Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
Where we explore our thoughts and experiences to question established narratives.
Post a divorce ten years ago, I’ve explored to break the established narratives of how we’re "supposed" to live.
What to expect here:
EXPLORE: Exploring to give your brain space to think.
GUIDE: Strategies to navigate the world without losing your headspace.
REFLECT: Questioning the established narratives.
If you believe life is a story worth telling—and the most important journey is the one happening inside—welcome to the narrative.
Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
At last, people might say, but this weekend the final two videos of the epic Havilla Voyage shall be completed. I'd forgotten how epic the storm was on day 11 and how glorious it looked afterwards.
4 days ago | [YT] | 1
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
I spent some time in the Cairngorms last weekend which is always awesome. There is something about being in mountains or in mountain adjacent towns.
I also went on a steam train and I can say one thing for sure - the raw energy, sound and power of a steam engine up close is an awesome thing to witness.
I paid for the experience with sinus issues, a sore throat and now a cough - there is a percentage chance this happens when I play with sudden temperature changes it seems.
2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 2
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
Apparently, I am now a fully fledged member of the YouTube Part Programme today. I shall enjoy my Mars Bar a year from ad revenue but with inflation it's probably more a Freddo Frog.
To be fair, these things don't matter much my main goal is to shift the videos to get more synergy across explore, guide and reflect, which is part of a larger goal to retain more regular viewers.
Wish me luck with this and the impending Storm Dave. Yeah, none-UK people you read that right Storm Dave, you have to laugh.
3 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
I delayed Field Notes to Friday to see if I could get something done today (Saturday), and I did. I am going to release three videos on Tuesday (Explore). They cover a recent trip I made to The Quiet Site (an excellent campsite) in the Lake District a ice Ullswater and some walks I did in the area.
I planned to make it one video, but it was too long and naturally split into three. I figured, let's try a focused drop!
Hopefully, people will enjoy them.
My goal is to get away at least once a month around the UK during Spring / Summer.
3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 0
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
It was a challenging week last week leaving little space to consider a Field Notes Friday.
I did get out and about a bit recently which helped and walked part of the Ullswater Way to Aria Force.
It was amazing, but it did remind me the first time I did most of this route (over time) Daisy Dog did it with me.
This is the original video - seven damned years ago: https://youtu.be/TbG1MI4voeg?si=c67PY...
Anyway, the weather was great with expansive views over Ullswater.
3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 1
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
A thought on Field Notes Friday.
There is a lot of chatter on Introvert forums that mistake isolation and solitude, but I am not even going to get into that. The issue I find interesting is no one ever recognises the difference between physical solitude and mental solitude.
It's all about physical solitude.
There is a reason I can spend lots of time around people or on a big cruise ship? I can easily find mental solitude which often has little to do with how many people are around .
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
Slightly delayed Field Notes Friday as I was sorting out plans and keeping an eye on the weather forecast.
I am in a Dark Sky zone and am planning on spending the night and seeing the epic vista of the milky way.
Got to see the glory of the stars in the middle of nowhere on one of our CottageCons (a gaming weekend) years ago.
Always wanted to repeat it.
4 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
I missed Field Notes Friday last week because I was travelling in the van. I went away for the weekend (and got a cupboard fixed in the van) and it was great just to experience being outside again.
I am more active in these situations and much more zen.
Anyway, I was at the touring site attached to Chatsworth House. While not a Bridgerton filming location it is all very Bridgerton.
4 months ago | [YT] | 3
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
It's been a strange start to the year in terms of what travel I'll do to find those essential quiet moments. Ideas have come up, but none grabbed me. I was sure I'd be doing the Swiss trains this year, but for some reason, it's not keeping its momentum.
I have locked down a road trip around the NC500 of Scotland later in the year over the weekend, which I'm really looking forward to now. It surprised me. I'm not exactly sure why that one got locked in.
That's the beauty of these things. Not only is the travel itself a journey of self-discovery, but the journey to the choice seems to be as well!
4 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Ian O'Rourke | Narrative Escapes
Welcome to Field Notes Friday!
I had a moment of sadness today because my trip to the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland was five years ago. I sometimes can't help but think that my tavel experiences pre-COVID are materially better than the ones post-COVID.
It's almost like there was the Canadian Rockies, the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland and then Havila Voyages. I think that's unfair, as I've been to Iceland and Alaska, but for some reason, they don't seem to pop as much when my mind scans over the memories. That is also not representative.
I honestly think the difference is that I didn't film them.
Anyway, this is my walk down from Kleine Scheidegg, a 2,061-meter-high mountain pass and scenic hub in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. I was going to get the train and thought, what the hell. It was amazing.
https://youtu.be/LPyczYjVYA8?si=iUeNY...
4 months ago | [YT] | 2
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