How can you travel safely and keep your hands free to use a stick, wheel a wheelchair or help others? In this post we look at three tips for travelling without carrying luggage in your hands. Keeping your hands available to do other things - show your tickets, passport for instance - makes the journey less stressful. If you’re not dragging a case or lifting things there’s one less thing to think about, and both your hands can be used for essential things (holding the hands of children, guiding less mobile travellers or getting yourself a coffee).

Crossing Europe with my mother, who is 83, and no longer quite as robust and steady on her feet as she used to be, was nerve-wracking. But we made a plan to get her - and her walking frame (which has a small motor and a seat) from Germany to the north of England. But with help and patience and by the grace of others, it was not impossible.

You don’t need uninvited AI critiques of your life. Just turn them off and listen to some Sandy Denny. You will feel better. Honest.

Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving,
But how can they know, it's time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I will still be dreaming,
I have no thought of time.

For who knows where the time goes?

My husband loves a road trip – I’m more of a trains person. But I have to admit that some of the stuff we do - outdoor weekends away in more remote places, bike events and some of our holidays with a lot of camping gear would be a bit tricky without some kind of vehicle.

Meet Julia Hobson, mountain bike guide, who shares her joy at high and wild places on two wheels with us. Her company, Endless Trails, puts together breathtaking trips in the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland for small groups of riders. Julia is one of the few British mountain bike guides with the coveted French Carte Professionelle as well as the highest level of qualification as a UK Mountain Bike Guide. Her skills as a guide and host, planning stunning routes, then pathfinding and weather watching for her group, make irresistible adventures and unforgettable memories.