A former ranger with the Kirklees Countryside Unit has written his second novel.
Eric Brown, 62, of Mirfield, has set the story five years on from his debut novel Pilgrimm’s Progress, with anti-hero Graham Pilgrimm now a successful author and married with two young children.
But while all appears idyllic, trouble continues to stalk Graham and issues arise that threaten his family and his own safety.
Much of the novel, Grimm Up North, is set in Northumberland and was inspired by a 70-mile walk along the length of Hadrian’s Wall which Eric undertook in 1987 with two friends from Mirfield High School, Edwin Pugh and David Boardman.
The Wall formed the frontier of the Roman Empire stretching from coast to coast and was built between AD 122 and AD 128.
Eric and his mates who were in their mid-twenties at the time, started in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, and trekked along the route to finish at Bowness-on-Solway.
“We camped in farmers’ fields in a mixture of places,’’ revealed Eric, who lives in Mirfield.
“We would just turn up, knock on the door and ask if we could stay.”
Despite being complete strangers Eric recalled being astonished at the hospitality shown to him and his companions.
“Because it wasn’t a national trail in those days we had to use maps to plot the course so not many people did it. I think the locals embraced our spirit of adventure and were incredibly trusting.”
This was highlighted at Thirlwall Castle, where the trio camped in the field of a farmer who even left the door of his house open so they could use the bathroom in the night!
Eric, who went on to become site manager at Oakwell Hall, Birstall, remains fascinated by Hadrian’s Wall and has since walked it a further two times and cycled parts of it too.
“It is an incredible feat of engineering. I would like to complete the walk again but next time I will leave the tent at home and stay in B&Bs instead,” he added.
Grimm up North is published by Fisher King and is available at all the usual outlets.
