Tag Archive for: Staycation

Visit England Rose 2023 Award

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We are absolutely delighted to announce that we have won a coveted Visit England Rose 2023 Award.

The Rose award has been running for 6 years now and highlights businesses that provide visitors with unique experiences and the warmest of welcomes.  The award is made to only 100 hospitality businesses each year, and is nominated by Visit England quality scheme assessors, based on their feedback, as well as guest reviews.

The fact that it is a recognition of the experience we give our guests is extremely satisfying to us.  We have always tried to champion the Eden Valley as a quiet, but beautiful, corner of Cumbria, and we have always made decisions with our guest at the heart of what we do.  We have met many lovely guests along the way, many of whom have returned several times to enjoy what Dufton, and the Eden Valley have to offer.  In many ways it is through their support and enjoyment, and ultimately their reviews of their experience with us, that has given us the confidence in what we do – and this is absolutely the icing on the cake.

EV Charging

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EV Charging at Shepherds View

EV Charging Unit

EV charging Unit

We are delighted to announce that we have added an ICS charging unit as an additional service for any guests wishing to travel to us in their EV car.

The charger is suitable for all EV cars, but guests will still need to bring their own Type 2 cable. Access to the unit is easy and is via a QR code located on the front, which then allows guests to pay for charging.

Our starting price for charging is set at 40p per kWh, but we do reserve the right to alter this according to the price of electricity operating at the time.

So no more searching around Cumbria for the nearest charging unit, or worrying if you will make it back.  Charge over night and spend more time enjoying your holiday.

We look forward to welcoming you and your EV car in the very near future!

What’s your favourite time of year?

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January & February

Dufton Pike in the snow

Snowy winter peaks

There is no better time of year for enjoying quality ‘me’ time than the early months of the year.  Often there can be snow on the hills, making the views from the feature window of Shepherds View spectacular, with crystal clear mornings and dark nights for star gazing.

You don’t need to make any excuses to cosy up in front of the log fire in one of our complimentary dressing gowns, enjoy the underfloor heating, or luxuriate in the jacuzzi bath.  With Netflix on the TV for binge episodes of your favourite show ‘staying in’ can really be the new ‘going out’!  And should you venture out, then in early February Dufton Ghyll has wonderful embankments of snowdrops on display.

March & April

As the clocks march forward enjoy more of the above, but with the added fun of the Spring lambs arriving in the field below you.  It’s the reason we called the barn Shepherds View, and many a guest has whiled away the hours watching them skip and play.

Dalemain Mansion, near Ullswater, hosts the world famous marmalade festival on 22nd celebrating all things marmalade, and on 23rd the Cumbria Classic motor show.

May

Bluebells in Dufton Ghyll

With Summer around the corner the bluebells appear in the Ghyll, or you can take our guided walk to the spectacular display at Flakebridge Woods – one of our favourite walks to do.  If you are lucky you can see the native Red Squirrels at play, sometimes a woodpecker, or even a deer.

On 12th & 14th Brougham Hall, near Penrith, is running its 1940s wartime weekend event.  Free to enter, you can park in Penrith and travel on a Cumbria Classic Coach to the venue and enjoy military vehicles, wartime displays, period fashions and food and dancing.

June

On 4th June Hutton in the Forest holds one of its Classic Cars events.  A great place to visit anyway at this time of year, enjoy the historic house, walled gardens and woodland walks – this is the perfect venue.

25th June is the Ullswater Country Fair.  Held in Patterdale, in the shadow of the Helvellyn range, this is a traditional country show that showcases the rich heritage of the Lake District, including traditional sports and crafts.

July

Pot Fest at Hutton in the Forest

From the 4th and then weekly on every Tuesday throughout July & August – take a Fish & Chips supper cruise with Ullswater Steamers – a perfect combination of the stunning scenery of the Ullswater Valley and a quintessential British supper!  Perfection!

The 15th marks the first of the fantastic local Agricultural Shows to visit – Penrith Show.  These shows always provide tremendous entertainment with ringside attractions, livestock competitions, and rural crafts on display.

On 22nd and 23rd Dufton Village Hall becomes the centre for artistic talent with Art in the Hills – now a popular annual art exhibition this is a showcase for some of the talented professional and amateur local artists from the Eden – our guests in 2022 couldn’t resist buying some of the art so beware – this is a great show!

Back to Hutton in the Forest for Potfest on 28th to 30th.  This flagship event showcases the best work from over 90 selected artists and is a must for all ceramic fans – don’t forget your credit card!

August

3 great Agricultural shows to visit

The Fellside Royal

The Fellside Royal

on 10th Appleby, 26th right here in Dufton for the Fellside Royal (including the Dufton Fell Race), and finally on 31stCrosby Ravensworth.

On 20th Dalemain once again hosts the Cumbria Classic motor show.

September

This is the month for the famous Dufton Beer Festival at the Stag Inn.  Dates to be confirmed but normally the second Fri/Sat/Sun of September.  Cracking beer, cider and live music, and a short stagger home!

October

With the nights starting to draw in then the log burner comes into its own again in the barn.

As the clocks change Penrith holds its now iconic Winter Droving, a unique celebration steeped in tradition.  Over the weekend of 28th the town has a celebration of light, fire and rural life, with masked street processions and street stalls with food, drink and giftware.  Not to be missed!

November & December

The year ends the same way it started with lazy days and time to relax.

Romantic breaks

Romantic breaks

 

 

 

When will you choose to visit?

Cumbria Tourism Awards 2022

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2022 has been a momentous year for us.  Back in March we entered Dufton Barn Holidays into the Cumbria Tourism Awards for 2022 and were absolutely delighted to be short-listed for Self-Catering Accommodation 2022.  It is always a highly competitive category due to the variety of accommodation available across Cumbria and so it was a real privilege to be one of four businesses up for the award.

Following the judge visit in April, where our business was scrutinised from top to bottom, we then had to wait for the prestigious black-tie event at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal on the 6th July.  After the last couple of years it was great fun to dress up in black tie and ball gown and meet up with all the other high quality competitors across 15 different Tourism categories.  A really supportive group of people at the top of their professional game, and a spectacular occasion for all present after 3 years absence due to Covid.

It is fair to say that you enter an award in hope rather than with expectation, and so we were absolutely stunned to hear our name called out as winners in our category.  It is without doubt the pinnacle of our professional hospitality career and we were delighted to win as representatives of the beautiful Eden Valley, and made even more special as the award was sponsored by Out of Eden.  It is still sinking in a month later, and we will be proud of this achievement for years to come.

We started out on this journey in October 2017 when we started the construction of Shepherds View and we have always made decisions with our guest at the heart of what we do.  We have met many lovely guests along the way, many of whom have returned several times to enjoy what Shepherds View, Dufton, and the Eden Valley have to offer.  In many ways it is through their support and enjoyment, and ultimately their reviews of their experience with us, that has given us the confidence in what we do – and this is absolutely the icing on the cake.

Sustainable Tourism – Going green in the Eden Valley

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We know that holidays can take an Eco toll on our planet, especially when you add in the impact of jet travel.  Here at Dufton Barn Holidays we want to try and do as much as we can to make your stay as green as possible.  We know we aren’t perfect, and we are always looking at ways to improve, but we want to give our guests the best chance of reducing their carbon footprint, whilst at the same time making the most of their holiday.

Understandably, due to our rural location, many of our guests arrive by car, and if you do, once here, you actually don’t have to use your car again until you leave.  We have a pub and café in the village, and a bakery just over a mile away in nearby Long Marton.  Most of the big supermarkets will deliver your on-line shop to the village, and you can even arrange with local newsagent, Dents of Appleby, to have your favourite newspaper delivered to the village bus stop for you to walk up and collect at your leisure.

The area is a walking and cycling idyll.  Here you can cycle along quiet country lanes or for the more adventurous attempt iconic cycling routes like Great Dunn Fell, the UK’s Mont Ventoux, or cycle up Hartside Pass to Alston, both with stunning views over the Eden Valley.  For those that love to walk we have provided enough self-guided walks from the doorstep to fill your week twice over, including the famous High Cup Nick and the ever-present Dufton Pike. In fact, this area is in the North Pennines AONB and so we have plenty of stunning scenery where you can enjoy the local fauna and flora including deer, red squirrels, wild flowers and varied bird life.

If you do want to leave your car at home, then Dufton is a mere 3 mile taxi ride from Appleby station on the Settle Carlisle line with connections to both the East and West Coast mainlines.  The village is also a key staging point on the Pennine Way National Trail if you choose to arrive by foot!

Both properties were originally constructed in 1882 of thick local sandstone, which makes them warmer in winter and cooler in summer (these Cumbrians knew what they were doing).  However, whilst we were renovating, we took the trouble to ensure that both had fully insulated walls and roof-space with 100mm boarding.  The electricity we use comes from 100% renewable sources, and both properties have showers to make our water usage more sustainable.  We have a log burner in each and the logs we use are supplied from locally grown wood that is harvested through sustainable management of local woodlands.

The welcome pack we provide in Shepherds View is made up exclusively of Cumbrian produced goods including half of the products from within a radius of 3 miles of the property.  We provide coffee pods and Cumbrian Tea bags that are compostable and we offer guests the ability to recycle plastic, paper, glass and cans, as well as providing a kitchen compost bin.

We hate plastic waste so we have tried to reduce our single use plastics in the bathroom with refillable products from the Bath House (Sedbergh, Cumbria) as well as providing milk in reusable glass bottles.  We do all our own laundry on site on an Eco Wash and air-dry whenever the weather allows. We also use Eco cleaning products wherever possible.

For the future?  We still have a long way to go and we are always looking to make a greater contribution, but we hope that we play some small part in offering a more sustainable holiday.

 

We are pleased to introduce…The Pennine Potting Shed!

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After 6 months of blood, sweat and tears (mainly by the builders!) we are delighted to be opening our second addition to the Dufton Barn Holidays portfolio.  The Pennine Potting Shed is exactly what it says…a converted potting shed in the corner of our garden.  It’s a perfect place to stay to explore the beautiful Eden Valley, or to rest up for the night when walking the Pennine Way as, of course, Dufton is a key staging point on this iconic national trail.

The project started back in November and we were excited to be working with the same builders that developed Shepherds View – Parkin Bell of Warcop.  Different building, different challenges, with a lot to fit into a small space, but PB as always were up for the job, and as always had plenty of great suggestions as the work went on.  Needless to say the original concept differed quite considerably to the finished article, but in a good way!

We started by extending the potting shed by 1.5m to give us extra living space.  This meant that the whole of the roof needed to be re-slated, and properly insulated, but we were able to reuse most of the original slates on one side.  Then the stone that we removed from the feature window in Shepherds View was used to dress the new extension.  The floor and walls were properly insulated as well, and the original flags were then used outside in the private garden.  We’ve also reused and reconditioned an old log burner, the original doors, and an old fire mantel.  If you want to see how you will have to come and stay!

In the end we have created accommodation that we believe is a little bit quirky compared to other options  on the Pennine Way and still delivers a great experience.

Kitchen area

The Potting Shed sleeps up to 3 people and 1 dog.  We’ve put in a reinforced adult bunk bed and an additional sofa bed.  Guests also have a cooking area with a double hob, a fridge and a combi microwave. Space to relax There is also a wet room with a toilet and walk in shower.  Boots can be dried on a dedicated boot warmer, and clothes hung up on a Victorian drier above the log burner.  Outside there is a private garden where guests can enjoy the warm Cumbrian evenings – hopefully!

Continental breakfast optionIn addition, we are offering a breakfast option by way of a continental breakfast, with enough food to make up a packed lunch for the long walk ahead.  As a final touch guests can choose treats from the Tuck Box that is under the bed, because you can never have enough chocolate…or crisps…or nuts!

We hope you enjoy your stay and happy walking!

Relax and recuperate

 

Kirkby Stephen – a Town of many surprises, and Parrots!

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The vibrant market town of Kirkby Stephen lies in the beautiful Upper Eden on the eastern borders of Cumbria, in what was historically part of Westmorland. The town was the first in Cumbria to receive the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ award and was also a previous winner of the prestigious title of Calor “English Village of the Year”. As you would expect there are numerous pubs and cafes to visit, as well as galleries and craft shops, and there is still a regular thriving animal market. If you are lucky you might also see one of the parrots belonging to a local conservation charity flying about the town.

Less known to the casual tourist is that the Parish Church houses one of only 2 surviving Loki Stones in Europe, Loki being a Norse God. In addition, if you like your historical transport then you are well served in Kirkby Stephen. Cumbria Classic Coaches run 3 regular routes during the summer months, the Stainmore Railway Company are a must for any railway enthusiasts. Of course Kirkby Stephen is also one of the stops on the Settle to Carlisle line.

You are also only a short drive from the famous Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in England. Often snowed in due to its location, check the weather forecast if you are not wanting to enjoy an extended lock in.

Walks, Poets and Monuments

The Coast to Coast walk runs through the town and, when travelling East, heads up to Nine Standards Rigg, which is the highest point on the skyline at 650m. At the top you will find the stone cairns that make up this striking and popular landmark. They vary in height between 2 & 4 metres and due to frequent rebuilds because of the weather can number anything from 7 to 10 pillars. It is not known who or why they were built, but there are historical records suggesting that they were around at least 500 years ago. This is well worth a walk up, and is not for the faint hearted, but the reward is a superb panoramic view across the Upper Eden.

Across the valley stands Wild Boar Fell with its characteristic profile that can be seen from Dufton Pike. Another challenging walk this is also supposed to be the place where the last boar was killed in England in 1409.

If you are looking for something more sedate and inspirational then the Poetry Path may be for you. Starting from Bollom Lane off Nateby Road the short circular walk along either side of the river Eden has 12 poems carved on blocks of stone addressing the hill farmers relationship to the Upper Eden Valley.

Heading out to the west of Kirkby Stephen another option for a gentle stroll is Smardale Gill and viaduct. The walk here has been made accessible and goes across the top of the iconic viaduct. For great photos you can walk down the left hand side, returning across the viaduct, to make a short circular walk of 3 miles or so.

Source of the Eden

A little further south into Mallerstang can be found the source of the river Eden which flows from here along its 81 mile course to the Solway Firth. It is the only river in England that flows North and has clearly had a huge impact on the landscape it flows through. There is a nice circular walk that takes in the impressive Hells Gill and part of Lady Anne’s Way, before reaching the first of 10 carved stone sculptures that are sited along the length of the Eden – this one is ‘Water Cut’ and stands at a high point along the valley and offers a dramatic photo opportunity with the Upper Eden as a backdrop.

History & Ice Cream

Brough Castle is one of several castles located across the Eden and is located at Church Brough, just north of Kirkby Stephen. Dating from around 1200 it is free to enter and is starkly impressive on a ridge commanding Stainmore Pass, and if you arrived in the area from the East along the A66 you will almost certainly have seen it as you drove through. More comfortable living was added by the Clifford family only to be accidentally burnt following a ‘great Christmas party’ in 1521. Like so many castles in the region it was restored by Lady Anne Clifford in the 17th Century. Equally as impressive is the Ice Cream parlour and tea rooms that can be found next to the castle. The ice cream is all homemade and is a great reward for a day out in this area!

There is also a nod to the legend of King Arthur in the area. Heading out south along the Natebyroad from Kirkby Stephen you will come across Pendragon Castle. Again, no more than a ruin, but nevertheless still fun to explore this castle which is reputed to have been founded by Uther Pendragon, King Arthur’s father.

Magnificent Stately Homes & Gardens of the Eden Valley

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Venturing out west of Dufton to Penrith and the surrounding area there are a remarkable number of visitor attractions well worth the trip.  The Eden Valley has some lovely stately homes and gardens and many of these can be found in this area, and are also host to some popular annual events.

Brougham

English Heritage operate Brougham Castle, which is just off the A66 prior to reaching the Kemplay Island at Penrith. The castle was founded in the early 13th century and enjoys a picturesque setting beside the River Eamont.  A short drive from here is the small village of Brougham and at its centre is Brougham Hall, which is a large complex of fortified buildings that now houses a number of craft workshops, and an interesting place to visit.  It is free to enter and wander around and boasts an excellent coffee shop, Café 4 Eden.

Lowther Castle

In its pomp Lowther Castle originally boasted a room for every day of the year and its gardens were the envy of the north.  However, after the 60 year tenure of the Yellow Earl, who squandered a vast family fortune, the castle was abandoned in 1936, and then part demolished in 1957 and left to ruin.  Since 2008 the 20 year landscape masterplan of restoring the gardens has begun and there are now plenty of reasons to visit across the gardens’ 130 acres.  Not only can you enjoy exploring the gardens along formal and informal walks, but you can also hire bicycles (including electric) to enjoy a number of Estate cycle trails.  When you have finished there is also a café to visit, either at the main building or alternatively the intimate Walled Garden Coffee Shop at the bird of prey centre.

 

Dalemain House

Probably one of the most beautiful and impressive stately homes in the North West with a superb Georgian facade, and also home to the world famous Marmalade awards.  The house is well worth exploring, as are the gardens which are home to the famous Himalyan Blue Poppy, which is particular to Dalemain.  You can also take tea in the Mediaeval Hall Tearoom, and enjoy scones made to a secret recipe.

Not to be missed – May to July for the Blue Poppies, Cumbria Classic Car show in August, and not forgetting the Marmalade awards during National Marmalade Week in March.

 

Hutton in the Forest

Dating back to 1350 Hutton-in-the-Forest boasts a house, gardens and woodland that can be explored.  It is one of many such defensive structures built in Cumberland by wealthy families aware of the threat from the North.  The original Pele Tower was added onto by successive generations and today the house boasts six distinct architectural periods spanning 600 years.  It is a superb illustration of how country houses developed in the North of England.  The house and tearooms are open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, with the gardens every day except Saturday.  Hutton hosts many events during the year including a Plant & Food fair and a Classic Car show (check the web-site for details) but the most established is Potfest in the Park, which is a 3 day festival of all things ceramic.

Not to be missed – end of July for Postfest, May to July for the gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploring Ullswater and the Surrounding Area

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It may not have the size of Windermere but Ullswater, as the second largest lake in the Lake District, could be said to have much more to recommend it.  Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery it’s 7.5 mile length makes it much more compact, meaning that with a little footwork it isn’t difficult to get magnificent views through gaining some height.  Not that walking is the only way of getting great pictures.  There are several key stopping off points including the villages of Glenridding in the South, Aira Force, and Pooley Bridge in the North, and there is no better way to see the lake than by being on it with the various options on offer.

Pooley Bridge

At the northern tip of the Lake, Pooley Bridge is only 25 minutes drive time from Shepherds View, making it a great day out without having to venture too far into the busy Lakes.  For many this is the starting point of any Ullswater adventure and there are good options for food and drink dining out in the village.  Highly recommended is a visit to Chestnut House, oUllswater Steamerspen 7 days a week, which is an eclectic food and drink emporium, specialising in all things Cumbrian, but also carrying over 400 gins, whiskies, rums etc. – in fact something for every taste.

Pooley Bridge is also the main starting point for Ullswater Steamers, which is an award winning Lake District attraction with over 160 years of operating cruises across the Lake.  Here you can choose to connect to some of the most iconic walking routes in the Lake District or simply enjoy the view across the Lake as you sail to Glenridding and back.

If you are looking for a more personal lake experience then by heading down to the shore-line you will find Lakeland Boat Hire, who rent out a range of motor boats, rowing boats and Canadian canoes – no experience necessary.  Similarly, based at Another Place Hotel, Ullswater Paddleboarding offer lessons, adventure tours and board hire for those looking to get really close to the water!

Aira Force

The main road from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding skirts around the western shore of the lake.  No visit to Ullswater would be complete without a visit to the most famous of Lake District waterfalls at Aira Force.  Owned by the National Trust the site offers a glimpse of a landscaped Victorian park and arboretum, which was begun in 1846.  There is a lovely circular walk through this woodland, but the beauty of this place is that it is especially great to visit when it is raining as you will see the waterfall at its best!  William Wordsworth is also supposed to have written his most famous poem ‘Daffodils’ after a walk along this part of Ullswater.

 

Walks

There are many lovely walks across the Ullswater area, but 2 of our favourites are at Hallin Fell and along the Ullswater Way.

Hallin Fell lies just above Howtown on the eastern edges of Ullswater.  Parking is limited, but getting there early enough allows you to park at St.Peter’s Church, although you could come by steamer.  The walk then takes you down to the shore in an anti-clockwise direction, before ascending back around to the top of the fell for glorious views across the lake and to the surrounding fells.

The Ullswater Way is a 20 mile route around the lake and has various stopping off points for bus and boat so that you don’t have to do it all in one go if you don’t have the appetite.  Our recommendation would be to walk along the Howtown to Glenridding section, which is roughly 7 miles, with stunning views of the lake and fells along the way.  Depending on where you park you will need to use the steamer for one half of your trip – our recommendation would be to use the steamer first so that you are walking back to your car without any timetable deadlines!

Glenridding

At the southern end of Ullswater the village of Glenridding is a popular starting off point for walkers going up England’s third highest mountain Helvellyn.  However, if you are looking for a more sedate experience then you can browse the shops and even visit the 2 rosette Inn on the Lake Hotel for afternoon tea or drinks in its grounds.  Similar to Pooley Bridge this is a stopping off point for the Steamer and you can also hire boats from St.Patrick’s Boat Landing.

4 great reasons to make Shepherds View the base for your next staycation

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As we all get used to the new norms of a post lockdown world there has been a massive surge in people looking for staycations in the UK. Many have turned to the standard honey-pots of Devon and Cornwall or the Lakes, which can only lead to an increase in these areas of visitor numbers and indeed prices. It’s time to think again and look a little further afield at an area of equal beauty, but far less crowded, the Eden Valley on the eastern edge of Cumbria.

Shepherds View could be just what you are looking for and here are 4 great reasons why:-

1. Stay In!

You don’t have to be big on the outdoors to come here. We’ve got the Visit England 5 star gold award for a reason. If your idea of a good holiday is finishing off some books in peace and quiet then why not sit in our feature window with a glorious view changing in front of you by the hour. We are complimented on our well-equipped kitchen so you won’t have to remember to bring with you any of your essential kitchen utensils. Take a well-earned soak in our jacuzzi bath and enjoy one of the hydrotherapy programmes, or binge watch a couple of series on Netflix with the log burner keeping you toasty. Whenever the weather allows then we have a private garden for you to sit and relax in as well.

Did we mention the bed? The superking with Hypnos mattress is frequently mentioned by guests and is designed to give you a great nights sleep ready for tomorrows adventures (or relaxation)!

2. Leave the Car!

You don’t have to drive anywhere if you don’t want to. There are numerous walks from the door of differing lengths and ability, and we’ve written them up for you so that you get a flavour of our beautiful area. Of course, you might want to walk up the jewel of the Pennines, High Cup, but we’ve got you covered on this one as well, even suggesting a quieter alternative route to the more popular way. If cycling is your thing then we have safe storage for you, and we’ve drawn out some of our favourite cycle routes for you along the quiet lanes linking the pretty fellside villages.

3. Take the Car!

If you want to explore then Dufton is such a great location to drive out from. Ullswater, with all it has to offer is only 25 minutes drive away, and Keswick on Derwent Water only 45 minutes. Similarly, if you want to go to High Force in Teesdale then you are only 45 minutes drive as well, and the Eden is also on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Other than travelling into the Lakes many of these routes are less busy and so you can expect a much more pleasant journey. Finally if you want to get your eyes tested then Barnard Castle is only a short trip east along the A66!

4. Eat Out!

We are lucky enough to have a great pub, the Stag, in Dufton. Only a 2 minute walk from the cottage if you don’t feel like cooking then you can’t go wrong here. The pub has a great reputation for good wholesome food and great beer, and what could be better after a long walk or bike ride!