At last early in 2025, with much prompting from my guru Angela Locke and help from a a whole collection of other wonderful people, finally I pressed the "publish" button.  In 1944 my father spent a month behind enemy lines in occupied Jugoslavia, the only person to survive from his stricken Wellington bomber. His story is one of survival, stoicism and incredible good luck. Seventy five years later I found myself uttering the words "I will be there in July this year to celebrate his survival and commemorate those who didn't come home". The book is his story, written by him, Derek Maling and my story, woven together. It is a short, roller coaster read and a tribute to those who stepped forward in 1944 and 2019.  I tried to avoid writing the book but it wouldn't let me rest, the story demanding to be told. I have had some wonderful feedback from people I know and don't know. The book is available from Amazon or from me (if you are not an Amazon person!) p...

  Spring is here and I have fallen into a very unexpected adventure. In 12 months my wonderful full-time, full-on job may or may not end and I have to think about my next steps. For 5 years my fall-back plan is to use my Mountain Leader qualification to supplement my pension, I like the idea of being a freelance “professional mountaineer”, a magazine with this title pops through my door every so often, as if to remind me of my dream. So far the “day job” in social care has continued, exciting, secure and well-paid, every week I hear about the minor miracles in which I have paid a small role. Ian has started to support David, a man with Parkinson’s who hasn’t been out without his wife, Julia, for 2 years. Things have moved on, this week, Julia, has felt able to go away on holiday whilst David is in respite care. Ian will advocate for David and ensure that he has his medication and the time which gives him his best chance of freedom from pain and allows him to move more easily; this ...