Article by Emily Mills
Make 2014 the year you do something new. There are plenty of activities that you and the family can do together that will be new, fun and exciting. You don’t have to commit to weekly classes or spend a fortune on new kit and clothing if you don’t want to – just put a few weekends or evenings in your diary that are going to be committed to trying something you’ve never tried before. Here’s a checklist to get you started:
Go quad biking – this is great fun and anyone can have a go. There are places all over the country that offer quad biking circuits and you can book a session just for your family or join in a general session. The organisers provide the bikes, suits and helmets and give you full safety instructions so that you know what you’re doing – just don’t get too competitive!
Try water sports – probably one for when the weather gets better, but there are all sorts of different water sports you can try, and because many clubs offer several alternatives, you don’t all have to do the same thing. Try dinghy sailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing or snorkelling – most places will hire wetsuits and other equipment, so you can just give it a go.
Take on a challenge – you don’t have to sign up to the London Marathon to give yourself a challenge. Get the family out for a different short walk each week. Add up the miles so that by the end of the year you can see where you would have walked to in a straight line going south. Or draw a circle on a map with your house at the centre and do as many activities and visits as you can find within the circle.
Get into geocaching – this is a great way to explore your local area, or in fact anywhere you might be staying. Find a UK geocaching website and get clues about where a cache is hidden near you. Find the cache, write a note in the notepad to say when you found it and then replace it in its hiding place. You can find as many or as few as you like. It is always a great idea.
Try camping – if you’ve never camped before, this is the year to have a go. Buy or borrow a tent, get all the rest of the kit you need and get out into the outdoors. If you’re not convinced, start gently by choosing the ‘glamping’ option – tepees or yurts that are more luxurious than canvass and a sleeping bag. Go on hikes and explore your surroundings whilst camping, remember to pack a nice waterproof jacket to wear.
Image credit /source – wicker furniture – wwwflickr. com/photos/wicker-furniture
Whatever you do, be prepared. Trousers, polo t-shirts and jackets need to be hard-wearing but comfortable Cotton Traders offer a variety of trousers such as a pair of cargo trousers, and ladies’ trousers, waterproof jackets and coats need to be well fitted and good quality. Get properly kitted out and you will have a 2014 to remember.
Image Credit1: Image credit/credit – urbane women mag -www flickr. com/photos/88092208@N06
Image credit 2: Image credit/source – Graeme Churchard – www .flickr com/photos/graeme/
Image credit /source – wicker furniture – wwwflickr. com/photos/wicker-furniture
Ceri Wheeldon
Ceri is Founder and Editor of Fabafterfifty.co.uk She is a frequent speaker at events and in the media on topics related to women over 50 , including style and living agelessly. With 20+ years experience as a headhunter Ceri also now helps support those looking to extend their working lives.
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