The author was born in the coal mining village of Rainworth, near Mansfield in Notts. Having failed to make it as a footballer, he went into a career in banking and went on to work for 2 major banks over 39 years. His work took him to 7 different counties and 16 houses. With this, grew his interest in discovering new villages, towns and cities. His passion for walking really started in 2006 when he moved back to Nottinghamshire and followed his other passion to travel, which took off after his divorce in 1999. He retired early in 2013 at the age of 57 and moved to his present home in Winterton, North Lincolnshire. He is divorced with 2 grown up children, a daughter who lives in North Lincolnshire and a son who lives in London. He has 2 grandchildren who live in the same town as himself and who he hopes eventually follow in his footsteps.