Put Your Wellies On with… The Oak & Rope Company | Show notes

Welcome back to the Put Your Wellies On podcast show notes. If you haven’t already make sure you listen to our latest episode, available wherever you get your podcasts, and catch up on all our previous episodes!

On today’s walk in Put Your Wellies On we chatted to the wonderful Jeanette Aurdal, co-founder of The Oak & Rope Company. We learned about Jeanette’s journey creating her own company, with the many ups and downs along the way. Her candidness was refreshing as we discussed balancing work and personal life through the trials of her workshop burning down, going through a divorce, and losing her business partner. She is such a pro-active and positive lady, it was profoundly inspiring hearing how she worked through these challenges to create the beautiful products, company and life she has now.

We also discussed a topic that is close to many small businesses hearts, especially artisanal crafts such as at The Oak & Rope Company. Copycat businesses and products is a huge problem for creatives, who pour their heart and soul into creating beautiful unique designs for their customers. We discussed how mimicry is NOT the highest form of flattery, and how small businesses can best invest their time and money to combat copycats.

The Oak & Rope Company create bespoke oak home and gardenware using traditional methods. They pride themselves on sourcing the best natural products, using simple designs to bring out the beauty in the materials. All of their products are personalised with hand carved messages for high quality family keepsakes that are built to last for generations to come. Follow Jeanette and her talented team @theoakandropecompany on Instagram, for more gorgeous woodcraft!


The Walk – North Downs Way

This week we travelled to the gorgeous garden of England for our walk with Jeanette. Living near Canterbury in Kent, she is on the doorsetp of the historic North Downs Way, which spans from Farnham to Dover. There are many amazing walks along the Way, with numerous castles, cathedrals and manors to visit on your journey, as well as the Pilgrim’s Way heading toward Canterbury.

Our walk was a circular route from Jeanette’s home, taking us back to her workshop. Being so close to Canterbury we walked a portion of the Pilgrim’s way and through the beautiful Kentish countryside. Walking the Pilgrim’s Way is a perfect day out for the family, and their are plenty of scenic routes to take. We highly recommend a visit to Canterbury itself, with it’s quaint architecture and the famous Canterbury Cathedral. There are plenty of shops and eateries, and you can learn more about the city on one of the fun tours, from punting to ghost hunting.

QUICK FIRE QUESTION ROUND

Music or birdsong?

  • Jeanette: Birdsong

Multi-coloured or monochrome?

  • Jeanette: Colour

Beach or mountains?

  • Jeanette: Mountains

Walk or run?

  • Jeanette: Run

Holiday at home or abroad?

  • Jeanette: Norway

Don’t take your wellies off just yet…

…We have plenty more walking and talking with a stellar line up of guests. Join us next week for our first season’s round up as we reflect on what we have learnt from our amazing guests! You can find all our podcasts here to take us with you, whether you’re on your daily commute or walking the dogs through the great British countryside!

If you want more things welly, then you can also find Nessie’s iconic welly boot illustrations by checking out our website for hand-illustrated personalised gifts. Our original welly boot prints are the perfect way to bring the family walks into your home!