Simon Armitage was a real hit when he appeared at the Wellington Festival a few years ago, and I enjoyed both his poetry and essays subsequent to hearing him speak. His new book is a travel narrative, in which he describes his attempt to walk the entire 256 mile length of the Pennine Way, from Kirk Wetholm just over the border with Scotland, to Edale in the Peak District. He travels without money, and gives poetry readings in village halls and churches along the way to raise funds from donations to pay his way. His evocation of the challenging landscape and weather is lightened by his descriptions of the charm and generosity of the locals who helped him along the way, and by his gentle, self-effacing humour. Armitage is an extremely good writer, and the book rattles along at a good pace. It is at times quite moving and contemplative. Anyone fond of English eccentricity and landscape would probably enjoy this as much as I did.