It rained like hell as I ran to my shed today. It was one of those downpours that floods gutters and turns roads into rivers, that sends people scurrying for shelter in doorways, clutching at each other and exclaiming with strangers, that drives small kids wild and shoots them running out into the rain, faces upturned and mouths opened, laughing and shouting. But now the rain has passed, washed the world clean, and jewels of water hang from each shining chestnut leaf and the pavements gleam and windows shine like quicksilver in the sunshine. I love autumn!

Here are some things I’d like to share with you today:

• EXPLORE is the Royal Geographical Society’s annual expedition and field research planning weekend held each November. It is unmissable for inspiration, advice and contacts if you are planning a big journey. Attending it changed my life!
• Agoraphobia & anxiety limit Jacqui’s ability to travel, so she’s found another way to see the world – ‘travelling’ and ‘photographing’ on Google Street View. (Also an interesting New Yorker article here.)
• Aaron has grazed his sheep and lived off the land as a traveling shepherd for 12 years. He calls it guerrilla grazing and he lets his sheep graze – with permission- on public parks and side lots. Homeless by choice, he offers his services to small farms in exchange for food or a place to stay.
• Meet ATM, the artist painting street murals of wildlife all around the British Isles, and in particular, in urban areas.
• There are some fabulous takes on ‘The 5 Best Travel Books’ here. Lots of reading to get stuck into!
• I’ve been enjoying using Moodify to pick music that suits my mood when I write.
• A map showing 600+ grassroots campaign groups in the UK fighting environmentally damaging projects. Get involved!
• If you buy a second copy of The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean to donate to a school, just use the checkout code ‘Teacher’ to get a £5 discount on my website.

Let me know if you have a relevant project that my readers would appreciate. Here’s what you guys have been up to recently: