Friluftsliv - Embracing the Great Outdoors
Rain or shine, snow or wind; the UK has an array of weather that can blindside us at the best of times. Although, “there's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing" rather aptly said by Alfred Wainwright, and he has hit the nail on the head. Here are our top tips for embracing all weathers.
Friluftsliv (pronounced ‘free-loofts-liv’)is a Norwegian term meaning open air living and is used to describe the positive impacts of spending time in nature. This is the other side of the ‘hygge’ coin, encouraging you to get outside and embrace all weathers.
During the autumn and winter months, as the darkness creeps up upon us earlier each day and the weather turns colder, it can be tempting to avoid the outdoors and fill your days with as many elements of ‘hygge’ as possible. Yet, by doing this, we also cut ourselves off from nature and the tons of benefits that it can bring to not only our health, but also our mental well-being. The key, is to learn to embrace the weather and change our attitude towards it.
Even in the warmer months, the heat can be a barrier to adventuring in nature. Rather than viewing the weather as an inconvenience, see it as an opportunity and fully embrace the mixture of weathers so you can enjoy the adventure that awaits you.
The key to embracing all weather types is to be prepared, and when you have a plan, the weather is no longer a burden, but an enhancement to the journey you are about to embark on. A little preparation on an outdoor adventure goes a long way.
Cold weather - snow, rain and wind
1) Wrap up warm
Layers are best, especially if you’re on an outdoor adventure like a cycle or hike as then you can add or remove a layer as needed. Long sleeve t-shirts, thin jumpers, fleeces, thermals, thick socks, woolly jumpers, wind proof jackets and coats, hats, scarfs, and gloves (if its snowy and you’re tempted to have a snow ball fight make sure your gloves are waterproof or you’ll quickly catch a chill). Nobody enjoys the cold weather when they are cold to the bone!
2) Snacks
It requires more energy to keep your body temperature up in colder weathers so you’ll likely find you need more food to keep the hunger pangs at bay. Think high in sugar and carbs so that it gives you plenty of steam for the activities ahead and as well as keeping the kids happy. A cold winter hike demands a hearty set of snacks with the extra calories and warmth you need to power through the day. Just as critical as your layers, enticing snacks help drive you forward providing that burst of energy (and incentive) you need to climb on.
3) Good footwear
Waterproof hiking boots or wellies are essential as even on a clear sunny winter’s day the dew lingers on the blades of grass. You lose a lot of heat from your feet, so if they are kept warm and dry, you will notice a huge difference in your body temperature and will avoid your feet feeling like blocks of ice. For wet weather think wellies and waterproof walking boots, and for snow think something waterproof but with some underfoot grip to avoid slipping over.
Good footwear is essential for a cold weather adventure, choose wellies or hiking boots
4) Go on an adventure prepared with a thermos with a hot drink
Tea, hot chocolate, coffee or even a warm cider. Or if you’re planning a picnic in the autumn or winter, fill your flask with hot soup and bring along some crusty bread. It’s not only an easy and cheap lunch alternative, it will also warm you to the core from the inside out. If you are feeling extra indulgent, pop some Bailey’s Irish cream in your hot chocolate.
5) Waterproofs
If there’s a chance of rain, a waterproof jacket with a decent hood will keep most of your clothing dry and for the majority of us this is enough to make a day out enjoyable. Water proof trousers can be a useful addition to your outer wear for when it’s wet and windy.
However if you’re on an adventure with young children, having waterproof salopettes can be crucial to them enjoying the whole adventure - from experience we know that once they’re legs get wet it can make it really tricky to put a smile on their little faces. Let them have a fully immersive experience where they don’t have to worry about being wet and cold, and can enjoy the feeling of splashing in puddles and wading through streams.
6) Plan a good place for a spot of lunch
Bonus points if it’s a pub with a roaring logfire - if you’re on a hike, cycle or winter beach trip it’s good to know where your next meal is coming from. Make sure you’ve scoped out where you can grab a bowl of warm soup and crusty bread to warm the cockles or maybe a nice hot drink you can warm your fingers around. A little bit of warmth can go a long way after being out in the cold. If cycling, check the lunch spot has somewhere to store your bike.
Try and find a pub with a nice roaring fire and enjoy a cosy meal or warming drink
7) Be sure to have a cosy place to return to after your adventure
We highly recommend ensuring there’s a hot shower in case you got muddy and wet and then retreating in front of a logfire with your slippers on. Maybe even pop your dressing gown on the heated towel rail or a radiator to get the full benefit! The roundhouse at Round the Woods is an inviting space to return to with a hot shower, a sauna, a roaring log burner and plenty of cosy soft furnishings - we want to make you feel as hygge as possible!
8) Be prepared that the weather can turn quite quickly in the UK
Even if the forecast is for a clear sunny day you might find it’s windy at your chosen spot or the rain or even hail or snow descend from the skies. Make sure you’ve got all the wet weather gear with you just in case and try to see whatever the weather throws at you as part of the adventure. Checking for weather forecast at your adventure location will give you a bit of a heads up on what to expect but, as we all know from experience, this cannot be entirely relied on.
Warm weather - sunshine and warm winds
1) Go for a country walk and bring a picnic with you
The amount of things you can do in the wood are endless, and we have actually compiled a list of woodland activities for children to give you some inspiration. From building dens, to obstacle courses, a day out in nature with a picnic has to get the closest thing to tranquillity and embracing nature. Why not have a go at geocaching - we got hooked recently - it’s brilliant fun and also gives kids a focus to enjoy a walk out in nature when they might otherwise resist.
2) Having a wind break at the beach can make a big difference
We often have guests enjoying the sheltered position of our glampsite with woodland on at least 2 sides and they then visit the beach and discover it's windy on the coast, which they were not prepared for. We recommend checking the weather where you're heading for the day too, as just a small distance can make a big difference to the weather you'll get. Wind breaks can protect you from not only the wind, but it also gives you a bit of privacy on the beach.
Prepare for the weather - wind breaks can make a big difference on the coast
3) Pop a microfibre towel and swimming costume/trunks in your bag
So you can go wild swimming as soon as you spot somewhere on your travels. It’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot day or to enjoy a break on a journey. You can search for ‘wild swimming spots’ and many websites have reviews and top tips, we’ve got a couple of local favourites we recommend too. Spontaneity is the spice of life after all and if you’re with kids they’ll love splashing about and spotting wildlife.
4) Find a pub for lunch with a beer garden
Whether you prefer full sun or a parasol when enjoying a nice ice cold pint, being stuck indoors on a sunny day can be frustrating. It seems obvious, but book ahead on sunny days or pick a less popular time to avoid disappointment. A lot of pubs tend to have play areas for children, so that parents can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. Here is a list of local country pubs in Norfolk that we recommend.
A village pub with a beer garden is a summer highlight - The Fox pub, Lyng, Norfolk
5) Bring sun protection
Sunshine bearing down on you can make an adventure in the heat of the day quite unbearable. Plan adventures that avoid the midday sun - in the summer our family avoids being in full sunshine between 11 and 3pm without sufficient protection. A bonus of longer days in the summer months is that there’s more daylight hours to plan early morning or late afternoon activities. If you’re on a country walk look for a route that offers shade from trees to give you some relief and be sure to choose a shaded spot for your lunchtime picnic. With the sun beating down on you it’s best to be prepared with sun hats, sunglasses and protection for your skin, such as full length clothing or sun cream. Sunburn isn’t a good look!
5) Store some water bottles in your car boot…
…and in your bag for the day as this can be a real life saver when it comes to hot temperatures. It’s so easy to forget to drink water when you are busy enjoying an adventure. Water bottles are also great for washing hands (especially if the kids are eating ice creams and have sticky fingers or if you’re visiting the beach). Lastly, it’s really useful if you have a dog and they are needing a good slosh of water to cool them down.
Glamping adds to the adventure…
Whether its rain or shine, glamping is a great way to experience nature whilst enjoying the luxuries you would expect in a cosy home. Glamping gives you a chance to switch off and really take in the sights, smells, tastes and feelings around you that you can only get from the magical countryside. You can even invite some friends or family along, because outdoor adventures are made all the merrier with loved ones!
If you want to embrace the weather all year round whilst soaking up the tranquility of the woods, why not book in for a stay in our eco-friendly and luxury roundhouse glamping cabin? There’s a log burner to keep you warm and toasty, a sauna, a pizza oven that can be used to cook a variety of meals, a super comfy bed and everything you need to enjoy yourselves in the Norfolk countryside. Find out our availability here.
