I’ve had my unfair share of silence this week and it’s been wonderful. There’s something unique about the high fells, when there’s no one about, no bubbling streams, no wind, just quiet. I’ve been soaking it up because it’s so precious. Back in my apartment, I’ve been struggling with the...
After three days of heavy walking I decided to focus on work today. I’d accumulated a lot of emails and my employer is strongly encouraging us to take part in an online event to shape the companies future identity and I wanted to spend a couple of hours on that....
A few weeks ago Graham and I were out walking and I mentioned that I favoured repeating familiar walks, while he favoured new and exciting adventures. Since then I’ve been lucky enough to do lots of new walks which I’ve greatly enjoyed, but I still love familiar walks. On Monday...
As I crested the first peak on my laboured ascent of Cat Bells I noticed two red specks in the distance approaching the scramble to the peak. I continued upwards at q pretty good pace (pain free today) and they didn’t seem to be moving very fast. Eventually at the...
Being in the Lake District again I can’t help but think about Alfred Wainwright and how comfortable he was alone. I’m the same, whilst I love the company of my friends and family, the buzz of a busy cafe or the crowded seafront promenade on a summer’s day I’m totally...
All through my working career I’ve noticed that the best people are both incredibly focussed and easily distracted. Which doesn’t make sense, until you remember that in many areas of work (especially high end knowledge work) demands are rarely smooth. The best people focus intensely on the demands of today,...
If you listen to very accomplished people they often tell you to follow your passion. Passion they insist is the secret to success. Find your passion and then keep driving towards it, never give up. Sorry, but this advise has never worked for me, life is too unpredictable and our...
It seems only a few years ago that I was the centre of my children’s life and they were mine, we would spend most every evening and every weekend together. Now the youngest two of my four girls will soon be 16 and it’s a wonderful time for them, a...
I’m heading for the Northern Lakes again next week and I’m in a reflective mood, last month when I was there I was listening to Commander Chris Hadfields musings on life and I was deeply impressed. Since finishing the book, I’ve been applying some of the lessons he taught and...