a Walk in Japan: “I have configured servers, written code, built web pages, helped design products used by millions of people. I am firmly in the camp that believes technology is generally bending the world in a positive direction. Yet, for me, Twitter foments neurosis, Facebook sadness, Google News a sense of foreboding. Instagram turns me covetous. All of them make me want to do it—whatever “it” may be—for the likes, the comments. I can’t help but feel that I am the worst version of myself, being performative on a very short, very depressing timeline. A timeline of seconds.”
“Wanted: desert island resort in Maldives seeks barefoot bookseller” – the dream job?
A crowdfunder campaign to transform an East London industrial site into community-owned natural swimming ponds and a biodiverse park.
Alfred Wainwright’s coast-to-coast walk is to be made into a beautiful National Trail.
“It’s a totally pointless mission, important only to me, but I still push myself hard every day to do the best that I can do, and succeed on my own terms.”
You can now get a free copy of Anna McNuff’s book, “Bedtime Adventure Stories for Grown Ups” on BookHip.
I’ll be speaking at the Ilkley Literature Festival in Yorkshire on 14th October – come along if you can, with or without hat.
OK, I feel a bit of a wally about this, but I’m now available for personalised birthday video greeting messages. ?
Can I help you?
Let me know if you have a relevant project that my readers would appreciate. Here’s what you guys have been up to recently:
❤️ Zoe and her pack mule Falco is doing a ‘Walk for Earth’ in support of Stop Ecocide International.
She wants to invite as many people as possible to do their own mini (or maxi!)-‘walk for Earth’ in their local area (or beyond).
❤️ Alycin has published AMAZON HITCHHIKER: A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil.
❤️ Grace has published an adventure memoir called Take a Hike about leaving behind the things that no longer make you happy and living more adventurously as a result.
❤️ Colin sells an eclectic collection of old books many about expeditions and exploration.
From the Archives… 50 Newsletters ago
There is so much good news in the world. Useful ammunition against the curmudgeonly complainers at your Christmas dinner.
A fascinating look into the world of origami (honestly).
Barbara Hillary has died. She was the first black woman to reach both poles, doing so in her 70s after deciding that she wanted a little adventure in her life.
A hypnotic live stream of the Earth from Space, as seen from the International Space Station.
Watch the International Space Station pass overhead. It is the third brightest object in the sky and easy to spot if you know when to look up.
A beautiful gallery of expedition photography from the Arctic Ocean.
I love 1% for the Planet where businesses pledge to give at least 1% of their sales back to the environment.
Thank you for reading. As Austin Kleon says, “This newsletter is free, but not cheap.” To show your support, would you mind forwarding it to someone who’d like it, sharing it on Twitter, reading one of my books, subscribing to a free podcast, or maybe even donating to keep the newsletter going.
(If you’re seeing this newsletter for the first time, you can subscribe here.)
