Happy New Year! I hope you are excited about this year, and perhaps are planning a monthly microadventure or tree climb, or to read more books than you did last year.

This is the 99th edition of Shouting from the Shed, a newsletter where I share what fascinates me as I attempt to live with curiosity and enthusiasm. I hope you find something interesting in it.

Here’s what has caught my attention recently:

• BOOKS: I am giving away free paperback copies of my new book to Primary Schools. Please tell a teacher, and sign up here, if you’re interested in getting a copy of The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean.
• Do you listen to audiobooks? I have 50 copies to giveaway of Ask An Adventurer: Behind the scenes: making a living from living adventurously, growing an audience, and unconventional creativity. Pop your email address here if you’d like one. First come, first served!
• CLIMATE: Here are the 14 Biggest Environmental Problems Of 2023 but also six clear, constructive, impactful, doable things we can all do to help the climate and nature this year. If you were in any doubt as to how difficult the actions our politicians need to take, urgently, then try this fabulous online climate game in which you are in charge of global decison making! The good news is that I saved the planet (you’re welcome). The bad news is that I had already destroyed the planet three times before I succeeded (sorry).
• FILM: After a decade of brilliant festivals, this year will be the last ever Adventure Travel Film Festival. Tickets on sale now.
• ADVENTURES: Tips for Older Hikers and Backpackers.
• This woman is rowing solo around the world – a whopper of an expedition!
• Mountain climber fights off bear! (What an awesome clickbait title: I bet you can’t resist…)
• RANDOM: I really like the different names for months in Poland. See also Japan’s 72 poetic microseasons.
• Which, finally, reminds me of this Japanese man who paints a picture of every meal that he eats.

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