I grew up on a farm in the Yorkshire Dales, where I got my love of nature from my father and my love of history from my mother.

It was languages that took me to university (you might spot characters in The Book & the Knife learning a language or acting as interpreters), but here I realised that I could never spend much time indoors. So back to that love of nature, and an environmental degree followed by being a farm conservation adviser for 40 years for the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, helping farmers look after the countryside.

Now I live in the Kent countryside with my wife Linda. Our son Izaak is in Canada – he loves the outdoors too. My favourite day is a walk with a stop at a pub, and when not working I’m usually to be found on my allotment tending veg and listening to music through my headphones – my tastes range from Boney M to Brahms. I’m a games fan too, and I’ve invented a few card and board games. I mostly read non-fiction – anything history, wildlife and landscape related is great with me.

PS Leeds United will rise again.