Is this the BEST European road trip ever?

Is this the BEST European road trip ever?

Campervan
Just before the global Covid-19 pandemic hit, we stumbled upon an incredible road trip in Portugal called the N2. When the world opened up again, we headed back to Portugal to experience the BEST European road trip ever. In January 2020 we were visiting family in a Portuguese village and did lots of fun stuff locally. We visited schist villages, spent a lovely day in Coimbra and headed to Nazare, famous for huge atlantic waves. On our travels, we stopped off in a tourist information centre and discovered a 'passport' for the N2. What is the N2? The N2, or the Estrada Nacional 2, is an iconic route that starts in the northern Portuguese town of Chaves. Built in 1945 it was once the main route through central Portugal, snaking…
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We’ve joined a house sitting website!

We’ve joined a house sitting website!

Campervan, Latest posts
In the middle of the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic, and with nowhere to go, we've joined a house sitting website. Why? Read on! Planning for the future When the lockdown restrictions of 2020 are eventually lifted, we can't wait to get travelling again. Our plans to go and watch Le Tour de France this year are ruined, but we're already looking forward to new adventures through house sitting. Doing a good deed We've done some house sitting for friends in the past and have really enjoyed the experience. The people that we've helped have got pets, so rather than put them into kennels or find a pet sitter, they asked us to house sit. It was great for us as it meant that we got a little break in a different…
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The day we did Via Ferrata – and lived to tell the tale

The day we did Via Ferrata – and lived to tell the tale

Latest posts
It was summer 2017 and we were visiting Chamonix in the French Alps looking for a new adventure activity to try....that's when we came across 'Via Ferrata'... We hadn't heard of Via Ferrata before but after picking up a leaflet in the Tourist Information centre and Googling what it involved, we thought it would be fun to give it a go. It turned out to be one of those activities that looks good on paper, but truly tests your courage when you're actually doing it. Via Ferrata can be roughly translated to 'iron road'. It describes the activity of climbing along a pre-determined route up, or along a cliff, that follows a steel cable. You wear a climbing harness with a couple of 'leashes' on them which are clipped to…
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How to climb Everest WITHOUT climbing Everest

How to climb Everest WITHOUT climbing Everest

Latest posts
It's 24th May 2019 and news reports are coming in that 7 people have died in the past week as they've attempted to summit Everest. That's more in one week than the whole of last year. If you've got $30,000 dollars or more to spare and like the idea of climbing to the top of the world then Everest might just be on your radar. However, what the news of this week has highlighted is that you won't be the only one doing it, and this can put you at risk. Overcrowding at the summit has been blamed for the deaths this past week. This has lead to people running out of oxygen and dying of exhaustion either at the summit or on the way down. There is a striking…
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New book out now!

New book out now!

Latest posts
So as you might already know, we've been busy getting a book together! For the past year (maybe even longer) Ali has been writing the story of her mammoth bike ride from Pontypridd to Chamonix. Now it's officially live and ready to purchase! There are two versions that you can get your hands on. The paperback is available via our online shop. Or if you prefer an ebook you can purchase through Amazon via this link. Happy reading!
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Our Dryad Bushcraft experience

Our Dryad Bushcraft experience

Events
Ever wondered how to survive in the wild? When we were in the middle of applying for a new TV show in Alaska* called 'The Claim', we realised that we needed to up our outdoor wilderness skills, so we booked on a one day Bushcraft course... A search on Google told us that there were a few Bushcraft course providers in South / West Wales. We did a bit of a comparison with prices, locations and dates before picking Dryad Bushcraft. Off we went to the Gower one weekend to learn some new skills. Luckily, the weather was perfect. The sun was out and there was barely any wind. This meant that we had a comfortable day messing about in the woods. As soon as we arrived, the big old…
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Why we support the Tough Girl Podcast

Why we support the Tough Girl Podcast

Latest posts
Want something new to listen to? Then check out the 'Tough Girl Podcast'. It's packed full of sport and adventure stories from inspirational women across the world. Where did we find it? We first came across it at the Women's Adventure Expo in 2015 and have been hooked ever since. Sarah Williams (the podcast creator) has recently delivered the 200th episode featuring Chrissie Wellington, the world's number one female Ironman. Who is Sarah? Sarah has had her fair share of adventures which she's blogged about on her YouTube channel. She's completed the Marathon des Sables, hiked 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail and cycled 4000km of the Pacific Coast Highway in the USA through to the Baja Divide in Mexico. Impressive stuff! What's the focus of the podcast? Since starting the…
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5 things NOT to do on a long distance bike ride

5 things NOT to do on a long distance bike ride

Cycling
Over two years (nearly three) have passed since finishing my long distance bike ride from Pontypridd (South Wales) to Chamonix (French Alps) and it already feels like a lifetime ago. Back in the hum drum of everyday life I'm wishing I was back on my bike but I've had a lot of time to reflect on what I would do differently if I were to do it again (yes, there will be a next time!). So, here are my top 5 things NOT to do if you're going on a long distance bike ride (not in any particular order). 1.Travel without a map In my wisdom, I thought I'd be able to ride from Pontypridd to Newhaven via Bristol, Bath, Salisbury, Southampton and Brighton without a map, and by relying on the…
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