PinnedMember-onlyOutdoor Swimming Kit ListWhat to take to the water — More and more folks are embracing swimming in open water, whether this be the sea, lakes and lochs, rivers or other water courses. But what is in your swim kit bag? What kit is useful to take on an open-water swim? Ultimately swimming is a sport ‘light’ on kit with…Outdoor Swimming2 min readOutdoor Swimming2 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·PinnedMember-onlyHave you swum a Tombolo yet?A dream swim in Shetland As we drove down the remote single-track road in Shetland the double beach appeared. Stretching out in front of us was a Caribbean-like white sandy beach, aqua blue waters bending around a curving bay with a headland beyond. Yet on the other side of the…Swimming2 min readSwimming2 min read
PinnedMember-onlyNeil Mapes Swim StatementHow to write your swim statement for your next race or coaching course — If you are looking for a swim coach or to enter an adventure swim or race then chances are you will have been asked to supply a ‘Swim statement’. I had to write one recently for my open water swimming coaching qualification. If you need to write your swim statement…Swimming3 min readSwimming3 min read
Published inAge of Awareness·PinnedMember-onlyAdventures on Allotments: Loaves, but Not Much DoughI saw the scythe falling in slow motion towards my hand. I should have stopped earlier because I was hot, sweaty, and tired. At first, there was no blood, but then it wouldn’t stop. Despite the damage, I had to finish scything the golden spiky ears of wheat. The spring…Food3 min readFood3 min read
Sep 8Member-only“Ah, a haar!”Safety tips for swimming in a Scottish haar — Nairn has some of the best beaches in Scotland in my opinion and offers some of the most breathtaking sea swimming experiences in the world. We regularly get the chance to swim with dolphins, seals investigate our flounderings and more recently basking sharks are in the bay as we swim. …Haar5 min readHaar5 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Aug 28Member-onlyNavigating Nervousness and Defying DoubtEmbracing Growth and Confidence Introduction: Our journey through life is peppered with moments that challenge us, and push us out of our comfort zones, eliciting a range of emotions. I am fascinated by two emotions that often surface together; doubt and nervousness. At first, their negative connotations make them seem like…Self Improvement4 min readSelf Improvement4 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Aug 24Member-onlyDigital DementiaForgotten Memories of the Digital Realm — “You can’t forget, you’re a computer?” Tim’s brow furrowed, perplexed by the enigmatic response that blinked across the screen before him. Undeterred, he tried again, his fingers dancing across the keyboard: Who invented the internet? “FORGET!” The year was 2035, and the digital world teetered on the brink of an…Digital4 min readDigital4 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Oct 23, 2022Member-onlyA Manifesto for a Better Future12 radical ideas for the new UK Prime Minister — The UK is about to find itself with yet another new Prime Minister by next week. At the same time, I have become hooked on the new TV series ‘Make me Prime Minister,’ with Channel 4 doing a great job searching for an alternative Prime Minister. …Government3 min readGovernment3 min read
Published inRunner's Life·Jun 16, 2022Member-onlyBook Review: Ducking Long Way by Mark AtkinsonFinding running inspiration from reading — Standing in the sports section of the book store, the yellow and blue cover caught my eye. The title Ducking Long Way was amusing and chimed with my limited experience of ultra running to date. …Running3 min readRunning3 min read
Published inILLUMINATION Book Chapters·May 10, 2022Member-onlyFrom Arequipa to SorocheAuthor’s note: ‘From Arequipa to Soroche’ is the seventh chapter of my book ‘From dementia to adventure, which explains my reasons for travelling to Peru in 2001. …Arequipa7 min readArequipa7 min read
