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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: 5533(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: 4075(1 vote) - 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: 1669(1 vote) - Walking to see wildlife – how to experience flora and fauna as you enjoy the countryside - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneFor many of us the most enjoyable part of walking is seeing the various plants and animals along the way. In this article the author suggests how to maximise your wildlife spotting chances If we stop to think for a moment about the many types wildlife that surround us all we will quickly ...
Views: 878(1 vote) - 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: 1309 - 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: 1359 - A Night In A Bare Mountain! - by Submitted on Feb 02, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneQuite a few years ago when I was a much younger guy it was my pleasure (!) to organise an outward bound style adventure for a number of kids aged between about ten and fifteen. The idea was relatively simple, I was to drive one minibus load of them with my then girlfriend (now wife) driving ...
Views: 877 - A Short History of the Cocktail - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneNobody appears to know in what way the name ‘cocktail’ came to be synonymous to a beverage that's a mixture of ingredients (at least one of which being alcohol based!). The very first recorded reference in writing would seem to have been around 1862 at which time a bartender’s guidebook was ...
Views: 654 - Advice with regard to Choosing Walking Boots - by Submitted on Oct 21, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneThere is a potentially perplexing range of boots for hiking available for the consumer to pick from. Having said that, making the proper decision is really critical as actually the primary item of clothing to assure a rambler's optimum trekking pleasure is the footwear. The right boots will ...
Views: 963 - 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: 998 - 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: 1348 - 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: 1358 - 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: 1352 - 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: 1384 - Ben Nevis Challenge - by Submitted on Nov 20, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneThere’s a charity dear to my heart and so I made the decision it was about time I did some thing to raise money on their behalf. I log on to their web site and identify they have a number of challenges, the one which looks to fit the bill for me is the Ben Nevis Challenge. Following some thought ...
Views: 882 - Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy, Fun, Fun, Fun, Fun, Fun! - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhy is it that whenever someone has a little mishap in the garden someone else is bound to be on hand filming it just in case they capture enough decent footage to send to one of those programmes that showcases camcorder catastrophes. Usually it is plastic garden chairs collapsing or even ...
Views: 939 - Bridging the Thames - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneHere in England we had a spectacular event recently; as part of the celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the River Thames played host to a flotilla of craft of all shapes and sizes. The pageant covered the seven miles between Albert Bridge and the world famous icon of Tower Bridge, which ...
Views: 948 - Chocolate – From Mesoamerican Beverages to Multi-Million Pound Market - by Submitted on Nov 10, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneChocolate, the actual word itself appears – well chocolatey! A handful of people rarely ever touch it, their palfry consumption more than made up for through the chocoholics within us. However, how did chocolate come across from the Mesoamerican peoples who nurtured the cacao tree, to the ...
Views: 960 - 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: 1731 - 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: 1094 - 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: 1438 - 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: 1043 - 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: 2084 - 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: 1110 - 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: 1503 - 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: 1600 - 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: 1487 - Encouraging Your Kids to Cycle - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneFamily cycling is a fun and great way to enjoy the outdoors as well as a great way to exercise. Every child develops at a different pace but they will probably be ready to start cycling sometime between the ages of three and seven. Also remember to emphasise the fun nature of it; try and relax ...
Views: 875 - 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: 1428 - 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: 1387 - Getaways on a budget - by Submitted on Jun 08, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWell, it seems it is that time of year again holiday season is once more upon us but in today’s economic climate a good break is not always possible, never fear though – here are some tips on getting away without it costing the Earth. Try a stay-cation – OK, so you can’t rely on the weather ...
Views: 862 - Great lakes and little birds - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I left my beloved Yorkshire to explore the outdoors elsewhere; in fact I left these shores completely and went to the Italian Lakes. I had never been to the area before and was really looking forward to comparing it to our own Lake District that I know fairly well. I stayed in the ...
Views: 823 - Guide to Outdoor Photography - by Submitted on Nov 03, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneA brilliant strategy to enrich your strolling outing is to take a camera along with you, it certainly can make you watch your natural environment more whilst you look for some thing to capture on film. We have charming country side and an abundance of wildlife in this region so you can’t go far ...
Views: 564 - Hay Meadows Aren't Purely For Christmas - by Submitted on Dec 22, 2011 from Bruno BlackstoneThe Hay Meadow is typically connected with romantic unspoilt country side but regrettably over the last few years they have been disappearing at an alarming pace. Therefore, what basically is a meadow and why are they so crucial to protect? The word 'meadow' is strictly speaking employed to ...
Views: 444 - 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: 1347 - 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: 1168 - 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: 1030 - How a planned wildlife ramble turned out to be a search for thrills. - by Submitted on Jan 14, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneJust lately I did a little favour for a good old friend of mine; he had promised to take care of his two grandchildren for a day, completely forgetting that he had a clinic appointment to keep. As the appointment was simply a follow-up one and wasn't going to be long I volunteered to look after ...
Views: 778 - 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: 1004 - How Much Chocolate is Just Too much? - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIn the modern world Chocolate is a multi-million pound industry, but where did it come from and how did the humble cocoa bean develop into the many varieties we see on our shelves today? The Cocoa bean is thought to have originated in the Amazon as far back as 2000 BC, it was used by the ...
Views: 877 - 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: 1200 - How the Swiss Put an Essential Item on Your Camping Gear Checklist. - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhilst, during your next camping break, you look for your useful pen-knife or multi-tool, take a moment to remember the trip it followed to become an essential item on a rambler's camping gear list. Throughout the 1880s the Swiss Armed service wanted a twin purpose device that would be issued ...
Views: 956 - 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: 1226 - 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: 1072 - 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: 1093 - 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: 1161 - 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: 1754 - 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: 1824 - Just How Much Do You Know About Celebrity Chefs - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneI love cookery programmes, it’s great to get some new ideas which can be used or adapted into my own cooking. These programmes are often based around a certain personality and the success (or failure) of the series very much depends on whether the general public like the chef – perhaps more so ...
Views: 922 - Looking After the Colonials: A Weekend of Northern Hospitality - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneOver the Easter weekend of 2012, I played host to some American friends. Originally from Dallas, Texas, they are a couple who moved to sunny Sheffield last year, partly out of a wish to leave the U.S. for a while, and partly for Shanes’ job. His wife Rachel has not yet found employment in the UK ...
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