Sometimes you need to get away from it all… to switch off the world for a while, and go exploring.
Two weekends ago, we did just that. We drove off into the middle of nowhere* and went somewhere with no wifi, almost no phone reception and no TV. A very modern adventure indeed!
We showed up in the middle of a mini blizzard and woke up to a fresh blanket of white, crisp stuff.
(Edinburgh had been sorely lacking in snow so to say that I was delighted would be a complete understatement.)
And amazing skies… with wisps of clouds almost painted onto them.
Ok, so ‘nowhere’ is actually a beautiful little wooden bothy in the middle of field, near Dumfries.
But it felt like an expedition into the unknown. (Certainly the first weekend I have been without my mobile phone in maybe forever.)
We woke up to a different world of blue skies and all this untouched snow… and so much silence.
Gorgeous, perfect, beautiful silence. The kind where you can actually hear yourself think.
So there was only one thing to do… make like Shackleton and get trekking.
He wore the exact same wellies, you know.**
So off we went through scenery that we later wrote poems and songs about their epic beauty.**
Then we happened on these strange tracks… who or what could have made these?
And spotted some very unusual creatures, not native to our shores.
(By that, I mean the shores of Leith.)
And then over the hill… we reached the summit.
I think we both just stood stock still and stared.
Silently appreciating this beautiful view…
Well, as silently as you can while taking photos!
After which, we had to perfect our National Geographic cover shots.
For when they come a-calling.
I’m not entirely sure my explorer shot is as convincing… explorers do wear pink pom pom hats right?
And like all good explorers before us, we brought a sledge. A red plastic sledge.
Exactly the same sledge as Scott of the Antarctic had.**
Turns out sledging isn’t quite as easy as we’d remembered it being…
And my ‘landings’ need a lot of work. Yes, tipping yourself off the sledge at the bottom of the hill is not the most graceful of finishes.
After the big success of my sledging, I did an installation piece in the snow…
Turns out falling backwards into snow and waving your arms about is an utterly ridiculous way to spend 5 minutes of your life. Utterly ridiculous and brilliant.
And star jumps… it’s a little known fact that all explorers do this.**
(Yeah, ok, I’m beginning to see why the sheep are terrified of us!)
Then we headed back to base camp…
De-wellied. (That’s a word right?)
Made some tea. Had some biscuits. It’s what Ranulph Fiennes would do.
24 hours later, we returned to the real world…
… and reluctantly switched everything back on.
Since that weekend, I’ve decided to try and give myself an internet/phone break every now and then.
Simple things like putting my phone in the other room when we’re watching a movie, not checking my emails immediately on waking (or before going to bed!), not instantly taking my phone out when someone else does…
Doing a bit more of concentrating on being here in the now.
And remembering that adventure is out there…
It’s what would every polar explorer would do.***
**Historically accurate fact. (Maybe.)
*** Along with wearing a pink pom pom hat.
These photos are so beautiful and so fun! The explorer thing made me smile, just what I needed this Sunday 🙂
Also ‘adventure is out there’… I love UP!!!!
Thanks Rachel. I watched Up again after writing this post – and cried 3 times again. Brilliant but such a sad movie! x
possibly the most adorable post ever. Glad you had a good time.
Aww shucks Lauren! You always say the nicest things x
Lol, I think more explorers SHOULD wear pink hats! You can actually make falling off a sledge look very graceful 😉 Such a cute post x
Thanks Not So Plain Jane! Definitely wasn’t graceful, was unable to stop without flipping myself over. Think that might be my wonky steering skills!
That looks so beautiful! I didn’t get any sledging in yet this year 🙁 x
Louise recently posted..London is Big.
Thanks Louise! Actually had the sledge since Christmas 2011 and this is the first time we’ve been able to use – was beginning to think the other half had cursed us to get no snow by getting me it! x
These images are beautiful! Such an amazing way to disconnect from it all:)
Thanks Justine! Yeah, I’d highly recommend it – way harder to disconnect at home I find! x
Zoe Pearson recently posted..Adventure is out there… a weekend away from the world (well, from wifi, phone reception and tv)
I love this post! Gorgeous pictures. I’m up to my knees in snow at the moment, and it’s starting to lose it’s charm a little!
Caroline recently posted..A Few Words About Glasgow
Aww, that’s a shame Caroline. This was my first snow in so long… I could still do some more. Hope yours sorts itself out soon x
Love the pink hat!! Gorgeous pictures, great way to relax! Hope you enjoyed it 🙂
Zjizjipke recently posted..My week of photo a day.
Very much enjoyed it, seems like forever ago now though! (Always the way with breaks huh?) x
looks bloody marvellous-just what is needed every so often…snow angels make everything better i feel!
Agreed Robyn! I’m so happy I got to make some this year! x
EVERYONE should wear a bright pink pom pom hat *goes off to find one on the internet*.
These photos are beautiful – those streaky clouds! They look like a long exposure!
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He he, love the use of capitals there! Did you get one? x
This looks lovely – so much so, that I’ve just booked it for the end of Feb! Thanks for the heads up! We’re taking our toddler too, who will LOVE looking out at all those sheep!
Hope you had a super time Helen? Made me so happy to know that someone else was heading there too – such a nice place! x
Oh, we had the best time! Massive thank you for making us aware of it – we didn’t want to come home! And we saw hours-old baby lambs!!! Sooo gorgeous!
Aww! Would have loved to see the lambs, how great! And you’re v welcome x
I heart your hat! And sledging, haven’t done that in soooo long! What a great weekend, such a great idea to turn everything off too, don’t do that often enough!!
Thanks Sewing Sam! Yeah it’s a must-do every now and then (sledging and social media switch off!) x
Zoe Pearson recently posted..Roar… my super neon, super silly, darn cool doormat DIY
An explorer isn’t an explorer without a good bobble hat xx
He he! Indeed! x
Great post 🙂 And fabulous looking adventure too. Love your pink pom pom hat!
Col x
col | hello olive recently posted..My Vintage Life via Little Birdie
Thanks Col! x
Zoe Pearson recently posted..Roar… my super neon, super silly, darn cool doormat DIY
I’m a little disappointed- when you mentioned a weekend away from it all I really wanted to find out where and book a trip myself. Except there’s not much point in spending a weekend away less than 10 miles from my parents house! Glad you had fun in my neck of the woods- it’s super pretty isn’t it?
Dee, I’m still imagining if it had been your parent’s farm how funny that would have been! It’s such a lovely little bothy though – it would be worth it! x
Oh so much fun! Your photos are beautiful, I love that explorer pic of you. Actually I love your whole outfit, wellies the most. I should also work on trying to disconnect a bit.
Amanda recently posted..The snake is here.
Aww, thanks Amanda! They were my wedding wellies actually, though only ended up wearing them on the morning of the day while setting up x
Looks so much fun, I love adventures so much, and why not look pretty in a pom pom hat while you’re at it!
Polly recently posted..not ventured far
He he, exactly! Was such a fun weekend… seems so long ago now, must plan another soon! x
I love this. Very cute, gorgeous photos and it looks like a great way to spend a weekend.
I think getting away for a day or so can be just perfect and I’m trying to be more present but the lure of the phone is so tempting….
Siobhan recently posted..Music Monday: Girls, Girls, Girls
You definitely have to go somewhere that your phone doesn’t work Siobhan, that way you can’t be tempted or feel guilty! x
See sometimes I think I’d love that, then I realise… I’d probably break out in withdrawal symptoms!
Lovely! It’s so good to do that every now and then.
Ohh my gosh, these photos are stunning! What a beautiful place and what an amazing little bothy!
I seriously love getting away from internet and phone reception, I’ve not done it in ages – must try and do it soon!
Thanks Sally, yeah it was a lovely place! I need to find more non internet/no reception places! x
Explorers should definitely wear pink pom pom hats – should be a requirement! Lovely place, worth all the twitter chatter beforehand xo
Definitely Laura! Hope you got away in the end too? x
I always want to jump into your pictures Zoe. This looks like the perfect weekend and sounds like it was just what you needed. I LOVE the pink hat too! xx
He he, yeah, I want to do that when I look at them again… if only we could! x
Absolutely gorgeous photos. Sounds like a great trip. I am beginning to feel owned by my technology and think I may very well need a break!
Abigail recently posted..Oh, Happy Day!
Yeah it’s surprising how quickly that creeps up on you Abigail. It’s my phone I’m the worst with – always seems to be in my hand!
This is such a lovely idea, how exciting! and I love these photos. I really like the idea of consciously putting your phone away when doing things like watching a film or just during the day. I am pretty addicted to my Blackberry! x
Polly recently posted..Birthday Weekend
Yeah, I’m not sure how well I’m managing it back in the ‘real world’ but I’m definitely paying attention more when we watch a film (or trying to!) x
I really need to take a trip like that. I am so attached to my phone, it’s ridiculous – I don’t think I ever properly switch off. It sounds like you had a great time, and having the snow as well must have made it even more perfect!
Oh you should Chiara! It was bliss and if you can’t switch off (I’m terrible at it too) then it’s such an easy way to do it x
It looks wonderful, and such beautiful pictures!
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Thanks Jennifer! x
That looks like so much fun! It’s good to switch off and get away. Lovely stuff. BB xx
BettyButtons recently posted..Hurrah…I can see clearly now the internet is back
Yeah it was BettyButtons! Need to do something like it again soon now of course x
Bliss. And that’s my type of cabin. I’d love some land one day that I can plonk one of those on. Plus I think you have my enormous mustard scarf, the best scarf in the whole world ever! X
Yay, scarf twins! And yes I need to get some land too some day, especially as I already want a vintage airstream too x
just amazing and beautiful images. what a lovely retreat, so envious!
Thanks Virginia! If you can be envious of yourself, I’m envious of me too 😉