Ever since the first signs of the emerging coronavirus emergency, I’ve been largely working from home. For someone who’s natural instinct – and indeed profession – is for the promotion and enjoyment of the great outdoors, this has brought its own challenges. It’s true that there have been significant advantages with the ‘new normal’ of long days behind the desk and computer screen, not the least of which has been increased work productivity and focus from not having to spend several hours per day sitting behind a car steering wheel. And while I’m on the topic, the increasing use of technology has led to more frequent calls to check in on parents, other family members and long-lost friends – almost as if the inability to meet in person (my parents live 200 miles away) has pushed us closer together virtually.
It’s the same for a (re)connection with nature, albeit on a much more localised scale. I’m extremely lucky to live in a gorgeous part of the world, with a good-sized garden and pretty much instant access to fields and woods. Over the past several months, through the changing of the seasons and even on the days when the weather has been less than ideal, I’ve, like many, found a greater need to explore the tracks and footpaths that surround my house and valley. But these walks and occasional bike rides have become more structured, with a purpose beyond simply getting fresh air and exercise. While being outside in nature has in itself a proven restorative and wellbeing benefit, my need to ‘do something’ while enjoying these benefits has taken a hold. It started with just a closer focus on the local plants and animals as spring got under way and then, as we passed through summer and into autumn and winter, I became more aware of the diverse range of species, structures and colours of the local countryside. So now, I’ve made observations of those things part of my walks – making myself take the time to stop and enjoy landscapes that I’ve previously raced through or just ignored as a means of getting from A to B. My walks have turned into local expeditions – they have a purpose, a route that actively explores new paths and tracks and, albeit mentally, I log what I’ve encountered.
I’ve been very lucky in my career to have travelled to many corners of the globe, with a chance to explore and learn first-hand about jungles, mountains and deserts as well as the people that inhabit those places. When not on my own adventures I’ve been leading groups of young people, hoping to open their eyes and give them an appreciation both of their natural world and their place within it. Now I’m applying those same constructs and lessons to myself. I’m learning – and in some cases re-learning – things I’d forgotten or just simply ignored, not least of which is about myself and my totally ingrained love of the natural landscapes in my own corner of the world.
So now I also plan different types of adventures – micro-adventures, described by explorer and adventurer Alistair Humphreys as ’an adventure that is short, simple, local, cheap – yet still fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing and rewarding’. Recently, as we do every year, myself and my partner identified a local badger sett and an hour before dusk, we made our way to a vantage point that would give us a view as the badgers emerged into the twilight. Sure enough, we spotted a couple of badgers starting their evening forage. We also saw and heard birds settling down for the evening, the sound of cattle and horses in adjoining fields and the start of a fantastic night sky. We had an initial purpose, but we were rewarded with so much more.
In the early spring we planned garden bivvies and local sleep-outs. Quieter nights, plus clearer skies – while being the result of an appalling human tragedy – gave us both the stimulus and opportunity to plan and take part in experiences that suddenly seem much more valuable. The benefits of low-impact, local exploration on our mental wellbeing was significant and perhaps for me the greatest single lesson learned from the COVID emergency.
To conclude, if, like me, you’re restless and have a need to explore, but find yourself limited in where you can go and what you can do, remember that you can apply the same principles of exploration close to home. I’d love to hear about your own local explorations, and how you’ve found the experience of being outside has helped you this year, please send your thoughts to: pat.milston@activelearninggroup.co.uk
Pat Milston has enjoyed a long career promoting an enjoyment of the outdoors, including as an educator where his work as a geography and PE teacher took him on many field trips, sports tours and extra-curricular adventures. Upon leaving teaching, Pat entered the world of managing overseas youth expeditions, going on to become a senior manager in established major companies and leading teams across the globe. His current role as Programmes Development Director at Active Learning Group sees him sitting with a foot in both worlds: working with schools to develop and promote their own outdoor learning programmes while working with ALG brands and partners to ensure the delivery of high quality outdoor learning on behalf of those same schools and students, and their wider client base.
