Lake Windermere, 1968. Re-visited Ambleside where I lived for a few months in the forties. Found the house 'Keldwith' and recognised it from old photographs.
Climbing from Italy into Austria, crossing the border at the top, mist, clanking rifle, dog barking, border sentry, passport check, cheerful chat, and down the other side. Dark fell before we reached the valley, torches failing, dangerous slope, doorless hut full of hay, clamber over, jump down, sleep. Lived to see another day. Better than dying of hypothermia.
Pembrokeshire ponies 1969. Perfect spring weather, spectacular cliffs, hitchiking to Milford Haven.
A pool in the New Forest, 1969. Youth hostelling and walking.
Above: Camping with friends near the ancient Ridgeway 1976. Hot, cloudless days one after the other. Sleeping in tents (carried by someone in a car), admiring Uffington White Horse, Weyland's Smithy and views stretching to the horizon.
Possibly the best trip of them all, June 1990, helping to crew a 75ft sailing ship 'Queen Galadriel' to the Isle of Wight, up the Seine to Rouen, and to Alderney. Haggling in French at Rouen market, playing sea-shanties on the accordion on board, standing totally alone at the wheel on the 20.00-24.00 watch with the English Channel calm as a mill-pond, the sky a vast dome of mother-of-pearl, stars coming out, being the only visible person from horizon to horizon, but knowing that the Captain was keeping an eye on my steering from below. The sea full of enormous jelly-fish near the Isle of Wight. Sitting at the bow with a mug of tea, realising the Captain had not spotted a tiny boat, and shouting at him to avert disaster.
Stephen on a hill near Dublin, 1995. Rainbow but no crock of gold, pouring rain in town, leaky boots, atmospheric folk-singing.
Renting a charming old cottage in Somerset on a ridge overlooking the withy fields and the basket-making craft. Rescuing a large sheep caught up in plastic netting.
