James Boulter
@bpackingbongos.bsky.social
My passion is seeking out the remote seldom trod places. Backpacking and Wild Camping. Work in nature conservation. ME/CFS limits me these days.
A new addition to our household. He / she is a juvenile Brachypelma auratum (Mexican Flame knee Tarantula). Small at around 5cm, but over the next few years could grow up to 15cm. Currently on the side of its enclosure watching me work…
January 15, 2026 at 3:14 PM
A new addition to our household. He / she is a juvenile Brachypelma auratum (Mexican Flame knee Tarantula). Small at around 5cm, but over the next few years could grow up to 15cm. Currently on the side of its enclosure watching me work…
Nottingham sunrise this morning.
January 4, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Nottingham sunrise this morning.
Jet lag at this time of year is less that ideal. Been up since 5am and sunrise is still a few hours away. Really feels like the middle of the night!
January 4, 2026 at 5:45 AM
Jet lag at this time of year is less that ideal. Been up since 5am and sunrise is still a few hours away. Really feels like the middle of the night!
Under the overpass.
December 30, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Under the overpass.
An evening stroll around a Bangkok park. Loads of people out jogging, using the gym equipment, and there was even a free open air aerobics class taking place. Such a difference to the UK where you’d likely be mugged entering a city park after dark.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
An evening stroll around a Bangkok park. Loads of people out jogging, using the gym equipment, and there was even a free open air aerobics class taking place. Such a difference to the UK where you’d likely be mugged entering a city park after dark.
Old vs modern. The view from our Bangkok hotel room.
December 29, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Old vs modern. The view from our Bangkok hotel room.
I don’t fancy a journey on this bus…
December 27, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I don’t fancy a journey on this bus…
A very pleasant early morning walk. Happy Xmas all.
December 25, 2025 at 7:26 AM
A very pleasant early morning walk. Happy Xmas all.
The ‘bum gun’. Why are these not a thing in the west? I have to admit that after a couple of weeks in Thailand I’m a big fan. I don’t think my bum has ever been so squeaky clean. If you had poo on your face would you wipe it off with toilet paper or wash it off?
December 24, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The ‘bum gun’. Why are these not a thing in the west? I have to admit that after a couple of weeks in Thailand I’m a big fan. I don’t think my bum has ever been so squeaky clean. If you had poo on your face would you wipe it off with toilet paper or wash it off?
A lovely peaceful 24 hours at a remote homestay on the edge of Khao Sam Roi Yot National park. Just the sounds of birds and buffalo.
December 23, 2025 at 9:50 AM
A lovely peaceful 24 hours at a remote homestay on the edge of Khao Sam Roi Yot National park. Just the sounds of birds and buffalo.
Young water buffalo. The owner had a close eye on mum who was having a bath nearby.
December 22, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Young water buffalo. The owner had a close eye on mum who was having a bath nearby.
A few days spent around the village of Baan Krood. Mass tourism has yet to arrive in this part of Thailand. Deserted beaches and a general laid back atmosphere.
December 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM
A few days spent around the village of Baan Krood. Mass tourism has yet to arrive in this part of Thailand. Deserted beaches and a general laid back atmosphere.
A visit to Ao Siam National Park this afternoon to walk its nature trail. Entrance was free and we were the only visitors which was nice. Despite smothering ourselves with half a bottle of mozzie spray we both ended up covered in bites. Some impressive 150ft+ trees.
December 18, 2025 at 10:41 AM
A visit to Ao Siam National Park this afternoon to walk its nature trail. Entrance was free and we were the only visitors which was nice. Despite smothering ourselves with half a bottle of mozzie spray we both ended up covered in bites. Some impressive 150ft+ trees.
Last nights dinner wasn’t quite what I thought I’d be getting as something got lost in translation. It did taste much better than it looked though!
December 18, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Last nights dinner wasn’t quite what I thought I’d be getting as something got lost in translation. It did taste much better than it looked though!
A great morning hiking up the trail to Pala-U Waterfall in Kaeng Krachan National Park. Elephants are common on the road to the trailhead but unfortunately we didn’t spot any. A tough walk though with ropes for the tricky bits, would be slippery after rain. The air full of butterflies and bird song.
December 16, 2025 at 8:25 AM
A great morning hiking up the trail to Pala-U Waterfall in Kaeng Krachan National Park. Elephants are common on the road to the trailhead but unfortunately we didn’t spot any. A tough walk though with ropes for the tricky bits, would be slippery after rain. The air full of butterflies and bird song.
A Vespa Tropica (greater banded hornet) flew into our room yesterday. It was huge. Guest house worker said they are very dangerous!
December 16, 2025 at 2:59 AM
A Vespa Tropica (greater banded hornet) flew into our room yesterday. It was huge. Guest house worker said they are very dangerous!
It was a beautiful drive through the Thai countryside yesterday to get to our accommodation. As the road twisted its way up and over a jungle clad pass we noticed elephant dung on the side of the road. A cacophony of insects and frogs at night & apparently sometimes elephants can be heard.
December 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM
It was a beautiful drive through the Thai countryside yesterday to get to our accommodation. As the road twisted its way up and over a jungle clad pass we noticed elephant dung on the side of the road. A cacophony of insects and frogs at night & apparently sometimes elephants can be heard.
I think some of the items on the menu may be lost in translation!
December 14, 2025 at 8:51 AM
I think some of the items on the menu may be lost in translation!
Want to raise your blood pressure? Hire a car and drive out of Bangkok! Went the wrong way and got lost. Finally found the motorway and headed south.
December 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Want to raise your blood pressure? Hire a car and drive out of Bangkok! Went the wrong way and got lost. Finally found the motorway and headed south.
Bangkok Mall breakfast of kings. Spicy fish soup with rice & omelette and spicy mushroom soup with rice & omelette. Came to 140 baht (£3.30). Some stomach adjustment may be needed due to Thai spice levels.
December 12, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Bangkok Mall breakfast of kings. Spicy fish soup with rice & omelette and spicy mushroom soup with rice & omelette. Came to 140 baht (£3.30). Some stomach adjustment may be needed due to Thai spice levels.
Can’t beat a good pounding in the kitchen to make a very spicy Thai jungle curry. We are off to Thailand in a couple of weeks so are training our taste buds.
November 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Can’t beat a good pounding in the kitchen to make a very spicy Thai jungle curry. We are off to Thailand in a couple of weeks so are training our taste buds.
A good sturdy stile.
November 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
A good sturdy stile.
A nice quiet sit overlooking one of the biggest honeypots in England. I’ve not passed a soul since leaving the car. It’s heaving down there by the stepping stones even on a gloomy Thursday in November.
November 6, 2025 at 11:52 AM
A nice quiet sit overlooking one of the biggest honeypots in England. I’ve not passed a soul since leaving the car. It’s heaving down there by the stepping stones even on a gloomy Thursday in November.
A bit of weirdness in the woods today.
October 13, 2025 at 7:11 PM
A bit of weirdness in the woods today.
A very enjoyable afternoon wandering through the woodlands surrounding the Churnet Valley. Pleasantly surprised how nice this part of Staffordshire is. Could hear the screams coming from Alton Towers at times today.
October 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
A very enjoyable afternoon wandering through the woodlands surrounding the Churnet Valley. Pleasantly surprised how nice this part of Staffordshire is. Could hear the screams coming from Alton Towers at times today.