For this challenge I walked up Fairfield, a mountain in the Lake District. I love walking, and the thrill of a hard trudge up a mountain. Even better if there are amazing views from the top.
Take part in a harvest
Back in my 20s I spent a year in Australia on a working holiday visa. I have fond memories of working on fruit farms around the country, picking and packing apples, tomatoes and peppers.
Take an overnight train
I have a somewhat romantic view of overnight train journeys. I imagine settling down to a good night’s sleep, trundling across the country and arriving refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
Stay on the Knoydart peninsula
It’s 4am and I’m wide awake. I’m on the overnight bus to Glasgow and my phone has pinged to tell me my planned onward train to Mallaig has been cancelled. The person in front has snored since Manchester. Why on earth did I think an overnight bus would be a good idea?
Backpack the Elenydd hostels in Wales
The Elenydd wilderness hostels are two ex-YHA hostels in the Cambrian mountains in mid-Wales. They’re set in stunning upland locations, miles away from the trappings of modern life.
Go on an overnight backpack from home
Going on holiday usually involves a long journey at the start, but not for this trip!
Travel the world in 60 books: 1 to 5
I’ve been an avid reader for most of my life, but in recent years I haven’t read as widely as I’d like. My mum passes on an almost constant supply of crime books, and along with monthly book club books, I rarely have time to read anything else.
Attend a cookery class
One of my favourite things about Italy is the food; I love the fresh seasonal ingredients and the variety of regional dishes. So when I came across an Airbnb cookery experience with a Sicilian family on our recent holiday I didn’t hesitate to book it.
See the northern lights
I’d been steeling myself for an expensive trip to Norway to tick this one off. Incredibly, I was able to see them from my back garden, thanks to the solar storm that hit in May 2024.
Visit an active volcano
I love volcanoes! My life long interest was sparked by a book on the 1883 Krakatoa volcano explosion that I read as a child; I can still vividly remember the illustrations and facts. Yet, despite visiting plenty of extinct and dormant volcanoes I’d never seen an active one. Hence the reason it appeared on my list of 60 things to do before I’m 60.