Notes.

8 Apr.

On Acorns.

I remember imploring the gods of Natural England, ‘Please, give me a sign!’

Alston to Greenhead.

Alston to Greenhead Profile Map.

Pennine Way, Day 12.

‘I did the Pennine Way—well, nearly did it—twenty years ago now. I got to Bellingham and fractured my shin jumping off a stile.’

7 Apr.

Dufton to Alston.

Dufton to Alston Profile Map.

Pennine Way, Day 11.

The side wind hit me even harder here, and I had to crouch into it. I spotted a small stone shelter and decided I’d run to it for a breather before the final push. As I slumped back on my rucksack, I turned to find a sheep’s skull on the rock inches from my face—as if it wasn’t unnerving enough up here.

6 Apr.

Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton.

Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton Profile Map.

Pennine Way, Day 10.

The astonishing view that greeted us at High Cup Nick was one of the highlights of the whole Pennine Way. I now realised why we’d spent a day walking west, away from the eventual destination: this was breathtaking!

Stuff.

As Neat As a New Pin.

In April 2009, my super folk-indie-pop group Empty Set released our first album on the wonderful Tough Love Records imprint. As Neat As A New Pin Cover

We're terribly proud of it, and other kind folks have called As Neat as a New Pin an ‘indie-pop classic’ and ‘an absolute corker’.

You can grab yourself a copy from the Tough Love Store, the iTunes Store or Amazon; or pop over to our Myspace to listen to a song or two.

The Pennine Way.

In the spring of 2009, I walked the 429km of the Pennine Way—a National Trail over the hills of Northern England—in 15 days. Notes, maps and figures can be found over here.

About.

I live in Manchester, England. I don’t have much else to tell you just now.

Other.