Seeking Wild Sights

Apr 9

Apr 9 Wild Voices of the Chalke Valley

I’m so proud to be able to call the Chalke Valley my home. Whilst I may not have grown up there , it has welcomed me with open arms and happily shared its wild secrets with me.

Mar 2

Mar 2 Bagwell Farm and The Fleet

Jeni Bell

Travel, Nature

Heading out for a weekend away in the middle of a storm isn’t ideal, but sometimes it’s the only option, and sometimes it can actually be a pleasant surprise.

Feb 11

Feb 11 Top 5 Things to Consider When Converting Your Campervan

Jeni Bell

Travel

Campervan conversions can be a daunting prospect. There are so many things to consider it can be hard to know where to start. Using our experience as fulltime UK van dwellers we share our top 5 tips for getting stuck into your own campervan conversion.

Feb 3

Feb 3 Lepe Country Park

Jeni Bell

Travel, Wildlife

Does anyone ever really need an excuse for a walk along the beach?

Living close to the Solent means that the sea is never far away and a short stroll is always accessible and there are always plenty of treasures to be found.

Jan 21

Jan 21 Grassroots Wildlife Warriors

Jeni Bell

Wildlife, Nature

A sad encounter with a barn owl brought to my attention just how much individuals, local groups and small charities are doing to save our wildlife. Despite all the suffering and hardship nature is currently enduring, there are plenty of people fighting in its corner.

Jan 7

Jan 7 Saving for Vanlife

Jeni Bell

Travel

Travelling in a van is one way to cut the costs of your travels - but how can you save even more on the road and extend your vanlife dream for longer. This blog looks at how to budget for your trip and save money on the road.

Dec 17

Dec 17 The Great Tit Returns

Jeni Bell

Wildlife, Nature

Great Tits used to be a frequent site at the bird feeders in my garden and after getting to used to this woodland birds absence. I was delighted when one returned and filled the garden with birdsong.

Dec 3

Dec 3 For the Love of Trees

Jeni Bell

Nature

With National Tree Week marking the start of the tree planting season, I wanted to put together a blog dedicated to the magic of trees.

Nov 22

Nov 22 A Van Life Philosophy

Jeni Bell

Travel

Time spent on the road not gifted us stunning scenery and adventure, it also gifted us with a philosophy fit for everyday life. Surely this new found vanlife attitude is one that can be adapted to be used everyday.

Oct 28

Oct 28 Wading In - a first attempt at wild river swimming

Jeni Bell

I’ve enjoyed wild swimming before but it was in the sea lochs of Scotland, and the coast around Dorset and Cornwall that I usually got my cold water fill. I had never wild swam in a river before, let alone a notoriously chilly chalk stream, so how could I refuse when a friend invited me to try river swimming for the first time?

Oct 17

Oct 17 The Lower Test in Totton

Jeni Bell

Nature, Travel

Managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the Lower Test marshes are a natural gem in an urban setting. In this mix of reed beds, salt marsh and flood plain wildlife goes about its business alongside humans. So, next time you’re in Totton i’d pop in for a visit.

Oct 7

Oct 7 The Return of Robin Red-Breast

Jeni Bell

Nature, Wildlife

The garden is never quiet, it’s on a council estate so there’s always something going on, but sometimes it lacks certain voices. Luckily my favourite robin red breast has returned to sing his song proudly from the fence posts.

Sep 23

Sep 23 Langford Lakes - A Soundscape

Jeni Bell

Nature, Wildlife

We tend to look at natures with our eyes to marvel at the sights and spectacles, but what about all the things we are missing? Are our other senses the key to unlocking natures secrets.

Aug 20

Aug 20 The Wild Women of Birdfair

Jeni Bell

Wildlife, Nature, Culture

My first Birdfair was a blast but I find myself reflecting on it for reasons I didn’t necessarily think I would.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Salisbury's Swift Safari

Jeni Bell

Wildlife, Nature, Travel

Summer wouldn’t be summer without swifts. I was lucky enough to head out with Salisbury and Wilton Swift Group’s Daniel Kronenberg to find out more about Salisbury’s swift population, and what’s being done to help them.

Jun 26

Jun 26 Common Lizard Encounters

Jeni Bell

Nature, Wildlife, Travel

A trip to the New Forest offers plenty of opportunities for spotting wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled amongst the heather and you might just spot one of the UK’s most common (yet incredibly beautiful) lizards.

Jun 19

Jun 19 Tips for Travelling with a Nervous Dog

Jeni Bell

Travel

One of the joys of van life is that we get to have our little van dog with us. But Millie is a sensitive individual and sometimes it can all get a bit much for her. So, here’s are my favourite tips for helping Millie relax on the road.

Jun 5

Jun 5 A Field in Martin Village

Jeni Bell

Nature

Being ill in a van isn’t always fun but when the views as good as this one, it makes things a little bit easier. I got to know my wild neighbours whilst looking out over a field in Martin Village.

May 23

May 23 A Summer Challenge

Jeni Bell

Wildlife, Nature, Summer ID Challenge

When I’m out exploring I like to know the names of the things I find, so I get frustrated when I’m stumped by them. So I set myself a challenge to put a name to my unknown nature.

May 15

May 15 A Diminishing Dawn Chorus

Jeni Bell

Travel, Wildlife

On a recent camping trip I was reminded of all the things I’ve missed by not paying attention to nature. And all the things we stand to lose as well.

Hi.