Brian Johnson

Since taking early retirement from his career as a physics and sports teacher, Brian Johnson has found time for three thru’-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2700-mile round-Britain walk, two hikes across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and a single summer compleation of the Munros. He has also completed a 2200-mile cycle tour of Spain and France and done multi-week canoe tours in Sweden, France, Spain and Portugal. In his younger days, Brian’s main sport was orienteering. He competed at a high level and coached both Bishop Wordsworth’s School and South-West Junior Orienteering squads. He also surveyed and drew many orienteering maps. A keen climber and hiker, he led school groups in Britain, the Alps, the Pyrenees and California. As a fanatical sportsman and games player, Brian competed to a high standard at cricket, hockey, bridge and chess. His crowning achievement was winning the 1995/96 World Amateur Chess Championships.