Introducing our Guests!
I’ve been thinking a lot this autumn about how to celebrate the folk that join me on an adventure with More to Explore. My guests bring so much joy, support and encouragement, whether we are swimming in a cold waterfall on Wild Swim Slovenia, snowshoeing on a high alpine pasture on our Slovenia Winter Adventure, or cycling along ancient forest tracks in my home regions!
As a small business, I rely on the trust of others, to buck the curve, move away from the big name tour providers and take a leap of faith with me. In return I put everything into my journeys, they are filled with love and I aim to offer something truly unique.
Many of my guests have their own small businesses, side hustles and crafts and it seems a fitting celebration to share these as part of my belief in supporting small businesses, in the same way you all support mine!
More to Explore’s list of guest businesses and endeavours:
Emily Mason: Grove Farm Glamping. Alongside their beautiful glamping yurts, Emily offers wonderful retreats, including wild swimming weekends, with home-cooked food and small groups, these trips offer a chance to slow down and share some very special places together.
Natalie Hemingway: Black Mountain Print. Natalie is a woman of many talents, alongside her career as a photography lecturer, Natalie also runs her own business creating beautiful hand-cut prints inspired by folklore, the landscape and Wales. We particularly love Nat’s wild swimming themed prints!
Libby Ramsden: Herd and Hive. Libby and her partner Ollie live fully off-grid on their farm in Yorkshire, crafting beautiful products, including honey and goats milk soap, alongside beekeeping workshops and experiences.
Lauren Blackwell: Fellbeing. After a day of adventures in the Lake District, get in touch with Lauren for a guided relaxation experience, with sound baths, yoga and self-care.
Stephanie Price: Oli and Steph photography. From their home on the isle of Skye, Steph and her husband Oli share their love of wildlife and the natural environment through their incredible elopement photography.
Laurie Jackson: Wildlife Travel. Laurie creates and guides amazing wildlife focused journeys, for those who love birds, butterflies, flowers and wildlife around the world.
Heather Maling: JOINING THE CATERPILLAR CLUB: 200 MILES TO FREEDOM: THE STORY OF SURVIVAL & ESCAPE FROM WWII JUGOSLAVIA. Heather has an incredible personal story to share about her father’s escape through Yugoslavia as a pilot who was shot down in WWII and the help he was given by the partisans. She has written a book about her own journey, re-tracing his steps and you can buy it here.
Linda Fletcher: Looking Glass, Stained Glass Art. Lin makes incredible stained glass artwork, including beautiful swim-themed sun-catchers and amazing windows. You can also join Lin for workshops to create your own glass art.
Pinky Wilding: Hatalicious Crochet fibre arts, lovingly crafted by Pinky. We especially love her amazing octopus hat!
Jacqui Hemmingway: Beppe Dog Sitting. For when you are away on an adventure (maybe with More to Explore!) and need someone to care for your pup, get in touch with Jacqui. For folks in Crewe, Nantwich and surrounding areas.
As well as my wonderful guests, I also work with a number of amazing businesses and organisations that I love to shout about:
The Living Project: Founded by my wonderful friends Josh and Cormac, The Living Project share mindful adventures in wild places, offering connection with ourselves, each other and the natural world, truly creating adventures with purpose. I work with The Living Project for a number of our schools adventures and it is a really magical partnership!
Love Her Wild: Based in the UK, Love Her Wild are a non-profit women’s adventure community, who aim to improve access to the outdoors through adventures, community, and skill-sharing. I work with Love Her Wild to offer our Slovenia Winter Adventure, increasing access and support in the winter alpine environment.
I would also like to include a very special mention to Rachel Ashe and the Mental Health Swims team. Rach and the MHS community have been with me from the very start of my Wild Swim Slovenia journeys, and I am proud to have been able to donate a proportion of my profits to this amazing charity over the last two years. Sadly, Mental Health Swims have announced their closure after 6 years of making a huge difference to the lives of their members. The impact of their work will leave a lasting legacy, and the ethos will be carried on by those of us whose lives MHS touched.
If you are a More to Explore guest and would like to be added or removed to/from my list, do let me know!
I will also be creating some new guest profiles in the months to come, sharing guest stories and inspiration to celebrate even more widely all the amazing folk who join me on my adventures. If you’d like to share your story get in touch.
Love and adventure
Mikaela x