A Day Above the Lake District: 1 - Tapa dura

The immediate impact of the dramatic cover showing the Red Arrows, trailing smoke down the Windermere Valley, against the dramatic background of the Cumbrian fells tells the reader instantly that this book is going to be different! The book, on reflection, is quite a lighthearted look at the Lake District but with a very serious undertone directed at the unprepared climber or hill walker. The unusual foreword is actually a poem by Pam Ayers entitled, Call Out The Mountain Rescue , and is another slight dig at the unprepared. A detailed introduction, explaining the reasons why aviation flourished at the turn of the 19th century, is followed by the photographic dawn of the day and the journey through time to end at sunset. The clever (and simple) use of time has allowed the author/photographer to interweave modern aerial photos with historical shots and pass effortlessly from one subject and geographic area to the next. This simple timescale is used to explore the landscape and create a sense of journey forming the thread of the book. There are many really stunning aerial or high-level views that present the landscape of the Lake District in ways that most of us, with our feet firmly in the valleys, cannot imagine or ever be able to see, such as the photo of the paramotor flier high over Watendla with one foot forward. If nothing else, this shot made me wonder how it could possibly have been taken? There are, of course, other books of aerial photographs of the Lake District but nothing like this. Add the very direct portraits (like the very brave and determined young man going up the Honister Via Ferrata climb), the laughing smiley group shots, the blonde lady standing on Napes Needle, the three housewives having afternoon tea in Keswick, the classic shot of three Mountain Rescue Team dogs on a MRT Landrover and the result is a book that really made me smile. --Pete Robinson.

The Red Arrows over Windermere opens the book with suitable drama! This is not a normal Lake District book and in fact, having been through the book three times, I deduce that this is meant to be a multi-layered, photographic storybook. The immediate impression is that this book is the story of aviation in the Lakes and it is indeed fascinating to read that before World War I, no less than three would-be aviators were trying to fly floatplanes off the Lakes; that Southampton Flying Boats practiced landings here; that huge Sunderlands were built here in secrecy; the impact of the Search & Rescue and Air Ambulance helicopters making the Lakes a safer place to visit and the impact of modern aviation and the Windermere Air Show. But beyond the aviation, there is the author's underlying story - first visiting the Lakes as a boy with his father to see Sir Donald Campbell in action, the Eskdale Outward Bound, placing the Rescue box on Mickledore using a Puma helicopter and obvious later family visits. The third story is that of the Mountain Rescue Teams linked with the various Air Ambulances and my favourite photograph the shot of the three MRT dogs on a Landrover. All this against the backdrop of the lakes and mountains at various times of the day. A stunning collection of images that warmed the cockles of my heart! --Randy Tofts.

First impressions - what can I say - Stunning, superb quality. Both my wife and I were amazed from the cover on. The photographs and enlightening narratives are simply captivating. A lovely work. --Ken Fawcett

As a retired Lake District professional photographer, I must say that the book is phenomenal - stunning and almost unbelievable! The wraparound Red Arrows cover is exceptional, every plane in the right spot for that fraction of second. The photographs, text and content gives a new view on the Lake District, so interesting that it is difficult to change ones attention to something else. The obvious enthusiasm generated by you and your Puma helicopter crew dealing with the challenge of putting the first MRT aid box on the col of Mickledore remains with me from that day in 1974. This book will be a winner, perhaps the Lake District book of the year or even decade! --Ivor Nicholas, retired professional Lake District photographer.

A day in the life of an Air Ambulance pilot over the sweeping, stunning scenery of Cumbria and the Lake District National Park