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The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘There's no rules!' A day out on an adult school trip
Ah, the school trip. Long bus journeys, packed lunches and a chance to escape the shackles of the day-to-day routine. It has been a good 18 years since I last went on an excursion of this kind, but this weekend I've signed up for my own school trip of sorts: an adult day out with the First Timers Club (FTC). Instead of a teacher, it's led by Penny Jordan, 30, who founded FTC in 2023 with two friends. What started as a way to try out new experiences soon blossomed into a collective of like-minded people in Melbourne, with a social media following of roughly 30,000 and chapters in Sydney and London. Welcoming everyone, Jordan delivers news that any school child would be ecstatic to hear: 'There's no rules today … Just have fun!' We've met in Melbourne's inner north and are heading to Phillip Island for the annual Island Whale festival, a celebration of the majestic creatures timed to coincide with their migration from Antarctica to warmer waters in the north. While the stated aim of the trip is to glimpse some whales, most people are here to find something else: connection with others. About three quarters of those attending today are at their first event. 'It's nice to try new activities that I wouldn't normally do solo. And having it all organised while meeting new people really takes the mental load out of it,' says Julia Caissutti, 30, who has been to several FTC events. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Once on the coach I get talking with a lovely woman named Steph. Despite a distinct lack of caffeine and it being not long after 8am, chatter buzzes around us. It's a sharp contrast to the tram I took to the meeting point, where everyone was buried in their own worlds, barely making eye contact. About an hour into the journey, we stop at Caldermeade Farm for a toilet break. At this point, it really does feel like a school trip: walking around petting farm animals, I feel as if I've regressed about 25 years – not necessarily a bad thing. After we leave the farm, the school comparisons end. We arrive in Phillip Island, dappled by the soft winter sun, and Jordan welcomes the group, gives us some background information, then invites us to go off and explore the town of Cowes unsupervised. Left to roam free, I hang out with a group I got chatting to at the farm. We visit the stalls in the festival hub, then have lunch on the foreshore and try to spot some whales. Despite recent sightings, we don't have much luck, but the chat is more than enough entertainment. I'm struck by everyone's warmth and friendliness. 'Trying to meet new people as an adult is hard,' says Ben Paz, 27. 'Usually if you join a community it can feel like it's already set and you're coming into their space. With this, everyone's on equal ground. It's so inclusive.' Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Later, I catch up with Jordan and ask how it's going. 'I have to remind myself everyone's an adult, they'll just go off and do their own thing,' she says. 'Everyone who comes to these events is just so up for anything.' That's what strikes me as special about this day. I'll admit I had preconceptions about what the day would be like and who would attend. Although almost a quarter of Australians say they want to make new friends, people who are actively looking for friends still conjure up a less than favourable image: awkward or shy types. This group is the exact opposite: a self-selecting congregation who are willing to give up a day of their time to make new connections. Those with less commitment to the cause are absent, and the result is akin to a warm hug. After lunch we stop at another whale viewing point, once again to no avail. But on the bus back to Melbourne no one feels cheated by the lack of marine life. The day has met the brief. Many of us exchange contact details and hatch plans to go to an event independent of FTC next month. Almost everyone I speak to says they plan to attend another First Timers event as well. I'd happily join them. Like whales, we've formed a pod. The journalist attended as a guest of Visit Victoria
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
‘Wake up curious about the world!' Readers' tips for regaining your sense of adventure
As we get older, many of us feel like we lose our sense of adventure. Busy lives can leave us feeling exhausted, while increasing responsibilities leave little room for more intrepid pursuits. But maintaining an adventurous perspective is one of the best ways to keep life exciting. With this in mind, we asked readers to share their tips for reigniting a sense of adventure. Here are 10 of the best suggestions: This year I made a resolution to do at least one new thing every month. So far I've tried a flotation tank, tarot, reiki and axe-throwing, and appeared on a podcast. And I am going to an over-30s day rave. Acupuncture, a sound bath and reformer pilates are also on the list. I've heard that, when you're a child, one reason time feels slower is the abundance of new experiences. This year has definitely felt longer to me – in a good way. I've made more of it and had fun trying things I otherwise might never have gotten around to. Becky Colley, UX design consultant, Manchester Wake up curious about the world. Avoid the grumpy vortex at all costs and challenge yourself when you start to feel grouchy. Be open to learning. Keep reviewing your life's balance … do you have the right amount of social activity, charity work, fitness and flexibility? If not, make a plan to be a more balanced and content person, ensuring you still have enough energy for the adventure. Em Elphick, former police officer, Oxford My wife and I began backpacking a few years ago, in our 50s. I was a Boy Scout in the 70s, so I had backpacked many times when I was young, but never as an adult. It's such an easy, cost-effective way to spend your vacation time – plus it's healthy and rewarding. The upfront cost of purchasing quality lightweight gear can be steep, but once you've got your kit, the only expenses are the cost to travel to your hiking destination, your backpacking meals and stove fuel. We both thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, plus numerous other trails closer to home. There is nothing that builds confidence like going into the wilderness for a week and surviving with only the items you're carrying in your pack. I highly recommend that young people take up backpacking so they can see the natural world while still physically able. I wish I had done so back in my 20s. 'Jedi', New York Adventure does not have to be grand or ostentatious. You can adventure daily – as long as you are having fun, getting out of your comfort zone and being present in the moment. My recent adventures upon retirement have included: taking an improv acting class; joining an adult softball league; substitute teaching (never a dull moment!) and starting my own business. Virginia Leoni, retired teacher, Oregon I stopped flying in 2019 because of the climate crisis and, with my husband and two children (aged 11 and eight), have found a new sense of adventure in slow travel to Europe. Being rocked to sleep in a bunk aboard a clanking train and waking to see the sun rise in another country is magical. There is so much learned along the way: how to navigate train timetables, what to do when things go wrong, the idiosyncrasies of different cultures. Train travel to far-flung destinations is more difficult than flying – and all the more rewarding for it. Our children embrace the challenge so much more enthusiastically than we would have predicted. Hannah Stanton, school streets officer, Manchester Get in the sea! I grew up near the coast, always loved swimming as a kid. Then life got in the way: I discovered partying and struggled to hold down jobs and responsibilities. For years, I had a recurring dream about floating in really cold water and feeling so calm and at ease. I realised I needed to swim again – but since I find the noise and smells and people in swimming pools hard to cope with, I tried the sea. Now I'm addicted to it. My husband, Paul, and I moved to the coast last year, partly because of my desire to be in the sea. It has changed my life. Claire Dearden, Northumberland Make time for people of all ages. If you only hang out with people around your age, you all have a similar worldview. Being around different generations gives you a different perspective – and this keeps your sense of adventure alive. It's easy to slip into a routine – but then you blink and you've gone two years without doing anything out of the ordinary. Recently, my youngest wanted to go up a mountain to see the snow. I wasn't keen but was so glad I made the effort. Kymon Hill, managing director of a catering company, New Plymouth, New Zealand Around menopause I moved toward what I call 'inner adventure'. I really began to meditate with discipline and purpose. I went on long silent retreats, exploring breathwork and other techniques. At first, I still did lots of travelling and music events. Now, the inner explorations are far more exciting and have brought me to a level of contentment and happiness I never would have even imagined. Quilley Powers, retired social worker, paralegal and meditation retreat manager, California, US You don't need to go all out to experience adventure. Images of surfers riding overhead waves or skiers funnelling through couloirs can be inspiring – but also intimidating. I took a surf lesson on waves that were all of shin-high, not expecting much, but the sheer thrill of it was on par with my best skiing days in St Anton. I looked terrible, and probably got a few laughs, but being lost in a new experience in my 50s made the rest of the world dissipate for a few perfect moments. Isn't that what we're all really seeking in adventure? Duff Armour, artist, Quebec When I retired at 60, my wife, Lynne, bought me a good-quality, mid-priced off-road bike. Every ride has become an adventure and I do it whenever I can – mostly alone, but occasionally with friends or family, and once a week with a group. As my wife rarely cycles, I use my cycle routes to plot walks we can do together. My outlook on life has improved, and I am getting plenty of exercise and fresh air, as well as meeting new people. Occasionally I come to a dead end, but more often than not I discover a new trail that I add to my ever-expanding library of adventures. David Cross, retired IT manager, Buckinghamshire
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
‘Wake up curious about the world!' Readers' tips for regaining your sense of adventure
As we get older, many of us feel like we lose our sense of adventure. Busy lives can leave us feeling exhausted, while increasing responsibilities leave little room for more intrepid pursuits. But maintaining an adventurous perspective is one of the best ways to keep life exciting. With this in mind, we asked readers to share their tips for reigniting a sense of adventure. Here are 10 of the best suggestions: This year I made a resolution to do at least one new thing every month. So far I've tried a flotation tank, tarot, reiki and axe-throwing, and appeared on a podcast. And I am going to an over-30s day rave. Acupuncture, a sound bath and reformer pilates are also on the list. I've heard that, when you're a child, one reason time feels slower is the abundance of new experiences. This year has definitely felt longer to me – in a good way. I've made more of it and had fun trying things I otherwise might never have gotten around to. Becky Colley, UX design consultant, Manchester Wake up curious about the world. Avoid the grumpy vortex at all costs and challenge yourself when you start to feel grouchy. Be open to learning. Keep reviewing your life's balance … do you have the right amount of social activity, charity work, fitness and flexibility? If not, make a plan to be a more balanced and content person, ensuring you still have enough energy for the adventure. Em Elphick, former police officer, Oxford My wife and I began backpacking a few years ago, in our 50s. I was a Boy Scout in the 70s, so I had backpacked many times when I was young, but never as an adult. It's such an easy, cost-effective way to spend your vacation time – plus it's healthy and rewarding. The upfront cost of purchasing quality lightweight gear can be steep, but once you've got your kit, the only expenses are the cost to travel to your hiking destination, your backpacking meals and stove fuel. We both thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, plus numerous other trails closer to home. There is nothing that builds confidence like going into the wilderness for a week and surviving with only the items you're carrying in your pack. I highly recommend that young people take up backpacking so they can see the natural world while still physically able. I wish I had done so back in my 20s. 'Jedi', New York Adventure does not have to be grand or ostentatious. You can adventure daily – as long as you are having fun, getting out of your comfort zone and being present in the moment. My recent adventures upon retirement have included: taking an improv acting class; joining an adult softball league; substitute teaching (never a dull moment!) and starting my own business. Virginia Leoni, retired teacher, Oregon I stopped flying in 2019 because of the climate crisis and, with my husband and two children (aged 11 and eight), have found a new sense of adventure in slow travel to Europe. Being rocked to sleep in a bunk aboard a clanking train and waking to see the sun rise in another country is magical. There is so much learned along the way: how to navigate train timetables, what to do when things go wrong, the idiosyncrasies of different cultures. Train travel to far-flung destinations is more difficult than flying – and all the more rewarding for it. Our children embrace the challenge so much more enthusiastically than we would have predicted. Hannah Stanton, school streets officer, Manchester Get in the sea! I grew up near the coast, always loved swimming as a kid. Then life got in the way: I discovered partying and struggled to hold down jobs and responsibilities. For years, I had a recurring dream about floating in really cold water and feeling so calm and at ease. I realised I needed to swim again – but since I find the noise and smells and people in swimming pools hard to cope with, I tried the sea. Now I'm addicted to it. My husband, Paul, and I moved to the coast last year, partly because of my desire to be in the sea. It has changed my life. Claire Dearden, Northumberland Make time for people of all ages. If you only hang out with people around your age, you all have a similar worldview. Being around different generations gives you a different perspective – and this keeps your sense of adventure alive. It's easy to slip into a routine – but then you blink and you've gone two years without doing anything out of the ordinary. Recently, my youngest wanted to go up a mountain to see the snow. I wasn't keen but was so glad I made the effort. Kymon Hill, managing director of a catering company, New Plymouth, New Zealand Around menopause I moved toward what I call 'inner adventure'. I really began to meditate with discipline and purpose. I went on long silent retreats, exploring breathwork and other techniques. At first, I still did lots of travelling and music events. Now, the inner explorations are far more exciting and have brought me to a level of contentment and happiness I never would have even imagined. Quilley Powers, retired social worker, paralegal and meditation retreat manager, California, US You don't need to go all out to experience adventure. Images of surfers riding overhead waves or skiers funnelling through couloirs can be inspiring – but also intimidating. I took a surf lesson on waves that were all of shin-high, not expecting much, but the sheer thrill of it was on par with my best skiing days in St Anton. I looked terrible, and probably got a few laughs, but being lost in a new experience in my 50s made the rest of the world dissipate for a few perfect moments. Isn't that what we're all really seeking in adventure? Duff Armour, artist, Quebec When I retired at 60, my wife, Lynne, bought me a good-quality, mid-priced off-road bike. Every ride has become an adventure and I do it whenever I can – mostly alone, but occasionally with friends or family, and once a week with a group. As my wife rarely cycles, I use my cycle routes to plot walks we can do together. My outlook on life has improved, and I am getting plenty of exercise and fresh air, as well as meeting new people. Occasionally I come to a dead end, but more often than not I discover a new trail that I add to my ever-expanding library of adventures. David Cross, retired IT manager, Buckinghamshire
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
My husband's secret fantasy has broken me. Friends say it's a harmless kink all men have - but I know the truth behind it: ASK JANA
Dear Jana, My husband recently suggested we try something new in the bedroom, a bit of light roleplay.
