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!
Barrelhouse Words by Stephen Calt
Calt is an academic and an expert on the history, culture and language of The Blues – the black American music of the first half of the 20th century. After an introduction setting out his purpose and intentions for the … Continue reading →
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 →