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How to Make the Most of the Long Summer Evenings

#microadventure
 

Get out there and do fun stuff

Type the word ‘sunset’ into Google and you’re halfway to making the most of these long June evenings. It doesn’t get dark for so long – do you really need to stay indoors tonight?

Screen Shot 2014-06-12 at 10.33.54

If you are looking for ideas for your summer solstice microadventure challenge, I hope this post will encourage you as to how easy it is to get out into the wild, even on a work night.

7.40pm – jobs done. Time to pack and hit the road.

Make the Most of the Long Summer Evenings

Clockwise from top left: Kammok hammock and straps, ThermaRest Neo (for extra comfort in the hammock, or in case I can’t find any trees!), Buff / woolly hat, Notepad and pen, sleeping bag, Osprey pack, bottle, phone, raincoat, thermal top.
Microadventure kit

Look Mum, No Hands!

Keeping things simple is key to making you actually get round to doing something. I didn’t bother with cooking gear or organising food supplies. I just ate fish and chips in a field!

Fish and chips in a field

Make the Most of the Long Summer Evenings

Make the Most of the Long Summer Evenings

Hydration is very important on all expeditions.

Make the Most of the Long Summer Evenings

Here is the hill I was heading for. I’md never been there, but I felt confident I would be able to find somewhere beautiful, secluded and safe to sleep up there.

Going to sleep on this hill

I was racing the sunset, for it’s always easier to find a camp spot before it gets dark.

Make the Most of the Long Summer Evenings

Make the Most of the Long Summer Evenings

Job done! Very nice. I was lulled to sleep by the roar of the nearby motorway. You don’t need to live in a National Park to find pockets of beauty.

Sleeping in a Hammock

Sleeping in a Hammock

Terrible photo, but a wonderful large moon, as seen from my hammock. Each time I stirred in the night I tracked its progress across the sky.

Crap photo of a wonderful moon

My waking view. The tree that had kindly held me up all night.

Morning View

Absolutely nothing beats a swim in a river to start the day. Give it a try, even if you are a bit nervous about it being chilly. It feels so good and sets you up perfectly for the day ahead.

Make the Most of the Long Summer Evenings

Time to zoom home for breakfast.

Look Mum, No Hands!

Porridge

And ready for work on time. (Well, 1 minute past…)

Screen Shot 2014-06-12 at 09.01.51

So, what are YOU going to do to make the most of these long summer evenings?
Get involved with the solstice challenge today.

Read Comments

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Comments

  1. Great article! I was currently looking forward to my own solstice challenge this year especially as it falls at the weekend, and during my tour of Wales a 435 mile circuit. On the 21st of June I’m set to be somewhere in Snowdonia national park what better way to wake up with a clear view of snowdon? Thanks for the inspiration and happy cycling =)

    Reply
  2. I’ve been reading about your adventures since last year and I’m ashamed to say I’ve still not worked up the courage to have my own micro adventure.

    Reply
  3. Ed Posted

    Where(roughly) was this?

    Reply

 
 

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