Michael Wood mailed me a while back to ask if I would write a review of his book for the OFC site.  The title seemed appropriate and although having little time to read for pleasure took up the offer to review the thriller.  I have to say I really enjoyed the book, probably due to my links with the fells and can heartily recommend it to anyone here.  If you would like the chance to win a copy of this book then please read on....

Walking on mountains gives people in this club an immense amount of pleasure.  The familiar haunts of The Lake District and other 'home' mountains give a feeling of security and of a re-acquaintance with old friends.  Walking a familiar fell in changing seasons makes it like ascending the peak anew.  However, it is new adventures which spark new vigour.  As such the Hiley's recent jaunt with dog sleds in Alaska or James Batchelor's ascent of Kala Pattar in the Himalaya are two such adventures other less mortals might never consider.  If you do get itchy feet to try out something new, you need a decent guidebook and I have found one particular publisher really useful. This is in no way a sponsored advertisement feature but a quick discussion on a great little publishing house.  Do you have your favourite books or publisher?  Let us know.

Since the days when people clung onto their Bartholomews' one inch map of the Lake District a decent map of the whole district has not really been available.  However, the BMC has recently published its very own map aimed it says for climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.  Does this map prove useful or is it not worth the paper it's printed on? Oh! That's the thing, it's not printed on paper....

This letter was posted on the message board but might still inspire you to write in with your favourite.  Equally, if you have just read a book and would write to write a review then please do contribute to the website, we would love to hear.

                       Through the years I have compiled a veritable library of books, many of which focus on my greatest love - that of high places.  To be honest I was surprised at my collection ranging from a book entitled, ‘Descriptive Tour’ from 1821, right up to Chris Jesty’s latest updated AW Pictorial Guide (Book 4).   To be honest, I had quite a fun afternoon, in between the cleaning and recycling, by dipping into some of the literary gems that grace my shelves.    

Scratch & Co. The Great Cat Expedition, known latterly to only the keenest Lake District and Wainwright aficionados, is now available once again for readers to enjoy. For years the rare, classic mountaineering novel was only appreciated by those with enough spare funds, with some copies exchanging hands for several hundred pounds.