Disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with Nature!
One of our favourite activities is to be deep in nature, immersed and lost in landscapes that offer us an equal measure of relaxation and adventure.
This year we came across a secret location, far west on the Atlantic in Ireland, where sheep, hills and crashing waves are the only company found for mile and miles.
We know that off the grid is not for everyone. Most people get nervous with the idea of being cold, lost and not being able to keep in touch with their social media lifeline or their netflix controller.
Not us.
So if you are in the mood for an adventure, to disconnect with the digital world and connect to the natural world, we have some tips for you. Packing the right things is essential, and so below you will find some tips for what we consider to be our essentials:
FOR THE MIND
Activities that will help you relax, unwind and be at ease when you cannot reach the signal on your mobile:
Reading material. We love the Guardian website to see what is taking shape in the world of books, new and old.
Our top 5 reads at the moment are:
Any Sherlock Holmes adventure
James Joyce “The Dubliners” for local flavour
Gretel Enrich “The Solace of Open Space”, it will make you discover your surroundings in minute detail
Herges “ The adventures of Tintin” to inspire your next adventure, just pickup any one of the inspiring books.
Judith Schalansky “Pocket Atlas of Remote Islands: Fifty Islands I have not visited and Never will” to remind you that the world is vast
Sketching and Painting, if you feel like exploring your artistic instincts, go with a small pallet of paint and moleskin watercolour books.
Games, easy to carry board games and card games will stimulate and occupy your time like nothing else.
FOR THE BODY:
Super comfortable walking shoes. Comfy at the ankle for a stable grip.
Waterproofs for staying dry.
Thick double layered walking/hiking socks. We have our own favourite, made of strong, breathable and soft alpaca.
For impromptu sketching, picnics or just because the view is beautiful, pack a small walker's blanket, which is waterproof on the reverse side and soft on the top. Roll it open and enjoy the moment.
A hot water bag if you are going away in cold weather, this is essential!
Small food treats, as always things that are rich, delicious and easy to store as your off the grid and unlikely to have a refrigerator.
Another cold weather essential is bed socks, and being experts on keeping warm dry and cosy, we love our alpaca socks.
Atlantic coast in County Donegal, Ireland is where we headed for our off the grid week of nature indulgence. Our cabin was in good company with local sheep, deep in the folds of the hills and cliffs. Surrounded by so much open space is quite breathtaking, and being able to see uninterrupted for miles in a unique experience, as normally in our daily life views are constantly cut off by the urban sprawl.
In such landscapes, weather dictates what you can do and can’t do for any given day. As this was October on the Atlantic, temperatures were around 12 to 18 degrees in the sun and 2 to 3 degrees in the evening.
If you are attempting to do this type of holiday for the first time, we suggest you do your research on the location, the accommodation and the luxuries and comforts you are able to forgo for a week of walking, sitting and just staring at heavenly landscapes.
Editor’s Picks
Wonderland - Alpaca & Merino Lambswool Blanket - Coloured Checks
The combination of soft Alpaca and strong breathable Merino wool makes this gorgeous throw a perfect design accessory for your home and will keep you warm and cosy around the house. The blend of the two creates a warm and...
£150.00
Luxury lounge socks in alpaca - Orange
Made of 90% alpaca wool and 10% of Nylon for additional flexibility, these lounge socks are knitted in Britain. These soft and comfy socks are perfect for cosy winter nights. They will keep your feet toasty and warm in bed or for when lazing on the...
£25.75
British Folding Umbrella - Dark Brown/Sand
Our folding umbrellas are lovingly made and assembled in England. Our canopies are manually cut and each umbrella is hand finished. All the components come from reliable and skilled suppliers. The scorched maple crook handle is made in Italy, while the polyester fabric is...
£110.00
Pure new wool picnic blanket - Rainbow
Rainbow pure new wool outdoor rug with grey waterproof backing and a handmade leather strap. The blanket and the strap are made in Britain. Our luxury waterproof picnic blankets will make your picnics comfy, dry and stylish! Each rug is large enough and...
from £135.00
Knee-high alpaca walking socks - Red
Our knee-high socks are extra-long with a cushion sole and are perfect to combine with wellies and boots. Made of 75% alpaca wool and 25% of Nylon for additional flexibility, they offer an exceptional comfort and will keep you warm during...
£32.50
Love Stories - 100% Cashmere Blanket - Cerise
This exquisite throw is woven in the British Isles from 100% cashmere yarns spun in Italy. Cashmere is a classic luxury material and is probably one of the softest wool you can touch. The lightweight and softness of the fabric create a unique feel. We have...
£375.00
The Little Explorer - Grey & Olive Tweed
This pure new wool Tweed blanket with waterproof backing is the perfect walker's companion. It's light and easily fits into a bag and will bring a great element of comfort and cosiness to your picnics and walking explorations. 100% Pure...
£44.50
British Folding Umbrella - Mallard/Orange
Our folding umbrellas are lovingly made and assembled in England. Our canopies are manually cut and each umbrella is hand finished. All the components come from reliable and skilled suppliers. The scorched maple crook handle is made in Italy, while the polyester fabric is...
£110.00
Evening Tales - Pure New Wool Blanket - Super Fluffy - Grey , Wine & Pink
This super fluffy blanket is made of pure new wool. With its grey tone and shades of wine and pink, it will look stunning in any room, giving that touch of cosiness that makes a house into a home. All our new wool...
£89.00
Knee-high alpaca walking socks - Khaki Green
Our knee-high socks are extra-long with a cushion sole and are perfect to combine with wellies and boots. Made of 75% alpaca wool and 25% of Nylon for additional flexibility, they offer an exceptional comfort and will keep you warm during...
£32.50
Love Stories - 100% Cashmere Scarf - Bergamot
It is all about the touch with this 100% Cashmere scarf. Made in the British Isles, it has been woven with care and high attention to detail from cashmere yarns spun in Italy. Cashmere is a classic luxury material and is probably...
£145.00
Daydreams - Merino Lambswool Throw - Sage
Made from soft merino lambswool, this beautiful throw has breathable quality to help you regulate your body temperature, keeping you warm and cosy during the winter. This beautiful Daydreams Merino Lambswool throw comes in its own unique storage bag for safekeeping when not in...
£120.00
Love Stories - 100% Cashmere Blanket - Cobalt Blue & French Grey Reversible
This exquisite throw is woven in the British Isles from 100% cashmere yarns spun in Italy. Cashmere is a classic luxury material and is probably one of the softest wool you can touch. The lightweight and softness of the fabric create a unique feel. We have combined...
£375.00
Bedtime Stories - 100% Merino Kids Blanket - Light Blue
This soft blanket is made of 100% merino wool. It is perfect as a gift for a new baby arrival or as a young child's blanket. The throw is 104 cm x 75 cm. It comes in one of our beautiful...
£58.50
Evening Tales - Pure New Wool Blanket - Super Fluffy - Yellow, Turquoise & Grey
This super fluffy blanket is made of pure new wool. With its yellow, turquoise, and grey tones, it will look stunning in any room, giving that touch of cosiness that makes a house into a home. All our new wool blankets are finished with...
£89.00
"Keep Your Cool" Champagne Bucket - Navy Blue Leather strap
Our "Keep Your Cool" Champagne bucket range is just fun and playful. It was created for those summer evenings spent on the beach or in a local park with a picnic and a nice bottle of rosé or champagne that needs...
£88.50
Daydreams - Merino Lambswool Throw - Deep Sea Green
Made from soft merino lambswool, this beautiful throw has breathable quality to help you regulate your body temperature, keeping you warm and cosy during the winter. This beautiful Daydreams Merino Lambswool throw comes in its own unique storage bag for safekeeping when not in...
£120.00
The Little Explorer - Navy Tweed with Pink Waterproof Backing
This pure new wool Tweed blanket with waterproof backing is the perfect walker's companion. It's light and easily fits into a bag and will bring a great element of comfort and cosiness to your picnics and walking explorations. 100% Pure...
£44.50
Kids picnic blanket - Rainbow
Fun Rainbow pure new wool outdoor blanket with yellow waterproof backing and a super cute specially made yellow carrying leather strap. Created especially for the little ones and the best part is that it is machine washable! The kid's picnic blanket pairs...
£95.00
Alpaca walking socks - Rustic Red
Our rustic red alpaca socks are with a cushioned sole and are perfect for those very cold winter days. Made of 75% alpaca wool and 25% of Nylon for additional flexibility, they offer an exceptional comfort and will keep you warm during your...
£25.75