So another year drawing to a close. How was it for you?
What were your exploring highs? and lows? What was the weirdest bit? What do you hope for next year?
2013 has been yet another mad year for me.
One of my new years resolutions was to get out and meet as many new explorers I could from all over the world.
I feel I certainly managed it! Here are some of the new faces I met this year!
January
I went to meet Ramsgatonian down in Kent, and got the year off to a bang with a high risk borrowing of a 747!
UrbanX and Ramsgatonian on board a 747
February
I met up with Journalism student Samuel Thompson: I don't normally accept such offers from the journalist, but being a thoroughly nice chap, and not being scared to throw himself into it - plus he was awfully flattering (see below) and flattery gets you everywhere.
We spent a day exploring various mansions. I was pleased to hear a few months later that he received a First for this assignment.
A still from Samuels assignment
March
March took me to Europe, on the "Belgium Waffle Tour" Meeting Osfa from the Netherlands. We ploughed through snow and ice (literally) to explore sites like Eylenbosh brewery, Hof Van B, Maison Trees, Grande Moulin De Paris, Home Sweet Home, St. Hilarius Monestary, Farmhouse Tapioca, L'Ecole Laberinth, and Villa Hector.
St. Hilarius
UrbanX at Eylenbosch in the snow
Meeting European explorers at Ecole Laberinthe
May
May took me across to Berlin to meet up with Nobody, to conquer the 1936 Nazi olympic village, and scale Kaserne E (Jag barracks) Returning to the UK I met a new mix of UK explorers to tackle the mighty Battersea Power Station.
Nobody and UrbanX at Kaserne E
Battersea Power Station
June
I went on a more 'traditional' exploring trip (i.e. not urban) to the Arctic Circle, somewhere I've always wanted to go. The sun never set in the 2 weeks I was there, constant daylight! Which actually helped, as one of my main aspirations was to cross the second largest Ice glacier in the world in a Toyota Aygo!
UrbanX in The Arctic rocking a UE Mag T-Shirt
July
I was drawn back to Europe to meet with our overseas brethren, on what we termed the "Be Brave tour" The name lived up to it's reputation, and we somehow managed to hit 23 sites in one weekend, with varying levels of success. The highs of Chateau Champagne, and Villa Walfahrt, and Sanatorium Diablo, against the lows of being busted three times, including by Belgiums finest armed unit. We still emerged with 13 epic explores under our belt!
Chapelle Anciens with Belgiums finest armed response unit
August
I took myself off to the other side of the world, literally, to meet with Azyure, head of the Singapore exploring movement. It was fantastic to spend an evening with him showing me some of the hidden history behind Singapore. Here we are at the building of the Singapore F1 track.
Azyure & UrbanX inside the F1 track
September
I took myself off to Gloucester to meet up with explorer Senbell, we explored the old docks, Hill House, and Windrush Hotel. I also soloed Harwich Fort after picking up a new GoPro Camera.
Windrush Hotel
October
Guess what... Europe again! This time with a different mix of UK explorers, on the "Biscuit Tin Tour". We must be getting better, because we didn't get caught once. We travelled an epic 1,750Km to revisit Chateau Lumiere by moonlight, and the immaculate Sanatorium de Coffeur . We also managed to cross off Piscine Solvay (where we got busted in July) among many others.
Sanatorium Coffeiur
Back in the UK, I visited Mr Toads Courthouse, and also met with new-to-the-UK explorer Nikokas to explore some local ruinous churches, as well as revisiting Harwich forts.
Mr Toads Courthouse
Harwich (Priority7, UrbanX, & Nikokas)
December
Around 30 of us descend on Severalls, all dressed as Santa! Was a wicked day, and an excellent way to round off a year. Seeing strangers introducing themselves to each other, no politics, no ego. Was great to see a few old faces, and meet many new ones.
I can't really say what my 'Best explore' or 'Highlight was, everything above was a highlight! Besides how can you compare the intimacy of a cottage filled with personal effects to Battersea Power Station! So here's the "low lights"!
Low-light of the year: Seeing Osfa go through a floor, oh and having to share a bed with Priority 7.
Best Bust of the year: Sticking my head out a manhole to find three mates and a security guard all laughing their heads off (Piscine Solvay)
Worst Bust of the year: Armed Police @ Chappel Anciens
All in all I have been lucky enough to visit 10 countries across three continents, and successfully explore forty plus great sites, meeting some truly inspirational people along the way! Here's to many more in 2014!
What were your exploring highs? and lows? What was the weirdest bit? What do you hope for next year?
2013 has been yet another mad year for me.
One of my new years resolutions was to get out and meet as many new explorers I could from all over the world.
I feel I certainly managed it! Here are some of the new faces I met this year!
January
I went to meet Ramsgatonian down in Kent, and got the year off to a bang with a high risk borrowing of a 747!
UrbanX and Ramsgatonian on board a 747
February
I met up with Journalism student Samuel Thompson: I don't normally accept such offers from the journalist, but being a thoroughly nice chap, and not being scared to throw himself into it - plus he was awfully flattering (see below) and flattery gets you everywhere.
We spent a day exploring various mansions. I was pleased to hear a few months later that he received a First for this assignment.
A still from Samuels assignment
March
March took me to Europe, on the "Belgium Waffle Tour" Meeting Osfa from the Netherlands. We ploughed through snow and ice (literally) to explore sites like Eylenbosh brewery, Hof Van B, Maison Trees, Grande Moulin De Paris, Home Sweet Home, St. Hilarius Monestary, Farmhouse Tapioca, L'Ecole Laberinth, and Villa Hector.
St. Hilarius
UrbanX at Eylenbosch in the snow
Meeting European explorers at Ecole Laberinthe
May
May took me across to Berlin to meet up with Nobody, to conquer the 1936 Nazi olympic village, and scale Kaserne E (Jag barracks) Returning to the UK I met a new mix of UK explorers to tackle the mighty Battersea Power Station.
Nobody and UrbanX at Kaserne E
Battersea Power Station
June
I went on a more 'traditional' exploring trip (i.e. not urban) to the Arctic Circle, somewhere I've always wanted to go. The sun never set in the 2 weeks I was there, constant daylight! Which actually helped, as one of my main aspirations was to cross the second largest Ice glacier in the world in a Toyota Aygo!
UrbanX in The Arctic rocking a UE Mag T-Shirt
July
I was drawn back to Europe to meet with our overseas brethren, on what we termed the "Be Brave tour" The name lived up to it's reputation, and we somehow managed to hit 23 sites in one weekend, with varying levels of success. The highs of Chateau Champagne, and Villa Walfahrt, and Sanatorium Diablo, against the lows of being busted three times, including by Belgiums finest armed unit. We still emerged with 13 epic explores under our belt!
Chapelle Anciens with Belgiums finest armed response unit
August
I took myself off to the other side of the world, literally, to meet with Azyure, head of the Singapore exploring movement. It was fantastic to spend an evening with him showing me some of the hidden history behind Singapore. Here we are at the building of the Singapore F1 track.
Azyure & UrbanX inside the F1 track
September
I took myself off to Gloucester to meet up with explorer Senbell, we explored the old docks, Hill House, and Windrush Hotel. I also soloed Harwich Fort after picking up a new GoPro Camera.
Windrush Hotel
October
Guess what... Europe again! This time with a different mix of UK explorers, on the "Biscuit Tin Tour". We must be getting better, because we didn't get caught once. We travelled an epic 1,750Km to revisit Chateau Lumiere by moonlight, and the immaculate Sanatorium de Coffeur . We also managed to cross off Piscine Solvay (where we got busted in July) among many others.
Sanatorium Coffeiur
Back in the UK, I visited Mr Toads Courthouse, and also met with new-to-the-UK explorer Nikokas to explore some local ruinous churches, as well as revisiting Harwich forts.
Mr Toads Courthouse
Harwich (Priority7, UrbanX, & Nikokas)
December
Around 30 of us descend on Severalls, all dressed as Santa! Was a wicked day, and an excellent way to round off a year. Seeing strangers introducing themselves to each other, no politics, no ego. Was great to see a few old faces, and meet many new ones.
I can't really say what my 'Best explore' or 'Highlight was, everything above was a highlight! Besides how can you compare the intimacy of a cottage filled with personal effects to Battersea Power Station! So here's the "low lights"!
Low-light of the year: Seeing Osfa go through a floor, oh and having to share a bed with Priority 7.
Best Bust of the year: Sticking my head out a manhole to find three mates and a security guard all laughing their heads off (Piscine Solvay)
Worst Bust of the year: Armed Police @ Chappel Anciens
All in all I have been lucky enough to visit 10 countries across three continents, and successfully explore forty plus great sites, meeting some truly inspirational people along the way! Here's to many more in 2014!
