A Reflection on 2025
This year has been a reminder of how restorative and enlivening simple outdoor pursuits can be. Between off‑road driving across the green lanes of Dartmoor and Devon, taking up clay pigeon shooting, and finishing with a pre‑Christmas shoot on the Mendips followed by a convivial meal, I’ve rediscovered the pleasure of being present, physically engaged and away from the constant pinging of phones and incoming emails.
Off‑road driving: Dartmoor and Devon’s green lanes There’s a particular satisfaction to navigating the green lanes of Dartmoor and Devon. The lanes demand attention in a different way than city driving: reading the terrain, choosing lines through ruts and mud, and appreciating the shifting light over moorland and woodland. It’s not about speed but about technique and respect for the landscape. Driving these routes encourages a mindful focus — the sort that clears the head and steadies the breath. The views and quiet of the countryside, punctuated by bird song and the occasional sheep, are restorative in themselves.
Clay pigeon shooting: focus, camaraderie and good humour Taking up clay pigeon shooting this year has been unexpected fun. The discipline requires concentration, steady posture and a calm mindset; you learn to anticipate, to breathe with purpose and to commit to the shot in the present moment. There’s also a strong social element — friendly rivalry, plenty of laughter and shared cups of tea between rounds. My year culminated in a pre‑Christmas shoot on the Mendips, which was a perfect blend of outdoors, sport and community. Finishing the day with a lovely meal felt like the natural conclusion to a day well spent: warm food, good conversation and a sense of camaraderie.
Why these activities matter What ties these activities together is a shift away from screens and into embodied experience. Both require one to be fully attentive to body, senses and environment. They demand physical engagement, offer a change of pace from routine, and build confidence. They also reconnect you with the weather, the landscape and a rhythm of time that isn’t measured in notifications.
Plans for 2026: cycling and coastal exploration Looking ahead to 2026, I’m planning to be more active on my bike — more long rides on lanes and trails should help build fitness and provide another way to explore rural England. I’m also intent on digging out the kayak and visiting more of the UK’s coastline. Paddling offers a different sensory experience: the sound of water against hull, the changing light on cliffs and coves, and the quiet companionship of sea birds. Both cycling and kayaking feel like natural complements to driving and shooting: lighter, slower ways to notice detail and enter into landscape.
An invitation to reflect We all have different ways of stepping away from the inbox and reconnecting with the world. For me, it’s been off‑road driving, clay pigeon shooting, and soon cycling and kayaking. What activities do you enjoy that take you outside and unplug you from constant digital interruptions? Whether it’s hillwalking, gardening, wild swimming, birdwatching, climbing or simply long walks with a dog, these pursuits recharge us in ways a short break from emails never quite manages. Share what gets you outdoors — it might inspire someone else to try their next adventure.