"I'm a freelance writer and photographer, specialising in the countryside and travel, mainly in the UK, France, the Isle of Man and Australia. My writing career began in 1980, at a time when I had a 'proper' job, but I became a full-time professional writer in 1990. As a photographer, I learned the hard way, on the wedding circuit way back in 1969. Since then I've ditched weddings and taken to landscape and travel photography. Gradually, my work has moved into the realms of travel, cuisine, local cultures, the countryside and conservation, and I now write on a wide range of subjects from traditions and superstitions to ecology, conservation and vernacular architecture. My main areas of interest include Australia (all states and territories); the Isle of Man; England (Chilterns AONB, Cumbria and the Lake District, Peak District, Lancashire, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire Dales); Scotland (especially the islands, notably the Isle of Skye, the Western Isles and St Kilda); Wales; France (all departements, but especially Paris, Strasbourg, Avignon, Picardy Somme, Oise, Aisne), Charente Maritime, Aube-en-Champagne, Aude, Herault, the Loire and the Loir, and the Cathars country of southern France); countryside; walking; food and wine. I am a regular contributor to Living France, Dalesman, Cumbria, and occasional contributor (words and pictures) to In Britain, Destination France and Candis. I lecture on 'Writing about Travel' at Burton Manor College, Wirral. I am a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), and of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (FSA Scot); and a Member/Proprietor of Writers and Photographers unLimited (www.wpu.org.uk), Guidebookwriters.com (www.guidebookwriters.com); the Society of Authors, the Outdoor Writers' Guild (Honorary Life Member), MENSA, NUJ and the British Guild of Travel Writers."