In the late 80’s as a 16 year old school boy, I was fortunate to first visit the splendour of the Pyrenees.  In fact, our schools French teacher (a most unassuming and unlikely candidate for such things) arranged a trip for a small group of us to journey south to these magnificent mountains.

Mr Clifford as we knew him, had spent the previous two summers taking 16 or so of us to Corsica where we traversed the equally tantalising GR11 – like Kev he lived for the mountains and had spent many summers introducing 5th and 6th formers to such adventures.  It was the Pyrenees that captured my heart and here where Mr Clifford first introduced me and others to Kev’s sublime guides.  That little blue book, the words Kev so carefully strung together to inspire, guide and uplift the traveler were precious to Mr Clifford and latterly us boys.

Thirty odd years later Kev’s books still guide our steps, all three of my children have trod the routes Kev so expertly describes.  With my youngest daughter sitting her GCSE’s this summer, her wish – a post exam trip to the Pyrenees to get away from it all, stimulated an online search and the discovery that Kev had sadly passed.

It’s an odd feeling to think I didn’t know Kev in person, he feels so familiar.  Reading through a few of the condolence messages it’s clear there is much affection for Kev.  I’m sure Kev has inspired many to experience things in life they otherwise wouldn’t – for all of the special Pyrenean memories we have as a family I’m forever grateful.  RIP Kev.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.