Hi, please tell everyone where you are based and what you do!
I am a soft tissue therapist (used to be called sport and remedial massage) based in Sheffield. I use massage techniques and movement exploration to help a wide range of people to keep mobile and active, whether they have aches and pains from sport, work, injury and illness or just the challenges of daily life! It’s very rewarding work; people are generally happier and healthier when they can move more easily and it’s a joy when they can get back to the activities they love doing. When not doing that, I love to work with fibre and enjoy spinning, weaving and knitting.
What’s your favorite way to spend time outdoors?
Walking and taking it all in, wherever I may be or however much time I have! Could be an all day hike somewhere or a dog walk in the local woods. I used to love combining camping and hiking but don’t do that enough these days. I also enjoy trail running although injury has prevented that for a while. Where I am in Sheffield we have beautiful ancient woodland close by and the moors not much further away; even on a dismal day it feels better to be outside in natural light, experiencing the sights and sounds of nature; good waterproofs really help make even a very wet day enjoyable.
Can you share your favourite, memorable outdoor adventure or experience?
So many to choose from! Maybe hiking and camping in the Scottish Highlands back in the mid 1990s as everything was such an adventure back then. We went walking every day all day in wonderful weather, often not encountering anyone else. I remember seeing the hills and mountains rolling out as we climbed steadily higher, and coming across a whole hillside of wild flowers including orchids. It was very warm and we had some chilly dips in the pools we passed!
How do you manage to find a balance between being active and life’s other responsibilities i.e. work and family?
I am very lucky as I have worked part time since my mid 40s so I have plenty of time to garden and go walking with my dog 🙂 Our dog is wonderful for ensuring that we go for decent length walks every day and get that time to change gear and relax.
Is there anyone in particular that inspired your love of the outdoors?
My family. My parents were both keen walkers and always made sure it was enjoyable, plus my mum was always in the garden and gave me a little bit to grow things in whilst I was still very young, and my dad got us all into sailing. We were lucky to have the access and time to explore nature when we were growing up and my parents encouraged this. We also spent two weeks every year with relatives in the Welsh fishing village my mother came from and were allowed to roam by ourselves most of the day; exploring the shoreline, rowing out in the dinghy but also spending hours on simple things like looking for grasshoppers or just watching the tide come in. I remember relatives and family friends taking the time to tell me about the plants and creatures that we saw when out and about; it felt very special. When my dad retired he bought a small boat that we sailed on the River Medway and we used to love dropping anchor and just soaking in the birdlife.
What role does nature play in your mental well-being?
A huge role. Walking daily in the woods and park - where large areas are being turned into meadows - relaxes, restores and inspires me. Just sitting in my garden and watching the insects and birds brings me enormous contentment. I love feeling immersed in the sounds of nature and using them to spot, for instance, a vole in the leaf litter, a buzzard riding the thermals or a tree creeper making its way along a trunk. Together with the sound of wind in the trees it is like a sensory massage, and it helps to restore perspective on life and what is important.
What’s the one piece of gear or clothing you never leave home without on an outdoor trip?
Something to cover my head - to keep the sun off, or the heat in, and the insects out of my ears and hair!
How does the outdoors inspire your craft?
The colours and textures of nature inspire the colours and textures of my knitting and weaving, from tree bark patterns to the colours of autumn foliage. When home I enjoy carding wool fibre into rolags and spinning it into yarn whilst sitting in the garden - it’s really relaxing - and I have begun to use plants from the garden to dye my handspun yarn.
Carding Shetland wool into rolags ready to spin.
Knitting up my carded and handspun Shetland wool.
When did you discover FINDRA?
It was recommended to me by someone in my knitting group, a few years ago. I ordered the fern texture base layer and absolutely loved how soft it was.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Sort out your sleep and food then see what problems you are still left with.
On writing this blog, what do you feel is the key motivational or inspirational message you would like to highlight to our followers that would inspire them to get outdoors more.
Just stepping outside into natural light and feeling the air on your skin is a huge boost to well being. Walking soothes the soul whilst it exercises the body, and taking time to look at the natural world around you so often makes the world feel better.
Kate's Sunday Inspiration
Favourite Book
I am most recently inspired by Moth in The Salt Path and Landlines to just keep challenging myself to walk further, even when my middle aged aches and pains seem to be limiting me. Seeing what he has achieved together with Raynor Winn helps me believe that I can still do those multi day treks, I just need to get on with it at my own pace which may be different to my younger pace, but that’s ok because I will have more time to take in the places I walk through.
Favourite Quote
Nan Shepherd’s words really resonate with me, as I changed from how far/fast/high can I walk when younger to being more interested in the place itself, taking the time to notice, fall into its rhythm and feel a part of it.
Favourite Song
It’s one that both myself and my partner love and it's just such a beautiful song.
