A delightful, autumnal stroll east ...with nothing in my pocket
Added 2025-11-12 19:20:44 +0000 UTCA couple of weeks ago I was trying to decide which out of my long list of $4 Patreon adventure ideas I would film the next day. I toiled with the decision on and off for a few of hours, but in the end I decided to sack them all off and simply follow my heart instead. The result was an idea as old as time, as simple as it gets, and as tried as tested as you like. I was to simply walk east.
I've often maintained that such a simplistic endeavor will, without fail, result in a story of some kind. This beautiful autumnal day offered no exception.
Join me as I roam east into the remote Staffordshire countryside and beyond, and in doing so:
-unearth fascinating nuggets of history in remote and ancient churchyards
-assist a lost stranger
-attempt a couple of daring river crossings
-narrowly avoid shitting myself in public
-discover an incredible walled garden
-embark on a desperate search for food which ends in comical fashion
-invent a new variation of the straight line mission called "steeple hopping"
Enjoy everyone!
Next two videos will be slightly different...
Comments
must have missed this one when it came out, such a simple concept yet so enjoyable. could watch 100 of these haha
Ryun Rich
2026-01-21 16:00:25 +0000 UTCHands down one of the best videos you’ve done! More please! Such a simple idea yet kinda genius 👍🏻 and the history of all these random tiny places is fascinating. Been watching for years and recently re-watched your Black Country no roads mission and as a tram driver is was rather interesting to see you run through our depot. Keep it up dude 😎
CherryHead
2025-12-14 01:12:06 +0000 UTCTom, have you EVER netted a goal on your channel?
Dustin Geddes
2025-12-08 05:23:33 +0000 UTCyeah please do a video about phones/screens
violentbob
2025-11-30 10:22:09 +0000 UTCI’ve been obsessed with your adventure videos ever since I started watching two years ago. I had to subscribe to the Patreon so I wouldn’t miss any. Keep up the good work Tom. 🫡
Matt
2025-11-27 23:38:20 +0000 UTCHow far was the walk, in the end?
Dave
2025-11-27 23:08:50 +0000 UTCTom id really like to see that video about screens, I am myself struggling with my screen time , been thinking of switching to a “dumbphone”
Amit Elimelech
2025-11-27 14:38:16 +0000 UTCI've only just joined the patreon Tom, and best decision I've made honestly. You've been my favourite creator for years now and I truly admire your work. You've single handedly given me confidence to go out and explore and I can't thank you enough. Lichfield and the Staffordshire countryside are both brilliant places to be, even in the dead of winter. Keep doing your stuff mate, it's helped me a ton
Nate
2025-11-27 14:17:15 +0000 UTCSadly the village shop has died a bit of a death in modern times!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:51:06 +0000 UTCI know, and i could have always driven back there and given them a fiver. I just hate the thought of appearing to be a freeloader. And maybe on a deep subconscious level I just wanted to get to the pub!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:50:26 +0000 UTCYou couldn't be more correct. It just hijacks your brain completely and puts you in a zombie like state of mild addiction. had a similar experience when i lost my phone in Kielder forest. So freeing isn't it!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:48:58 +0000 UTCCheers Raymond it's nice to get some more thoughts on the matter. I think i'm pretty intend on switching to dumb phone and documenting my experience!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:46:41 +0000 UTCCheers for watching both - ah you're just down the road!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:46:01 +0000 UTCYeah I completely understand. I am definitely blessed to live where I do and the mad thing is almost everyone around here completely takes it for granted. Still, keep exploring - you might be surprised what or who you encounter in that Dutch countryside! Cheers Ewoud
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:45:23 +0000 UTCNah I wiped my arse with it. When i said nothing in my pocket I bloody meant it!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:43:56 +0000 UTCThanks Stuart! glad you enjoyed. The British countryside is truly the greatest place on earth. Just steer clear of the cities lol
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:43:16 +0000 UTCYou're absolutely right James! who'd have thought it. I've got to do this properly..
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:42:08 +0000 UTChaha no way! why did I have to venture over the Mease and into Derbyshire.. Chilcote, now that is so damn remote. I'll have to venture over that way again and bring a packed lunch next time!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:41:41 +0000 UTCThanks man!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:40:24 +0000 UTCCoros pace 3 I believe Flo!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:38:40 +0000 UTCI've just purchased a dumb phone and i'm in the process of setting everything up / making a few purchases so that I hopefully don't feel the need to relapse to the smart phone. There will be a video at some point!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:38:14 +0000 UTCCheers Jack you're too kind!
tom davies
2025-11-24 13:36:25 +0000 UTCabsolutely 2nd-ing this.. would love this crossover!
simon
2025-11-21 16:35:04 +0000 UTCIn America, if a town had two people in it one of them would open a store lol, can’t imagine a place with nothing for convenience…
JJ Bullock
2025-11-20 08:55:07 +0000 UTCIf anything refusing the soup at that point is worse than taking it and not paying. She's doing it for a good deed, I doubt she was in it for the 3 quid.
Perry Bishop
2025-11-18 09:32:37 +0000 UTCTotally with you on the phone thing. Recently my phone got water damaged the evening before a return flight to manchester. Thought I was done for but actually it was so nice travelling without it once I had my boarding pass and train tickets printed. I wasn't stressing about keeping it charged etc, on top of all of the exhausting and anxiety inducing social media distractions (at least for me!). Got reading through loads of my book and I was getting round central manchester with a little pocket map from smiths. Made a boring trip into a little adventure really. They sell you the illusion of convenience by making it a tool for everything, which makes every task a hook for bringing your attention back in.
Joseph
2025-11-17 18:25:37 +0000 UTCHave you thought about doing some stealth camps think you’d have the balls to do some mad ones
Jamie Long
2025-11-16 23:45:37 +0000 UTCYou're not wrong about phones at the start of the video. I live quite remote in Sweden, so I'm lucky enough that when I'm out, I generally don't have any signal on my phone, so there's nothing that's pulling my attention to the phone. But the amount of things that try to grab your attention at all times of the day is quite bad. I personally don't really use any social media, but even then it's hard. If you can live without a (smart) phone, I absolutely would recommend it! A video about that journey would be interesting as well.
Raymond Benjamins
2025-11-16 15:25:43 +0000 UTCFantastic stuff Tom! Nowt worse than getting caught short 😄 We only live in Derbyshire and haven't heard of any of those villages! The pub looked decent. Might have to pay it a visit! Cheers 🍻
James and Laura
2025-11-16 12:01:00 +0000 UTCI do envy you at times Tom. Being able to just go out and about in nature basically right at your doorstep. We have nature here in the low lands of course but it's small and fenced off and one step and you are on a highway. I live in the "rural" part of The Netherlands and even I have trouble finding proper nature here or have a quiet countryside where you can just enjoy the air
Ashnakag
2025-11-14 20:48:17 +0000 UTCMe and my wife are debating how you used the egg carton. She thinks you wiped your arse with it, I think you used it to make a trench because obviously a seasoned explorer like you carries tissues 🤣
WRS
2025-11-14 20:32:15 +0000 UTCVery, very enjoyable. I’m seriously considering retuning to the UK and these videos just make me want to get back home! Thanks for sharing these wonderful journeys with us.
Stuart Duncan
2025-11-14 01:15:08 +0000 UTCI believe you stumbled onto the origin of steeplechase, the olympic athletics event!
James Barker
2025-11-13 22:24:41 +0000 UTCTom - that was truly amazing. Good old mate of mine is the vicar of the 5 churches along the Mease Valley. Elford. Edingale. Harlaston. Clifton Campville. Then you went steeple-chasing one more time. Surely you were going to complete the set - all 5 in one one day... BUT YOU TURNED NORTH TO LULLINGTON. Dang it, if you's carried on East you'd have have hit Chilcote - and probably trespassed the fields of another friend I'm due to meet on Monday. Oh, the opportunity missed ;-)
LordLard
2025-11-13 21:48:51 +0000 UTCThe little popcorn flies are probably Wooly Aphids :)
Imraduin
2025-11-13 21:28:22 +0000 UTCWhich gps watch do you have Tom?
Flo Rosset
2025-11-13 17:10:54 +0000 UTCGreat one as usual Tom! I have to say even tho the lack of food led you away from the planned ruote it was actually fun and interesting to see you search for a meal so I think at the end it worked out great. Btw I would love to hear your thoughts on screen addiction and the likes, it would be great content for patreon or even youtube. As for phones addiction I would recommend you looking into dumbphones, which could be like older flip phones and stuff like that or newer phones made with the purpose of providing only the essentials without any of the distracting/addicting things. Or simply dumbing down your own phone if one has the self control to stick to the limitations.
Emanuele Scintu
2025-11-13 16:18:20 +0000 UTCAbsolute blinder of a video - Cheers Tom!
Jack Young
2025-11-13 10:44:49 +0000 UTCThat's just what I want to hear John. Think I'm gonna take the plunge very soon. Glad you enjoyed the vid too. Cheers mate!
tom davies
2025-11-13 10:04:39 +0000 UTCIt went down an absolute treat. Ah really? maybe they all come out on the same day! still waiting for an ID on those!
tom davies
2025-11-13 10:04:06 +0000 UTCThanks Toby! glad you enjoyed. sorry about the swears. I tend not to block them out on patreon because I don't get punished for it money wise like on YouTube. Say hello to your son for me!
tom davies
2025-11-13 10:03:26 +0000 UTCThanks Ian. I think I'm gonna do a steeple hopping video. No map - see how far I can get and see what history I can unearth along the way too
tom davies
2025-11-13 10:02:32 +0000 UTCThanks Ashley that means a lot! I'll do more of these in the future
tom davies
2025-11-13 10:01:58 +0000 UTCCompletely agree. Sadly we seemed to have lost the art of proper debate. Stay tuned for the smartphone video!
tom davies
2025-11-13 10:01:39 +0000 UTCCheers Ben!
tom davies
2025-11-13 10:00:45 +0000 UTCThanks for confirming my suspicions. I'm excited about the prospect of freeing myself from these shackles. Good on you!
tom davies
2025-11-13 10:00:33 +0000 UTCAgreed Adam. I think a steeple hopping adventure is on the cards. See how far I can get.
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:59:52 +0000 UTCCheers Kara that's great to hear. It won't be the last!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:59:24 +0000 UTCCheers John that means a lot!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:59:04 +0000 UTCThat means a lot. Glad you enjoyed lass!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:58:55 +0000 UTCHad to Google those, but yeah definitely. Reminds me of RuneScape quests!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:58:35 +0000 UTCGo for it mate. It's even good in the winter - less crops, thorns and flies
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:56:26 +0000 UTCCheers Dave. Yeah I'm pretty sure I'm gonna make a video so stay tuned!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:55:57 +0000 UTCthey were definitely bugs of some sort but much darker than aphids it seemed. Nice idea! I'll have to try that one day. Maybe they'll sponsor me haha.
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:55:35 +0000 UTCCheers Matty enjoy!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:54:58 +0000 UTCSounds cosy. I'll bet it put you right to sleep!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:54:49 +0000 UTCEnjoy mate!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:54:00 +0000 UTCHope you enjoyed Mark, thank you!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:53:51 +0000 UTCYou're most welcome Luke. Hope you enjoyed.
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:53:35 +0000 UTCYou're all set for the winter now Jack
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:53:18 +0000 UTCYeah i'm thinking I could see how far I could get by only aiming for church steeples. No map, compass or anything!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:52:46 +0000 UTCCheers Bob, hope it delivered
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:51:59 +0000 UTCThanks JJ that's awfully sweet
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:51:45 +0000 UTCThank you Michael!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:50:33 +0000 UTCThank you for watching Adam!
tom davies
2025-11-13 09:50:23 +0000 UTCI enjoyed this--especially the footage of old churches and info about names. Incidentally, I swapped my smartphone for a brickphone a couple months ago. For me, anyway, it has been a great decision. Haven't regretted it once.
John Johnson
2025-11-13 05:26:56 +0000 UTCCheers Tom. God I love a pint of Bass! Bloody hell, I noticed a swarm of those tiny white flies near Melton Mowbray a few weeks back. They were getting themselves stuck on all the webs but the spiders didn't seem interested. Perhaps they aren't a Leicestershire delicacy...
Andrew Berridge (BrickDust)
2025-11-13 00:44:12 +0000 UTCMe and my little boy love your videos … he’s also been asking me to make a comment on them for ages, so now I have. Ps. I also agree RE your smartphone comments. PPS. This is another great video. Thank you
Toby Beard
2025-11-12 23:38:55 +0000 UTCI would 100% watch a series that was just looking around various old rural churches
Ian Waller
2025-11-12 23:29:33 +0000 UTCGenuinely one of your best videos yet lovely church's make you proud great vid
exploring with ashley
2025-11-12 22:07:41 +0000 UTCLove the video and totally agree about your views on smartphones! I love your content, the style and some of your values but strongly disagree with some of your political thoughts. I do, however, think it's important to engage with others who are different from ourselves: otherwise we're all buggered!
jma543 _
2025-11-12 21:56:12 +0000 UTCGood luck with your smartphone Geowizard!
Ben
2025-11-12 21:50:57 +0000 UTCgot rid of a smartphone Tom and it was the best thing I did. I have a dumb phone for my day to day in my pocket now. My smartphone actually lives at my computer desk, I keep it just so I can link to whatsapp on my computer and nothing else. But life has been very refreshing without constant social media in the pocket
Infensus
2025-11-12 21:37:59 +0000 UTCGreat video...maybe a proper church themed ep with a bit more exploring in the churches would make a great video. Love British churches in the countryside.
AdamC
2025-11-12 21:09:29 +0000 UTCEspecially love this style of video, a great pick me up!
Kara Dollard
2025-11-12 20:55:35 +0000 UTCA bit random but I've never seen another Dollard out in the wild that isn't in my immediate family lol
Kara Dollard
2025-11-12 20:54:57 +0000 UTCThanks Tom. Love these!
John Ricketts
2025-11-12 20:51:31 +0000 UTCThanks Tom - brightened up a dark November evening.
Wiltshire Lass
2025-11-12 20:49:38 +0000 UTCWhen you randomly picked up the egg carton, I immediately thought of point-and-click adventures. Amazing Monkey Island moment when you got to use it.
Phil
2025-11-12 20:48:31 +0000 UTCGreat video. I might need to give this a shot some weekend.
TS Niblock
2025-11-12 20:22:21 +0000 UTCLove these sort of vids. Also keen to hear more on your thoughts on screens/smartphones (dumbphones ftw)
Dave
2025-11-12 20:12:45 +0000 UTCI'm guessing that stuff you got on your hands was a load of mashed aphids. They swarm all over stems of plants and sticks. Really love the history interludes by the way. I sometimes go on Komoot and filter the map to show points of interest, then visit a few of them on a bike ride. Some of them are busts (e.g. old Time Team excavation that has been covered back up) but some of them are really cool. Found the remains of a Roman villa and a chunk of in tact mosaic floor in Spoonley woods near where I live in Cheltenham doing that.
Kieran B
2025-11-12 20:11:36 +0000 UTCNice one, Tom 👌
matty_boy
2025-11-12 20:03:10 +0000 UTCCheers Tom! Needed something to watch in my tent
ciaran martin
2025-11-12 19:59:36 +0000 UTCHere we go! Excited to watch it soon!
Metalkiddo
2025-11-12 19:54:15 +0000 UTCOooh exciting will be watching this very soon. TY Tom.
Mark Darlington
2025-11-12 19:46:25 +0000 UTCJust what I needed for a Wednesday evening. Thanks Tom
Luke Brown
2025-11-12 19:38:50 +0000 UTCThese adventures mean so much more when it’s pitch black outside. They’re a little hit of unconventional Vitamin D.
Jack Flash
2025-11-12 19:36:14 +0000 UTCSteeple hopping sounds interesting. Church to church would be a cool adventure through the countryside
SEAN CHAMBERLAIN
2025-11-12 19:34:09 +0000 UTCPleasant little wednesday surprise, nice one Rodney 👍
Bob
2025-11-12 19:33:43 +0000 UTCLove u
JJ Bullock
2025-11-12 19:23:47 +0000 UTCExcellent, pissing rain here, what better way to spend it than a take away dinner and Geo strolling around the country side 👍👍
james dollard
2025-11-12 19:23:38 +0000 UTCThanks tom
Michael Durkin
2025-11-12 19:22:38 +0000 UTCCheers Tom
AdamC
2025-11-12 19:22:36 +0000 UTC
