Recently, I was featured in the Sunday Times, reflecting on a life that, in many ways, has been spent outside rather than in.

It felt slightly surreal reading it back.

Not because it wasn’t accurate, but because it made me stop and think about just how much of my life has been shaped by rivers, mountains, and the simple rhythm of being outdoors.

There was a time when I was camping for most of the year. Guiding trips, travelling, moving from one place to the next. Sleeping under what I’ve always called a “million-star hotel”, waking with the sound of the river, the sun coming up, and not much else to think about other than the day ahead.

It’s a simple way of living. But it’s also a powerful one.

You become more present. More aware of your surroundings. And perhaps most importantly, more connected to the people you’re sharing the experience with.

That feeling has never really left me.

From Guiding Rivers to Building Water By Nature

Those early years of guiding in New Zealand, Nepal, Africa, and beyond, weren’t just about the rivers. They were about the people, the places, and the sense of journey.

Water By Nature grew out of that.

Not from a business plan sitting behind a desk, but from years of being out there and understanding what makes a trip memorable, what people take away from it, and why these experiences matter.

Today, the trips are more structured. There’s planning, logistics, and a lot that happens behind the scenes.

But the core idea hasn’t changed:

Take people to remarkable places, travel well, and let the experience speak for itself.

What These Trips Are Really Like

Recently, Alice Morrison joined us on the Ahansel River in Morocco and recorded a podcast about the experience.

It’s a great listen. Not because it’s polished, but because it’s real.

She talks about the river, the landscapes, the rhythm of the days… and quite a bit about the food.

Which always seems to surprise people.

There’s an assumption that expedition travel means roughing it. In reality, it’s quite the opposite. After a full day on the river, sitting down to a proper meal, cooked fresh and shared together, becomes one of the highlights.

There’s also a slightly unexpected story involving Reuben, a goat, and a set of shears which probably says everything you need to know about how these trips unfold.

It’s those moments, unplanned, slightly chaotic, and always memorable, that tend to define the experience and it’s what our guests remember.

Why It Still Matters

In a world where travel can often feel rushed, crowded, and over-curated, there’s something valuable in doing things a little differently.

Taking your time.
Travelling in small groups.
Being in places where there’s space to think, to breathe, and to properly switch off.

That’s what these trips offer.

Whether it’s:

• A remote river journey through the Himalayas on the Tamur
• Exploring one of the deepest canyons in the world on the Cotahuasi in Peru
• Or flying into the wilderness to raft the Magpie River in Canada

Each trip is different. But the underlying idea is the same.

It’s not just about where you go. It’s about how you experience it.

A Couple of Pieces You Might Enjoy

If you’d like a bit more insight into the story behind it all:

Sunday Times Feature
A look back at a life spent travelling, guiding, and building Water By Nature:
Read The Sunday Times Piece

Podcast – Ahansel River, Morocco
A relaxed, honest conversation about life on the river (and the food):
Podcast Link

Looking Ahead

These days, life is a balance.

Time at home, running the business, and still getting out onto the river or the water whenever I can.

But that same pull towards wild places is still there.

And if anything, it feels more relevant now than ever.

If you’re curious about any of the trips mentioned, or just want to find out more, feel free to get in touch.