I was exchanging messages with Dickie today. Dickie is one of the young ‘uns that’s just joined the rescue team (albeit he’s getting on for a decade older than me). He’s currently somewhere near Richmond (after a pub lunch) walking the Coast to Coast walk to raise funds for the rescue team. Good lad.
I asked him if he had the Wainwright guide with him. He had not. I’m not sure i’ll ever forgive him.
I then sent him a link to the Desert Island Discs episode from September 1988 featuring Mr Wainwright.
It’s a while since i’d listened to it so i popped it on just now whilst on a mission to Lidl to resup on their peanut-pretzl-chocolate trail mix. Top stuff.
I had to pull the car over three times and wipe the tears of laughter from my eyes.
He doesn’t like people. He doesn’t like music. He asked if there was a chippy on the desert island. He actively avoided other people on the fells. He doesn’t blame his wife for leaving him (and taking the dog) due to his all-consuming obsession with the guidebooks. He refuses to take the Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare with him. Opts for a mirror as his ‘luxury item’ so he can keep his beard in check.
How someone so incredibly grumpy and self contained manage to write and illustrate possibly the greatest ever collection of walking guides, never ceases to amaze me.
Link to the episode.
Bio of Mr Wainwright and link to the Wainwright Society.