Thi Thao Do

To celebrate the launch of her new book, ‘The Beauty of Cold - The restorative power of cold water for connection and joy’.   You are invited to join Gilly McArthur with the Blue Mind Men and Wonderful Wild Women at the shore, for coffee and a flapjack (with optional peer-supported dip!)     Where - Rayrigg Meadow Jetties, Windermere. When - 21st May, Time - 7am (in the water at 7.15 am for those dipping)     All welcome.   Swimming is entirely at your own risk; the water is still cold. Bring a mug if you’d like some coffee, and a smile, even if the weather is poor we will celebrate the water where it all began. Come along and be part of a magic day.   Hope to see you there!

A gentle day out feels quite rare lately 🥹 Go all the way to the end for the dramatic weather change and a little red squirrel appearance 🐿️✨ With consolidating my ML training and finishing off my guided walk leader qualification for the Lake District National Park (so close now… yay! 🙌), most of my days out have become pretty intense. I’m always looking for the most complicated terrain possible so I can practice my micro navigation skills. Today though was a little gentler. Just a few micro-nav exercises, identifying subtle contours and seeing how the map translates to the land around me — honestly so interesting when it all starts clicking into place. Then the rest of the day was just fun adventures with @daddy_uncool 😁 If you know me, you’ll know I rarely wear hiking boots because my ankles are awkward and most traditional leather boots rub so badly. But @keeneurope — who I’ve worked with for 3 years now (which says everything about how genuinely comfortable and reliable they are for me) — sent me the Targhee Apex Waterproof Hiking Boots, and wow… I already know these are going to be a favourite 🤩 The wider fit, the soft comfort underfoot, the grip on rocky and slippery paths, plus the ankle support on uneven ground… honestly such a game changer for long days in the fells. Feeling really confident wearing these, especially now I’ll soon be leading groups and can finally set a good example with proper footwear on too 😂🥾 Big thank you to @keeneurope and @karma_pr for continuing to support my adventures 💚 #keeneurope #lakedistrictnationalpark #visitlakedistrict

W E E K D A Y W A N D E R - Skelwith Bridge to Cathedral Cave Hosted by @herbie_bean A gorgeous warm spring day full of sunshine 🌞 We welcomed some new people to the walk, while others have been joining us for a long time. It’s one of the most beautiful times in the Lake District, with so many flowers, wild garlic, fresh greenery, and adorable lambs everywhere ☺️ We kept each other company the whole way — sharing life tips, chatting nonsense, having a little moan about life, and simply being there to listen to one another. Walking outside and breathing in the fresh air feels so good afterwards 😊 It’s a very inclusive walk. No one is ever left behind or made to feel like they’re holding the group back. For some, it may be their big day out, and for others, it may have taken a lot of courage to come along for the first time — so we’re all there to support and care for one another. If you like the sound of this, come and join me every second Friday of the month 😊 Take care 🫶🏽

It’s the simple things—sunshine, fresh green buds, cold water, and great friendship @merjumpyjames . Pure joy, and it filled my cup completely 💦 📸 @jumpyjamesphotography #speedo #wonderfulwildwomen #wildswimming #lakedistrictnationalpark

Wonderful Wild Women x Bloom with Berry Retreat 🌿✨ Where do I even begin… Ten incredible women travelled from all corners of the UK to join us in our little Howgill hideaway, and from the moment we arrived, everything just felt… right. We were gifted the most glorious sunshine all weekend, wrapping the whole retreat in warmth and light. We wandered through beautiful woodlands carpeted in bluebells, followed the gentle flow of the river, and of course, couldn’t resist a refreshing dip in the most perfect stretch of water. Back at camp, the sunshine stayed with us. Time seemed to slow as everyone found their own way to simply be — swinging gently, reading by the river, lying on the grass soaking up the sun. It was so special to pause, to do nothing, and to truly relax. Pure bliss ☺️ Then came our sauna session… and wow. Not just any sauna, but a deeply immersive experience led by Fiona, who guided us through the four seasons using beautiful herbs and meditation. It was calming, grounding, and unlike anything we’ve experienced before — something truly magical. We gathered again for the most delicious, nourishing dinner (thank you, Fiona 💛), before closing the day with Yin Yoga. So relaxing that some of us drifted off completely — only waking gently at the end, wrapped in calm. This retreat was everything we needed — a chance to slow down, to care for our bodies, to reconnect. A reminder to say “no” more often to what drains us, and “yes” to what truly fills our souls. A huge thank you to Merrell @merrelleu for supporting this retreat and making it possible for these women to come together, connect, and gently break down barriers. What a weekend. What a feeling 💫 #wonderfulwildwomen #retreat #womensupportingwomen #merrellhikingclub

Some days I don’t even recognise myself. Exhausted. Burnt out. Snappy. Missing important things. Making mistakes. Overwhelmed with work. Wide awake at 1am with another hot flush. That constant irritated feeling… like everything and everyone is just too much. And then the guilt kicks in. So I did what I know I need—but hadn’t made time for. I went for a cold water swim 🤍 No pressure. No expectations. Just me, a friend, and the water. We swam, we dived, we laughed, we soaked up the sunshine… and for a moment, everything softened. This is your reminder—when you feel like you’re losing yourself… go back to what makes you feel alive. For me, it’s the water 💙 #ColdWaterSwimming #WildSwimming #Perimenopause #WomenOutdoors LakeDistrictLife

Crib Goch — you’re beautiful and frightening all at once! With only a couple of hours before the weather rolled in, it was time to move quickly. I only passed a handful of people, which made it feel even more special. And honestly… I’ve never climbed anything like it. The exposure is thrilling — but it definitely makes you think. Knowing my kids and husband were waiting at the bottom kept me focused… this is not a place you want to be calling for rescue 😵‍💫 But wow — I loved every second of the scramble. The views? Absolutely spectacular. Will I be back? 100% #cribgoch #navigation #mountainleader @passengerclothing #MyEscapism OurPlaygrounds roamerscollective roamfree

W E E E K D A Y W A N D E R Hosted by @herbie_bean Despite the rain forecast, we headed out anyway—and wow, it was absolutely magical. Bluebell woods in full bloom, birds singing, fresh green leaves everywhere, and those dramatic, misty mountains… sometimes the rain makes it even more special. We finished with a beautiful swim and, as always, the best company 💛 Sadly, we came across a large tent and suitcase that had been dumped near the wall at Buckstones Jump. It had clearly been there a while, which was really disheartening to see. We tidied it up and, by chance, the farmer was there and able to take it away. Please, if you’re heading out there, take your rubbish home with you. It’s such a small ask, but if everyone does their bit, we can keep these places as beautiful as they should be 🙏 #weekdaywander #wonderfulwildwomen

✨ Overnight Yurt, Sauna & Wild Camping Experience for Women ✨ With huge thanks to Merrell, we’re so excited to offer 10 heavily subsidised places on a very special overnight retreat in the hills with @howgillshideaway 💛 Please note link on Trybooking is open to book at 7pm on 2nd April This experience is for women who are: • new to camping • new to the outdoors • or simply curious to try something different Think gentle nature time… not hardcore survival 🌿 Cosy bell tents, a warm yurt, nourishing movement, wood-fired sauna, good food & a circle of supportive women. No experience needed — just bring curiosity, a little courage, and an open mind ✨ We’ll gather in the beautiful Howgills, slowing down, breathing deeply, moving our bodies and reconnecting with the outdoors together. ⸻ 🌿 What to expect Saturday • 10am Welcome + gentle yoga in the yurt by @bloomwithberry • 11am Guided walk in the hills (bring your own lunch) • 3-4.30pm Free time to rest, journal or wander • 4.30-5.30pm and 5.45-6.45pm Wood-fired sauna rituals 🔥 • 7.30pm Dinner together • 8.45-9.30pm Yin yoga + Yoga Nidra • Tea, chats and cosy evening vibes before heading to our bell tents for the night. Sunday • 8.30am Morning flow yoga - A gentle flow to wake up body and breath. • 9.30am Breakfast together • 10.30am Closing fire circle 🔥 ⸻ This retreat is about: ✨ trying something new ✨ feeling safe & supported ✨ connecting with nature ✨ women coming together Fresh air in our lungs, warmth from the sauna, laughter around the fire… and a reminder that the outdoors belongs to us too 💛 ⸻ 📍 Limited to 10 places 📩 Link in bio: /uk/GGNG

I’ve just had the most incredible (and exhausting!) week on my Mountain Leader training ⛰️ I went into it thinking I knew the mountains and felt confident leading social walks… but wow, I’ve realised just how much there is to learn. My biggest challenge was definitely navigation with a map and compass — honestly, I started with almost zero experience. But thanks to Sam and John at @lake_district_mountaineering , who are the most patient and thorough instructors, I felt supported every step of the way. By the end of the week, I was navigating in the dark, in the rain — something I never thought I’d be able to do! We experienced every kind of weather imaginable 🌧️❄️☀️ — from storms and heavy rain to snow up high, and even some sunshine in between. Proper mountain conditions! The people on the course made it even more special. Such a kind, supportive group, all with inspiring stories and journeys. I’ve made some great friends — and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of “nav dates” to come 😄 It hasn’t been easy balancing long days in the mountains with work and organising groups in between — I’ve been mentally and physically drained — but I’m honestly so proud of what I’ve learned and how much I’ve grown this week. I’m absolutely buzzing and can’t wait to start my consolidation period! A huge thank you to Sam and John for sharing their knowledge and passion. If you’re looking to build confidence in the mountains or thinking about leading in the future, I couldn’t recommend @lake_district_mountaineering more. I love their ethos of educating while protecting our beautiful mountains and the Lake District 🙏⛰️ #mountaineering #navigation

W E E K D A Y W A N D E R 📍Stonethwaite What a day! Unexpected snowy mountains and perfect weather. At one point behind us were snow-covered peaks, while in front of us there was sunshine and daffodils 🌼 I just love this time of year 🤩 We also welcomed a few new faces today, and the conversations never seemed to end. It’s such a lovely way to head into the weekend. Thank you to everyone who came along and made the day so special 🤩 See you in April 🌸 #weekdaywander #wonderfulwildwomen

Morocco 🇲🇦- you have been absolutely incredible again. We LOVED the people, the culture and the mountains there. We will definitely be back to climb mount Toubkal next time. Until then 🫶🏽 #febhalfterm #imlil #marrakech #familytravels