Mini Adventures and the Best Shoes for Summer
Heading outside and trying new things can be lots of fun and I love the concept of mini adventures or days out. Now the summer is here, the weather is more settled which it gives us a lot more options.
It’s great to aspire to fun challenges if they are within your reach, but equally it’s important to not compare yourself. Let’s face it hiking up Ben Nevis is not for everyone. Add in small children, a nagging injury or anxiety, means knowing your limits. Getting dressed and outside maybe the biggest part of the day. Setting little goals that just push you a bit is all you need to do to feel a sense of accomplishment.
Choose the Best Shoes for Summer Adventures
AD – sponsored post
One thing I know is important whatever you do is having decent footwear. This summer I am delighted we have teamed up with the Flip Flop Shop to review some of the great range of footwear they have on offer. Offering quality, well known brands has come with years of experience for them.
To help inspire you to get outside here are some simple ideas for things to do that will suit all ages. See if you can tick one off each week.
5 Mini Adventures for Everyone to Enjoy
1. Find a new place to watch the sun set
Whatever the time of the year, on a clear day the sunset is often magical. Make up a little picnic or flask of coffee and find a new place to watch the sun go down. You might want to walk up a hill or just park up on the seafront. Give yourself enough time to really enjoy it and maybe stay long enough for some star gazing.
2. Paddle or Swim in a River or the Sea
There are so many stretches of water in the UK, from gurgling streams to major rivers and of course miles of coastline. Do you usually just sit and watch everyone else enjoy the water? Then why not shed the socks (you still can keep your sandals on). Feel the cold water on your toes and enjoy the moment.
Maybe you have you already got the open water swimming bug or enjoy water sports? Then why not ask a friend to join you one day, just for a little feet dip or an easy paddle boarding session on a river or lake.
These Teva sandals were perfect in the water, they stayed on really well and dried off quickly afterwards.
3. Walk in the Woods and Look Up – Forest Bathing
A woodland walk is one of my favourite things to do. I love how everything changes with the seasons yet the trees are always there.
Find a new woodland walk and go however far you can manage. Don’t forget to stop and look up through the canopy and admire the wonder of the sky through the trees.
Maybe you can climb a tree or even give one a hug. The Japanese have been prescribing forest bathing or shinrin yoku for years.
This is a bit more than just walking in the woods. You have to switch off the podcast, stop chatting and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the wood.
It’s what is described as mindfulness these days, living completely in the moment, even if it is just for a few minutes. It’s shown to reduce stress and benefit metal and physical well being.
4. Relax by a camp fire
In your garden, on the beach or on a camping holiday there is something very comforting about a fire.
Children love a camp fire especially if there is some food to cook. Sing a few songs, chat with friends and watch the flames dance.
Remember to use dry wood (seasoned if you can so it’s not fresh and green) and avoid adding your rubbish if you want to keep the smoke levels down.
5. Go somewhere new and take photos
These days pretty much everyone has a camera or a mobile phone that can take pretty decent photos.
Why not plan a new walk where you can capture something different. Maybe walk around your local town with no shopping to do. Find interesting doors, pretty wisteria or old buildings you’ve not properly looked at before.
Head in to the countryside and crouch down low to capture different angles or look up through the trees. It’s surprising what you see when you are not distracted by other things. When you get home crop, edit, or add a filter and share your captures or get them printed off into some wall art.
Great Summer Shoes for Mini Adventures
With the sun finally out in Devon we have been loving letting our feet breath and wearing shoes gifted to us from the Flip Flop Shop. They replaced my slippers while it was still raining outside and now they are shoe choice number one.
These white Ortho Bounce Reefs are the perfect style as they look smart enough to wear with a dress but being waterproof are equally practical for the beach or by the pool.
I am usually a UK size 5 but these are a 6 and fit perfectly. They are also super comfy for a longer walk.
Lucy also chose some Reefs but a completely different style. She went for sliders which she has also hardly stopped wearing. She likes the thick flatform soles which means she is an inch taller than me which is a real bonus as far as she is concerned! This style with double leather look straps is the Cushion Bounce Hi Vista Slide
Comfort wise the Reefs get the thumbs up from both of us and size wise come up about 1/2 a size smaller than our usual size.
Annabel is less keen on flip flops (such a traitor to the page!) and prefers sandals. No problem said the flip flop shop, we also have a sandal shop! Her choice were comfortable waterproof Sanborn Teva sandals. With adjustable ankle straps and fixed toes these look great on her feet that are more on the narrow side.
Teva have had a great reputation for as long as I can remember and these have not disappointed. They look smart with a dress or shorts and also proved to be ideal water shoes for a morning on the lake paddle boarding.
We’ve got one more pair to try out. Super practical, comfortable and in a range of colours they are great for day to day wear as well as hiking and watersports. The Original Universal Teva Sandal have velcro fittings so are ideal if you have narrow or wide feet because they are easy to adjust.
This style of sandals has been around for years but has made it into mainstream fashion this year.
COMPETITION CLOSED
5 lucky winners have been notified
The Best Shoes for Summer
Choosing footwear brands with a good reputation is worth the extra you may pay versus cheap imitation brands. From good supportive walking boots and comfortable wellies for the winter to sandals and of course flip flops in the summer. I do believe you get what you pay for.
The Flip Flop Shop was up by two friends both passionate about the outdoors. The business has expanded from the garage where it all started and has a small team based in Cornwall and great customer service.
Sponsored Post
This post has been sponsored by the Flip Flop Shop and shoes gifted to us for this review. All opinions are genuine and my own.
Photo Credits – Unsplash
Lady paddling by Gray Sunset by Jules Marchioni Trees and Sky by Ja Toasting Marshmallow
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
Join me in finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
I hope you enjoy reading and taking inspiration from this website. 
I’m loving some of the flatform styles this summer! So practical xx
Each one of these is on my summer bucket list!! Although I haven’t thought to find a NEW place to watch the sunset.. will have to go adventure further this summer! Thanks for the inspiring post! <3