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Travel, outdoor and garden writer

@fidarby

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If the 'system' is getting you down,
you'll find something different here.
Slow travel, slow living, slow eating.
Follow to join the escape.

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Having the best of times with @fidarby

#austria

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Where are the Sunday Buses?

Outdoor Writer @fidarby shares why a regular and reliable bus service is so vital in National Parks.

Nationally 71% of leisure trips are made by car or van which rises to 93% in National Parks.

Bus services are limited in many parts of our National Parks and, despite being one of the most popular days for visiting, Sunday services are particularly scarce.

Buses are a great way to see and explore National Parks, they help reduce the number of cars on the road meaning less congestion, pollution and less pressure for car parking in popular sites. We believe everyone should be able to access and experience these landscapes, no matter where they live, and buses are a great way to do this. However, the lack of public transport can make it very difficult to visit, particularly for the thousands of households without access to a car.

@campaign4parks and the DPA want to see significant improvements for Sunday bus services, but we need strong evidence to highlight the impact that a lack of services has on equal and sustainable visitor access.

Follow the link in our bio to share your experience.

#buses #sundaybuses #Dartmoor #publictransport #sustainabletransport #nationalparks

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What a view! 😍🌊🚅💚

I was asked by @the.sustainable.travel.guide to choose my favourite UK train route, along with a number of other train lovers ☺️

I picked London Euston (via Chester) to Holyhead as the views of the North Wales coastline are spectacular! 🫶🙌❤️

#trainview #trainwindow #flightfree #sunsetlover #traintravel

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The 8 best train rides in the UK 👇

🇬🇧 🚆 Together with some fellow train enthusiasts, we have compiled a list worth saving for your next train trip to the UK!

Here are our recommendations, in random order:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 1. Chester – Holyhead @greenhabitsuk
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 2. Exeter – Newton Abbot @fidarby
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 3. Plymouth – Penzance @met_de_trein_door_europa
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 4. Manchester – Sheffield @tootly.travels
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 5. Durham – Darlington @that_travel
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 6. Edinburgh – Aberdeen @the.sustainable.travel.guide
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 7. London – Glasgow @nightsontracks
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 8. Fort William – Mallaig @giveback.guide & @thenonflyingscotsman

You can find more photos and info on these routes on thesustainabletravelguide.com

📚 And stay tuned for the book launch of @met_de_trein_door_europa in September, which will include some of these routes and many more!

🚆 Which scenic route in the UK have we missed?

#SustainableTravel #UKTrainRoutes #UKTrains #TrainTravel #FlightFree2026

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One of these people is suitably dressed for a January post-storm wet and windy walk near an exciting massively spatey river.

The others appear to have been swimming in it 😳

@fidarby

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This week we hosted our first partnership walk of the summer and were joined by travel and outdoor #writer, @fidarby.

Many people may be familiar with Fi from the popular blog she co-authored, titled ‘Two Blondes Walking‘, which inspired many more women to get out and enjoy time exploring #nature. Starting in 2012, the blog came at a time when outdoor writing was a much more male dominated occupation, and Fi feels proud to be part of a movement which gave women permission to share their #hiking and #camping stories.

Our walk began at the base of #Haytor Rocks, and from there we meandered up to Haytor Quarry, with Fi sharing her recollections about #volunteering with the @dofeuk Award scheme and @armytentors.

In the quarry, we stopped to talk about writing inspiration. Fi shared how much she likes to visit places multiple times, building a relationship with ‘special’ locations that she will go to again and again, in all weathers and seasons. Being able to add real life observations to our #writing, she told us, helps to add a feeling of authenticity which the reader is likely to connect with.

Observations comparing a site across various visits are particularly good, she explained, giving us an example of how she might write about the lily pads in the quarry pool and say that they were in full bloom on this visit, while on previous occasions she had only seen them in bud.

It’s essential, Fi told us, to think about what sharing a lesser visited gem of a spot on social media to do. On one hand, it might boost the local economy, increase tourism and help generate demand to keep facilities open. On the other hand, an influx of cars with no car parking spaces could cause traffic, extra feet might cause erosion and local #wildlife might suffer from disturbance.

We shouldn’t be gatekeepers to the outdoors though, Fi told us, as access to the outdoors really should be for everyone. She suggested that, perhaps, the solution was inspiring people to find their own ‘special’ spots by sharing experiences and emotions without naming specific locations.

Read more in the 'NEWS' section of our website. Huge thanks to Fi for partnering with us to offer this walk.

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Fi Darby and the DPA are looking forward to welcoming everyone who will be joining us for Fi's Outdoor and Travel Writing Walk on Wednesday 16th July.

TIME: 10am
MEET: Hay Tor Visitor Centre carpark

This walk is FREE but places must be pre-booked, so please let us know if you'd like to come along.

It's easy to secure your spot! If you're planning on joining us, please email Helen, so your name can be added to the guest list. We do have a maximum capacity for the walk, so please get in touch to reserve your space.

Contact: helenbruce@dartmoorpreservation.co.uk

Haytor image: Dr Luke Sutton

#walking #Dartmoor #naturewriting #outdoorwriter #outdoorwriting #travelwriting #travelwriter #creativewriting

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What words would you use to describe Dartmoor? Might you call it wild or wonderful or wet?

Perhaps you'd describe the colours of delicate wildflowers: vermilion, cattleya, damask, citrine, magenta or mauve.

Or, you might write an ode to the majesty of the granite mimetoliths (rocks that resemble faces or human features) with words like gigantic, weathered or mysterious.

We're launching our 'Wild Words' writing callout and we would love to hear your words to describe Dartmoor.

All written formats are welcome, from haikus to folk songs and from field notes to short stories. Your words might seek to capture a specific Dartmoor spot in detail, or you might share a heartfelt written speech about what Dartmoor means to you.

The piece you submit might be a manifesto about what must be done to protect this unique landscape, or a set of instructions for the best #leavenotrace wild camp.

Words have power and we're looking forward to reading your Dartmoor inspired wild words.

Submissions open today, Monday the 7th of July. Find our more, including how to submit, on our website. Follow the link in our bio!

#wildwords #writing #creativewriting #Dartmoor #travelwriting #poet #poetry #author #naturewriting

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Join us on the 16th of July for a free guided walk, with inspirational Outdoor and Travel Writer, Fi Darby.

This will be a gentle wander and friendly chat about Fi’s career as an outdoor and travel writer. If you’re interested in writing, Fi will be sharing hints and tips on how to get started. If not, this will be a chance to meet Fi and find out more about why she loves sharing her outdoor experiences with so many people.

The walk will be on moorland paths and may include some hills but there will be absolutely no pressure to walk up any of them quickly. We will go at our own pace and stop frequently for chats. We will be meeting at Haytor Visitor Centre carpark (charges apply) and our walk will start and finish there.

Please meet at 10am and bring along a flask and snacks as we will be stopping for lunch and snack breaks. This walk is free, but there are limited spaces, so pre-booking is essential.

Please email helenbruce@dartmoorpreservation.co.uk to reserve your spot.

#Dartmoor #travelwriter #walk #writer #writingcommunity #writingprompts #writinginspo #naturewriting

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Escape to Powderham Castle! 🏰👣

Just a short stroll from Starcross station in Devon, this scenic circular walk around Powderham Castle has it all—from breathtaking views over the River Exe Estuary to cosy coffee stops and even a spot of trainspotting! 🚂✨

🚝 Nearest station: Starcross

🔗 Start planning your next outdoor adventure via the link in our bio.

📹 @fidarby

#NothingBeatsBeingThere

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Cherishing Little Moments!

I had the most wonderful day walking Glaslyn with a friend, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of this area of outstanding beauty. The song playing perfectly captures the joy of walking, talking, and simply soaking in the stunning views—what a lovely way to spend a day in February.

If you’re looking for your next escape, come stay at Hafren Forest Hideaway! With amazing walks and spectacular scenery just outside your door, it’s the perfect place to escape and explore.

Where do you love to walk? Share your favorite spots in the comments below, I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Sarah & Darren
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bed and Breakfast - private rooms. Evening meals available on request.
Adventure mini breaks can be organised.
Group accommodation in Wales sleeps up to 13
Self catering exclusive hire or all inclusive.
Mid Wales, Staylittle, Cambrian Mountains Wales.

#HafrenForestHideaway #Glaslyn #OutdoorAdventures #ExploreMidWales #BookYourStay #NatureLovers #ruralescape #bedandbreakfast #groupaccommodation

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Another bear bones Winter event in the bag, great weather, great trails, and great company!

#bikepacking #wales #midwales #colinthecaterpillar

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