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Articles from Bruno Blackstone | Selfgrowth.com
- The Diary of a Broken Ankle - A True Story Highlighting the Importance of the Correct Footwear Whilst Outdoors - by Submitted on Oct 29, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneThe article is a true account of the experiences of the daughter of a friend who suffered a severe ankle injury as a result of not wearing the correct boots whilst walking. Diary of a Broken Ankle BBA (Before Broken Ankle): I have an active lifestyle and enjoy walking and cycling, getting ...
Views: 5544(1 vote) - The Rising Popularity of Cycling - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneAfter many, many years of decline cycling is starting to boom again, the sight of people wearing bright lycra outfits and flashy backpacks is once again common. In cities the sight of someone wearing a suit whilst riding a bike, is becoming nearly as common as a suited bus or rail passenger. ...
Views: 4086(1 vote) - Why do some people stick coins into trees? - by Submitted on Nov 13, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneIt happened to be a wonderfully bright day last Sunday and therefore my family and I went trekking to a really nice locale close to Morecambe Bay known as Arnside Knott. Once we started our descent a female rambler adjacent to to us called out “I have got one”. In all honesty I did not know ...
Views: 4071 - Choosing Gaiters for Hiking - by Submitted on May 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneTraditionally Gaiters for Hiking are garments worn over the shoe and lower pants leg, and used primarily as personal protective equipment; similar garments used primarily for display are spats. Originally, gaiters were made of leather. Today, gaiters for walking are commonly made of plasticized ...
Views: 2096 - What exactly is Team Bonding Experience? Or Whatever Happened to the ‘Company Outing’? - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneIt appears to be the done thing these days that what used to be called a ‘company outing’ is currently called a team building day. As a result as an alternative to passing the time with our fellow workers sitting around in the sunshine chatting and perhaps having several wine or a meal, now we ...
Views: 1896 - If You Hear an Owl – Take Your Clothes Off - by Submitted on Nov 27, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneThe cuckoo's first call in Spring gives us annual news in the correspondence pages of the UK 'Times' newspaper. Supposedly from olden times the quantity of calls a cuckoo produced suggested different things whether you were actually a young person (the point when you would get hitched), a ...
Views: 1835 - How to take care of your walking boots - by Submitted on Oct 24, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhen you’ve invested in a decent pair of walking boots you need to take care of them not only to get good value for money ( a good, well looked after pair of boots can last for many years) but to keep them in good condition so that they keep you dry, comfortable and well supported on your walks. ...
Views: 1765 - Choosing a Coarse Fishing Rod - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneCoarse Fishing Rods There is a huge variation in prices for coarse fishing rods. not surprisingly, the more you pay, the more you get. Coarse fishing rods are no longer made from natural materials, like split cane, and modern rods take advantage of modern materials technology, giving the ...
Views: 1742 - The way to get the most out of camping. - by Submitted on Oct 22, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneCamping definitely is a very good way to relax and bond with the great outdoors, whatever age you are and regardless of whether you are on your own, a family, a couple or a group of pals in search of a break there is a camping break to suit you. Lately there are numerous camp sites, tents and ...
Views: 1682(1 vote) - Eastwooding - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneOn August 30th, the Republican National Convention took place in Tampa, Florida. Veteran actor Clint Eastwood gave a speech endorsing the Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. During his speech, Eastwood rhetorically addressed an empty chair as if current President Barack Obama were ...
Views: 1615 - WALKING POLES - What Benefit Do They Have To Help Hiking? - by Submitted on Oct 22, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneA significant stage within Human evolution was the moment our ancestors initially stood up, the way in which people use our upper limbs as well as the hands especially is what has stimulated our intelligence to develop in the way it has. Sad to say, walking vertically has taken its toll on the ...
Views: 1527 - Where’s there’s muck there’s fewer wildflowers! - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2013 from Bruno BlackstoneMy regular readers will know that I enjoy being in the outdoors and also anything to do with nature. In particular I like to try and see and identify the birds I see whilst walking, consequently I never go out without my binoculars. Last year, for various reasons, I had an unusual amount of ...
Views: 1519 - Choosing Walking Socks - by Submitted on Nov 16, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSo what’s wrong with wearing ordinary socks when hiking? Well it is all about understanding the particular challenges of the type of walking that you like and maximizing your comfort whilst hiking. As trivial as they may seem the right socks will help you enjoy anything from a short ramble up ...
Views: 1513 - Eat Your Heart Out Indiana Jones! - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I was reminiscing with a friend about all the games we used to make up as children when we would disappear outside for hours at a time; sadly those carefree days are over and the modern child has adapted to a more sophisticated, but indoor, world. With most kids nowadays having access ...
Views: 1503 - Something Wicked This Way Comes… - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneDuring my university years, studying at an institute of higher learning in a town of disrepute, I became friends with some budding ‘scientists’ whom at the time would have more accurately been described as ‘nutters’. These were men who loved heavy metal and ale, but knew the benefits of a good ...
Views: 1474 - Choosing a Rod for Sea Fishing - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSea fishing rods come in a large variety of types and sizes and that’s mainly because the sorts of fish you may be targeting are many and varied. In terms of making a choice, of course, the right one for you depends on what sort of fish you are after and where you will be fishing from. The more ...
Views: 1448 - Enjoying Nature All Around Us - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneMany of us who delight in the great outdoors do so partly as a result of flora and fauna that we see there. Wildlife is, after all, all around us and I think it is especially entertaining when one has to go no further than one’s own home to spot it. We live in a remote locale in the centre of ...
Views: 1435 - Esssential Camping Gear List - by Submitted on May 18, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneCamping is a great way to experience the great outdoors. Living, eating and sleeping outdoors makes for a great, fun and relaxing time. People of all ages can enjoy it and it needn’t be expensive. However, it is important to be properly prepared and unless you are keen on lightweight camping you ...
Views: 1401 - Be on the lookout for Half a Dozen Crows! - by Submitted on Nov 27, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneThose who enjoy the country side cannot help observe the strange folklore linked with flora and fauna and particularly the Corvids or Crow family. A friend of mine can not rest assured unless he says “Good Morning Mr Magpie” to the very first magpie he sees every day and I have witnessed quite a ...
Views: 1394 - Under the Sea! - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneThis is the second of the two articles in which the twin boys Mark and Pete choose an activity that they would like to do, and give a little potted history of the subject. In the first article Mark describes how the Wright brothers achieved powered flight and how the sport of skydiving followed. ...
Views: 1384 - Base Layers for Out Of Doors Activities - by Submitted on May 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneBeing out and about in the great outdoors means you need to be prepared for any weather. Golfing, cycling, fishing, camping, hiking or just taking in the wildlife on a leisurely stroll you need the ability and flexibility to be able to keep warm when the weather suddenly turns against you. Being ...
Views: 1370 - A Folly in the Garden - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSeveral weeks ago I decided to have a change to my normal stamping ground and went walking in the south of the country for a few days. I am used to rugged terrain or rolling hills so what struck me first about the area were the wide open spaces and vast expenses of flat ground or gentle ...
Views: 1368 - Be a Cowboy? I Kid You Not! - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I was watching a re-run of an old television series that I remember my parents watching avidly when I was a child. It was set in the Wild West and every week the heroes had to deal with hold-ups by bandits, Indian attacks or rescuing damsels in distress, with the odd gold-rush thrown in ...
Views: 1368 - Around the Course in 80 Seconds! - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIn my youth I was quite a fan of motorsport and I liked nothing better than travelling to a racetrack and spending the afternoon watching different classes of cars race around the course. I do believe some of my contemporaries went to great lengths to avoid paying the admission fee by concealing ...
Views: 1363 - He Flies Like a Bird! - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIn a previous article I mentioned that I took on an unexpected child-minding job on what turned out to be a very rainy day. The three of us ended up in front of the computer searching online for adventure activities to entertain young children. Both the kids chose what would be their most ...
Views: 1362 - The Occidental Tourist! - by Submitted on May 22, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I recounted to my readers how I left my beloved Yorkshire to spend a week in the Italian Lake District. The travelling was done by train and I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it took me three days to get to my destination. I started to think about people who travelled in bygone times ...
Views: 1362 - 5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Tent - by Submitted on May 18, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneCamping is an increasingly popular way to enjoy the great outdoors for all sorts of people, families, couples or friends. It needn’t be an expensive pastime but you can’t avoid the fact that you will need to buy some basic equipment to get you going There’s no denying that the most essential ...
Views: 1324 - What Makes The British British! - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneMy job involves dealing with the public on a daily basis and one thing I’ve noticed is that a good way to strike up a conversation with someone of whatever age or walk of life is to comment on the weather. If there’s a heat wave it’s news, rain is news, snow is news! So, this got me thinking ...
Views: 1317 - Straight From the Horse’s Mouth - by Submitted on May 20, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneI was walking in the beautiful countryside around Middleham in North Yorkshire recently and was quite surprised at the number of race horses that were trotting through the town centre. I later found out that because of the wide open spaces around those parts there were several racing stables ...
Views: 1281 - Should there still be zoos? - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSome people do not like the idea of keeping animals in captivity but long gone are the days when animals were kept locked in cages to be stared at with no regard to their feelings or being kept in unnatural surroundings. Nowadays the main work of wildlife parks and zoos is conservation, ...
Views: 1239 - How to Backpack. Advice on Choosing a Backpack, Day Pack or Rucksack for Walking to ensure maximum comfort and minimise back problems - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneWalking backpacks come in many different shapes and sizes. Each rucksack is specific to a certain activity or pursuit. When looking for a rucksack the first question is what activity you intend to use the backpack for. Are you going on an afternoon walk, or a walking holiday? To help you ...
Views: 1237 - How Novels Helped Social Improvement in Victorian England - by Submitted on Dec 12, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneA handful of 19th century Uk writers were in a position to see at first-hand what everyday living and working conditions were like during the Industrial Revolution, of massive significance were the increases in both the amount of manufacturing establishments and of the people prepared to labour ...
Views: 1211 - Ten Top Tips on How you can Choose Walking Trousers - by Submitted on Oct 21, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneThere's a particularly old yarn which We have adjusted to suit my purposes that is as follows. “You are walking to the stores on a beautiful sunny day to search for some walking and hiking outside clothing. However, you are not sure of the shortest route and you meet the ghosts of Winston ...
Views: 1200 - Heathland Wildlife - by Submitted on Dec 04, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneMany people who like rambling do so as a result of wide variety of wildlife which it is possible to experience as they explore the outdoors. Obviously, the species that you are likely to see will be dependent on the type of the habitat in which you are hiking. One sort of habitat which is ...
Views: 1176 - How to look after your barbecue. - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhether you choose a charcoal or a gas barbecue there are then various accessories that will prove essential to your cooking, keeping it clean and protecting it from the elements. First of all, cooking accessories; you can buy these in sets or individually. Naturally make sure you choose ...
Views: 1173 - The Appeal of the Orient Express - by Submitted on May 01, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently, I was lucky enough to be treated to a trip on the Orient Express, it was quite an experience absolute luxury combined with excellent service. If it weren’t for the modern dress and occasional buzz of a mobile phone I could have been back in the heyday of the infamous train. History ...
Views: 1165 - Choosing Sea Fishing Tackle - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSea Fishing Tackle Fishing in general is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and feel in touch with nature but where do you start out with sea fishing? Sea fishing has many different variations and so in terms of choosing sea fishing tackle the two basic questions are where do you intend to ...
Views: 1122 - To (Charcoal) BBQ or Not to (Gas) BBQ! - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I attended a street party as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It took place on a town square and because of the proximity of the residence of the people who had invited me to the venue, it was possible to wheel out their barbecues onto the ...
Views: 1109 - Should there still be zoos? - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSome people do not like the idea of keeping animals in captivity but long gone are the days when animals were kept locked in cages to be stared at with no regard to their feelings or being kept in unnatural surroundings. Nowadays the main work of wildlife parks and zoos is conservation, ...
Views: 1108 - Choosing a Fly Fishing Rod - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneFly Fishing is, of course, different from coarse fishing and sea fishing in that you are trying to catch fish not through tempting your prey with actual food but with an artificial fly made to fool the fish into thinking that it is taking an insect or fly. Sometimes these flies are on the ...
Views: 1106 - How to Choose A Fly Fishing Fly - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneFly fishing flies or game fishing flies are a unique part of the fly angler’s gear to catch fish. Unlike most of coarse and sea fishing the angler is trying to fool the fish into believing that the fly, tied from all sorts of natural and man made materials is actually food rather than using ...
Views: 1104 - How to Cast Using a Fly Fishing Rod - by Submitted on Jun 05, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneFly fishing which is also known as game fishing requires the angler to perfect their cast before they can hope to fish properly and in this sense is harder for the beginner to perfect than other sorts of fishing. Not only must you cast your fly to a specific spot (often some distance away) but ...
Views: 1082 - Today's dish is Named After the Dish! - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhilst doing some research for another article I became intrigued to find the number of foods that are named after the dishes or pots they are cooked in. Now although I am normally an outdoors type I am not averse to a spot of creativity in the kitchen and definitely love my food. So here’s a ...
Views: 1082 - Choosing a Sea Fishing Line - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIt is obviously important to understand the sorts of fishing line that exist and when you should use one rather than another. A major factor is what you are fishing for and where you intend to fish; there are basically four different sorts of fishing line. They are manufactured in different ways ...
Views: 1053 - Hot Stuff! or…How to Keep Warm Once the Sun Goes Down - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2012 from Bruno BlackstonePeople who have read some of my previous articles will know that I am a great lover of the outdoors, walking and hiking, fishing and birdspotting. However, I do also enjoy just sitting at home in the garden watching the comings and goings of the neighbours and my wildlife visitors. Speaking of ...
Views: 1041 - Messing About on the River - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneContrary to popular belief we do occasionally get some very hot days in this part of the world. On one of these recent ones my wife and I decided to take a lake cruise on Lake Windermere in the English Lake District. Rather than hire our own boat we took the ferry from Ambleside to Bowness and ...
Views: 1030 - How Do You Prefer Your Eggs Mr Benedict? - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneDuring the research for my foods named after cooking pots article, I also found a fair few foods named after people so here they are: some you might already know, some may be new to you. Beef Stroganoff was the prize-winning recipe created for a cooking competition held in the 1890s in St. ...
Views: 1017 - Any Old Porch in a Storm! - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneHere in Britain we are not having a very good summer this year, we are having a lot of rainfall and many places are flooded. Whilst sitting in the house the other day looking out at the rain (again!) I got to thinking, “wouldn’t it be lovely if houses in this country had those American-style ...
Views: 1013 - The Appeal of Hot Air Balloooning - by Submitted on May 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneHot Air Balloon Rides are a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside from above drifting along in a tranquil journey across the sky. The really appealing elements of hot air balloon rides include the exceptional quiet (except when the propane burners are firing), the lack of a ...
Views: 1007 - The Theme Park - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneMy family and I have never really been great lovers of funfairs and theme parks. My wife does not go on any of the rides and so objects to paying the admission price. When the children were younger therefore, it was always down to me to take them on the ride (and stand in the queue with them!) a ...
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