Tips to get you outside this Winter

With the current dry spell outside expected to last till the New Year we should all be taking advantage of this and heading outside. That is till you discover the wind chill bite and the minus temperatures. This shouldn’t stop us going out and exploring but in the UK it does. I hate being inside but I also hate being cold. So how can you cope and get out and about in Winter and beat those blues?

1, Jackets. To me the most obvious but yet the least done – wear the right clothes for the right weather! So many times I’ve been exploring the downs with the kids only to see people shivering in fluffy jackets or sweating in light weight ones. We’re lovers of Berghaus who provide light weight, wind proof jackets suited to every adventure and weather. Layers are perfect for this weather.

2, Pack a flask. In my early times of dog walking I got caught in a terrific rain storm and took shelter under a tree with another dog walker who leant back against the trunk and brought out a lovely flask full of warm milky coffee. A wonderful twist on what could have been a cold rotten start to a walk.

3, Socks. How many times do you slip your wellies on only to get half way round your walk and discover that you barely feel your toes and when you do the pain is horrible! Normal socks are not built for wellingtons. Slip on an extra pair or two or preferably slip on a pair of welly socks over the top. The wont fall down to an uncomfortable mess at your toes, nor will they let the cold creep in so quickly!

4, Camera. Take it with you; slip it in your pocket! I have lost count of the beautiful sites I have seen in winter off the beaten track. The sun glistening across an ice covered lake or setting down on a freshly ploughed field. Beautiful and what getting out is about after all.

5, Have fun! You don’t need to go for a walk, head to the beach with a picnic and soup. Head out in the garden. Go sledging (grass sledging is pretty good fun if no snow) Go winter camping (yes really!) Hit up the National Trust and see what fun events they have on. Just wrap up and head out!