The natural Navigation: The Right Course, Naturally

Thank you very much for a really fantastic and inspirational day. It has really opened my eyes to a different way of looking at navigation.

Hugo Deed, York.

——————–

Tristan,

I came on your Beginner’s Guide course on the 2nd May with my wife Judith. I just wanted to let you know that it was one of the most fascinating days we
have spent in a long while. Judith was delighted (it was a birthday present to her), and we are both keen to begin practising some of the things you taught us. I also thought you were an excellent presenter, making the whole thing enthralling, and using your enthusiasm to enthuse us – this is a rare skill.

Thank you very much – I’ll be buying your book when it is out,
Rory

Rory W., Brighton.

——————–

I greatly enjoyed it, the day flew by, it was nice to be surrounded by others who are interested in this topic too and I also enjoyed the atmosphere at the RGS.

I really enjoy the astronomy side of natural navigation and am now spending my bike rides in and out of work looking that the moon and trying to decide how many degrees behind the sun it is. I enjoyed the way you quizzed us on where the sun would be at certain times of the year at different latitudes, I found the models helpful and the photos illuminating.  I was intrigued by the observations about how trees grow (the tick effect) and will certainly look at them more closely.  I’m less certain about the path conditions in practice but will out this weekend looking at the countryside in a new way.  I only wish I could see more stars from where I live to see for myself about Orion’s belt!  The video of the Polynesian sailors following their 32 stars was another highlight – they must have been very observant and skillful indeed.

In summary – a great day, your enthusiasm was infectious, I enjoyed every minute, could have easily come back the next day for more.

I really wish you every success in the future Tristan – it’s such a fascinating subject are you are a gifted ambassador. 24th Sep really was the best day I’ve had in quite some time!

Helen Older (Wallington, Surrey)

——————————-

A very enjoyable day and nice to know there are so many things that ones does not know!

Mike Greenland (Wimborne, Dorset)

———————————-

Thank you for a most enjoyable and informative day on Saturday. Richard and I have spent many hours since testing each other about directions – our children think we are quite mad!

Mary Atkinson, West Sussex

——————————–

Thank you for yesterday. The day was really enjoyable and even though I have been teaching map reading for a good number of years I still learnt a great deal.

Jeff Baker (Peterborough)

——————————

I just wanted to thank you for such a fantastic course yesterday. I have been out this morning assessing moss and trees and finding life that inch richer already. I think what you’re doing is fantastic and I’ll let you know how my ramblings go.

James Walker (London)

——————————

I have to say that of all the courses that I have done over the years, the Natural Navigation course has probably been one of the most enjoyable, but also the one that I have kept going back to in daily life and using, or at least trying to use!

Nick Tile (Colchester)

——————————

Thank you for the course yesterday, it was wonderful. It more than fulfilled our expectations and we both went home with full minds. It was a privilege. I now have a real feel for what direction the stars are moving in whereas before just noticed the differences in their location.

Richard and Jennifer Strange (High Wycombe)

—————————————

I found it a most enlightening day and have already entertained myself this morning with my new knowledge calculating south on a foggy drive back from Farnham.  Rest assured it will make pub walks, at the very least, all the more interesting – though not sure the kids will thank you after the 15th “which way are we facing now?” question in the first mile.

Ben Norman (Kingston, Surrey)

——————————————————

Sarah Salway, successful fiction writer, Fellow of LSE and all-round elite wordsmith came on the Beginner’s Guide course at the RGS on the 24th September. You can read her thoughts on it here.

——————————-

Am now very much looking forward to using my new-found knowledge “in the wild”

Many thanks for a fantastic day yesterday.
I learnt so much and was stimulated also by the opportunity to apply what I did know to a new “problem solving” challenge! I checked out the moon last night and located Polaris and was quite comfortable that it was NOT directly above my head as I always imagined it might be! (I do need to re-set the weathervane and I think I’ll use Polaris to do this!)

The principles you taught will add another layer to my enjoyment and connection with the great outdoors. So rather than just walking through it and looking at the views I’ll be able to read more off it. Natural Navigation is a key to unlocking a fascinating text in the Earth’s rich library.

Thanks again for a very inspiring day – just off to check the lichen and moss on the trees in the garden!

Richard W (Cambridge)

————————-

Dear Tristan , just a note to let you know how much i enjoyed the course yesterday . Already started the book last night and thoroughly enjoyed reading so far . I am not really one for reading so that is quite a compliment . Your enthusiasm really comes through , both in the course and book and certainly rubbed off on George , Andy and myself . You clearly really enjoy teaching and as someone who has up until recently taught GP trainees , I could sense that fun and excitement that teaching brings . Despite the slightly scratchy video re navigation by the polynesians , I did find that aspect fascinating . I look forward to the next course .

Mike Jenkins

—————————————-

Thank you for a wonderful day, yesterday. The course and surroundings were inspiring. This morning I went for a walk from the house heading in land and then onto the cliffs along a frequent route. Today was like a new experience with each plant / view being analysed. The walk did take twice as long as usual which my wife does not thank you for.

David J.

_______________________

—————————-

I had been meaning to thank you for last Saturday - it was most enjoyable and I felt sufficiently confident afterwards
to put away the Tomtom for the trip home!!!! Also I am pleased to get Ian's address -
we had some interesting chats in the breaks. Often some of the pleasure of these outings 
comes from the people you meet there. Like Ian, I look forward to seeing the book.
Martin W (Lymington)

-------------------------------

I feel much more connected to our ancestors.  I feel sure that as a species (is that the correct term?)

our senses have become dulled as our advances in technology have propped us up  more and more.

Although this must be progress, we must also have lost some level of perception of the world around us.

My future walks will be enriched and my dinner party conversation expanded.

I am also resolved to drink a pint of Guinness a day to improve my sixth sense.

I thought the content was spot on, and liked the slide tests where we could apply our knowledge.

Claire B. (High Wycombe)

————————

Thank you very much for the course the other day.  Natasha and I both really enjoyed it.  Tash has been on a cadet week in Wales and she managed a 3 day hike without getting lost – thanks to your course.  The rest of the cadets were reallly impressed!.

Jolyon H
———————-

I’m already finding that I’m looking at the world in a different way – I’m noticing dampness on the ground, etc and I’m desperate to try out my new found knowledge and the “Gooley method” on a longer walk in the country…

Nick V.