Maybe.

Clive made it look painfully easy: rubbing a piece of wood (spindle) against a bow with a taut cord while resting it in a hollowed out groove on a flat piece of wood (fire board) to create friction. Within a matter of minutes Clive had made a small pile of glowing charcoal dust, which he used to ignite a dry ball of grass and twigs. They burned vigorously and billowed smoke into the ever-darkening sky.

The heavens opened when it was my turn to start twizzling the stick. On Clive’s advice I used a bushcraft helping hand and placed a piece of King Alfred’s cake, a black ball-shaped fungus found on dead ash tree branches, next to my fire board. Once alight the cake burns slowly and acts like a coal, giving you a bit more time to allow your tinder to catch fire.

Moving the bow backwards and forwards was harder work than it looked, and with my spindle slipping in the rain and aching arm muscles, it was after much perseverance (and a little light cursing), that I managed to light the cake.

It emitted a slight glow, but sadly failed to develop a lasting relationship with the tinder,  making only a couple of dejected smoke puffs before giving up the ghost entirely and being extinguished by the plip-plop of heavy raindrops. If anybody asks, however, I am a grade A fire maker.

It’s early morning in leafy Shadow Woods, somewhere (the middle of nowhere according to the taxi driver) a few miles from Billingshurst, West Sussex and my semi successful firemaking attempt signified the end of a three- hour woodlands skills taster course. Our instructor Clive describes himself rather aptly as a flibbertigibbert and is a friendly chatterbox who knows everything there is to know about the Weald downland woodlands, its history and the wildlife which lives in it.

The course was jam-packed with information to equip the woodland novice with useful bushcraft skills such as making string from knotted nettle stems, finding edible plants for sustenance and basic survival tools. FYI moss growing round the base of a tree trunk makes an excellent and soft substitute for Andrex should the need arise!

Shadow Woods is not just a great destination for would-be explorers. Its large Barn Meadow is home to a cluster of five beautiful yurts – large Mongolian wooden-framed tents whose white and blue domes stand high in the air and look up towards the treetops.

Butterflies and insects flit and buzz through the meadow and surrounding hawthorn thickets, while roe deer roam in the wooded areas.

Pom Oliver, the owner of Woodland Yurting, an ex-Antarctic explorer who is effervescent with energy and positivity, said the idea for starting up this haven came about when she was off exploring – during the blisteringly cold nights the thing she missed the most was having a snug and comfortable bed to sleep on.

I can’t say I would have ever connected West Sussex, yurts and snug before, but after unlatching the door to my yurt and taking in the pretty tea light stands, hang-up wardrobe, wicker sofa and throwing myself onto the comfy double bed I came round to the idea pretty quickly.

Staring at the wooden beams on the ceiling, cocooned under the duvet and staring up into the yurt’s central circular roof skylight I felt rather like the dormouse in Alice in Wonderland who resides in a rather large teapot. Looking up into this eye -in -the -sky it was as though though someone had opened the lid to peer in to my very own cosy wonderteapot. Warm, comfortable and very snug indeed.

As well as providing all cooking utensils, a cool box for your bubbly and BBQ food and a firebowl to help you cook up a storm come dinner time, there’s even eco-friendly washing up liquid to clean up your pots and pans. Showers are solar-powered and taken al-fresco in wooden stalls come evening time once the water has warmed! Compost loos are luxe and clean, and labelled recycling bags are provided in the yurt for you to separate all your rubbish.

This plush campsite receives a huge thumbs-up for being an eco-friendly haven with friendly staff perfect for couples and families alike to unwind in and get one step closer to becoming Ray Mears. I myself may have only accomplished an ant size step towards Ray status, but an ant step is better than no step at all!

For more details and booking enquiries please visit woodlandyurting.com. Thanks to Pom Oliver and Clive Cobie for giving Daisy Green such a warm welcome.

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• Island life

Just 1% of the original forest survives today, as isolated stands of mostly old trees. Since 1989 Trees for Life has been helping to bring this forest back from the brink, both through natural regeneration and by planting trees. Their long term vision is to restore the forest, and all its constituent species, to a 900 square mile area west of Inverness, including our 10,000 acre Dundreggan Estate.

Such restoration work is not a passive process - they have to roll our sleeves up and help Nature do its work. To date they have planted over 820,000 trees, and have fostered the growth of many thousands more naturally regenerating seedlings.

Working on their estate at Dundreggan and in effective partnerships with organisations such as the RSPB and Forestry Commission Scotland, they invite volunteers to help deliver their programme of practical work on the ground.

The Caledonian Forest needs you!

Most of the practical work done by Trees For Life to restore and re-wild the Caledonian Forest is carried out by volunteers who work for a week at a time, in groups of up to ten, at sites across the Scottish Highlands. It’s a wonderful experience to be involved in this inspiring project and to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds committed to the same goals.

To go on a Work Week you need to be over 18 and prepared to get a bit weather-beaten! There’s no upper age limit and you don’t need to be super-fit. You’ll probably find yourself clambering about the countryside carrying a spade and a bundle of tiny trees, so if you think you can do that you are fit enough. There’s an occasional “gentle week” at the tree nursery for volunteers who’s knees can’t cope with the clambering.

Conservation work takes place on five days and volunteers are treated to a midweek day off, in which they can do as they please. The work varies depending on the location and time of year, but generally involves a mixture of planting native trees, removing small non-native trees and removing old fences to help the flow of wildlife. Not all weeks involve tree planting while other weeks are dedicated solely to the task. There’s something for everyone!

Work Weeks run in the spring and autumn every year and there are 47 separate weeks running in 2010 alone.

Life on a Work Week is very communal and volunteers work in pairs to cook for the whole group each evening. Sleeping accommodation varies between the different work sites, it may be a single big bunk room for everyone, two ‘his’ and ‘hers’ bunk rooms, or shared twin and double bedrooms in holiday chalets.

While every day is different – and being the Scottish Highlands the weather can change every hour! – the sense of team spirit, and of doing something positive for both yourself and the planet are the common factor.

This year, for the first time ever, Trees for Life is running a Women Only Week starting on 11 September. This has been created in direct response to feedback from volunteers. It is designed for women only and will be led by female staff. This will run as a normal Work Week, with prices starting at £70.

For more information on this or any of Trees for Life’s Work Weeks, visit its website and follow the volunteering links. Alternatively, call or email 01309 691444 or rosie@treesforlife.org.uk.

This article is sponsored by Trees For Life.

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The honey bee

‘Home to over two million eight hundred residents, you say, all in the one area?’ 

‘Yes, and that would be a low estimate.’, twenty-nine year old Michael Batty informed me as we took a sharp turn from the busy road on the outskirts of Woking into a nigh-on empty car park. Thank goodness the residents we were visiting were bees rather than people, as otherwise finding a parking space might have proved a little more challenging. 

Despite having been around for over 120 million years in recent times bees have become more and more topical, with column inches and TV broadcasts covering the decimation of bee populations by the varroa mite and a well-known smoothie brand willing you to ‘buy one get one bee’ offering free bee-friendly wild flower seeds with a bottle. 

I was definitely of the rather naïve Winnie-the-Pooh attitude when it came to honey, 

‘the only reason for making a buzzing-noise that I know of is because you’re a bee. …. And the only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey….. And the only reason for making honey is so as I can eat it.’ 

For many Brits and honey-lovers, the words and attitude of A A Milne’s cherished bear ring true, with most people seeing bees as honey-making machines whose spoils we slather across toast having no idea of their real importance. 

When bees flit around our gardens, darting from flower-to-flower searching for nectar on which to feed, they transfer male pollen to the female part of the plant causing fertilisation and allowing the plant to produce fruit and seeds. Consequently, every time you bite into a juicy apple, a plum or take a nibble on a handful of almonds, bees have played a key part in producing them. 

With scientists estimating that we rely on pollination from bees for almost a third of our foodstuffs in one way or another I decided it was high time to find out what all the fuss was about. 

So I joined beekeeper Michael Batty on week 9 of 12 on an annual beekeeping class held at the Blackhorse Apiaries in St John’s, Surrey. 

This class, married with the 12-week theoretical course which runs earlier in the year, aims to equip the complete beginner with all the skills required to run his own hive. 

After sharing a cup of tea with Michael’s small but diverse group of five students, spanning in age circa mid-twenties to the mid-fifties including an architect and a city worker, we underwent the process of ‘becoming beeproof’.  

As I stepped into a suit, my vision becoming crisscrossed with a mesh veil and gloves covering my hands, I began to feel a little nervous about what I had let myself in for.

Kitted up, we collected equipment: a hive tool (metallic prising device), an egg timer, empty box and clipboard as well preparing a smoker can, stuffing the inside with a mix of crumpled up paper and dry grass which when lit and compressed produces puffs of smoke. 

Trousers tucked firmly into boots we walked into the fields and wooded areas towards the hives, a band of beekeepers clad somewhat like astronauts in our white suits. A low humming filled the air, bees were darting hither and thither pausing centimetres in front of my veil and wandering across my gloves (I hoped they were Beeproof, with a capital B). As the buzzing increased one female beekeeper-cum-astronaut in the party continued to wonder whether this had been such a good idea. 

Stopping at the group’s designated hive, straight away I showed myself up as a novice by placing myself in front of the entrance to the hive. Within minutes my trousers had taken on a life of their own, swarming with busy worker bees returning to the hive to deposit precious pollen from the sacs, or corbicula, on their tiny back legs – I had placed myself smack bang in the middle of their flight path. Sheepishly I moved towards the rest of the group at the back of the hive and was given the job of smoke-bellower. 

Prior to opening the hive, the students told me, we should release a few puffs of smoke into the hive, and then wait for two minutes (hence the egg timer) before opening the top of the hive to check it was all healthy and running well. 

I thought the smoke might make the bees lethargic, but in fact this introduction of smoke into the hive mimics a woodland fire situation. The unwitting bees think they will have to evacuate, and therefore sup on as much of their valuable food stores of honey and nectar as possible. 

With their attention focussed on gathering up their supplies, the bees are so distracted that it is the perfect time for the beekeeper to inspect his frames. ‘Imagine you have gone out for a huge dinner, you’re full, content, satisfied and not very likely to be rowdy and cause trouble’ said Michael. Similarly, the bees, full of honey become much more rotund and are less inclined to become aggravated and sting the beekeeper (as they otherwise might with their home being dismantled!). 

After using the hive tool to prise open the top of the hive which was stuck together with bee glue, a sticky antibacterial material propolis which is used to fill cracks in the hive and keep it free from infection, I could see the bees crawling over the wooden frames.

Gorging themselves, the bees were intent on filling themselves up to the brim, their small proboscises dipped deep into the hexagonal-shaped honey holes. 

Michael pointed out small grubs (known as brood) curled up in the hexagonal comb. Each cocooned in their own cell, these grubs, along with tiny eggs told us that the queen bee was still fertile, which is vital for a bee colony to remain successful and survive. As well as brood, there were also store cells – supplies of honey which are capped with beeswax once full to keep the honey fresh. 

Systematically the group members took it in turns to inspect each honeycomb covered frame and check that there was enough space between each frame. It’s been found that if placed too close together (approx 1/8 of an inch) bees will be too cramped and unable to use that frame, so correct spacing of the frames is key to ensuring hive happiness and optimum honey production. This colony truly deserved the expression ‘a hive of activity’, and I was amazed at how heavy, weighted down with honey and bees, the frame was and I had to grasp it firmly at each end with steady hands to ensure I didn’t drop it. 

Interestingly (and definitely the fact which has been the source of great disbelief amongst male friends in particular), the majority of the up to 50,000 bees in this colony are all-female worker bees, which have the ability to sting with the aid of their adapted ovipositor. The hive is only home to a few hundred harmless male drone bees that are darker, smaller in size, devoid of a stinger and exist only to fertilise the queen bee’s eggs when required. 

Hive deemed healthy and slotted back together, it was a time of great excitement as after 12 weeks of theory and 9 weeks of practical beekeeping the time had come for the students to take control of their very own nuc (short for nucleus) hive – a starter colony with a few frames containing some brood, a queen and workers. If a successful colony, the students have the option to purchase the nuc and its inhabitants and take them home to start their own hive. 

One of the group opened up his nuc to find a beekeeper’s dream – plenty of bees, some brood cells and alongside the wooden frames a slat of wild honeycomb oozing with honey. 

Despite the air being thick with milling bees – we couldn’t resist unzipping our beekeeping hoods and wriggling off our marigolds to sample the runny sweet nectar straight from the hive. Described by the Ancient Greeks as ‘the food of the Gods’ it is no doubt one of the sweetest, most delicious things I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. 

This particular beekeeper, a young architect, had stated his reason for coming to the beekeeping course stemmed from his and his partner’s interest in sustaining the natural environment and being self-sufficient: beginning with fruit and vegetables, and beehives being the natural progression. Eyes wide at the honeycomb fresh from the hive it became apparent that this delicious bounty is revered, and offers another excellent reason for keeping bees. There were clearly a few fellow Winnie-the-Poohs present. 

After only a couple of hours and knowing nothing about bees, I’d soaked up the social environment, bee banter and really grasped the importance of bees from both an economic and environmental perspective. ‘What could be more satisfying than eating a giant honeycomb sandwich from your own hive of bees?’ one student asked. After taking a bite, my mouth full with gooey, sticky, fresh honey, I had neither the ability nor the inclination to disagree. 

The Blackhorse Apiaries
The Blackhorse Apiaries opened in 1999 under the watchful ownership of long-term beekeeper John Hamer and his team of volunteer keepers. 

The Apiaries opens its hives to the public on Saturday 7 August from 10.30- 2pm for an informal introduction to beekeeping, hive demonstrations and cups of tea. Watch out for traditional candle making on the 9 October 2010. 

Course details and further information can be found on the website www.blackhorseapiaries.org.uk. 

Many thanks go to John Hamer, Michael Batty and his team of students for letting Daisy Green tag along.

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Be out there

This summer, if you want to stop feeling like a human doing and start feeling like a human being then camping is the answers to your prayers.

It is cheap, flexible and suits everyone’s needs. Whether you prefer five star luxury to budget, are travelling alone or with the kids, there are camp sites up and down the UK to fit you.

GLAMPING
Inspired by the experiences of the young and the rich at outdoor events and festivals, Glamping (Glamorous camping) holidays feature all of the benefits of being exposed to nature, without the leaky tents and the smelly sleeping bags. 

Cosy under Campus
Location: The Welsh border
Nearest town: Hay on Wye 

Situated in four acres of woodland and meadow, Cosy under Campus is the perfect place to hide from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. All the facilities are designed to have minimum impact of the environment, so it is perfect for those who want a high class outdoors holiday, with low environmental cost. There are also a wide range of activities to chose from both on and off site, from feeding the animals and collecting eggs, to mountain biking and kayaking 

Belle Tents
Location: Cornwall, England
Nearest town: Camelford. 

With its bright big top styled tents and its rare-breed cattle and ponies, Belle Tents is the ultimate place to glamp with the entire family. During the day there are loads of activities to fend off boredom like trips to Tintagel Castle and the local beach, and in the evenings the kids can play with the books and board games in the children’s tent while the adults sit back, relax and enjoy the view. 

BACK TO BASICS
These lovely sites keep it simple and offer a truly authentic camping experience. 

Foxhole Bottom
Location: East Sussex, England
Nearest Town: Seaford 

Hidden away in the English countryside, Foxhole Bottom provides campers with the chance to holiday in a country park surrounded by nature at its best. The campsite is aimed at cyclists and backpackers so no large tents or vehicles are allowed, adding to the sense that you are in a world of your own. 

The Lazy Duck
Location: Invernesshire, Scotland
Nearest Town: Nethy Bridge 

The Lazy Duck has been described by campers as ’like camping in someone’s back garden’. Situated in the north east of Scotland, it is legendary amongst walkers and cyclists for its relaxed atmosphere. With the animals roaming around the site and winding trails, this site perfect for campers of all ages. 

Trehenlliw Farm
Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales
Nearest Town: St David’s 

Nestled in 150 acres of farmland Trehenlliw Farm is a wonderful site for a family camping. Although basic, this campsite is the perfect place to introduce the younger members of the family to nature. From the overgrown children’s playground, to the landmark mountains and the surrounding nightlife, Trehenlliw Farm is a brilliant site for entertaining young minds. 

CAMPSITES WITH A DIFFERENCE
If you’re looking for a new dimension to your camping experience, check these out. 

Clippesby Hall
Location: Norfolk, England
Nearest Town: Clippesby 

Clippesby Hall, in the heart of Norfolk, provides the perfect holiday destination for families who want more entertainment from their camping holiday. As well as swimming pools, tennis courts and bicycles for hire, there is plenty fun to be had offsite exploring the waterways of the Norfolk Broads and at the nearby Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens. 

Ardgualich farm
Location: Perthshire, Scotland
Nearest Town: Ardgualich 

This simple site is close to Loch Tummel, one of the most beautiful areas of Scottish Countryside (even Queen Victoria was amused by it). The campsite is situated right on the edge of the water and the owners of the site actively encourage campers to bring their own boat and explore the countryside. The perfect place for an unforgettable adventure! 

Thanks to the publishers of Cool Camping for inspiring this article. Read our review of the Cool Camping series of books.

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A scenario where sand really does get everywhere...

So there you are packing for your summer holiday and your case is getting fuller and fuller by the minute as you can’t choose which 100 outfits you want to take.   

Well you may as well make full use of your luggage allowance! So that’s the clothes, underwear, swimsuits and shoes sorted. But does it really have to be this way?   

Well, how does just sun cream and a good book and nothing else sound for a ‘take on hols’ list?   

It’s definitely appealing to me but what I am talking about here is naturism. Being naked on holiday whether it be on a beach, next to a pool or eating al fresco may not be to everybody’s taste but it is now being touted as a ‘green’ alternative to holidaying.   

One site I found trumpeting its eco credentials has the tag line, ‘Reduce the effects of global warming and climate change by taking it off and letting it go!’   

All very well and good. Mmm. So, why oh why then when you type in naturist holiday into a well known search engine do so many a foreign destinations appear on page one? I guess being naked calls for guaranteed warmer weather but is naturism really ‘eco’?   

There will definitely be less washing to do and your carbon footprint could be reduced on your journey by a lighter suitcase. On the other hand will this be outweighed by the extra sun screen and mossie sprays needed for all of the uncovered bits?   

The fact is, any holiday can be made more earth friendly by just a bit of thought about our actions.  

There’s no need to buy all those new outfits or take enough jewellery and footwear to sink a ship. Instead we can all just take a look at overall footprint of our holiday including the travel arrangements, the venue and buying earth friendly sun cream. And that’s the naked truth.  

Is naturism more eco friendly? Tell us what you think in the ’Leave a reply’ box below.

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An idea that luxurious accommodation in stunning surroundings with great levels of personal service could be applied to the self catering holiday market to create something different in domestic travel.

At the same time the company wanted to ensure it stuck by its guiding principles of sustainable development and management, creating locations that were environmentally friendly and would only have a positive impact on the communities they neighboured.

In just three short years Natural Retreats has grown from that idea and set of ideals into one of the leading self catering providers in the UK and Ireland with eight locations and over 150 residences, offering luxurious accommodation in some of the most stunning locations.

The four sites in the UK are located in some of the best known and best loved destinations. The Yorkshire Dales, where the journey began, with its award winning eco-build residences offers chic contemporary living in a wonderful natural setting and employs some of the very latest technology in eco development and sustainable build to deliver simply exceptional experiences for guests.

On the other hand, Natural Retreats Llyn Peninsula, near Snowdonia National park has benefited from the conversion of original stone outbuildings to create a true retreat in a breathtaking coastal setting, close to all the major areas of natural beauty in this unspoilt region of the country.

The two Cornish locations offer contrasting tastes of this ever popular destination with Natural Retreats Cornwall located in the south of the region close to all major attractions such as the Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Helligan and Truro, as well as a host of wonderful fishing villages and sheltered beaches, whereas Natural Retreats Fistral Beach provides for luxury apartment living overlooking this world famous beach locations, an absolute Mecca for surfing enthusiasts the world over.

The four locations in Ireland whilst exemplifying the same commitment to luxury and service also benefit from their situation on the estate of some of Ireland’s finest resorts. From the extraordinarily beautiful Parknasilla resort, close to the Ring of Kerry in the south west of Ireland, through the dramatic and classical beauty of Castlemartyr in County Cork, close to one of Ireland’s favourite tourist destinations and onward to the breathtaking splendour of Adare Manor in County limerick and finally to the historical and elegant Kilronan Castle in County Roscommon.

Each of these locations can offer guests access to not only sumptuous luxury but also some of the finest spas in Ireland and some of the finest golf courses in the whole of Europe for a different Natural Retreats experience.

As well as extraordinary levels of accommodation and stunning locations, the most revolutionary aspect of the company’s rise to prominence in the self catering market has been the development of the Natural Retreats Concierge Team, a dedicated personal service for guests, which helps with everything from making reservations and organising special requirements for holidays to helping people with advice and information about attractions, and activities at each location.

This service extends from the initial booking enquiry through pre-travel preparation and for the duration of the visit, should guests require help during their stay. As the first dedicated multi site concierge offering in the self catering market, this service is just a further example of the way in which Natural Retreats has changed the face of domestic travel and further evidence of the demand for better quality by those who now choose to holiday in the UK and Ireland, not because they have to, but because of the quality on offer.

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Take the plunge! (we advise undressing first)

What better way to get up close and personal with nature this summer than with a bit of wild swimming?

By definition, this means to swim in natural waters, or in secret, hidden places. Sounds romantic, doesn’t it?

So here’s the pick of some of the best areas to get wild in the UK.

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND

St Nectan’s Kieve

Location: North Cornwall and Bodmin

Nearest town: Tintagel

Whatever your swimming skills, this place is great for both plunging and paddling. It is a tall, slender waterfall at the head of a wild woody dingle. At 1.5 metres deep it’s not too much, and there’s a small tea room close by. Entrance is £3. Only open from Easter to October, telephone 01840 770760 for more info.

Claverton Weir

Location: North Somerset’s Frome and Avon

Nearest town: Bath

This 100m long weir is set in the valley of the Avon. It has long deep water stretches and lots of meadow. There are shallow paddling areas and play areas for children. It is very popular. The pump house is nearby, as well as bike routes.

CENTRAL AND EAST ENGLAND

Minster Lovell Windrush

Location: Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and Malverns

Nearest town: Witney

This is a small, clear river in the cotswolds that runs through the grounds of the ruins. At 1m it’s just deep enough to swim in, and there is a deeper section if you’re feeling adventurous. For some culture, there are the Minster Lovell riverside ruins close by.

NORTH ENGLAND

Low Force

Location: North Pennines and Hadrian’s Wall

Nearest town: Middleton-in-Teessdale

Perfect for swimming and diving, this is the little known sister of High Force. It’s still very large, but has a deep, calm pool by a wooded island. What’s more, there’s a campsite nearby.

Chesters

Location: North Pennines and Hadrian’s Wall

Nearest town: Humshaugh

These shallow rapids are set amongst ruins of a collapsed Roman bridge. There are also deeper pools downstream, making it perfect for a plunge or a paddle. There’s also the chance of discovering Roman remains, and the opportunity to explore a Roman bathing complex at Chester’s Roman Fort.

SOUTH ENGLAND

Fighealdon, Avon

Location: Sailsbury Plains and Wiltshire Chalk Streams

Nearest town: Amesbury

This medium pool has deep and shallow sections with chalk shingle. Perfect places to jump in, with a footbridge and easy parking. There is limited grass and the water is cold. For some true English heritage, stonehenge is close by. There are also a wide variety of walks.

SCOTLAND

Higher Glen Etive

Location: Glen Etive and Loch Arkaig

Nearest town: Glencoe

This dramatic glen has perfect river pools running very close to the road. There is a good pub nearby to settle that growing appetite, and it is not far from the Kings House Hotel. Perfect for both a plunge and a paddle.

The Witch’s Cauldron

Location: Glen Etive and Loch Arkaig

Nearest town: Clunes

This is a series of three falls and three pools, with interesting rock formations not far from the road. It’s easy to get to by foot, and has both shallow and deep areas so suits any ability. The Clan Cameron Museum is close by to learn a bit about the history.

WALES

Watkin’s Path Waterfalls

Location: Snowdon (Wales)

Nearest town: Beddgelert

This area is often overlooked apart from by keen walkers. It is an extended series of pools and falls, and definitely one for the more experienced swimmer. It can be difficult to get to, but well worth the effort. There’s also Gwynwant chapel cafe close by.

Llyn Du’r Arddu

Location: Snowdon (Wales)

Nearest town: Llanberis

This deep blue lake is set under a 100m steep rock wall. The wall is famous amongst climbers. Arrive close to midday to catch the sun, and you can enjoy the beach nearby. It’s just near the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel for easy access, and is perfect depth for swimming.

Safety: If you’re going to take part in some wild swimming this summer, be sure to familiarise yourself with the safety rules. Do your research, and be sure to only swim in areas that are recognised to be safe – don’t just go jumping into any old water. Follow the rules and you can enjoy some truly natural swimming.

All areas taken from the book ‘Wild Swimming’ by Daniel Start. Published in 2008 by punk Publishing. Priced at £14.95 and available from all good bookshops.

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Looking for a volunteer holiday but don’t want to go overseas?

Why not try this week-long ecotourism trip organised by the Borders Environmental Educational Services (BEES) to celebrate International year of Biodiversity.

The trip, taking place in July, takes in lost pathways of Bamburgh Castle, clearing ragwort and gorse at Dunstanburgh Castle and carrying out biological and habitat surveys.

Unlike most eco holidays, participants have the opportunity to experience different projects around the region. Participants are joined by representatives of Natural England and the National Trust on guided tours throughout the week and are treated to a day off in the wonderful Farne Islands, home to hundreds of sea birds and seas.

Pete Carthy, founding director of BEES, hopes that the holiday will show off the beauty of the Northumberland coastline and encourage visitors to contribute to its sustainability. “We aim to offer a true ‘experience’ with groups being directly involved in preserving the history, flora and wildlife of the region” he says. The team works together helping out on projects and cooking communally.

Participants receive the John Muir Discovery Certificate at the end of the week – an award scheme focusing on ‘wild’ areas, encouraging awareness and responsibility for the natural environment. All activities throughout the week work are carried out as a small team. There are only 12 places on this unique trip which takes place between 17 – 24 July and costs £200.

For more information contact Pete Carthy on 01835 869869 or visit www.bee-active.org/ecotourism.htm

More from Ruth Rosselson at www.ruthrosselson.net

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We can also inform volunteers about language schools if they are interested in learning Spanish or Portuguese as part of their trip.

The idea came when we were participating on several conservation projects in Costa Rica and Ecuador in 2001.

We were inspired by the reaction of other volunteers when they discovered the disparity between our financial contributions and the subsequent analysis of what they received for their fee. Hence, it was a direct response to all those other ‘voluntary work facilitators’ out there asking for exorbitant fees from international volunteers.

Besides the economic aspects of volunteering abroad, another important factor behind the creation of this service concerned our own personal philosophy. The experience of working and travelling in Latin America has only served to increase our awareness of the need to preserve the uniqueness that is Ecological Latin America.

Make no mistake; the ecosystems of this region are truly magnificent.

What separates us from other similar services is our passion for what we do and the fantastic array of low cost projects we offer volunteers – many of which they are unlikely to find elsewhere. We aim to get people involved at a fraction of the cost associated with arranging their placement through a sending agency.

Another key difference concerns our ethical policy, enabling us to be called the greenest voluntary work facilitator on the web. Innovative best practices include running a mobile office and offsetting our own carbon emissions by living eco-conscious lifestyles.

The projects we offer are as varied and interesting as you might imagine. They range from helping to build nature trails in the Amazon to monitoring big cats such as ocelots and puma. A multitude of other opportunities exist in a diverse range of species, habitats and locations.

As well as offering a vast range of environmental projects, we give volunteers the opportunity to help the economically, socially and politically disadvantaged people of the region by providing a wide variety of humanitarian work. There are opportunities to get involved in child welfare, community development, education and health programmes.

Because we help hundreds of grassroots organisations find people willing to help them achieve their objectives, we support environmental conservation and local community development in the region. Without the support and commitment of volunteers many of these organisations would be unable to carry out their vital work.

To find out more about us and how to get involved please visit our website or blog.

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The concept behind crashpadder.com is simple.

Hosts offer up a room in their house for a reasonable cost while travellers get to save money on accommodation and on carbon costs too.

Staying in a stranger’s house might sound daunting and more likely to appeal to young backpackers, yet according to research by Crashpadder, the average age of guests is 38.

A quick look at some of the accommodation on offer on crashpadder also throws up a few surprises; some of the hosts have amazing-looking houses in some of the world’s best locations.

For example, for £100 a night, there’s a self-contained apartment with heated pool and free internet access on the island of Lanzarote. Further afield in Sydney, Karola Schroll offers a single room in her Northern Beaches house “with bush views, and a pool surrounded by a native garden”.

Closer to home, there are almost 1,500 rooms in the UK including a lovely light and airy room, close to Kew Gardens and the Thames.

When it comes to environmental impact, crashpadder can also be the eco-option. Hotels are huge energy guzzlers with massive carbon footprints – whatever that notice in the bathroom says about towel reuse. According to Crashpadder, a Crashpad stay is almost carbon free with an 80% smaller carbon footprint than a hotel guest’s footprint.

If you want to earn some extra cash yourself, you could also join Crashpad and put your own pad up on the site. The main condition is that you’re honest with what you’re offering. The website has rooms in over 800 cities, 56 countries, so before booking that expensive hotel, it’s worth checking out.

• Crashpadder offers travellers cheap, friendly accommodation in hospitable locals’ homes
• Anyone can become a pop-up hotelier and fund their next holiday!
• Crashpadder.com rooms 83% cheaper than the equivalent hotels
• Carbon Coach Dave Hampton commends Crashpadder.com accommodation for being 80-90% more environmentally sound than hotels

Read more from Ruth Rosselson at ruthrosselson.net

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