The Outdoors Station

Beth and Alice spend several days wondering through the cobbled streets of Dubrovnik enjoying the rich history, glorious sun and yet more exquisite ice creams. Their adventure then takes a turn inland towards Bosnia and after an interesting bus ride past the marked mine fields still present along the access road to the sea, they arrived in Mostar. Here they stay at a hostel for a few nights and in...

An interesting mixed bag for you this time, with an interview with Microsoft regarding their image cataloguing tool Expression Media for those 1000's of outdoor photos you have stashed away. Andy and I review the 2009 Times Destinations Show with one eye on the forthcoming 2010 event, and Roman speaks with Andy Burgess from Golite who are 'Going Lighter On The Planet' with the use of recycled nylo...

In part two Beth and Alice spend the end of week one in the beautiful port side town of Zadar. Enjoying the ice cream to the tune of the town’s sea organ, as well as the great company and conversations with other Croatian travellers. After a few relaxing days they continued south along the Dalmation coast, stopping at the oasis of Krka National Park before arriving in the historical town of Dubrov...

The OMM 2009 didn't quite make the same headlines as 2008, but that was probably a good thing. Here is our recording of this years event and the frustratingly poor performance we put in, which was all my fault. However we did get to have a brief chat with a few people, competitors Liz Creaser and Michael Porter, plus various volunteer marshals Sean Lightfoot, Andy Leafer and 2 ladies I didn't catc...

It's been a while since we had a Travel Show on The Outdoors Station. Beth, our daughter went to Croatia this summer with her friend Alice, on a shoestring budget and wanted to record the experience for other backpackers. Fresh out of University both girls were in need of some rest and relaxation, sunshine, ice cream and stimulus other than academia. This series records their progress through, pla...

Following on from a question for one of our listeners here are the gear reviews from the 2009 TGO Challenge. Andy Reviews; Terra Nova Solar 2.2, ULA Conduit, PHD Minumus 400, Nite Lite Torso Pad, Paramo Third Element, Icebreaker Merino Wool, Silkbody, Paramo Stretch Pants, Montane Featherlite Pants, Inov8 Terrocs, Sealskin Waterproof Socks, Titanium Cook Gear, MSR Mug Mate, Pacer Poles, Gloves, Ti...

In this podcast you can still hear the remnants of the flu bug which has hit Rose and I in my voice, as I try to do some last minute training on the local hills in preparation for the forthcoming OMM. Meanwhile Andy Howell, sitting in front of his log fire with his slippers on, is reviewing some excellent and quirky books for Winter reading. Plus, as an extra bonus, 'stovies' will be thrilled to h...

In this podcast a couple of items catch Roman's 'lightweight eye' at the trade show in Germany as Pacific Outdoor Equipment are launching in 2010 some lightweight cycling panniers and a new sleeping mat to rival the very popular NeoAir. I on the other hand meet an interesting guy who produced the A-Z of Bushcraft DVD, not only that, but I hear about his background of many years filming and archivi...

In this Podcast Rose enters her first Sprint Triathlon consisting of a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run and so I record her progress and atmosphere of the day for posterity. Roman interviews Andy Utting from Terra Nova at the Germany Show to get more background information regarding the forthcoming uberlightweight Solar Elite and Solar Competition tents. Also Andy Howell discusses the negative dan...

Part 2 of our epic little walk along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path sees us visit a couple of bays which are surprisingly quiet, apart from a handful of Seals honking at us! The Honey Stove caters for us once again, with a little driftwood providing toasted Croissants and roasted Sweetcorn. The wide variation of the footing on the path itself makes for tough and slippy going, but the views are fan...

Another Big Day Out for Andy and I means another trip to the seaside. This time we arrive at Fishguard late Friday to start a weekends walk along the Pembrokeshire Coastal path towards St Davids. The weather this first wild camp evening isn't very good with horrendous rain predicted, so this means I struggle with the wood burning Honey Stove. However we cheer ourselves up talking about our new gea...

The time has come to start introducing numbered shows, now I've got one or two out of the way! This time Andy interviews Last Frontiers for help exploring South America, I think about another income via a photography course with Vale Training and Roman meets Carol Macdermot, the man behind the new Lightwave 60lt rucksack. Hope you like the new sound? Please join our newsletter and follow us on our...

And so on our final day, our journey draws to a close. The weather of the last few days has eliminated the normal joy we would feel and you can hear our tired voices grateful to finally get down to the beach and dip our toes. Of course Shirley's navigation takes her to finish in a unique place which sounds equally reflective and peaceful, and she concludes her journey in the company of John Hesp....

Rose, I and Shirley continue our various ways to Northwater Bridge Campsite and enjoy probably the best night of the two week trip, sitting in the sunshine with 50 or more Challengers sharing laughs, memories and magic moments which have gone to make up this years event. Here I'm pleased to meet once again Shaun Grund to see if the TGOC has lived up to expectations. Andy on the other hand can be f...

Food is always important on the Challenge as, on leaving Tarfside we all visit The Retreat for a slap up breakfast. While on the road to Edzell Shirley interviews John Hesp, David Albon, Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden and I chat to the famous 'Bothy Boys' Lee Wells and Tony Bowe about their trip, the pubs they visited and their thoughts on outdoor bloggers, or one in particular! Talking of which, Andy an...

With the journey coming close to the end, Andy and Kate decide to press onwards to Northwater Bridge Campsite to enjoy another day in the rain. Shirley on the other hand, puts all her navigation skills to the test and records her experience and trials of actually getting to Tarfside. We are already there of course, keeping dry and lazing in the tent reviewing gear such as the Golite Pinnacle and L...

The day starts calm enough, however the gloomy menacing clouds become darker still as the weather takes a turn for the worst giving Andy and Kate a reason to get to Tarfside very early. We head up out of Glen Colva into the storm with zero visibility for a long day with serious navigation issues and lots of pacing. Shirley and Colin are forced to take their FWA and not climb Mount Keen as planned....

We all finally leave that wild flesh pot known as Braemar and head in different directions to clear our heads and enjoy probably the last wild camp of the trip. Individually we share our thoughts about the warm welcome and great entertainment at The Moorlands Hotel, which was second to none. All Challengers enjoyed chatting with locals and listening to live music until late in the night, a great a...

Shirley still keen to hear if the ghosts have disturbed those in the bothy, is up early interviewing people still in their sleeping bags, while outside it continues to pour with rain. As it her last day, Beth gives us her thoughts on the event and a mini gear review. The weather makes us all change plans and head into Braemar a day early, to find a place to rest and dry out. We head for the SYHA w...

Shirley awakes thrilled to still be the new owner of an Osprey Exos so expect a full review later in the series, while we bask in the early morning sunshine at Glen Feshie. Andy and Kate enjoy a good night at Coylumbridge Campsite before heading over the Lairig Ghru to Derry Lodge. High winds force us all to make changes that day and fall back on our FWA. Andy gives listeners a good overview of wh...

We finally make it to the Dalwhinnie Inn for a warm welcome, great food and excellent beer. After the girls enjoy all the wicked pleasures that only a piping hot shower can bring, I interview Calum Dobie the owner, and ask him about running a business in this area and how the Inn is moving away from the established Coach Party market to cater more for the outdoors person. Andy takes a rest to get...

All of a sudden the sky clears on day five and after a cold night, we all enjoy a good days walking, fantastic views and in some cases sunburn! Such are the diverse expectations of walking in Scotland. We walk for a day with Dave Albon to Dalwhinnie and discuss the new Paramo jacket which appears to be coming the perfect Challenge outer layer this year. Shirley has a moment of madness but enjoys t...

Days three and four are mixed together in this podcast, as the damp weather works its way into our spirits and limits what we have to talk about! Thus we continue on in various stages of enthusiasm and between us do more road walking that we would like. However day four looms and the weather starts to pick up with some excitement, as Beth has a potentially nasty accident and I have my walking pole...

While those softies Andy and Shirley and Co spend a nice warm dry night at Gerry's Hostel, Rose, Beth and I enjoy natures torrent from the sky at Barcaldine. So we continue north rather than east to bypass the sodden forestry work, before we can finally head inland. Shirley gets very excited about crossing the swollen river on a twin wire bridge with Caburn before climbing to do her first Munro ba...

The 30th Anniversary 200 mile walk of the Rab TGO Challenge started in May 2009 in slightly soggy conditions. However spirits were high and all those arriving at their various starting points were raring to go. In this first episode Shirley, Andy and I talk to several people about their preparations and what draws them back time and time again. We also meet first timers from overseas and hear what...