A note from the editor

I’ve been doing a lot of walking recently. It has been a conscious decision. I realised towards the end of last year that I’d been sitting at my desk for way too long each day. It’s so easy to lose track of time when you are constantly juggling deadlines and it isn’t good for the mind or body. So, irrespective of weather or workload, I’ve forced myself to get outdoors for at least an hour every day. The benefits have been immediate and plentiful: I’m calmer, clearer-headed and feel more positive. What’s more, the longer I’m able to spend in the fresh air, the better my perspective on life.

“Walking is one of the most underrated things that we can do for our wellbeing,” says renowned documentary-maker Simon Reeve (below right), who believes that it should be prescribed as a tonic for physical, mental and emotional wellness. In our fascinating interview with Simon on page 36, the former wild-child-turned-tv-star candidly shares how the power of nature and animals has helped him to overcome difficulties in life and find a sense of tranquillity.

Connecting with the landscape and changing seasons is something that is also fundamental to artist Angela Harding. You are probably familiar with her linocut prints of British birds, exquisitely crafted in the studio at the bottom of her garden in Rutland. On page 62, we feature some favourite images from her springtime collection (below left), together with the heartwarming personal stories behind them. They provide an uplifting reminder that spring, with its longer days and lighter evenings, is just around the corner!