Posts in Inspiring
People of the Outdoors - Mathias Wielinga

People of the Outdoors is my latest series whereby I acknowledge those individuals who are inspired and motivated to spend their lives in the Great Outdoors. This series forms a selection of personal interviews and imagery taken from these dedicated individuals. This second interview is by Outdoor Enthusiast Mathias Wielinga, who enjoys hiking and exploring the wild outdoors.

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50 Bucket List ideas to enjoy in the Great Outdoors

50 Bucket list ideas to do in the Great Outdoors is a comprehensive list of fun activities that any child or adult can enjoy in their own free time. I hope these 50 ideas help to serve as inspiration and motivation and indeed help others get outside, enjoy the natural world around them, without spending large amounts of money on unnecessary extras.

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The Surprising Benefits of Outdoor Learning

During my own childhood and Primary Schooling, back in the 1980’s. I have very clear and distinct memories of how cool my school was. With my local Primary School being a diverse and exciting place, where I was not only lucky enough to be inspired by the world around me, but also by the bold and inspirational individuals who led us along this beautiful learning journey. One thing was clear, I really enjoyed learning from the Great Outdoors.

Find out more about the Surprising Benefits of Outdoor Learning in my new blog post.

www.garethmate.com

‘Thoughts and Stories from the Great Outdoors’

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What will it be like in 2019?

What will it be like in 2019?

With 2018 drawing to a close and a New Year around the corner. This blog post focuses on all that have supported me during a pretty successful 2018 and how I can encourage others to step up, get out and do something new in the year ahead.

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Children should be embracing the Outdoors

Children should be embracing the outdoors.

My thoughts and response to the proposals set out by Education Minister Damian Hinds and his encouraging words about children utilising the outdoors as a creative learning tool. To learn in the outdoors and to incorporate good practice back in the classroom.

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Do more of what makes you happy

'Do more of what makes you happy’ is a frequently used saying. It is also a saying that is often misused or perhaps overlooked. Feeling happy or finding happiness in life is something we all seek. How we get there or how long it takes, is always a question the individual has to answer themselves.

A practical view on how we can utilise what is all around us in order to bring some extra positive thinking and overall happiness into our lives.

‘Thoughts and Stories from the Great Outdoors’

www.garethmate.com

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Hydro Flask - Bottle review

Hydro Flask Colder, Hotter, Longer. Hydro Flask guarantees to keep your beverages tasting fresh and crisp all day long. They're colourful easy to carry, insulated and reusable bottle. Will ensure that you can hydrate at any time, allowing you to continue enjoying all of your adventures. Wherever they might be.

Read on to find out what I thought about their versatile 21oz water bottle.

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How to Make a Stone Age Dwelling

Prehistory - Life in the Stone Age

One great thing about being a teacher is that you get to participate in some fantastic projects. Projects that are not exciting for you (the teacher), but also the children you are teaching.

Over the past few weeks my class has been excited about learning more about Prehistory and in particular life during the Neolithic and Palaeolithic periods

Find out more about what we have been up to in my latest blog post. How to make Stone Age dwelling.

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A Sustainable and Self Sufficient place to live

In pursuit of further developing creativity, I decided to present my class with another open-ended and creative task.

A task that would not only encourage the children I teach to work together, think expansively, but also build stronger levels of resilience and perseverance in order to reach and hopefully achieve a desirable goal.

Read on to find out more.

www.garethmate.com

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How to start cycling to work EVERY DAY.

Top Tips from a Cycle Commuter.

Over the last few years, there’s definitely been somewhat of a revolution in the number of people choosing to cycle to work. Maybe it's down to increased traffic on the roads, personal issues relating to health, cost or simply trying something new. Either way, there are many great benefits of riding into work, rather than driving or using public transport. 

In this particular post, I hope to highlight some of my Top Tips, after I decided to ditch all modes of transport, in order to complete a 32 mile/52km cycle commute each and every day.

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Top Tips for Healthy Outdoor Activities

It's time to make the most of the longer days and warmer weather...

With long, dark, cold winter months finally leaving us behind, a new world of opportunity is blossoming just beyond your window. As the seasons change, the weather is starting to improve and the days are getting longer.

To hopefully promote, positive thinking, I would like to encourage my readers to get outside, make the most of what you have, by enjoying some much-needed sunshine and perhaps begin to participate in one of the many healthy active pursuits at your disposal.

As the saying goes... 'hello body, healthy mind.'

 

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Inspiring Individuals - Introducing Graham Clarke

Inspiring Individuals

This is the third and latest post in my series all about 'Inspiring Individuals.' In this particular post, I will be focusing on one of my good friends, from my University days. Through the years, we shared some great times. Playing in the same successful football team and enjoying some similar past times, as well as being part of a wider friendship group. 

May I introduce Graham Clarke.

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Inspiring Individuals - Rachel Sheldrake

Inspiration Series

Recognising and featuring Inspiring Individuals, who go out of there way in order to do something different and achieve their goals.

This time it is the turn of Rachel Sheldrake from Mud and Miles https://mudandmiles.co.uk/

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Peak District Walks - The Roaches

A favourite walk - The Roaches, Staffordshire, England.

I have written about one previous Peak District walk already. That particular walk focused on one of my favourite places, that being the beautiful area surrounding the popular and well photographed, Chrome Hill.

 

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Life in the Bike Lane - A day in my life

Life in the Bike Lane

Since moving to the Netherlands around three years ago the majority of my days are spent outside, cycling in the bike lane. To most people out there, this might sound rather mad or perhaps even peculiar, but it is all in fact entirely true. After 'Brexiting' the Motherland and I guess becoming part of Dutch culture I decided to make some changes in my life. Changes that were perhaps easy to consider, but in reality, much harder to actually implement.

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50 things to do with a stick.

In a bid to develop the power of Creative Thinking, within my class. We came up with 50 things to do with a stick. Collectively, we hope these practical ideas serve as inspiration and enable you to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and explore, learn, create.

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