Moving back to the UK
- Thread starter DuneElliot
- Start date
Taz38
Thru Hiker
Welcome aboard Dune.
Another female here, but that's kind of irrelevant really, we just get on with outdoorsy stuff on here and out there. BUT for me personally, seeing how many other women are doing solo stuff (or just getting out there), has encouraged me even more to hike more and do some wild camps (and spend lots of money on gear
).
Non of my work mates do this or seem to understand why, but we're all different with different interests, and it's great to be able (to have the freedom, time and money) to do these things.
"I think its mainly shooting people that's frowned upon here."
Another female here, but that's kind of irrelevant really, we just get on with outdoorsy stuff on here and out there. BUT for me personally, seeing how many other women are doing solo stuff (or just getting out there), has encouraged me even more to hike more and do some wild camps (and spend lots of money on gear
).Non of my work mates do this or seem to understand why, but we're all different with different interests, and it's great to be able (to have the freedom, time and money) to do these things.
"I think its mainly shooting people that's frowned upon here."
cathyjc
Thru Hiker
DuneElliot
Section Hiker
Sussex ain't so bad
From my own perspective its easy to dismiss people who get offended, or complain about social pressure. But I think that has a lot to do with being a bloke in his 40s in a stable relationship, with kids and owning my own house. Other groups are clearly more susceptible to others opinions.
On the other hand, I can't dismiss @RoughHiker opinion that some demographics can just have less interest in some subjects.
Having a very male brain I'm on a few forums for my other hobbies, and some have zero women on, who knew women weren't fascinated by transmitter valve audio amplifiers? Astroimaging started to have a few. building nitrous specific race engines, non last I looked. I'm not sure there is anything wrong with that as long as its not because groups are being excluded.
Re the outdoors I'm sure aspirational types are a better driver of change than discussion about privilege which to me often looks like a cul de sac.
My mom lives in a great location...north on the train and easy access to the North Downs, south on the train and easy access to the South Downs...and no changes. Of course return logistics aren't always as easy. I loved the hike from Boxhill to Gomshall...and the cute little pub at the end. I can't wait to do these hikes with my dogs.
Frowned upon here too, although I do like the ability to be able to defend oneself with a firearm!
Taz38
Thru Hiker
With most schools now taking kids on outdoor adventure trips (and not always just the "white"/privileged kids), youngsters are getting a taste of what's out there. My three have all been, enjoyed it, but the younger two have no real desire to do more, though that can always change with growing up.
DuneElliot
Section Hiker
I didn't used to care for backpacking either...when I had horses and I had them to carry me and all the stuff I wanted to carry. I didn't understand why people would want to haul all that weight around themselves.
, ideally with an increase in general human wellbeing as the outcome. I think that isn't inevitable.
DuneElliot
Section Hiker
Yeah. I only had time and money to do a couple of sections. Despite being in the UK for 5 weeks last June/July as I was super busy with family and logistics were tougher for other sections.
Enzo
Thru Hiker
Ditto, a couple of months ago I walked the top half of the downs link (Guildford to coast linking both downs paths) it uses the disused railway line. When I got to near Horsham I looked for a train home. 4.5 hours to get me the 33 miles home. Crazy, I though surely there is a more direct route! Of course in the 60's there was and I'd just walked it 
Rahul Anand
Trekker
Having just made the move back myself, I can relate to the excitement and the logistical puzzles.
Thedragonsfather
Ultralighter
Welcome !
I beg to differ on 'dry or wet' feeling colder though ! I spent a week in Inner Mongolia with temps (inc windchill) from -35C to -50C and whilst my eyebrows and moustache grew stalactites, and my eyeballs (tears) froze as soon as I stepped outside, it never felt as cold as -10C in Shanghai ! That 'dry cold' is very dangerous in fact as those lovely blue sky days can be just as deadly.
Rahul Anand
Trekker
I'm also a big hiking enthusiast, and unpacking all my oversized and heavy hiking gear was a relief after making sure I chose the right shipping option. I used a service specialized in shipping oversized and heavy items, which was crucial for getting everything here in good shape.
Norrland
Thru Hiker
For me it just feels a different type of cold. Since moving to Sweden I've regularly been with anything from minus 20 to minus 38 (new low experienced this winter). That kind of dry cold you feel on your skin and extremities, but the moist windy cold you get in Scotland for example "gets into your bones". My partner who grew up in the Swedish Fjäll areas experienced the same feeling when we lived in Scotland.