WALKING TIPS
What do I do once I’ve booked?
If you wish to use public transport please check the times on http://www.traveldales.org.uk.
When you’ve booked you will receive an email confirming your booking and giving any additional information that you may need. On the day of your walk, try to arrive at your starting Welcome Point as near as possible to the time you chose on the booking system. When you have identified yourself to the Welcome Point hosts, they will give you the Meander backpack. This should contain:
- Two cameras and headband mounts (the cameras may be in black, zip-up carry cases)
- The ‘Walk Diary’, a spiral bound sketchbook with red covers
- Laminated instruction sheets
- Pencils
- Two mains chargers
- Spare batteries
- Spare Micro SD memory cards
Before you set off, try the head mounted cameras on. Use the instruction sheets to work out how to turn them on and off. Adjust the headband for a comfortable fit. Make sure your fellow walker’s camera is level (we don’t want a two hour video of nothing but sky or footpath!) and straight (we don’t want wonky video either!).
When you’re ready, turn both cameras on at roughly the same time and start your walk.
On your walk
Be safe. Don’t take any unnecessary risks and don’t walk in dangerous conditions. Try to keep out of water. We don’t want to lose our cameras and we really don’t want to lose you.
Take any safe and legal route you choose between your start and end Welcome Points. Enjoy your walk. Look around, chat to each other, stop, rest and enjoy the view. Don’t feel you have to perform; just do whatever comes naturally. Try not to turn off the cameras for any reason (arguments make great watching in split screen!)
Check your walking companion’s camera every 15 minutes or so to make sure it’s still level & straight and that the recording light is still on.
The Walk Diary is for you. You don’t have to add to it, but we’d be delighted if you do. You can add to it in any way that seems sympathetic to the project; you could write a brief account of your walk or an incident that took place, add a sketch or a poem, greet other Meanderers, or just sign and date it to show when you took part.
The same goes for the backpack. Feel completely free to add something to it, whether that’s your signature, a badge or something you found on your walk. Just avoid anything heavy or sharp that might scratch the contents of the bag or tear another Meanderer’s clothes.
When you get to your end Welcome Point, enter the building. Once you’re in, turn the cameras off at roughly the same time. Identify yourself to the Welcome Point host (making sure it’s someone who knows about the project!) and hand in the cameras and backpack.
When your video has been uploaded to the web we’ll email you a link so that you can enjoy it and share it with your friends. Thank you very much for helping us to make Meander.