Six Minutes Somewhere Else

I spent a searingly hot summer afternoon in Australia's capital city, Canberra, watching resplendent Crimson Rosellas. These are possibly the most beautiful and flamboyant birds in Australia and the great thing is they are relatively easy to see. If you are wondering 'what does a Crimson Rosella look like' or 'do Crimson Rosellas mate for life', this podcast might have some answers for you. Listen...

I travelled way up north to Finnish Lapland to try my hand at sledding with huskies. Heaps of fun but much harder than it looks. The winter wonderland landscapes were stunningly beautiful and the dogs taught me a valuable life lesson about relinquishing control. If you are wondering ‘what is it like husky sledding in Lapland’ or ‘what are the best things to do in Finland during winter’ this podcas...

I spent a blissfully peaceful day in Kyoto just after New Year strolling along the Philosopher's Path. I wrapped up warm, sat on benches and let nature relax me. I watched the slow movement of the canal water and listened to the song of a distant bird. If ever there was an idyllic spot for mindfulness, the Philosopher's Path in winter must surely be it. If you want to know 'is Kyoto good for New Y...

I took a Christmas walk in England and had the most uplifting experience of hearing a robin singing its heart out and bringing joy to the evening gloom. It was such a surprise to hear it singing at night and on its own that it felt like I was being treated to a Christmas miracle, courtesy of nature. If you are wondering ‘do robins stay in winter in England’ or ‘is Christmas a good time to visit En...

I travelled to the Jebel Akhdar mountains in Oman to spend a peaceful, sun-drenched day marvelling at the magnificent geology of this ancient range and learning about its hardy goat herds. If you're asking yourself 'is Oman a mountainous country' or 'is Oman tourist friendly' this podcast might be able to help. Oman is one of my favourite places to visit – I consider it the 'real Arabia', with hun...

I travelled to the wilds of northern Minnesota to see the first few feet of the Mississippi River as it is born from Lake Itasca and begins its long journey south to the Gulf of Mexico. Up here, near America's border with Canada, the forests seem to stretch forever, skirting lakes and streams, and housing all manner of flora and fauna. If you're wondering 'where does the Mississippi River begin an...

I travelled through India on a night train from Mumbai to Delhi in a second-class carriage to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Indian countryside after dark. It was a fabulous experience, meeting local people, eating vegetarian train food and being 'in the night' as the train trundled slowly past farms and villages. If you are wondering 'what is the best night train in India' or 'wh...

I travelled with an Emirati friend to the far western region of the United Arab Emirates, on the border with Saudi Arabia, to witness the heat and majesty of the mighty Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert. We spent most of a day climbing sand dunes and gazing at fabulous desert vistas in the height of summer and I learned from him about the powerful connection Emiratis have with their desert. If...

I spent a fascinating day with a local Aboriginal man in a secret part of the stunning Flinders Ranges in South Australia. He opened my eyes to the wonders of ancient rock art – 27,000-year-old messages and stories that his ancestors etched on sandstone boulders. This is a secret site and not on the main tourist trail, which made it all the more special. He also taught me how his ancestors lived o...

I travelled to New York City in autumn to tune in to the wholesome leaf rustle in my favourite Manhattan park. Seward Park is a place I have loved for years, a true escape from the concrete and the traffic. I can sit in this park for hours watching the birds and listening to the sounds of nature. If you’re wondering ‘where is the best place to see autumn (Fall) foliage in New York City’, or 'where...

I travelled to see some of the best glow worm caves in New Zealand. This is a must-do activity when you are in the Land of the Long White Cloud, as long as you're not claustrophobic. You walk into the cave with a tractor inner tube which you use to float down a mysterious, underground river. It's pitch black down there but when you float into the glow worm caverns you see the roofs absolutely cove...

I travelled to Silkeborg in Denmark to get a glimpse into the past and see the best-preserved human on the planet: Tollund Man. His body is about 2,400 years old and was found in a peat bog in 1950. He is so incredibly well preserved you can see many features we would recognise in a living human. Tollund Man is one of the most amazing cultural things to see and do in Denmark and it is well worth a...

I travelled to the captivating Huishinish – or Huisinis – beach on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland to follow my roots and find solace in nature. I spent most of a day alone on this perfect, white-sand beach, which looked more like one in the Caribbean than the wild Western Isles of Scotland. If you're wondering 'where is the most beautiful beach in Scotland', this might be the...

I travelled to Borneo to join Dayak tribesmen heading deep into the jungle to search for an area in which to relocate orangutans displaced by indiscriminate logging operations. The tribesmen work with international charities to help conserve these wonderful apes here. I flew in by helicopter from the coastal town of Balikpapan and then took longboats way up river to find a suitable patch of untame...

I travelled to Finland for some Finnish winter fun: experiencing the snowy beauty of its forests and walking across a frozen lake. Crunching over the icy surface during the brief hours of daylight is one of the best things to do in Finland in winter. You can usually walk on lake ice in Finland from November to March but check with the locals first to make sure it's safe. Finland's lakes in winter...