Latest Books
Kephart's book is a combination of two books written at the beginning of the last century and reproduced here in a facsimile edition. His style is engaging and he speaks from years of experience of actually living in the American wilderness. Some of the details are out-dated, but a surprising amount has come full circle and is what we're doing now in the outdoors.
The Last Child in the Woods book was bought in America to compliment my Forest School course. I recommend this to anyone vaguely involved in education or childhood. He talks so much sense and makes a strong case for getting kids outside. It could've been a bit shorter to be honest. This is an extract from a review:
"....Already a perennial "New York Times" bestseller, "Last Child in the Woods" shows how our children have become increasingly alienated and distant from nature, why this matters and how we can make a difference. Camping in the garden, riding bikes through the woods, climbing trees, collecting bugs and butterflies, picking wildflowers, running through piles of autumn leaves, cooking over a campfire and telling ghost stories under the stars...somewhere the pleasures of a free-range childhood have been lost. And with the indoor habits of today's children come other problems - epidemic obesity, attention-deficit disorder, isolation and childhood depression. This timely book, which has inspired the influential international movement Leave No Child Inside, has not only highlighted the problem and provoked debate; it also offers practical advice on how to help children to enjoy the natural world - starting in our parks and gardens, homes and schools. This is a clarion call, brilliantly written, compelling and irresistibly persuasive - a book that will change minds and lives."
Paraffin Lantern
This is a Dietz lantern. An American company, but I don't think they're made there anymore. It's well assembled and much better than my cheap Chinese one I use for the garden and camping.
Brampton Live
Although we didn't go to every show or time slot we still had a good taste of the event. The highlights for me were:
Bella Hardy's incredibly spare and haunting songs.
Cloudstreet's close harmonies.
Some great young talent in Last Orders.
Bellowhead's lively and slightly strange set.
Maddy Prior for a display of utter professionalism and lovely singing.
Lake District
This picture was taken halfway up Eagle Crag, looking towards Borrowdale
