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!
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
Coverack – Helford Passage 11 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 →
Whose Names are Unknown by Sanora Babb
Set in the time of the Great Depression in 1930s America this book tells the story of the Dunne family and their neighbours. They, like many others, had been tempted to move west to farm in Oklahoma only to struggle … Continue reading →