Fancy a walking holiday with a difference?

Shacklabank is a family run working farm combining walking holidays with farm experiences. Alison O'Neill organises all of the holidays and tailors them to suit the individual interests of the guests.

With the opportunity to roam freely across the overlooking Howgill Fells in Cumbria and explore the nearby town of Sedburgh you can enjoy a holiday with a difference at Shacklabank.

For more details visit www.shacklabank.co.uk

Rob and Yon Lawson recently took part in a mammoth challenge - forming part of a group of 18 dedicated people who climbed an impressive 17,590ft up to Mount Everest Base Camp.

Rob was kitted out in his brasher's which provided him with the support he needed for the trek. 

Between them they raised more then £1,500 for St Clare's Hospice and 'Show Racism the Red Card', a campaign using top footballers to educate young people against racism.

Rob commented that "the challenge was probably the hardest thing I've ever done, especially with the altitude around Base Camp" but with the help of the team they all completed the trek together.

Let us know if you have any stories you'd like to share with us?
Contact us at sshanley@brasher.co.uk

Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland
Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd August

The British Birdwatching Fair is the world's first and largest International birdwatching event.

Described as the birdwatcher's Glastonbury, Birdfair encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation.

This is the event of the year if you're into birds and wildlife. There are hundreds of stands selling the latest products for wildlife enthusiasts. You'll find everything from scopes to sculptures, binoculars to bird food, eGuides to eco-holidays!

 Every day we offer a packed programme of events. Three separate timetables boast a fantastic variety of lectures. The Events Marquee hosts quiz shows, question and answer sessions, exclusive book launches and family-based entertainment. The Birdfair Auction offers you the chance to bid for a whole host of lots, donated by our exhibitors, ranging from holidays, to artwork, to unique one-off experiences, with all the monies raised going directly to this year's Birdfair project.

In conjunction with our retailer Country Innovation, we will have a full range of footwear and socks on display, including our new Supalite II GTX boot, one of the lightest leather boots available. Our footwear expert, John Tremble, will be on hand to offer advice and help on boot fitting, seek him out and out him to the test! We will also have some superb boot bargains that are really too good to miss.

Visit us in Marquee 2 - stands 5,6,7,8,9

Each year, our spring summer launch challenges the brasher team to the new.

Check out this video clip of our attempt at kite surfing at Bamburgh beach.

I think some of us should just stick to walking....what we know best!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXeZvDFrJQw

With the World Cup finished for another four years, the Grand Prix done and dusted, Wimbledon drawn to a close, are you now wondering what will fill your time for the rest of the summer?

Well, the great outdoors is out there and waiting for you, dig out those boots and head for the hills especially whilst the weather is still being nice to us.

Need inspiration on where to go, take a look at these websites for routes and walks...

For nationwide walks visit www.livefortheoutdoors.com

Walking guides throughout Northumberland, Cumbria and The Borders go to www.shepherdswalks.co.uk

Looking for walking routes suitable for buggies? Walks with Buggies is the only UK website totally dedicated to providing free information on routes that are suitable for those with buggies www.walkswithbuggies.com

Search over 2800 free walks across the UK and share your faourites at www.grabyourboots.com

Or, unpack that tent, bring out the bbq and head off for a weekend of camping fun.

Looking for a campsite, check out www.ukcampsite.co.uk

Or if you're feeling a little more adventurous, you could always go wild camping, but don't forget to abide by the rules!

Whatever you choose, have fun in the outdoor playground and don't forget to drop us a line with your stories and photo's.