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nature

Environment, Travel

Why Did I Want to Wild Water Swim in Scotland?

Three good reasons, it’s an exhilarating experience that combines adventure, natural beauty, and health benefits. With its vast array of lochs, rivers, and rugged coastlines, Scotland offers some of the most stunning and diverse wild swimming spots in the world.

Whether you’re plunging into the crystal-clear waters of Loch Lomond, navigating the bracing waves of the North Sea, or dipping into a secluded river pool in the Highlands, wild swimming in Scotland connects you directly with nature in a way that few other activities can.

Wet suit packed and ready, here’s what I tried…

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October 25, 2024
3515
Environment, Travel

Chef, Can You Please Make Some Jam?

Focusing on Nature at Glenapp Castle

Charming Glenapp Castle, all turrets and towers. Tucked away on the West Coast of Scotland, within walking distance of the little coastal town of Ballantrae, this ‘lesser-travelled’ part of the Scottish lowlands is where we kicked off a three week tour.

A somewhat ‘fairytale’ of a place, nestled in the trees, scarcely visible until you are on it, with tantalisingly long and windy gated drives as the only access. How would this first few days of our three week trip unfold…

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October 18, 2024
3538
Environment, Travel

Captivated by Their Charm, my Heart Melts for Penguins… look what happened

The WildLife Conservation Film Festival: Official Selection!!

This latest selection of our Antarctica documentary film for The WildLife Conservation Film Festival is a significant achievement, as it underscores the critical message of conservation we aim to convey.

The festival’s focus on wildlife conservation aligns perfectly with the film’s mission to raise awareness about the environmental challenges facing the region, from climate change to wildlife preservation. Being part of this festival amplifies our film’s impact, fostering important conversations and inspiring action to protect one of the planet’s last untouched frontiers.

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October 10, 2024
3359
Environment, Travel

Best Short Documentary: Award Winning Film

Penguins are my heart’s compass, leading me to a world of pure joy and endless fascination.

Officially ‘Award Winning’ at the Rome International Short Film Festival for our ‘Antarctica. A Life Changing Experience’ documentary. Thrilled!

A master of his art Bruno Zaugg, Design-Factory GmbH, the film producer and director, has expertly and sensitively created this documentary, showcasing my passion for this region of the planet, especially my passion for penguins, the challenges the wildlife faces through the accelerated climate change and some simple steps we can all take to reduce our negative effect on the planet.

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September 26, 2024
3332
Environment, Travel

Nurturing Turtles in the Burj Al Arab

What’s the story here?

One that’s not obvious to guests staying at the Burj Al Arab.

My turtle discovery journey started right outside the Jumeirah Al Naseem, where several ‘recovery’ lagoons are located and you can participate in daily turtle feeding (not during the very hot summer months, they tuck them away somewhere cooler). Afterwards, I spoke to one of the staff who surprised me! There’s a whole rehabilitation programme, right at the Burj Al Arab. We were able to get a ‘back of house’ tour with the Aquarium and Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project Director, Barbara Lang-Lenton.

This was one of those moments where you realise you don’t have to scratch far under the surface to find the unexpected. This is what we saw…

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September 17, 2024
3603
Environment, Travel

The Nine Day Scientist

Expedition cruises can be unique learning experiences. And we aren’t talking just history and culture but also taking part in some very useful Polar Citizen Science.

If you have read my Citizen Science blog from Antarctica, then you know it was something I found pretty cool on that expedition. Why? Because it’s a way of giving back of course. Was going to be interesting to compare what we found in the Antarctic to the Arctic.

From plant identification to collecting plankton samples, here is what ‘us passengers’ got up to, doing their bit for Polar Citizen Science on our recent ‘Circumnavigating Spitsbergen In The Realm of the Polar Bear’ voyage – hence the 9 scientist day reference! This time I wanted to get out on the science zodiac taking samples… or that’s what I thought!

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September 12, 2024
3589
Environment

Bringing Oceans Back to Life… One SeaHive at a Time

It’s interesting where and when some of the best ideas can spring to mind. Of course, the difference is whether those ideas are acted on or not. Bringing this story of the SeaHives to you as it’s another excellent example of how an individual or two are making a positive impact on the planet, one step at a time.

What’s unique about this story is materials that potentially cause lasting damage in our oceans, instead of being discarded, are recycled into something new that is restoring life… but I am getting ahead of myself!

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September 5, 2024
3525
Environment, Travel

Four Countries. Four Selections.

It’s Semi-Finalist Week – for ‘ANTARCTICA. A Life Changing Experience’

Four selections this week! It’s obviously ‘Film Festival’ season right now as they are coming into Bruno’s inbox thick and fast. And what a gift that is for the environment.

This second film is longer than the first, more of a documentary and using much of the video footage that we took on our expedition to South Georgia Island and Antarctica. Funny though, as I looked back searching through our photographs and video’s for good footage for the film, I realised that IF I had known that I would be writing and making short films back then, I would have done things differently. Well, I guess who wouldn’t.

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August 14, 2024
3624
Environment, Travel

The Cornerstone of the Southern Ocean Ecosystem

Celebrating Antarctic Krill on World Krill Day, 11th August

That’s a big reputation for a small shrimp-like crustacean to live up to.  But they are indeed giants in their ecological significance.

Serving as the primary food source for innumerable marine species, including whales, seals, penguins – especially Adelie and Chinstrap penguins – and fish, they are key in the Antarctic food chain.

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August 7, 2024
4032
Environment, Travel

First Nomination for ‘A Life Changing Experience’

Am thrilled to announce, our ‘ANTARCTICA. A Life Changing Experience’, short film has been selected for the Barcelona International Environmental Film Festival in November. 

As you may know, this is our second film, a little longer, more of a documentary and using much of the video footage that we took on our expedition to South Georgia Island and Antarctica.

It’s all about maximising the reach of the messages in the film for us.  And to know that we can actively promote organisations that are protecting the Antarctic regions and our Southern Ocean.

That’s what makes this selection particularly exciting…..

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August 1, 2024
3653
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