Spring Builders: Toby Patrick

Where to Go in Alaska and What You Need to Survive a Hiking Trip

Toby Patrick — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:20:29 +0000

Located in the north of the USA and separated from Canada, Alaska is the largest US state by area but the 3rd least populous due to its extreme conditions. Although these harsh conditions make Alaska a difficult place to live, with harsh winters and extreme weather conditions, they also make Alaska one of the most naturally beautiful places in the country. Apart from its harsh weather, Alaska is home to its massive glaciers, wild deciduous forest, and North America's tallest peak, Denali.

So, if you're planning a hike in Alaska soon and want to know where to go and what you need to survive the trip, here is what you need, from experience, to successfully trek around that beautiful state.

Eagle River Nature Centre- To venture into the Alaskan wilderness, the Eagle River Nature Centre is a great place to go, as you can see all the wilderness has to offer without the huge mountain hikes. With trails ranging from an easy 45-minute hike to 5-hour trips and even 2- to 3-day hikes such as the Crow Pass Trail Run. The thing that makes this hike in particular special is that it trails through the Alaskan wilderness, which is not manicured, venturing over tree routes an through mud. You will see rivers, streams, wetlands and mountain scenery with opportunities to see local wildlife such as moose and otters.

Overall, the Eagle River Nature Sanctuary is an amazing spot to explore the Alaskan woods and all of its wildlife in a way that you feel immersed, with routes that are made for every type of hiker looking for different types of adventure

Tips and tricks that you need to survive the trip

Non-cotton layering system- with the temperature in Alaska ranging from 15 degrees in the summer and -20 in the winter, meaning that you're wearing the correct layers is essential. Try to avoid cotton material and instead wear insulating synthetic or wool layers and a durable waterproof jacket to protect yourself against wind and cold.

Bear spray- as many know, the Alaskan wilderness is not to be messed with, with bears being a real threat on hikes. This means that if you are hiking, you should also carry some kind of strong bear repellent with you in case the occasion does arise. If you are travelling from outside the country, such as those with British citizenship, then buy this on arrival as it is illegal to carry on planes.

Satellite communicator- when trekking and hiking in such remote places, such as in the Egle River Nature Centre or high up on the exit glacier, it's important that you carry a satellite communicator to transmit coordinates and call for search and rescue in areas with no cell service.

How to Design a Home That Caters to All 5 Senses

Toby Patrick — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:50:33 +0000

So, you’ve been settled into your home for a little while now. The ‘new home’ smell has started to wear off, and things are starting to feel a little stale. So now, the place is in need of a refresh. Not a complete top-to-bottom makeover or anything; just enough of a redesign to breathe some new life into those four walls.

After you’ve been out at work all day, you deserve to relax in a place that feels distinctly personal, that gives you a real sense of satisfaction. Well, one hack that I’ve come up with to achieve this is to design a home that caters to all five senses. I know, it might sound like a bit of a gimmick, but hear me out. When you make sure that your home’s sights, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes are all aligned in a deliberate way, you’ll create a unified experience that complements each and every sense.

Visual Cohesion

The key to getting visuals right is to plan in advance and make sure you have a clear visual direction for your home. Make sure you have a colour palette, inspire yourself with Pinterest boards, and minimise clutter in favour of just having a few select pieces, like framed art on the walls or custom photo books atop the coffee table.

If you have a favourite colour that is on the bolder side, but desperately want to find ways to incorporate it into your interiors, then focus on highlights or secondary colours, rather than your walls and sofa, or primary colours. Think about cushions, vases, photo frames. Splitting up colours into these separate groups, with different weighting, will help create a more considered, unified space.

Textures With a Touch More Depth

Make sure your house isn’t flat. Incorporate groups of different textures by focusing on things like natural textures, e.g. linen and wool, or polished surfaces like stone worktops and stone floors. Consider how you can also factor wall art into this too. Framed paintings or prints can come off as more sophisticated or polished, while canvas prints will fit in nicely among more naturalistic textures.

Don’t forget about textured rugs under coffee tables, fluffy blankets to sofas, and woven baskets if you need an easy win here. If you’re lucky enough to have some exposed brick already, then lucky you! The rest of us will have to risk destroying our walls, but it’s probably worth it.

Your Soundscape

This one is a little more subjective, but if you want to relax in your own haven of relaxation, then it would be hard to say no to the trickle of a natural water feature in the garden, or to a set of appropriately placed wind chimes.

Personally, I love music, and I play a little guitar myself, so naturally there is always music playing through my house. The genres, artists and songs you choose will be completely up to you, but I think that the best thing you can do here is invest in a proper sound system. Nowadays, a soundbar with surround sound capabilities is relatively inexpensive.

If you prefer something a little more on the vintage side, then you can get a solid record player new for two figures. The authentic pops and scratches will definitely balance well within a house where nostalgic authenticity is the dominant goal.

Homey Aromas

We all want our homes to smell good. I’d say it’s something of a dark horse on this list. If you can get it right, then you’ll feel a huge difference being at home. I’d recommend doing something of a deep dive when it comes to finding the right reed diffusers, candles and sprays. Find the ones that you love the most, and spread them among different rooms to give each one its own personality.

Tastes

Taste is the ugly duckling on this list. It’s trickier to implement, but I’ve still found ways to make my home target my taste buds in the best ways. Start by having a kitchen that actually inspires you to cook your favourite foods – you’ll be amazed by how proficient you can be when the environment you’re in supports you. Secondly, if you have a garden space, grow your own produce. The result will be you and your home working together to create your own flavours. Start off small, with a versatile fruit or vegetable that you’ll actually eat, like tomatoes, before branching out from there.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! I hope this article can help inspire you to give your home a refresh that manages to cater to each and every sense in specific, thoughtful ways. Whether you’re sticking to a particular colour palette, focusing on natural textures and sounds, or lighting your favourite candle every night, I have no doubts that your house will start to feel more like your home very soon.

How Modern Cities Are Transforming Water Management for a Sustainable Future

Toby Patrick — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:29:09 +0000

Water is one of the most valuable resources in a city, yet it is one of the least visible. With growing populations and climate change creating new pressures, traditional systems are being pushed to the limits. This is why most cities are adopting solutions to find smarter and more sustainable ways to manage water. Modern cities respond with smarter and more sustainable ways to manage water.

The Growing Challenge of Urban Water

There is enormous pressure on water supplies because of the rapid growth of urbanisation. With growing populations across the world, there is more demand for clean water for businesses, homes, industries, sanitation and public spaces. Climate change is altering rainfall patterns and increasing extreme weather events.

Some cities face prolonged droughts, while other cities will often experience heavy rainfall and potential flooding. In addition to this, ageing pipes create multiple problems, as leaks will waste valuable treated water before it reaches consumers.

These problems have made it very clear to cities that increasing supply will resolve the issues of shortages. Instead, the main goal should be to become more efficient at managing the water they already have.

Smart Technology Is Changing Water Management

One of the best ways for these cities to be more efficient with their water supply is the use of smart technology. Developed countries are installing infrastructure with sensors that identify any changes in pressure or flow, helping authorities locate leaks faster than traditional methods.

Smart water meters help households and businesses understand how much water they use. Network sensors will identify unusual changes in pressure or flow, helping authorities locate leaks faster than traditional methods.

Artificial intelligence and data analytics will take this technology further. By analysing the data, the water authorities can predict water supply demand, identify infrastructure failures and make better decisions about water distribution.

Rather than following a cycle of extracting, using and discarding water, cities are beginning to create circular systems in which water is treated and reused.

Turning Wastewater Into a Resource

For decades, wastewater has been viewed as something that must be removed and treated. Now, that attitude with governments is changing. We are now seeing modern treatment technologies that are capable of cleaning wastewater to a very high standard. This means it can then be reused for irrigation, industrial processes where ultrapure water is required, landscaping and toilet flushing. In some instances, the best technology is even capable of making the water suitable for drinking.

The reason why this is so good is that it reduces pressures on rivers, reservoirs, and underground supplies. Additionally, it can provide cities with an additional supply of water, even during hot summers where some countries experience droughts. Modern cities are now adopting circular systems where water can be reused. This means that they no longer need to stick to the usual process of extracting, using and discarding water.

Making Space for Rainwater

In the past, cities have relied on concrete roads, underground pipes, and drainage systems to move rainwater away and stop floods. Now, that is to change with urban planners utilising nature for modern solutions.

Rain gardens, green roofs, wetlands, urban forests and permeable pavements are all able to absorb and slow down rainwater. Instead of the water going straight into the drainage system, these features are able to soak the water into the ground, which can then be stored for later use.

Preparing For Climate Change

Climate change has made resilience a central part of urban water planning. The cities no longer assume historical weather patterns will continue. Additionally, cities that are experiencing more droughts should be looking to reduce consumption of water. On top of this, a city that faces heavier rainfall will need to manage sudden surges of water.

Resilience is built on a combination of methods such as water conservation, recycling, improved storage, upgraded infrastructure and natural flood protection. The goal for cities is to be proactive with their methods and also be ready for when they do need to adapt.

Building The Future For Smart Water Cities

The future of water management all depends on cities treating water as a valuable resource rather than something that can simply be used and discarded.

Smart technologies will help these cities identify where the water is lost. Additionally, recycling wastewater can be used for other purposes. Even installing green infrastructure will help to reduce floods and support natural water cycles.

Better planning will prepare communities for uncertain conditions created by climate change. Together, these approaches are creating a new vision for urban water management: one that is more efficient, resilient and environmentally responsible.

As cities continue to grow, the question should no longer be how much water can be produced for the city. Instead, it should be more about what infrastructure needs to be put in place to be more efficient with the water that we have. Cities that embrace this change will protect communities, support economic growth, and support healthier, more resilient urban communities to help build a sustainable future for the younger generations.