I honestly can't remember a time when I didn't go walking. Even as a boy, I grew up on the edge of Leicester but could get out into fields very easily. Used to just go and wander for miles. I got into orienteering through the scout at about eleven. At fourteen I got heavily into rock climbing so used to hitchhike to the peak most weekends. Didn't see any difference between climbing and hill walking, it was all just part and parcel of getting out.
In the early seventies I started working as a NCB apprentice, not one of my wisest moves. I soon saw the writing on the wall and on a whim joined the Army. In between playing silly bu**ers I managed to get to climb in the Alps, Kenya, Norway, South America and Canada. I also picked up a few bad habits like skiing.
After I left the Army I spent several years traveling, climbing, skiing, kayaking etc mainly in South America. I moved back to Leicester for a while but that didn't work out, so I moved to Scotland. I've been here ever since. Still go walking regularly and ski when ever I can. I don't do much rock climbing any more, don't have anyone to go with and getting to stiff. What I really like doing is long backpacking trip where I can get out into some real wilderness.