John, a stranger who hosted me and showed me kindness as I attempted one of the most physically challenging journeys of my life.

John made quite the impression on me as we sat and talked in his garden that whole summer evening.

Skijoring in Leadville started 76 years ago in 1949 but has evolved from a tradition that is potentially hundreds of years old. The name skijoring means ‘ski driving’, originating from Scandinavia where people towed themselves long distances on wooden skis behind a reindeer.

The old man sits upright in the hammock as it gently sways side to side in the dark, warm evening. A flaming torch half bathes him in fire light. A Storyman decorated with teeth, perhaps to make up for the lack of his own.

What do you see when you look at this photo? I used to be frustrated with it, how grainy and low quality it is but I’ve learnt to love it

The story behind this image brought up so many questions for me on travel, ethics, and power.

It’s 7pm on Sunday the 6th of March and I’m in the barn with Graham and a sheep that’s due twins but has only ‘dropped’ one. A few hours ago I arrived at Slade farm and Polly had given me a rapid paper-based refresher on how to deliver lambs in trouble. Now it’s time to put that into practice.