Since I started hillwalking again recently, my enthusiasm for the mountains has really come back and I am looking forward to getting into the hills again. Although I normally go walking with other people I have a bit of desire to eventually go out on my own and go solo. In order to do…
First Impressions I was quite excited when I took my new Lumos helmet out of the box and with good reason too. The first thing that struck me is it felt like a real solid piece of kit, very well made and a little more sturdy than an ordinary helmet. To look at, it is…
The Great Glen Hostel just south of Invergary provided the location of the Walk Highland Autumn meet. I, along with around 30 others, attended for a two night stay. Taking over the hostel for the weekend, a fun time was had by all. Walk Highland, as many people know, is a fantastic website and a…
Next Week begins the start of a new series on Channel 5 where families on welfare are offered a years worth of benefit, £26,000 in a lump sum, and in return are expected to come of benefits all together. The program makers and Channel 5 producers insist that this is a worthwhile exercise that has…
Disabled people who rely on vital monies for mobility, that enables them to have an active life and go about their daily business, are facing an uncertain future. Many thousands of disabled people rely on high rate Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to enable them to access a car via the Motability scheme to enable them to…
On a weekend away in Scotland, more often then not, one usually ends up traipsing round the nearest town or village to where you are staying in the rain. Last Saturday was no exception and waking up to a stormy day in Pittenweem we made for St Andrews for a mosey round the shops and…
Earlier this month I was very grateful to spend time with Elliot Reeves and be interviewed for his website Inspired Edinburgh. “Inspired Edinburgh is a media company Founded by Elliot Reeves. It is centred around an interview show and podcast which features fascinating people from all walks of life. The conversations are…
Motivation and inspiration doesn’t get much higher than on a snowy Scottish mountain below a clear blue sky. On a picture postcard day myself and a friend set out to climb two mountains in Glenshee and what a day it turned out to be. The two Munros, Cairn an Turic and Cairn of Claise can…
I was lucky enough to be asked to write another guest post. I shared in it my experiences of camping with a disabilty and some of the things I have learned. Here is the Link. http://www.anotsoyoungwomanabroad.com/guestposts/?v=79cba1185463
I have always had a huge amount of respect for Richard Branson, he comes across as a genuinely nice guy and has done tremendously well in life to build up his business from selling records to the £billion brand that he know owns. Nobody can doubt his spirit and flare. He was visibly moved yesterday…
First Impressions When I opened the packaging of the new ProViz reflective jacket it immediately looked like a top quality product. The material felt soft and malleable, yet looked great as well. The zips looked, and are, waterproof and have good quality toggles for ease of grip as do the draw strings at either side….
In October last year, Capability Scotland began a yearlong celebration to mark the 60th year since its inception in 1946. Named “The Spastic Society” back then, Capability began as a group for parents of children with Cerebral Palsy and is now one of Scotland’s leading disability charities. However, as someone who has Cerebral Palsy, I…
A friend suggested that I might try busking in the Meadows during the Edinburgh Festival and I stupidly agreed to do it. Got the idea from adventurer Alistair Humphreys who is busking his way over Spain, with a violin he only started learning 6 months ago. I must admit I was really terrified. After walking…
Two years ago just now I started this website, David Ventures. I had been writing for many years on aspects of disability but it just wasn’t making me happy. In fact I was not enjoying much at that time at all. Then someone said ‘just do what it takes to make yourself happy’ and I…
On a break from my outdoor and adventure life, I have just had the pleasure of sailing the Danube on a luxury cruise. Returning home with my motivation to travel sky high, I decided to write about my trip. From Budapest in Hungary the river Danube took us through some breathtaking scenery and beautiful towns…
Just the other week, a care worker was sentenced to four months in prison, and another two given suspended sentences, for their roles in a catalogue of mistreatment and abuse of people with Alzheimer’s disease at a care home in North Somerset. Despite the introduction of some of the tightest regulations and monitoring in the…
E-bikes are becoming more popular than ever as people realise that having an electric-assisted bike can take much of the effort out of cycling. This is of tremendous benefit to commuters who don’t want to arrive at work in a puddle of sweat, or those less active but who still want to get out…
For a group of disabled people in East Lothain, any form or disability or impairment presents no barrier to enjoying outdoor activity and sport. Beyond Boundaries East Lothian, or BBEL, provides disabled people with the opportunity to experience and participate in outdoor sports including everything from cycling, to canoeing and gorge walking. I feel privileged to have been asked…
Here is a great rucksack by Vango ideal for days out in the country or for using around the city. See my review! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBzq_AhbiWg
Cairngorm Mountain is home to Scotland’s only Funicular Railway. Opened in 2001 the line takes thousands of visitors up and down Cairngorm Mountain to the highest cafe in the UK, the Ptarmigan Restaurant, which sits at over 3,500ft about sea level. Cairngorm is a hive of activity at all times of year with thousands of…