Featured Writing

A personal selection of my writing on this website. To access all of my writing, please visit the Writing section.

  • In the wilderness of Wirral

    In the wilderness of Wirral

    An unwelcome modern intrusion into one of my favourite wildernesses takes me on an unplanned medieval journey in reverse.

  • Anglesey

    Anglesey

    About my—and my mum’s—childhood holidays on the Welsh island of Anglesey.

  • Wild Cat Island

    Wild Cat Island

    Three and a half decades after I first became enchanted by the place, I finally set foot on the island that inspired Arthur Ransome’s ‘Swallows and Amazons’.

  • The return of the delicate flapwort

    The return of the delicate flapwort

    On a second expedition I made in search of a rare plant. This time, I accompanied someone who knew what he was doing.

  • In search of the delicate flapwort—and why we need tricorders

    In search of the delicate flapwort—and why we need tricorders

    On an expedition I made in search for a rare plant, and the need for DNA-assisted species identification devices.

  • Exploring my damp patch

    Exploring my damp patch

    For many years, I’ve sought in vain for a particular wild flower on my local patch—a plant that inspired Charles Darwin to write an entire book on insectivorous plants.