Outdoor Life ReviewsOur ‘Outdoor Life’ reviews of books and CDs / DVDs cover a vast range of topics including countryside, wildlife, gardening and more. Healthy Life – Mind, Body and Soul will concentrate on the wonderful countryside and other ‘outdoor life’ available to enjoy in Essex. Many of us like to travel in this country and abroad, and our reviews may cover more distant lands in the future Please contact us if you would like us to review a product or service you offer.
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BOOKSBy Laurie Forsyth
This is the fascinating story of the development of Fingringhoe Wick, told by Laurie Forsyth who was its warden for 26 years. Laurie, a naturalist, conservationist and wildlife enthusiast, was also quite a visionary. When he took the role of warden at the Wick it was still swamped with a blanket of uncontrolled growth. He knew drastic action needed to be taken to achieve the desired results in a sensible time frame and called in the bulldozers and excavators – so often the agents of destruction!
Laurie not only recounts his ‘magical years’ at the Wick, but also provides in depth reports of the flora and fauna in the nature reserve, making this an ideal book for the nature enthusiast. .
ISBN 090476805-8
also available at Essex Wildlife Centres
(see the Healthy Life Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve and Visitor page)
Reviewed:
(Healthy Life - Mind, Body & Soul Magazine issue 6. Spring 2007)
Wild Essex
Compiled, edited and designed by Tony Gunton. Published jointly by Essex Wildlife Trust and Lopinga Books.
There is a wealth of habitat in Essex and East London providing a rich diversity of wildlife. Wild Essex is a guide to over 170 nature reserves, greenspace and country parks that are available for you to explore without charge.
This guide is informative and attractively illustrated throughout. A quick guide advises where to go for different wildlife spectacles at different times. For each site a map is provided together with a brief description. A site summary provides important information such as directions by car and public transport, accessibility, the best times to visit, facilities/notes for the disabled, any specific warnings or guidance, and contact information if applicable.
If you enjoy walking and wildlife, this book is a little gem. Buy it and be amazed at some of the wonderful sites near you that you did not know existed!
Available at Essex Wildlife Visitor Centres, and all good bookshops.
ISBN 0-9530362-2-7
Reviewed:
(Healthy Life - Mind, Body & Soul Magazine issue 4. Autumn 2006)
Hi-Tec Auckland WP lifestyle shoe Field trial
I do have a problem with the shoes and boots I receive from Hi-Tec. I am beginning to feel that they are designed especially for me so that I can do an excellent review!
My latest are a pair 0f.'Auckland WP lifestyle shoes' fully waterproof for the British summertime!
(Tech Stuff.. Waterproof seam-sealed suede leather/mesh upper, Moisture wicking lining, Protective abrasion/ resistant toe and heel,
Rustproof eyelets lacing system, Athletic design, last and fit, Removable contoured EVA sockliner, Lightweight CMEVA midsole, Durable carbon rubber MDT outsole. Available in mens sizes 7-12's incl halves and womens 4-8's incl halves. (SRP £30)).
Now I may have mentioned before that I have rather odd feet – very wide at the front and narrow at the back. I hardly ever wear ‘normal’ shoes because they just do not fit properly. Most walking shoes and boots are much better because they have the support to allow for such variances in foot size, but the Auckland WP are quite extraordinary because they combine excellent support and grip with an incredible amount of flexibility. In a very short space of time they have moulded to the odd shape of my feet so that they feel snug but very comfortable. And although I confess to not having used them for any extreme sports, they really are very well suited to walking, running, and so much more.
A superb pair of shoes that feel great and, with their soft grey and pink trim finish, look lovely and girly too!
Reviewed: Summer 2008
The Hi-Tec V-Lite Radar eVENT adventure sport shoe Field Trial
The V-Lite Radar eVENT is an all round adventure sport shoe, and an ideal addition to the Hi-Tec range.
(Tech Stuff.. V-Lite design & Build technology, Lightweight PU/ nylon upper, Dual density EVA midsole, fully equipped for all outdoor adventures with a waterproof/ breathable membrane and an exclusive vibram outsole. A one-piece, seamless upper ensures blisters are a thing of a the past! The plastic loop on the back of the shoe ensure you can remove them off your feet quickly and efficiently after a long day on the trail! Available in mens sizes 7-12's incl halves and womens 4-8's incl halves. (SRP £60))
My first concern with this shoe was the fit. When I first put them on I felt than the heels were continually slipping, but after a short while the shoes seemed to mould themselves to my feet and the slipping stopped. One of the innovations on this shoe is the 'Exo-Skeletal TPU Support'. An excellent external support system that 'does exactly what it says on the tin', although the clear plastic outer tends to cheapen the look of the shoe.
For todays modern adventure sports this is an ideal working shoe.
Reviewed: Summer 2008
Hi-Tec V-Lite Quik Zip Walking Boots Field Trial
I had already tried the Hi-Tec V-Lite walking boots & shoes and been very impressed, but these new boots are a real innovation. No more messing about with muddy laces, just unzip, zip-up, and you still have the laces tied for your comfort.
There are two styles; Quik Zip & Quik Zip Deluxe. The Deluxe version is full grain leather with a waterproof and breathable membrane, and the standard version has a suede leather and Nylon upper. Both styles have CMEVA midsoles, durable carbon rubber outsoles and the new Easy on/off construction.
Jill and I have now worn these boots on several treks, and visits to Country Parks & Reserves like Fingeringhoe Wick, to take our photographs for the magazine and website. We are both very pleased with them.
These boots follow the high comfort and durability standards expected from the hi-Tec V-Lite range and I can heartily recommend them.
I am now looking forward to wearing them on forthcoming Spring walks, (maybe around our next featured Country Park!)
Happy Walking.
Mike
Reviewed:
(Healthy Life - Mind, Body & Soul Magazine issue 6. Spring 2007
Hi-Tec V-Lite Low, Walking shoes Field trial
I had already tried the Hi-Tec V-Lite walking boots (field tested earlier) and had been extremely pleased with them. Like their big brother, the V-Lite Low is an extremely light and comfortable shoe. They have suede leather uppers with breathable mesh underlay; Comfort-tec removable sockliner and drilex moisture wicking lining; cushioned underfoot with antibacterial and shock absorbing qualities; and a durable rubber outer sole. These shoes are very similar to the walking boot, but obviously much lower – so they are even lighter! How is it possible to make such sturdy shoes so light? I have found them so comfortable that they have become my “everyday casual shoe” of choice. They work perfectly well with jeans and combat trousers.
As for walking, they are extremely comfortable and very sturdy. However, by their very nature they have very little ankle support, so I would personally avoid wearing them when the terrain is too rough, preferring to choose the boot alternative.
My only real criticism is that Hi-Tec do not supply the boots with cleaning and re-proofing instructions.
I can thoroughly recommend them as a general walking and leisure shoe, and look forward to many enjoyable walks in them throughout the coming summer months.
Mike
Reviewed:
(Healthy Life - Mind, Body & Soul Magazine issue 3. Summer 2006)
Hi-Tec V-Lite Sierra V-Lite WP walking boot
Field trial
I love walking, particularly during the warm sunny months (plenty of sunscreen and a hat of course!), but what to put on my feet is often a problem. I am not a shoe person; I am always bare-footed at home and in summertime mostly wear sandals. Certainly not appropriate for walking. Even in the dry weather and our mostly flat terrain, good support is essential if you are walking in the woods, along the river banks, or anywhere there is not a purpose-built walking path.
I was a little apprehensive when asked to trial some lightweight walking boots for Hi-Tec. Not going to suit me I thought. How wrong could I be! The “Lite Hiking” boots arrived in a soft beige finish that, by chance, perfectly matched my favourite walking trousers/shorts. A good start anyway. I took them out of the box. Wow – very light is an understatement. I read all the info. Lightweight, breathable, waterproof, cushioned underfoot with antibacterial and shock absorbing qualities, and durable rubber outersole.
Not that I need an excuse to go walking, but I had to put these shoes to the test. They looked good, were supremely comfortable right from the start and, although my feet and ankles were appropriately supported, they really did feel so very, very light. Several walks later and I am still very pleased and very impressed. I think I am being converted to wearing boots in the summertime!
Jill
Reviewed:
(Healthy Life - Mind, Body & Soul Magazine issue 1. Autumn 2005)