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Wandering in the White Peak

Hello and a warm welcome to my website the interactive backdrop to my guides

The latest upgrade is almost fully functional - you'll certainly notice greater mobility around this site, I hope you enjoy your visit.

The latest Park & Stride feature is now posted up P&S 43 The Helm from Oxenholme - a short and sweet hillwalk

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 includes supporting the Fix the Fells Project via the Tourism and Conservation Partnership, by giving a proportion of my  royalties from 'Great Mountain Days in the Lake District' and 'Lakeland Fellranger'. My publisher, Cicerone Press also gives a percentage of their profits from these titles to the same cause - hence the cheque - Cicerone's recent contribution, mine was sent with less pazzaz - by snail mail... Together we take this exemplary lead in the hope that readers of the guides will wish to offer their financial support, however small, to caring for the landscape we all dearly love.  Visit: www.ourstolookafter.co.uk and www.fixthefells.co.uk

Christina Smith from the Tourism & Conservation Partnership, John Atkinson from The National Trust/Fix the Fells and Lesley Williams from Cicerone Press share a moment with me on a stretch of restored fell path upon Rannerdale Knotts above Crummock Water. 

All four new editions of the Lakeland Fellranger series under Cicerone Press are now in the shops: The Near Eastern Fells, The Central Fells, The Southern Fells and The Mid-Western Fells.

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 associated 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 2008, the first 4000 copies simply flying off the shelves, the second reprint is scheduled for September, clearly it continues to attract the interest of fell lovers all around the country. As Jonathan Williams publishing director of Cicerone says "I don't mind publishing a popularist book every now and then". Clearly the formula appeals, indeed I have completed the graphics for a follow-up a GMD in Snowdonia, written by Terry Marsh, currently at the publisher's design stage.

The new generation of White Peak Walks covering the Northern and Southern Dales are now in the shop, having been published in mid-September. They were the focus of my attention last year and are a complete break from the two hand-drawn guides prepared in the early 1980s, I can't believe that nearly a quarter of a century has elapsed! Changes in the landscape and in recreational walking appetite brought me to this area with re-newed energy and pleasure.

Napes Needle on Great Gable drawn in 1984  -  see the Outdoor Diary entry of 14th September 2009

My current walkload includes the next Lakeland Fellranger title, I'm currently approaching mid-way in the research for book five The Western Fells, which is understandably proving great fun. I'm delighted to be involved in Open Access Walks for Cumbria County Council's Countryside Ranger Service, in the form of downloadable PDFs with galleries, and the 108 StagePath from Penrith to Patterdale for the Stagecoach Bus company. Plenty of good walking lined up for the late summer and autumn, here's to sunshine!

Wearing my campaigning hat, I am preparing the historic landscape case for the Public Inquiry into the Berrier Hill wind farm in September.

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 2008.

Rory at seven months playing with his granny's beads at the London Wetland Centre

Proud grandparents