We made an early start to the season this week with our first trip to Thórsmörk.
As well as delivering equipment ahead of the volunteer teams, it was a valuable opportunity to take a look at conditions on the trails and in the forest as the snow clears, and to make some final decisions about our work priorities for the season.
It was very nice to back at our volunteer camp at Langidalur (it felt like returning home), and exciting to begin preparations for another Trailteam summer. Our first international volunteers will be with us in less than 6 weeks time and we are looking forward to getting back on work on the trails.
Pictures taken at Langidalur volunteer camp on April 11th.
Well, here we are in 2021 everyone! New year, new us! That’s what we often tell ourselves at the start of a new year anyway. If we’re being realistic, we know that everything doesn’t magically reset at the stroke of midnight, and a lot of the challenges and issues of 2020 are far from over and may well get worse before they get better.
I say this not to put a downer on the optimism that can come out of starting a new calendar year, but to recognize the realities we face, and the need to manage expectations and look after ourselves as we continue to grapple with uncertain times. In my previous blog looking back at my ‘top picks’ of 2020 that have kept me going, I’m now going to look ahead through 2021 at the same categories. No resolutions, no pressures, just things I’m looking forward to. All too often, when Christmas and New Years is over, we’re left with not much to look forward to, as we get back to work and try and get back in shape, so feel free to join me in creating some joy and anticipation for the near future.
Hello everyone! Been another looong spell since I’ve last posted. If you’ve subscribed to this blog and you’re reading this, I’m grateful you’re still here and if this is the first time you’ve found this blog, welcome, I hope you enjoy your stay here however long or short.
Whatever reason you’re here, I hope you’ll join me for a look back on this past year. I know for many (pretty much everyone) 2020 is a year that we’ll be pleased to see the back of and it’d be all too tempting to simply try and pretend this year didn’t happen at all. But when you face challenging times, it’s important to remember all the moments of joy in between and the many things you have to be grateful for however mundane or trivial they might seem. Instead of celebrating New Year’s Eve, there are some cultures that celebrate Old Year’s Night, to take stock of the year gone by, looking back on all that’s happened and what we’ve learnt from it.
In this Takeaway I’m going to have a look back in a nice, simple way, by choosing some of my ‘top picks’ of the year to help remind myself of some of the many things I’ve been grateful for this year. These aren’t necessarily things that were produced this year, but things that have given me the most amount of satisfaction this year. I hope you will join me in doing the same however your year has panned out. Feel free to come up with your own categories and share them in the comments if you feel so inclined!
Hello everyone! Sorry it’s been a while since my last Takeaway. With the easing of Lockdown, I’ve ended up back at work full time recently. This has obviously meant that I’ve had a lot less free time, but also that I’ve spent that precious free time being fatigued. This has been due to the general stresses of work life, not being able to do all the things I’ve enjoyed whilst on furlough and anxiety about society opening up despite the ever present danger the pandemic still poses.
I’ve recently been inspired to produce a new Takeaway for y’all by this need I’ve had to look after myself during this uneasy period of transition back into work life, a need I’m sure many others are familiar with right now. I’ve also been inspired by a game I’ve really enjoyed playing during Lockdown that has allowed me to share many good times with friends despite not being able to see them in person: Red Dead Redemption 2.
(Arthur and Hosea looking after their cores on a campout)
The killing of George Floyd and other recent instances of violence against Black people has shocked many around the world as well as highlighted that racism is far stronger in our society than many of us realised. If, like me, you wanted to help out but weren’t sure how to do so in a real and meaningful way, you may have been desperately looking around for advice and guidance. After a couple of weeks of looking, learning and listening, I’d like to share with you a few things you can do to start being a better ally in the fight against racism.
Can you believe we’re into yet another month of Lockdown? Some of you may be going back to work, some of you may still be away from work and some of you may have been working this whole time! Either way, this time is taking a toll on most of us in some way, and the ability to reset, if you have the time and the space to do so, can make a world of difference if you’re feeling stuck, stressed, or just plain powerless.
Today, I have a simple review tool you can use called Rose, Thorn, Bud. I have encountered it used in a variety of settings, and in different ways, but let me talk you through the way I use it that will help you appreciate and celebrate what you have done and experienced, whilst you look forward to the future and what it holds.
It turns out there’s a lot going on this week! As well as being Mental Health Awareness Week (click here for a little exercise you can do for that), it is also Learning At Work Week. Whilst many of us are currently either off work, or at work but swamped with essential duties to carry out, I believe it is still well worth taking advantage of. These themes actually ties in quite nicely with Mental Health Awareness Week, as lifelong learning is a core part of promoting good mental health.
If you are on furlough or waiting until things settle down before looking for work, now could be a great time to think what skills you’d like to develop by the time this is over to help you in your current job, prepare yourself for another role you’ve had your eye on or just engage in the joy of learning something new that interests you. And if you’re working at this time, asking your employer about learning at work, if appropriate, could be a good way of keeping your spirits up and refining your skills.
Here’s a few things I’d recommend checking out if you’re keen to make the most of this special week – though it’s worth pointing out, they aren’t looking to go away once Learning At Work Week is over so keep a cool head as you consider your options!
You may or may not be aware that this week (May 18th – 24th) is Mental Health Awareness Week, and so this week’s Takeaway will give you a short activity to help give you a little mental health boost and a week long challenge, should you choose to accept it.
Each year, Mental Health Awareness Week has a guiding theme, and this year’s theme is ‘Kindness’.
It’s been a little while since my last Lockdown Lowdown. This is partly because of other projects I’ve been working on, but also, not going to lie, it’s because I’ve been indulging in a few choice video games.
Video games have had a reputation of being quite solitary activities. However, as time has gone on, the medium has evolved to become more social and attitudes towards it have changed, making it more of an acceptable pastime. Now, with the lockdown still in full swing, people are turning to games as ways of staying connected with one another.
I have been doing just that lately and I would like to share with you my suggestions for games you can use to connect with your friends, and tips on how to get the best social experience out of them:
If you’re used to being busy, or having your daily schedule dictated by external factors, such as work or family, you may be struggling with what to do with yourself in these current lockdown conditions. If you’re like me, you may also find that you are much better at taking care of other people than you are at taking care of yourself. If so, this may be a good opportunity to hire yourself as your own personal time manager!
Tall Hobbit Adventures 