Wandering in the White Peak

A warm welcome to my website
the new interactive backdrop to my guides

My primary aim is to share a passion for fell country and a fascination in its greater historic setting. I sincerely hope you find the site rewarding and are spurred to consider extending your own outdoor quest finding renewed enthusiasm and fulfilment through the pages of my guides. Make a point of checking back at this site from time to time as it will be in a constant state of editorial embellishment.

My commitment to the welfare of the Lakeland fells extends to giving a proportion of the royalities I recieve to the Fix the Fells project through The Tourism & Conservation Partnership. My publisher Cicerone Press similarly gives a percentage of their profits to the same cause. Together we take this exemplary lead in the hope that readers of my guides will wish to offer their financial support, however small, to caring for a landscape we all dearly love.  Visit: www.ourstolookafter.co.uk and www.fixthefells.co.uk

Recieving a massive (physically) cheque on behalf of Fix the Fells
project from Jonathan Williams Publishing Director of Cicerone
Press at the Outdoors Show March 2009

The Near Eastern Fells and The Central Fells, titles of the new Lakeland Fellranger series under Cicerone Press, are in the shops now, The Southern Fells and The Mid-Western Fells will be published in early March.

The Spirit of Hadrian's Wall launched on 9th October has won many plaudits from people who live in the Wall area. I was particularly chuffed to receive a note from Prof David Breeze where he commented that he was 'mesmerised by the photography', and I can truly say I am honoured to be asociated with this book showcasing the considerable skill and dedication of Roger Clegg.

Great Mountain Days in the Lake District has had a tremendous start, published in April, the first 4000 copies simply flying off the shelves, hence it has already been reprinted and continues to attract the interest of fell lovers all around the country. As Jonathan Williams publishing director of Cicerone says "he doesn't mind publishing a popularist book every now and then". Clearly the formula appeals, hence work is already in train to prepare a GMD for Snowdonia, using the expertise of Terry Marsh, this will also include linescapes from yours truly.

The new generation of White Peak Walks covering the Northern and Southern Dales are currently the main focus of my writing time. Replacing the two hand-drawn guides prepared in the early 1980s, I can't believe that nearly a quarter of a century had elapsed! Changes in the landscape and in recreational walking appetite brought me to this area with re-newed energy and pleasure.

New Year will restore me to my major work Lakeland Fellranger. I will be stepping back into this wonderful task ranging over The Western and North-Western Fells with renewed gusto.

The linescape drawing of High Street to the right at the base of the Outdoor Diary entry is a reminder of the work I am probably most associated with. The linescapes in About Me were part of Wild about Wales, a project with the mountain water-colour artist David Bellamy that regretably failed to advance beyond the preparative open chapter on the waterfall country in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Nonetheless, they find an attractive role adorning this new look website I hope you agree. The scene below looking to Bamford Edge in the Derwent valley part and parcel of a wonderful summer of walking activity now complete. It also points the eye to future explorative walks once Fellranger is done and dusted - the edges and moors of Dark Peak Walks, a relish for the future.

Beautifully coinciding with the new birth of this site, I became a grandfather for the first time, congratulations to Guy and Ally on the birth of Rory Emerson Thompson on 12th December.