This hasn’t deterred him from seeking fun closer to home. In this enthusiastic, pleasingly madcap book, he offers tips on how we lesser mortals can bring a little exploration into our lives.
He coins the term ‘microadventure’ and defines it as follows: ‘Cheap, simple, short, and yet very effective.’ Some of his examples include forays into woods and forests, following ancient pilgrimage trails, swimming in rivers and building rudimentary huts from natural materials.
Some of the suggestions don’t hold great appeal, at least to me. I find no great joy in the prospect of following, as closely as possible, the route of the M25 on foot. Other projects win me over. How marvellous it would be if everyone decided to walk home for Christmas, no matter where they found themselves a few days ahead of the festive season.
Humphreys suggests that ‘most people enjoy adventure and would love to have more of it in their lives’. It can apparently be found in your own back garden (simply explore your patch at night) or, if you’re game, you could hoof it from coast to coast. Humphreys is clearly slightly bonkers and this is a wonderful thing. Having read this book, I now know how to locate a spot for wild camping and have a clear understanding of what I should pack for my own microadventures.
See you on the highway, or perhaps the byway.
MICROADVENTURES: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes by Alastair Humphreys, William Collins, £16.99
