Colin Saunders

Colin is a Londoner through and through, almost but not quite a Cockney, having been born during World War 2 a few miles outside the sound of Bow Bells, but within the sound of exploding bombs and anti-aircraft gunfire.

An early ambition to join the Merchant Navy was frustrated by a complete lack of technical ability, so he went for the next best way of travelling the world, the travel trade. Spells with industry giants Thomas Cook and Trust House Forte eventually led to being headhunted by a small tour operator specialising in walking holidays. This was most apt, as walking has been his main leisure activity since early adulthood. In 1989 Colin set up his own business, organising walking holidays in Britain and as a consultant on leisure walking.

In 1967 Colin joined the Vanguards Rambling Club, whose ethos in its early days (hard walking and hard drinking) suited Colin down to the ground, though the rigour of those activities has mellowed somewhat over the years. In fact, like other club members, he has been an active member of the Ramblers' Association and Long Distance Walkers Association, and has played a key role in setting up the Vanguard Way, Wandle Trail and Capital Ring walking routes, and in organising challenge and charity walking events.

As a sideline, Colin has written several books on walking. These include Manual on Navigation and Leadership(Ramblers' Association), Walking in the High Tatras (Cicerone Press), Vanguard Way Guidebook (Vanguards Rambling Club), London; the definitive walking guide (Cicerone Press) and Capital Ring Guidebook (Aurum Press).