After a frantic few weeks editing the news pages for the next issue of CPRE Countryside Voice whilst churning out entries for the AA’s 2007 Pub Guide, David took a couple of days off to entertain family friends in the run-up to Easter.

"On one of the rare warm days this April we were out at Exbury Gardens in the New Forest," says David, "enjoying the spring colours and taking a ride on the new narrow gauge steam railway".

Now, David’s hoping for some more warm weather as he starts revising a couple of titles in the Jarrold Short Walks series. First up will be Sussex and the South Downs, tramping the paths around old haunts like Midhurst, Ditchling and Bodiam Castle. Then he’ll be heading west for summer days in the New Forest National Park, reviewing the routes in his one of his own walking guides, first published in 2003.

But the really big news is rather closer home – after nearly 35 years, David has finally bought a razor and shaved off his trademark beard! Look out for updated pictures throughout the website over the next few weeks ...

Daffodils in Exbury Gardens just before Easter.