Hello! We're back to talking about aspects of travel in this episode. Following on from Episode 31 about beer, broadcast last year, I was going to do the follow-up episode on 'alcohol that wasn't beer', to include wines, spirits, and all manner of fun things. Partly this was because I'd had a couple of contributions that included spirits. But then I had some, uhm, technical difficulties here and when I was able to get back to doing podcasts again, other things took my attention. But, four episodes later than originally planned, here we look at spirits and wines around the world. Which is a much better title than 'Alcohol that isn't beer', at least. Topics discussed include: * Experiences with illicit moonshine * Alcohol in places you shouldn't * Absinthe * Jägerbombs * Cocktail bars * Local spirits around the world * Wine tasting experiences Contributions in this episode come from: * Kate-Frankie, from The pod has a Facebook group you can join, too. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Travel Tales From Beyond The Brochure

Podcast 036 - Spirits and Wines Around The World

This episode is not about travel; it's in the same vein as my recent episode (Ep 32) on Asexuality Awareness, in that it talks about personal identity, but this one is more focused on gender rather than sexual orientation. Part of the first half is a re-reading of my post about toxic masculinity; I realised I'd never podded it before on here and this seemed like a very apt time to talk about it, given how I then go on to how it affects the way I see myself and my own gender. As someone who'd be holistically classed as Assigned Male At Birth (AMAB), it's always been hard to express pride in being male since there's so much about the culture that irks me, but recently I think I've found a nice niche to slide into. Other than toxic masculinity, I talk about gender aesthetics, several stripey Pride Flags, the overlap between asexuality and gender identity questioning, and how people like me are surprisingly rare. Additionally, there's a have a new podcast feature in the middle. See if you can spot what it is! A transcript of this episode is available at https://barefoot-backpacker.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Podcast-035-Toxic-Masculinity-and-Pride-In-Your-Gender.pdf The podcast has a Facebook Group dedicated to it: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travel.tales.beyond.brochure/?ref=website I also have a Patreon, if you want to pay to access rare extra content (or just because you think it's a nice thing to do): https://www.patreon.com/traveltalesbeyondbrochurepod My next episode should be out on Thursday 25th Febuary. Happy QuirkyAlone Day, btw!

Podcast 035 - Toxic Masculinity and Gender Pride

Hello :) This episode is all about British Seaside Resorts - the many villages and towns that line the coast of the United Kingdom, and which have traditionally served as holiday destinations for a large section of the British people. The inspiration for this pod was my taking a trip to Skegness in October, just before I started my new job. Two nights in a tourist hotspot, out-of-season. Joy. But since I also grew up near a seaside resort, Southport (in the North), and I'd been on holiday many times throughout my life near the coast, I figured it would make a great starting point for a podcast. I talk about childhood experiences, going back as an adult, the history of seaside holidays in the UK, why seaside resorts these days have a bit of a bad reputation, and some hopes for the future. Apart from the above, other places I talk about include Rhyl, Tenby, Hunstanton, Whitby, Saltburn, and Whitley Bay - a good selection I think. There are also contributions from Bea Marshall from YesParenting, Sarah Irving (the Urban Wanderer), Lucy Ruthnum (Absolutely Lucy), Emma Dodd (Barefoot Em Swims), and my friends Jax and Bear from back home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. A transcript of this episode is available on my website.  My podcast has a Facebook Group dedicated to it , and I also have a Patreon, if you want to pay to access rare extra content (or just because you think it's a nice thing to do).

Podcast 034 - British Seaside Resorts

Hello :) This episode is all about Kinder Scout, an open plateau in the centre of the Peak District in England. I start by talking a bit about its location and its history, concentrating on the Mass Trespass back in 1932 that may have launched the 'right to roam' movement in the UK. The rest of the pod mentions the things you can see and visit on it, like the Kinder Downfall waterfall, the rock formations, the rock scrambles you can clamber up, and the mysterious 'Kinder Triangle'. I end by talking a bit about hiking barefoot, and why I'm not recommending that you do this. Contributions come from Becky The Traveller, Nat from NatPackerTravel, and Jeni (A Peak District Mum). Warning, contains singing.

Podcast 033 - Kinder Scout

Whoop, a new podcast episode. I have my laptop back, so technology-wise I've returned to the 2020s. This episode isn't about travel; rather it follows on in a way from my earlier pod on Sexuality while travelling, and looks into more detail about own sexuality. Ace Week - Asexual Awareness Week - was at the end of October, and yes I'm therefore a bit late with this, but this episode is all about asexuality, including how I found out about it, my experience of it, how it feels to be an older asexual, and a bit about dating. There are, of course, several subtweets to my mother, as usual. It wouldn't be the same without those, really .... The picture, by the way, is of a poster I bought from 'keep_persisting' (Courtney Privett) on Zazzle.

Podcast 032 - Asexuality Awareness

I'm back, after my laptop failed! This episode is about my experiences of beer around the world, about what sort of beer I like. I talk a bit in detail about the history of USA beer, but lots of other countries and styles are mentioned. It's the first of a two-parter on alcohol; my next episode will be on 'things that are not beer'. But I imagine there'll be some mention of beer even so; it's hard for me to avoid it really. A reminder I have a Facebook Group for people to chat about my episodes, and a Patreon if you want to fund my beer addiction help me maintain and improve this podcast. :)

Podcast 031 - Beer around the World

It's not been a while since my last pod ... This is another pod partly about the history of Yorkshire. I give a very quick overview on The Wars Of The Roses, the civil war that took place in England in the mid-late 15th Century between the royal houses of Lancaster and York. Before I get onto that, however, I talk about numbers stations and give quite a bit of information about how to encode messages via radio broadcasts. The only connection between the two is simply that's where my mind's been this week :D Don't forget, my podcast has a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travel.tales.beyond.brochure/?ref=podcast Also, if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traveltalesbeyondbrochurepod

Podcast 030 - The Wars Of The Roses

It's been a while since my last pod - thank you for bearing with me. I talk a little about why at the start of the episode, as well as the usual 'this is what I've been up to' overview and update. I've decided to do another geographic/history episode this time, I talk a bit about the county of Yorkshire, in northern England - specifically I go into detail about the city of Ripon, the town of Haworth, and a little tale about the Cragg Vale Coiners - a bunch of coin forgers in the 1760s. Don't forget, btw, that my tale of hiking across Great Britain is part of the Biggest Book Of Yes anthology, which is now available for purchase. All proceeds go to charity (the Teddington Trust).

Podcast 029 - Ripon and West Yorkshire

So, in a follow-up to last week's "Beginner's Guide to Protesting", this week I'm bringing you an episode of three examples where the act of protest has helped to change the world. Or at least, change aspects of the British political system - just to show it can happen here just as much as it happens everywhere else. I give an overview of three events - the 1832 Reform Act, the Battle Of Cable Street in 1936, and the Poll Tax Riots of 1990. Three different eras, but each definitely interesting in its own right. Maybe I'll go back to doing a travel podcast next week....

Podcast 028 - When Protest Works

It's a very strange time at the moment, for all manner of reasons, and it's an especially odd time to be running a travel podcast. So ... I'm not. This is the first of a two-part episode all about protest and direct action. Next week I'll be going to back to "Storytime" with tales of times when direct action in the UK has successfully changed society, culture, or the government. This episode, however, is all about the act of protest itself - the bulk of which is a 'Guide To Your First Protest' provided by my friend V; if you've never taken part in a protest before, but are feeling inspired and motivated to do so, you might be a little unsure how protests work in practice. V guides you through what to wear (shoes!), what to carry, how to behave, what to watch out for, and how to cope with a tear gas attack. Good luck.

Podcast 027 - How To Protest Safely

This week's podcast episode is all about the history of Apartheid in South Africa, from Cecil Rhodes' rule in Cape Colony in the 1890s all the way to Nelson Mandela's presidency a century later. I would at this point talk a bit more about the pod, but there are more important things to talk about right now, which are unfortunately related. While Apartheid itself might be history, racist feelings are alive and well, across much of the world. Some resources to bear in mind: Teen Vogue - How to take anti-racist action Minnesota Freedom Fund - supporting Black youth-led movements and providing legal suppport Sign the Petition to call for justice for George Floyd Black and White: Unconscious Bias, the Police, and America, by Laura Lundahl Overview of UK's Immigrant Policy and the "Hostile Environment", by Laura Lundahl The sample at the start of the pod is taken from the Freedom Archives website and is, of course, part of Nelson Mandela's speech on being released from prison. ----- Remember, I have a Facebook group for the pod if you want to join the community. I also now have a Patreon! If you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over to my page and donate to me!

Podcast 026 - Apartheid

This week's podcast episode is all about Travel Privilege. That is to say, the advantages that people have that they may not realise, which are accrued by virtue of their background rather than anything they've worked at to obtain. This covers subjects such as passport privilege - how holding certain nationalities makes travelling much easier - and of course skin colour, and how it's far easier for middle-class 'Westerners' to travel than anyone else. As someone with a flush of privilege (not a Royal Flush but I'll admit it's not too far off), it's something people especially like me need to keep deep in mind. Privilege itself isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's recognising you have it and making sure you use it appropriately that matters. Contributions this time, either spoken or via Twitter, are from: Victoria Pearson Kristina from 'Living Wonder Filled' Matthew at 'Two Tickes To' Pinky (Pinkzenjoy) Tayo - 'The 5 to 9 Traveller' Katchie from 'Travels With Katchie' Roo, at 'Roo Loves Travel' Alexei of 'Travelexx' Remember, I have a Facebook group for the pod if you want to join the community. I also now have a Patreon! If you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over to my page and donate to me!

Podcast 025 - Travel Privilege

This week's podcast episode, brought to you from a slightly damp Sheffield, is all about whether travel changes depending on how old you are - if the way you travel at the age of 20 is the same as the way you travel at, say, 40, in terms of travel style, accommodation, food, destinations, etc. I don't talk a lot about travelling at ages older than I am, but you get the drift. Most of it is comparing how my travel has(n't) changed over time. I'll probably do a follow-up episode about this at some point when my feelings change again. Contributions this time are from: Amanda from 'Not A Ballerina' and the 'Thoughtful Travel' Podcast Alexei of 'Travelexx' Remember, I have a Facebook group for the pod if you want to join the community. I also now have a Patreon! If you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over to my page and donate to me!

Podcast 024 - Travel at different ages

Spring is in the air, and the weather's getting better. Unfortunately we're all stuck at home, unable to do anything but the merest bits of very local travel. For that reason, maybe you should come away with me on a virtual exploration of all things Scotland. The scenery, the food, the wildlife, the history, and almost no mention of midges or rain at all. I promise. Contributions this time are from: Becky The Traveller Leanna from 'Lost Lass' Ruth of 'Roo Loves Travel' Fran, who runs the 'Sieze Your Adventure' Podcast Nat from 'NatPacker Travel' Remember, I have a Facebook group for the pod if you want to join the community. I also now have a Patreon! If you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over to my page and donate to me!

Podcast 023 - Scotland

Hello from lockdown! This episode gives an overview of what I found when I visited the Outer Hebrides of Scotland last summer for a couple of weeks. It's the first in another two-parter; next week will look more at Scotland in general, including a couple of contributions from Tweeps about the Hebrides. This episode is another one of those which is purely my voice. I go over some of the highlights of the island group, including the weather, the scenery, part of the vast history, religion, and a few of the quirkier things I found on my visit. In personal updates at the start of the pod, rather than talking about what I've done recently, I give a potted history of my experiences of radio, especially radio comedy. It all makes sense, I think. I may have sampled something I probably shouldn't have done for this episode. Warning: contains singing. Remember, I have a Facebook group for the pod if you want to join the community. I also now have a Patreon! If you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over to my page and donate to me!

Podcast 022 - Outer Hebrides

Going "Beyond The Brochure", The Barefoot Backpacker looks at one concept or destination every week, taking trips along the road less travelled and talking about issues related to travel, including politics and history, as well as dedicated travel topics like Bucket Lists & Hometown Trips.

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Travel Tales From Beyond The Brochure

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