4. A CORNISH ADVENTURE: Enter a World Championship

It's not often that you get the chance to compete in a world championship sporting event, especially one that celebrates all things old fashioned. But you can and I did. Of course I have no idea where I came in the contest, how they judge it or what the judging criteria is but what the heck, never mind. It's the taking part that counts. In this case the taking part was in the National Trust's World Bellyboard Championships at Chapel Porth Beach near St Agnes in Cornwall.

3. FOODIE ADVENTURES: Forage with an expert

I love foraging but I'm still a long way from being an expert. There is simply so much to know that it can be overwhelming if you head off into the woods or onto the seashore on your own. It's the reason I stick to one or two mushrooms, a few bits and pieces of seafood, seaweed and a handful of plants I know are safe. Imagine then, going out onto the beach or into the fields in the company of an expert. It is enlightening and humbling at the same time. Enlightening because you will learn more than you ever could alone. Humbling because at the same time you get to understand just how little you know and just how much collective knowledge about our surroundings has been lost to all but a few.

2. RIVER ADVENTURES: Chasing the Severn Bore

No, it’s not what you think. What I’m talking about here isn’t an old man in a leaky punt telling you about how it was better in the old days. No. What I am talking about is one of nature’s most spectacular events, a tidal bore. A wave travelling up a river. What? Read on. River bores might look like tsunamis or freak waves but actually, they are very predictable and happen more often than you’d think.

The day I went to see the Severn Bore for the first time was the best day’s surfing I’ve ever done without getting wet. I tagged along with my mate Rich to take a few photos and meet a few of the crew. I didn’t really know what to expect but was overwhelmed with the river, the wave and, above all, the friendliness and dedication of the surfers who venture out on to the mud flats every time it breaks.

1. VINTAGE ADVENTURES: Travel the UK in classic style

It had to be didn't it? In case you didn't already know, I am a bit of a VW camper van fan and have written two books on the subject of camper vans and camper van cooking, The Camper Van Cookbook and The Camper Van Coast. I also appeared in the BBC2 TV series 'One Man and His Campervan'. So I know a little about the joys of travelling around the UK in a camper. I would happily recommend it to anyone as a novel and exciting way to see the UK. Seeing the UK in a classic camper is a Great British Adventure all of its own. So it's a good place to start.