With many thanks for everything – wise judgements, shrewd thoughts and all – to Mark Richards and Louise Haines at 4th Estate; Robin Harvie, for the same; Katharine Reeve for her excellent editing; to Robin Price and Michele Cefai for the happy Ivinghoe strolls; to veteran rambler John Bunting, for inviting me to Sheffield to share his fascinating memories of a past long gone, and to Kate Ashbrook, rambling campaigner extraordinaire; to Ivo Dawnay of the National Trust for putting me in touch with rural wildlife enthusiasts; to Mark Spencer, botanical expert, for some sound advice; to Rachel Simhon, for the extraordinary Rannoch coincidence; and to Ben Mason, top literary agent, whose idea this was in the first place.