Get Inspired
scroll to discover some nature connection inspiration
BOOKS
If you are a wild swimmer or like the idea of it, read this magical book.
Reading this really enhanced my connection with trees and forests. It's enchanting and a firm favourite of mine. I adore reading extracts of it to people whilst in the woods.
I read this while living in Thailand and I was feeling homesick for Wales (it's such a strong feeling there is even a word for it in Welsh - "hiraeth"). Robert Macfarlane is an amazing writer and in this book he explores words that connect us to our landscapes.
I think Iolo is ace and this book has got some wonderful places to visit in it. Some were already places I adored before I got this book, others are new inspiration for me. Also, there is a rather entertaining inscription inside the front cover of this book thanks to my other half secretly going to queue amongst a gaggle of blushing middle aged women at RSPB Conwy a few years ago.
A great book taking you on walks throughout North Wales and enriching your knowledge of some incredible geology throughout the landscape. I once was lucky enough to attend one of his courses when I worked for the FSC. My geological ignorance is astounding, I just haven't got the brain for it but I love trying to learn about the geology of North Wales and this book is a good place to start.
A book I have been gifted twice because I am so well known for spending a walk along a beach staring at the floor and pondering pebbles! I like books which enrich a walk and this is one of them.
Another brilliant book to enrich time spent outside. I once attended a talk by the author and was fascinated by what he had to say so I bought the book and took it out with me everywhere I went to try to learn how to navigate naturally!
A great place to start with ID guides is a little Collins Gem to slip into a pocket on a walk. There are, of course, far more detailed identification guides on my bookshelf - some of which do come out with me at times, but these are a good starting point to learning what you are seeing out and about.
A hero of mine ever since I was lucky enough to spend a few occasions foraging for mushrooms in the woods with him. Roger was a font of foraging knowledge and this book is filled with recipes which he collected over many many years of learning. He passed away at the end of 2021 and there was only one thing to be done on hearing the news... a toast to Roger with the apple wine we had made the previous year using his recipe.