...from The Notebook - September & October Reflections
A mix of adventures, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes moments from the past couple of months.
It’s that time of the month again (okay… after a slightly longer break, but we’ll call that balance!). Here’s September & October, straight from The Notebook. It’s a long one, so grab a cuppa and a snack, and let’s catch up.
… trips in September & October ☀
A final Camping trip at Pool Bridge Farm:
Our last camping trip of the year, and it was such a good one. We had a lovely group sauna, cooked a pork belly rice bowl for tea, toasted marshmallows on the fire, and even squeezed in a sunrise swim. Just the perfect mix of cosy, messy, and a bit wild -exactly how camping should be. Here’s a little video:
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Its always lots of fun with The Yorkshire Dippers gang. I think that will be it for camping this year and we will be back with fun camping trips around April / May 2026!
ELTERWATER TYD RETREAT:
At the end of October, we headed to the Lake District for a little retreat with The Yorkshire Dippers. We stayed near Elterwater and spent the weekend taking dips in lakes and rivers, enjoying good food, and laughing with friends.
Swimming in the colder months has its own kind of magic - there’s something about the quiet, crisp air and the way the water feels that makes winter swims feel a little more intense, a little more alive. It’s invigorating, grounding, and always worth it.
If you’re curious about what I take on winter swims, here’s my kit: [insert your kit link].
🍴- foodie bits from the month.
The General Tarleton at Ferrensby
We visited The General Tarleton in October. It’s a lovely pub with rooms set in a historic old coaching inn. It’s the kind of place that feels instantly welcoming - cosy bar for a drink, proper pub classics on the menu, and really good food that feels really special without trying too hard. The produce-led dishes were amazing, and they’ve clearly put as much care into their drinks as their food - with a great choice of alcohol-free options too. My partner works there, so I might be a little biased, but it really was such a lovely evening.
FREE RANGE KITCHEN - Feast by Fire
I was invited along to Free Range Kitchen – Feast by Fire to shoot some content, and it turned into such a brilliant evening. Set outdoors with fires crackling and fairy lights glowing, the whole thing felt relaxed and a little bit magical. The food was cooked over open flames - proper hearty, local produce with loads of flavour and care behind it. The team were lovely too, creating that perfect mix of laid-back and special. Such a great experience - definitely one to remember.
… from my notebook -
a few little notes from my journal this month.
29/09/2025 - I got the job! I can’t believe it - so excited and a little nervous all at once. Feels like the start of something new and big. I’m proud of myself and ready for this next chapter.
15/10/2025 - JOURNAL GIRL-Y OBSESSED TAKE 2
If you’ve been on TikTok - or more specifically, journaling TikTok - you might have seen Sisterhood of the Traveling Journal, where you work on your own journal and then pass it around for others to add to it!
Well, our little Discord group is now doing PFC Sisterhood of the Traveling Journal. There are 17 of us, which means it’s going to be on the go for 17 months - but it’s going to be amazing, and I honestly can’t wait.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s the thread with the original ideas on TikTok…
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… and finally, some stuff that’s random but cute
Jellycat Collection Update - I said this wasn’t going to be a regular thing… but I GOT A TEA BAG! 😍
If you’re a Jellycat collector (yes, cringe, I know 😅), you’ll know how impossible this little guy has been to get hold of. Huge thanks to Lizzie – love you, bestie! 💛
Just had to show it off… isn’t it adorable?!
PINTEREST FINDS …
A personal favorite in my newsletter … some things i’ve pinned on Pinterest within September & October;
Now I LOVE Pinterest, it’s just bloody amazing, I don’t really use it for anything other than personal finds and hyper-fixation side-quests but if you want to follow i’ll link my profile HERE.
OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT:
Introducing … Studio Wild 🌿
Studio Wild is a space for creativity, nature, and stories that feel real. We help people and small businesses bring their ideas to life with content creation, visual identity support, and simple strategies that actually make sense. Think of it as a place where brands and ideas can grow, without all the stress.
And this blog? It’s part of Studio Wild too!
You’ll still find wild swimming adventures, tips, and a little inspiration from me, Vic (@Beginnerwildswims). Plus, we’ll sprinkle in behind-the-scenes glimpses and creative moments from Studio Wild—connecting with nature, exploring ideas, and celebrating the everyday wild. Don’t worry, your inbox will keep getting all the Wild Swimming content you love!
The Yorkshire Dippers … what’s coming up?
We’ve been a little quiet over at TYD, but as the colder months roll in, it’s our time to shine! ✨
Our November newsletter is out now, and we’d love to hear what you’d like to see from us in 2026. Hit the link below to read and share your thoughts – we can’t wait to hear your ideas!
And that is September & October … from The Notebook.
See you at the end of September!! Vic 🌱