Ercus Long, Author at Orchards Near Me

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Nature podcasts for easy listening outdoors

This week we have chosen 5 of our favourite podcasts for nature lovers.

Do you love to listen to podcasts on the way to work or on the way home? Do you listen to podcasts while you are cooking in the evening? Do you listen to podcasts when you head out for a walk? So do we! We have found a few epic podcasts for nature lovers. If you are interested in sustainable lifestyles, the power of plants, the GIY trends around the world and adventures into nature than these podcasts will be right up your street.

Get out your earphones and head out for a walk while listening to some of the fantastic episodes in the below podcasts. From inspiring stories to in-depth interviews with the experts, learn something new each week.

FROM ROOTS TO RICHES BY BBC4

If you are looking for short snippets of the impact of plants and the natural world around us then the 15 minute, bite sized podcasts from Kathy Willis are a fantastic resource. Where we are introduced to some of the most amazing plants that. Kathy Willis discusses the importance of green spaces in our society.

PAUL STAMETS ON JOE ROGAN

If you are a mushroom lover, a mushroom hunter or simply curious about the natural world then this podcast will blow your mind. Paul is an expert mychologist and mushroom King. He truly believes in the power of mushrooms and his passion for these magical species will leave you wanting more. In two separate discussions Paul illustrates the power of mushrooms and how they are an essential component of the earths eco-system. Listen and learn with this one!

SHE EXPLORES

Named among ITunes 2016’s top debut podcasts, She Explores, empowers women to share their stories and to connect with a community of talented and diverse female artists, adventurers, and outdoor advocates. Filled with powerful stories about overcoming insecurities and conquering incredible feats, this podcast will keep you coming back again and again.

OUT THERE

Hosted by a former Wyoming NPR reporter, Out There explores the relationship between people and wild environments. From deciding where to settle down to transformational outdoor encounters, this podcast offers a passionate discussion on our role in the environment and how we can achieve perspective in outdoor settings.

WILD IDEAS WORTH LIVING

No crazy adventure idea is out of reach to this podcast host. Covering everything from snowboarding and mountaineering to the health benefits of being in nature, this podcast will open your eyes to real life examples of people living unconventionally through the power of adventure! You won’t want to go back to your day job after hearing these stories of people and brands who have turned their wild ideas into reality. We particularly loved The Adventure of Self-Love with Sarah Herron, an inspiring story about breaking out of your comfort zone.

There are so many interesting and thought provoking podcasts out there it was difficult to narrow it down to just 5 but we will continue listening and keep you updated on any episodes for nature lovers.

If you have more nature podcasts to add to our list we would love to hear about them.

November 18, 2019 Ercus Long Blog, nature, Podcast nature, podcasts

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World Bee Day: 6 Ways you can help to Save the Bees

Today is world bee day and we are buzzing with love for these amazing little creatures.

Bees have been producing honey now for over 150 million years so I think we can all learn a thing or too from their work ethic and focus. Unfortunately, bee colonies have been declining due a wide range of factors, including climate change, pollution, the use of pesticides.

These pollinators are crucial to sustaining our current food production levels so we better start reversing this disappearing trend as quickly as possible.

Plant some flowers that are rich in nectar like lavender.

Don’t treat your garden with chemicals that are harmful to wildlife. Always check the label!

Create a wild patch in your garden. Leave some dandelions around for the bees. These are important food sources.

In the summer months leave a fresh bowl of water, they will appeciate it.

Buy local, organic honey. Head to your local farmers market and have a chat with them bfore you buy the products.

Watch one of these amazing bee documentaries to learn more about the art of bee keeping. More than Honey (2012) by Markus Imhoof or The Last Beekeeper by Jeremy Simmons will certainly give you food for thought. Or why not watch Bee Movie with Friends, Barry Benson will take you fantastic animated journey. Hopefully this will inspire some to protect our declining Bee colonies.

If you know more ways that we can celebrate World Bee Day and help to save the bees we are all about nature here at Orchards near me and would love to hear from you.

May 20, 2019 Ercus Long Blog, nature adventure travel, bees, food tours

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Battle of the Oranges in Ivrea, Italy

At this time of the year in the small town of Ivrea, Italy thousands of people gather for the Battle of the Oranges each year! This tradition dates back to the 1930’s. It is believed that the oranges represent the head of an evil 12th century leader of Ivrea. This gigantic food fight looks like a fun way to spend a weekend and is exactly the type of fruit filled experience we love.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can fly into Turin which is just a 1 hour drive or 2 hours by train to Ivrea or take a flight to the bustling city of Milan which is an hour and a half away from the town.

THINGS TO DO IN IVREA
Visit one of the nearby lakes of Lago Sirio or Lago di Viverone for a breath of fresh air. There is a beautiful walk around the lake and in summertime you can enjoy sunbathing and swimming from the edges.

Admire the impressive frescoes in the Church of San Bernardino. THe convent dates back to 1456.

Take a stroll around the Centro Storico with it’s cobbled streets and historic buildings. Don’t forget to pick up some gelato along the way.

If you have been to Ivrea or taken part in the Battle of the Oranges we would love to hear all about your experience.

March 5, 2019 Ercus Long Blog battle of the oranges

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4 Unforgettable Orchard Experiences

Make 2019 your year to travel with a purpose and get back to nature. With so many different orchard experiences, picking one is a hard task! Sip the sweet wines of the Douro Valley, marvel at the grape filled fields of Burgundy, take a romantic trip through the heart of Italy or sample the olive harvest in Greece.

The world is your oyster, all you need to do is take the first step. Whatever orchard experience you choose make it one to remember. There are four amazing orchard experiences to inspire your next adventure:

JOIN THE OLIVE HARVEST IN GREECE – 6 NIGHTS

This year round sunny destination will leave you with life long memories. Spend your days picking olives, learning about the local culture and getting to grips with the harvest season. Spend your weekends on the sandy beaches diving into the turquiose waters. This incredible tour is a nature lovers dream. With whitewashed villages to stroll around and so many ancient ruins to discover, Greece is the perfect place to catch up on some well needed Vitamin D. Famous local dishes of moussaka and souvlaki will leave your mouth watering and don’t forget to try the tasty dessert of Baklava.

From the moment you arrive your host will teach you the tricks of the olive trade. You will learn how olives are harvested and turned into the most delicious oils. This farm to table orchard experience is one for the bucketlist.

More details: Olive Harvest Tours

DISCOVER THE DELIGHTS OF THE DOURO VALLEY – 2 NIGHTS

Renowned worldwide for it’s terraced vineyards, the Douro Valley is a delight for the senses. Find yourself in one of Europe’s most treasured regions. On this tour you will have the opportunity to sample the grapes, pick the grapes and learn about the unique Portuguese wines on offer.

This is a land of fascinating wild landscapes and spectacular views from the mountain tops. This short tour packs every detail in so you get a true taste of life in the Douro. Our expert guides will take you on a delicious journey of discovery. From meeting with the olive oil producers to participating in the harvest you will have plenty to write home about after this unique orchard experience.

More details: Discover the Douro Valley

TASTE THE FAMOUS WINES OF BURGUNDY – 3 NIGHTS

If you are in the mood to taste some of Europe’s most delicious wines, you can head to Burgundy in France. This tour takes you to the heart of France’s most famous wine region. Now it is time to sit back, sip wine and watch the world go by. On this amazing orchard experience you will learn about the grapes, sample vintage wines and take some well deserved time out to enjoy the finer things in life. It is a truly stunning landscape that the locals are delighted to share with you. Ramble through rolling green countryside and get exclusive access to wine cellars of Burgundy as you discover all that this region has to offer. The Burgundy tour is truly special and not to be missed.

More details: Burgundy Truffles & Wine Tour

LUXURY TRUFFLES & WINE ADVENTURE IN ITALY – 5 NIGHTS

Famous for it’s white truffles, the region of Alba in Italy epitomizes all that Italy has to offer food and nature lovers. As you start this journey visit the church of San Giovanni Battista containing artworks from the 14th century. This unforgettable tour will enhance your taste buds every step along the way. It is no wonder that Ferrero Roche and Nutella come from this area as everywhere is bursting with sweetness. Enjoy the beautifully preserved medieval town while getting to know the local culture with our fantastic guides. You will get a hands on experience of farm life in Italy, meeting the local wine producers and learning about the different production processes. This is the land of truffles, so you are in for a real treat.

More details: Luxury Orchard Experience Italy