Holkham National Nature Reserve, Norfolk, England Cool, crystalline sand slips under my bare feet as I weave between tufts of marram grass, swaying in the breeze. Reaching the top of the dune, I turn to gaze across a vast golden beach and the darker tidal flats beyond, the North Sea a shimmering sliver on the …
Two weeks into my first magazine job, 24 years ago, my editor sent me on a press trip to Paris. Setting off before dawn on the Eurostar, the remit was to interview world-renowned language teacher, the late Michel Thomas, en route. Thomas coaxed long-forgotten French out of me in the most astonishing way. And the …
You’ve probably seen the word ‘sheeple’ used about people who unquestioningly follow the herd. It’s used as an insult, in its presumption that there’s nothing worse than a sheep for blindly going along with the crowd. What about you? Have you ever unquestioningly played follow the leader? Most people have. Even if you rebel against …
There’s nothing quite like curling up somewhere cosy – perhaps with a snug blanket and hot drink – to get lost in a good book. For many people, reading for pleasure is an evening activity and a way of unwinding and calming the mind after the busyness of the day. Perhaps you like to settle …
You climb off the train onto a dark station platform. It’s lit by a few wonky bulbs, with a broken sign announcing your destination. It’s the end of the line, and there are no more options left. Welcome, my friend, to the last resort. This probably isn’t a place you wanted to end up. The …
When you think of the world’s best-known surfing hotspots, these might be some of the things that spring to mind. Geographical features are less likely to get a look-in, yet they dictate how waves approach the coastline from deeper waters to create the best surfing conditions. What makes good waves for surfing? There are three …
Should I go with my gut? If you’re sailing through a cloudy night, without the stars as a guide, you need an accurate compass. You can’t trust someone else’s word that you’re going in the right direction – like a GPS signal, it might fail you. But a needle pointing north never will. This is …
What is a meadow and what is their practical purpose? ‘Sitting in a meadow is a balm for the soul – a meadow is the most peaceful and gently restful place I can imagine,’ says Wilson Wall. ‘Without meadows, we would lose pockets of diversity and serenity that cannot be replicated in parks and gardens.’ …
Read moreWhy are meadows essential for the environment and our mental health?
Why it’s rude to reject a compliment Do you think, these days, that you’re pretty good at taking a compliment? Maybe, when someone praised you in the past, you’d contradict them. ‘Oh, but it was easy,’ you’d say, or ‘Thanks, but I should have done better.’ But, since then, you’ve learned that rejecting a compliment …
Why trail running is good for your body Whether it’s for leisure or competition, there’ll be a trail to match your preferences – and trail running is more than a sport or way to get fit. It’s an experience. One of the most exciting aspects is the constantly changing terrain, which keeps the mind engaged, …
Read moreWhat are the physical and mental benefits of trail running?
