
First frost over the breckland of north Norfolk, England
Through tussocks, reeds and the occasional yew,
I am the river and you the view;
Through pasture forgotten and by trees of oak,
I will walk the land like liquid smoke;
Quietly.
First frost over the breckland of north Norfolk, England
Through tussocks, reeds and the occasional yew,
I am the river and you the view;
Through pasture forgotten and by trees of oak,
I will walk the land like liquid smoke;
Quietly.
Valley of Rocks, Exmoor National Park, England (Jake Graham Photography)
Up the eastern flank of the turreted ridge, we scrambled, without thought, for the moon. Yet, upon arrival, and far from lunar discovery, we fell once more in love with the Earth – ocean before us, moorland behind, and a slab of rock, strong and definite, beneath our feet.
Swooping from plant to plant, the butterflies of Bristol Zoo Gardens are quite marvelous to watch. Catching Johnny’s eye, a glasswinged butterfly dances through the humidity of the house and lands on a banana plant. He gazes up at the lepidoptera, its wings transparent, its proboscis curled.
I painted this portrait of Johnny with the ambition of capturing the studious and captivated look marked across the entirety of his face.
Wild camping can be a great way to enhance the adventure, solitude and self-sustainability of a multi-day hike. Yet, for many, it inflicts a bout of apprehension difficult to rid; an understandable sentiment, but one most certainly worth overcoming.
Here is a little guidance on how to feel the rewards of camping wild:
But, most importantly, do not forget the essence of wild camping – your connection with the land, your freedom and your solitude – that makes the experience so special.
Wild camping in a farmer’s field on the South West Coast Path, England
Wild camping in the Jura Mountains, Switzerland
My brother and I wild camping with wildflowers in the Mercantour National Park, France