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Environment, Sustainable Travel

Reflections on 2025. Fragility, Resilience and the Lessons of the South

As the final days of 2025 drew to a close, I found myself looking back on a year that has been as challenging as it has been illuminating. Through the lens of this blog, we have explored everything from the quiet biodiversity of our own gardens in Dove Park to the staggering, icy majesty of the Antarctic Southern Ocean.

While the tone of environmental news can often tilt toward the “doom and gloom,” my journey this year – both through research and my own travels – has reinforced a singular truth: sustainability is not a static goal, but a series of deliberate, conscious choices.

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January 5, 2026
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

The Pulse of the Planet: Why Your Choices in the Shopping Aisle Matter in Antarctica

How do you describe a place that feels like the very edge of the world? Antarctica is a vast, frozen wilderness – a land that has famously claimed the lives of explorers who dared to challenge its silence. But step off a Quark Expeditions vessel at Snow Hill, as I recently did, and you’ll realise that “barren” is the last word you’d use.

Watching the stoic Emperor penguins against the sheer white horizon, you realise this place isn’t just surviving, it is teeming with life. Yet, this fragile splendour is under siege. We often think of the threats to Antarctica as distant, monolithic forces – global warming, industrial overfishing and historical whaling – that only governments can solve.

But after walking among the colonies, the truth becomes clear: The fate of the ice isn’t just in the halls of parliament; it’s in your shopping basket.

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December 17, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

Antarctic Majesty Meets Eco-Pioneer. Why Quark Expeditions Ultramarine Blew Me Away

When you set sail for the world’s most pristine and remote regions, like the majestic Antarctic Southern Ocean, the last thing you want to feel is that your journey is harming the environment you’ve traveled so far to see.

I recently returned from an incredible voyage on Quark Expeditions‘ new ship, the Ultramarine, and I have to tell you, I was floored. This isn’t just a vessel; it’s a floating testament to what sustainable expedition cruising can be. While the ship’s architecture is stunning, its commitment to the planet is what truly stole the show – well apart from getting us to Snow Hill and the emperor penguin colony that is!

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December 7, 2025
4041
Environment

Farming for the Future: How Barfoots is Winning the Sustainability Race in the UK 🌽

It’s easy to think of UK farms as perpetually struggling, always fighting against temperamental weather, rising costs, and a challenging global market. You hear the news, and it’s all doom and gloom. But hold onto your wellies, because I’ve found a brilliant family-run farm in the South of England that’s not just succeeding – it’s thriving, thanks to a deep commitment to sustainability and some seriously clever tech. And full disclosure, I only stumbled across their brilliance because Oddbox mentioned them in one of the little newsletters they include with every delivery of rescued fruit and veg – so thank you for that great tip, Oddbox!

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October 23, 2025
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Environment

Breathing New Life: The UK Schemes Turning Unwanted Instruments into Futures 🎶

My passion for sustainability, is not just about travel and the environment, but extends to how we sustain culture, opportunity, and hope. We talk a lot about repurposing materials, giving items a second life, and challenging the ‘throwaway’ culture. But what about objects that offer something far more profound than just a reduction in landfill – objects that can literally change the trajectory of a young person’s life?

I’m talking about musical instruments.

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October 15, 2025
4243
Environment

My Penguin Necklace Story: From Antarctica to Jewellery with Elouise Makes

My husband is a wonderful man. Before our ‘trip of a lifetime’ to Antarctica, South Georgia Island, and the Falkland Islands — a journey three years in the making — he surprised me with a beautiful gold penguin necklace. It wasn’t just any necklace, but a piece from Elouise Makes, a jeweller who focuses on sustainability and traditional craftsmanship in every aspect of her jewellery making. With the penguin made from reclaimed and repurposed gold, I have been wearing it almost daily ever since!

Little did I know, this single gift would be the start of a very special relationship with the artist behind the brand, Rosie Deegan. Today, I want to share both my journey with Rosie and her incredible process, which is all about a slower, more sustainable way of creating.

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October 1, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

César Manrique: Art, Nature & Sustainability in Lanzarote

I’m back with another travel tale following a dear friend’s prompting, and this time, we’re talking about a true visionary. If you’ve ever been to the stunning island of Lanzarote, you’ll know that it’s unlike anywhere else. There are no high-rise hotels (bar one!), no gaudy billboards, and a beautiful, harmonious blend of white-washed buildings and dramatic volcanic landscapes. This isn’t an accident. It’s all thanks to one man: César Manrique.

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September 23, 2025
4998
Environment

Harvest Fest & Seed Secrets at Ricky Community Garden Autumn Workshop.

As the days get shorter and the leaves start their spectacular show, there’s a buzz of excitement at the Ricky Community Garden! We’re all gearing up for the Sustainable Three Rivers group’s fantastic Harvest & Autumn Workshop happening on Sunday, September 28th, from 11 am to 1 pm. And guess what? It’s going to be packed with free goodies and fantastic learning opportunities! Everyone from the Three Rivers District is welcome.

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September 12, 2025
4097
Environment

Zero Waste Week: Rethinking What We Throw Away

Happy Zero Waste Week! Now, regular readers will know I’m all about making small changes that add up to a big difference for our beautiful planet. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being thoughtful. And this week is the perfect time to get our thinking caps on about a topic that affects us all: waste. Specifically, food waste.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That sad-looking bag of lettuce at the back of the fridge, or the bananas that have gone from yellow to a speckled brown overnight. It’s a bit of a heart sinker, isn’t it? But did you know that the waste we see in our own kitchens is only a tiny part of the story? A staggering amount of food is wasted before it even gets to our plates.

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September 5, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

From Floppy to Fabulous: Simple Tricks to Keep Your Veggies and Fruit Fresh Longer

Do you ever feel like you’re in a race against time with your groceries? You bring home a beautiful haul of fresh fruit and veggies, only to find them wilting or going soft a few days later or your two-weekly fruit and vegetable box is delivered, and week two, that lettuce is looking a little sad! It’s a waste of food and money, and nobody likes that especially our planet!

Luckily, with a few simple tricks, you can stretch the life of your produce and make your fridge work harder for you.

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August 27, 2025
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