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Hello :) Last year I released a podcast episode called "How Not To Run An Ultramarathon". I was reminded of that a couple of times recently, partly because this year's running of the Calderdale Way Ultra happened recently, and partly because over the last couple of months I've finally hiked all the sections of it that I never completed. Including the bits I missed out when I got lost. After recording that pod, I entered and completed a second Ultra - the Pilgrims Way Ultra, in Northumberland, NE England - partly to prove to myself that I could. This episode looks at my experiences of that race. I'm publishing it now mainly because my last episode was a chat about Ultra-running in general with my friend Seanna, and it seemed a logical companion piece. Don't expect this to become an annual ritual. Topics discussed in this episode are: * "Bugger Bognor" * Why I chose this particular Ultra * Logistics & race admin * Holy Island / Lindisfarne * The first 20km, flat causeway and a hill * Belford Checkpoint and the road to the coast * Bamburgh and its Castle * Sand Dunes, Salty Air, Quaint Villages * Grace Darling * ... and then the rains came * The finish and the aftermath * Results breakdown of all three Ultras * Did I follow my 'lessons learned' from last time? A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this pod, though a short unused extract from my last episode's chat with Seanna appears in the intro. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) For a variety of reasons I'm a week late with this podcast, conceptually, but also, this episode was going to have additional content about my second attempt at an Ultramarathon, which I did last September but never got around to talking about. I've written a lot of that already so all I'll do is publish that next week, and then I'll be back on schedule. This also means I'll do a housekeeping update then too, to save this episode being too long. I'd been trying to schedule in a chat with my friend Seanna for pretty much exactly a year, originally in conjunction with my original Ultramarathon episode, but life happened for both of us and it's taken this long to get together. I'm aware my last episode was also a one-to-one chat; don't get the expectation this will become a regular thing, but I think it is more interesting doing this than just having pre-recorded contributions. Bear in mind I am not, of course, Michael Parkinson or David Letterman. Topics discussed in this episode are: * ... but I'm a cheerleader * Let's not start with an easy one; that's not my style * Bodybuilding is not the answer either * Seanna's first ultra * How to fuel for running when you're vegetarian or vegan * The highest and lowest points of ultras * Night running * Running is not therapy, but it feels like it * Ultras tend to be run by older people * Queer Representation and inclusivity is often lacking * Seanna's ambitions A PDF transcript of this podcast is available, though at the moment it's quite raw. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this pod. However, Seanna's YouTube channel is here. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Earlier this week, I had a chat with my friend V, because she'd recently gone on a trip abroad for the first time this millennium, and she wanted to talk about how it felt on her YouTube channel. I said, well that might make a good podcast episode, you know, the whole 'this is what it's like to travel abroad properly for the first time as an adult', might be useful for other budding world travellers, so we recorded it for both. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Housekeeping: Running, Hiking, Well-Dressing * Why did V finally take a trip abroad * Anxiety around border security * Being a sighted guide for a blind travel blogger * How V felt on her first plane this millennium * Alcohol and no food makes V an ill girl ... * ... so she forgot how to read English! * Cultural differences and how Hamburg feels very safe * Hamburg Airport was a breeze * Could she do this again? * The moment V really felt she was actually there * Business travel doesn't feel like leisure travel * Packing angst * What's next for V? A PDF transcript of this podcast is available, though at the moment it's quite raw. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this pod. However V's YouTube channel is here, and I also ought to link to Blind Girl Adventures (Sassy Wyatt's blog), as she gets mentioned a lot in the episode. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) It was one of those ideas that suddenly came to me when I was lying in bed, having been seeded I think by a conversation I'd had with one of my travel content creator friends, Hayley, about how much it cost to live at home in the UK and how much less expensive it is to travel. I said I'd written a blog post about that very issue back in 2015 but that it probably needed updating and anyway it would make a better pod. So here we are. Stick two other vaguely related topics with it, one of which I also wrote a blog post about in 2015, and Bob's Your Nepo-Parent, as it were. Content Warning: It … all turned out quite less cheerful than I was anticipating. And to anticipate comments, no I do not have a terminal illness. I'm just … dour! Topics discussed in this episode are: Part One: Housekeeping * It's getting sunny; Laura is unimpressed * I'm a professional comedian? * I've been writing blog posts Part Two: The Costs Of Staying At Home And Not Travelling * You can't just leave if you own a house * I own a house, for a given definition of house * How much it costs me to have a house * How much cheaper it is to travel * But I can't do that Part Three: Older People Can Backpack Too * Travelling is a young person's game? Nah * You can afford to travel, and tweak the way you do it * The older you are the more you change your wants and needs * Self-Comfortable-ness * Respect v Invisibility * Barefoot Backpackers Just Want To Have Fun ... * ... while they can Part Four: Responsibilities * Making a Will * Your legacy is your impact on the world * Self-responsibility and self-care are important * Leaving the world a better place for the children you don't have * My retirement plan, to go out with a bang A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this pod, although Amanda of "The Thoughtful Travel Pod" provided my cold open, and yes, of course, V drops in a quick word. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Last year, off the back of my 100th country visit to Norway, I spent three nights in Svalbard, one of the most northern archipelagos in the world. Though I wasn't there for long, I felt it was an interesting place to do a podcast about, covering history, wildlife, culture, and of course the ethical aspect of travelling to somewhere like that in the first place. Not a spoiler: I did not see a polar bear. Topics discussed in this episode are: Parts One and Two: Housekeeping and Introduction Part Three: Overview * So remote even the Vikings didn't go there * Whale-hunting, fur-trapping, Wild West Mining Towns, and how they became Norwegian * Svalbard v Spitsbergen * How its different from Norway * Population un-Density  Part Four: Wildlife & Environment * This is the land of the Polar Bear * Birds, but not in winter * Longyearbyen feels very small from above * There are no trees, only scree Part Five: Things To Do In Longyearbyen * The Airport is surprisingly insta-ready * The Seed Vault * Museums * The world's most northerly brewery (and why it only dates from 2015) * You don't come here to die * What do you mean 'Shoes are Banned'?! * The Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights Part Six: Ethical Travel * The notable effects of Climate Change * Cruise Ships and the dichotomy of tourism v environment * How locals view tourists * What some businesses are doing for sustainability * Eating local means eating whale and seal * The transient nature of the population * Visit Svalbard's tips for ethical tourism Part Seven: What I did when I was there * A local orientation tour * Hiking Sarkofagen * Local Beer * Sailing along Billefjorden * Accommodation in Longyearbyen * Did I visit ethically? Part Eight: Final Thoughts A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There is a contribution in this pod from my friend Julie, who blogs at "I Am A Polar Bear", which is an apt name for someone who's also been to Svalbard. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) In a recent podcast episode, I talked about aesthetics a lot, and I occasionally touched on the idea of 'senses'. I figured it made sense therefore to do a full podcast on it, on how you, I, everyone uses their senses while travelling, and whether our senses affect how we travel, and the experiences we gain through them. Consider, too, how our memories of a place, of a trip, live in the senses, and we can easily be reminded of them if the same senses are activated in the same way after the event. So here's an episode on how senses affect us while travelling, and how we use them to experience our trips. Topics discussed in this episode are: Parts One and Two: Housekeeping and Introduction Part Three: Sight and Vision * Travel is very visual * What makes a good 'sight' * Photography * Being Blind (Part One) Part Four: Sound and Hearing * Loud v Quiet sleep spots * Changes in sound intensity - eg cathedrals in busy cites * Is what you hear what you'd expect to hear * The difference in sounds between home and abroad * Diversity Part Five: Smell * People don't think about smell until it hits them * Spices and food * Out of place aromas * Underground railways * Personal hygiene and busy hostel dorms Part Six: Taste * The cultural aspects of food * Coffee * Cuisines around the world * People have different tastes * The textures of food Part Seven: Touch and Texture * The feel of buildings and trees * Things you touch in everyday living * Home décor * The weather * Being Blind (Part Two) * Barefoot Backpacking Part Eight: Proprioception, Movement, and Spatial Awareness * The sense of balance * Travel-sickness * Ways to walk through a city * Getting lost * Alcohol  Part Nine: Timing  * Judging how long a journey will take * Being angsty if you don't know when or where you are * Liminal spaces * Jet-lag * Relativistic effects of busy days * Being driven blindfolded Part Ten: Conclusion A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this pod, but V provides the introduction. Singing, no less. Sort of! Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) So this podcast is mostly concerned with my recent introduction to, and experience of, stand-up comedy, and includes the audio recording of my actual performance. Topics discussed in this episode are: Part One: Overview and an Interview with V * Who came to watch me perform * The difference between spoken word and stand-up comedy * The difference between practice and performing live * What the comedy course consisted of * Comedian etiquette and callbacks * Practice makes perfect * The other performers * How I was on stage * The Future Part Two: My routine * What is asexuality * That bloody flag * Why is an asexual on a gay hookup site? * Hookup profiles * Some people find Matt Hancock sexy Part Three: Queer Diary * People knew who I was before I did * Is it better to have loved and lost than to be lonely? * I have no idea how to flirt Part One * Teenage Emos * I have no idea how to flirt Part Two * My mother never understood me * I have always been asexual A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions, aside from my friend V at the start of the pod, because she's still my default option. Here she's quoting a line from 80s pop band Fatal Charm's song "King of Comedy", which might refer to the film of the same name. It's hard to tell. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Another really obvious podcast episode, and one I'm surprised I hadn't yet done, though it did, of course, require finally reading the novel. I live about 6 miles south of Wuthering Heights, over the wily, windy moors, and the recent movie adaptation, the thousandth of many, has brought it all back into the public eye, so it made sense to talk about the moorland setting, the location and inspiration for the houses, and why it's not the romantic location (or indeed storyline) that certain elements of pop-culture have made it sound. Topics discussed in this episode are: Parts One and Two: Housekeeping and a brief plotline to the novel 'Wuthering Heights' * What Stand-Up Comedy might lead me to * My 'A'-Level History course * Heathcliff/Catherine/Hindley are not nice people * Who is Heathcliff anyway * Revenge is a dish best served with an awful lot of money * Everyone dies of exposure * Same story, same names, different generation * Memes Part Three: Out on the wily, windy moors * Bleak, muddy, grey, damp, and needs walking boots * What is a moor anyway * Saddleworth Moor, a place of death * Midgley Moor, a place of death * "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at", a place of ... you get the idea Part Four: Where is Wuthering Heights anyway? * Top Withens is not it * Ponden Hall might be it * High Sunderland Hall might have been it * Shibden Hall could be Thurcross Grange * Ponden Kirk is definitely in the novel A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions, aside from my friend V at the start of the pod doing what V does best, which is helping me out with last-minute short contributions! Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Well, this isn't going to be the most cheerful episode I've ever produced, but we are where we are. Oh, not me, I mean the topic. This episode talks about the German Occupation of the Channel Islands in World War II, a couple of museums that go into detail about it, and how a combination of unexpected effects led accidentally to creating a story which became a really obvious episode to record. Topics discussed in this episode are: Parts One and Two: Housekeeping and the History of the Occupation * How it feels to be on ADHD medication * Where and what are the Channel Islands? * The easiest invasion imaginable * Life under occupation * The lack of a large resistance movement * How the Allies ignored them until the last moment * You might find the truths swept under the rug Part Three: Museums * The German fortification tunnels and the Jersey War Museum * Interactions between Germans and locals * Resistance and collaboration * The transition to liberation as depicted by ceiling lights * The Jersey Museum and its building's dubious past * Liberation Day and the lack of discussion about the occupation * The Occupation Tapestry * Should I stay or should I go? Part Four: The Ballad of Lucie Schwob * I don't know what you are but you're obviously Queer * Is this what lesbian looks like? * No * French artistic types are always interesting people * Resistance because and despite who you are * We are stronger together A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions, aside from my friend Kira at the start of the pod doing what Kira does best. They have a WhatsApp voicenote for almost every situation. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Yeh, it's been a while. There's reasons for that. So here's a brief overview of what I've been up to. I talk about places I've been, things I've done, medication I haven't taken, and people I haven't snogged. Topics discussed in this episode are: Part One: Housekeeping * WTM and Traverse Creator Awards * Premier Inns are how much?!? * Trips to Freiburg, Nottingham, and Jersey * An introduction to Elvanse, my given ADHD medication Part Two: King of Comedy * Making People Laugh: Primary School Edition * My Comedy Inspirations * What I've done after two lessons in stand-up comedy * Queer Humour and being a stereotype * But People Like Me Anyway A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions, aside from my friend Kira at the start of the pod telling me how Kirkby-in-Ashfield has changed over recent years. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Here's another episode where I run with three ideas and make a small to-microphone editorial. This one's all about Travel Blogging - the ethics, aesthetics, and social culture of it. It was inspired partly by a trip to WTM London, and partly by a post on Instagram. Topics discussed in this episode are: Part One: The Politics of Travel Blogging * The layout of WTM * The stalls that went big ... * ... the stalls that went small, or not at all * Can we be ethical and still speak to certain tourist boards ... * ... and does anyone really care if we are or not? Part Two: The Aesthetics of Travel Blogging * Selfies rule * People like people, and people like to see people * Am I authentically The Barefoot Backpacker? * How authentic is anyone when they create their aesthetic? * The Instagram Husband * Every Picture Tells A Story * Why I take so many photos Part Three: The Social Culture of Travel Blogging * The Pre-Social Media Times * Twitter Travel Chats * Online Forums * Engagement Pods * Who is a Travel Blogger's Audience and what if it's Other Travel Bloggers? * Accidental Audiences and Communities - do they matter? A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. The two Instagram accounts I refer to are Paulina_on_the_Road and GeorgiaRoseHardy. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Back in June 2025 I travelled to the Caribbean for the first time, along with my regular travel companion Laura. Now, one might ask, why is a non-swimming easily-bored less-than-aesthetic enby with Celtic skin (and all the sun resistance *that* doesn't entail) spending two weeks in the Caribbean? Wasn't four days in Maldives enough to satisfy the tropical beach itch? Well, apparently not. Apart from getting to 100 Countries in 50 Years, we were interested to see if it were even possible to travel independently, slowly, and locally, through the region they way most holidaymakers don't. Because we're trend-setters, and on a budget. Just like we attempted in Maldives, but with more islands and more countries involved. As it turns out, I had a lot to talk about so this trip is spread over two consecutive podcast episodes. Otherwise you'd be listening to me talk for two hours. If that's what you want me to do, hire me, damnit! Topics discussed in this episode are: * Laura is leaving me! * Upcoming London trips * Dominica is green and full of hills * Roseau is not very big * Walking and visiting another sulphur spring * Barbados Airport Is Lacking One Key Feature And It Surprised Me * A quite touristy end to the trip * Impressions of all the islands * Can you visit the Caribbean on a budget? A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Back in June 2025 I travelled to the Caribbean for the first time, along with my regular travel companion Laura. Now, one might ask, why is a non-swimming easily-bored less-than-aesthetic enby with Celtic skin (and all the sun resistance *that* doesn't entail) spending two weeks in the Caribbean? Wasn't four days in Maldives enough to satisfy the tropical beach itch? Well, apparently not. Apart from getting to 100 Countries in 50 Years, we were interested to see if it were even possible to travel independently, slowly, and locally, through the region they way most holidaymakers don't. Because we're trend-setters, and on a budget. Just like we attempted in Maldives, but with more islands and more countries involved. As it turns out, I had a lot to talk about so this trip is spread over two consecutive podcast episodes. Otherwise you'd be listening to me talk for two hours. If that's what you want me to do, hire me, damnit! Topics discussed in this episode are: * It's getting dark * Why did we choose the Caribbean * Issues with inter-island travel * An underwhelming arrival in Saint Lucia * Fort Vieux and Laborie * Three days in Soufriere - beaches and sulphur springs * Castries isn't a pretty city * Two very dour days in Martinique  A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) So, in August I hit both my 100th country and my 50th birthday - I arrived in Norway with three days to spare. Given these two momentous milestones, I figured it made sense to do a podcast that covered, well, at least my country count. We don't need to talk about my ever-advancing age. I had originally planned to do a pod looking at each of my countries by first visit, and a brief synopsis of how I felt on that first visit. But then I realised that would take quite a long time, would feel a tad repetitive, and would get quite boring really. So instead I got my friend V to ask me questions about my visiting 100 countries. A couple of those questions are standard and cheesy, a couple are really quite random (but that's what you get when you crowdsource from teenagers), and a couple are quite deep and thoughtful. Very few of them are what you expect. Topics discussed in this episode are: * A brief recap of my recent ultramarathon * Christmas trees * I've been to 100 countries, but what *is* a country? And what isn't? * The obligatory rant about borders * Colonialism and poverty tourism * Not everywhere is great but be careful how you phrase it * Good manners and showing respect * Food culture and putting things in your mouth that maybe you shouldn't (not a euphemism) * Best, worst, and most off-brand countries * What next? * The joy of toilets around the world * Where to survive a zombie apocalypse * The most 'human' place in the world A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria Pearson, but you can call her V. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Laura has been bugging me to talk about our trip to India earlier this year for a while, and because Past Me was always intending to pod it, they did travel diary voice recordings on a near-daily basis to provide a basic framework, or in fact to just use as the pod. Anyway, the trip was across a little of Southern India, starting in Kochi and taking in the Kerala Backwaters, an overnight train, and the two temple-centric cities of Madurai and Thanjavur. This had us visiting the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Due to the nature of the recordings, quality cannot be guaranteed to be consist'nt. Topics discussed in this episode are: * I have ADHD. Who'd've thunked it?! * Admin and immigration to India is more interesting than you'd imagine * Food and drink in Kochi * Three Hours on the Kerala Backwaters probably isn't enough * The Obligatory McDonalds * Overnighting on an Indian train is comfortably and pleasantly underwhelming * A day in Madurai, being frustrated by temples * A peaceful daytime train to Thanjavur * The joys of suburban hotels: Becoming the GPS we always wanted to be - Part One * Finally, a good temple experience * We Still Don't Speak Tamil: Becoming the GPS we always wanted to be - Part Two * The delightful experience of a non-touristy backstreet restaurant A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Three-Quarters of this podcast is made up of daily summary conversations recorded at the time between me and my friend Laura, so I guess that counts as her contributing! Until next time, bye for now. :)