I decided to spend a week volunteering for the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) in glorious Borrowdale. I did painting and decorating with a group of eight other volunteers which was really enjoyable. As the week progressed, the snow came to cover the area in white and provide a wonderful winter feel. A night time time walk in the snow and ice up Castle Crag was a real highlight as well as traveling up and over the Kirkstone Pass in fantastic snowy conditions...

We set off in the early morning sunshine in St Jean to retrace those first steps which I had taken only a few short months ago when embarking on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. This time I was with Alan, Martyn, Richard, Phil, Mike and Chris as we headed out up into the Pyrenees.The first leg is fairly gradual and steep and our first stop was Orisson. From here it was upwards and onwards with spectacular views of the surrounding snow capped mountains. St Jea...

I went online the day before my flight from Kathmandu to change my seat number. The reason is that from the right hand side of the aircraft, you get the most stupendous views of the mighty Himalaya. Up at 38,000 feet, you can see the white mountains and the brown valleys for mile after mile. I sit next to a middle aged Tibetan Buddhist monk in his crimson and saffron robes who stares in silence and a young man dressed in an orange gilet and bright yellow Addidas ...

I spent a lovely week in Cornwall over Christmas seeing my Mum each day and visiting various towns and villages near the Lizard where I was staying. The harbour at Coverack by night was a magical scene with Christmas lights and decorations illuminating the small fishing boats in the harbour. I also took a couple of walks to my favourite places anywhere in the world - Kynance Cove and Lizard Point. The sunsets at this time of the year are truly spectacular.  ...