Connor Hayes is the son of two of my very good friends, Anne and Colin Hayes. I’ve known Anne and Colin since about 1988 and was best man at their wedding, as well as being a cycling coach to Colin for most of that time. When I had heart surgery in 2003 they very kindly looked after me in their home during the first three weeks of my out-of-hospital recovery.

When I took up country walking as an extension of my recuperation, Connor expressed an interest in trying it as well. He enjoyed his first walk so much that he is now a frequent companion on my jaunts.