Welcome to my website. It’s mostly book reviews and accounts of my walking, hillwalking and mountaineering trips over the years, plus a mixed bag of other articles. If you want to get in touch please email me – I’m always pleased to hear from anyone who’s read anything here!
Wild Tales by Graham Nash
“A rock and roll life” it says on the cover. That’s a bit punchier than “sex, drugs and close-harmony falsetto”, though the longer version is probably a better summary as there’s a lot of all three in the book. This … Continue reading →
Le Tour de Picardie, part 2
Stage 4 – 13 May. Compiègne to Beauvais. We had an early start today, setting off alongside l’Oise under a clear sky with a slight chill still in the air. A few kilometres out of the suburbs the cycle path … Continue reading →
Le Tour de Picardie, part 1
A five day cycle tour, May 2025 There were three of us on this tour: Jack and Teresa from Oregon USA, and me. I planned the route and booked the accommodation. I used the French IGN map no.924 “Voies vertes … Continue reading →
South West Coast Path – Day 34
Helford Passage – Falmouth 12 June 2025 Distance on Coast Path: 15.7km; ascent: 254m Total distance: 19.1km; ascent: 328m Walking time: 4h 17′ Total time: 5h 33′ Overnight: Self-catering, Falmouth Logistics: To start: 35 bus Falmouth – Helford Passage Turn … Continue reading →
South West Coast Path – Day 33
Coverack – Helford Passage 11 June 2025 Distance on Coast Path: 17.0km; ascent: 280m Total distance: 17.8km; ascent: 345m Walking time: 4h 18′ Total time: 5h 47′ Overnight: Self-catering, Falmouth Logistics: To start: 36 bus Helston – Coverack. Finish: 35 … Continue reading →
South West Coast Path – Day 32
Lizard Point – Coverack 10 June 2025 Distance on Coast Path: 16.4km; ascent: 330m Total distance: 17.4km; ascent: 330m Walking time: 4h 31′ Total time: 6h 05′ Overnight: Self-catering, Helston Logistics: To start: 34 bus Helston – Lizard. Finish: Taxi … Continue reading →
South West Coast Path – Day 31
Poldhu Cove – Lizard Point 9 June 2025 Distance on Coast Path: 15.7km; ascent: 362m Total distance: 16.7km; ascent: 412m Walking time: 4h 18′ Total time: 5h 21′ Overnight: Self-catering, Helston Logistics: To start: 34 bus Helston – Poldhu Cove. … Continue reading →
South West Coast Path – Day 30
Porthleven to Poldhu Cove 8 June 2025 Distance on Coast Path: 9.5km; ascent: 210m Total distance: 9.5km; ascent: 210m Walking time: 2h 16′ Total time: 2h 57′ Overnight: Self-catering, Helston Logistics: To start: U4 bus Helston – Porthleven Harbour. Finish: … Continue reading →
South West Coast Path – Day 29
Penzance to Porthleven 7 June 2025 Distance on Coast Path: 23.0km; ascent: 282m Total distance: 23.0km; ascent: 282m Walking time: 5h 23′ Total time: 7h 13′ Overnight: Self-catering, Helston Logistics: To start: U4 bus Helston – Penzance station. Finish: U4 … Continue reading →
Poisonous Tales by Hilary Hamnett
Dr Hilary Hamnett is a forensic toxicologist and Associate Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Lincoln, UK. In this book she reviews a number of fictional stories involving poisoning, including Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Casino Royale, The Count … Continue reading →