About me

I’m a writer, hiker and Ordnance Survey Get Outside Champion based in beautiful Wales, the land of legend and adventure. With 20 years’ media experience, okay, I’m playing a little fast and loose with the ‘girl’ in the title. But the spirit’s the same, with my boots and kit always at the ready to follow well-beaten tracks and explore new paths.

Starting as a staff reporter on the South Wales Echo back in the days of early and afternoon editions and not a click-bait link to be seen, I then launched a freelance career, writing for national magazines and working with BBC Wales and ITV Wales on outdoorsy programmes (Weatherman Walking; Coast & Country). I moved into comms, working for Macmillan Cancer Support before launching my own agency, creating eye-catching PR campaigns and captivating content specialising in health and wellbeing. I now balance a select number of health and tourism clients with a new role as a communications manager at Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, and I’m privileged to have such an insight into the NHS in these extraordinary times.

I’m incredibly proud of my achievements but have chosen not to subscribe to the work-18-hours-a-day mindset, in the hope there’s an alternative kind of ‘success’. So, instead, a long weekend every fortnight is set in stone for walking, writing, meeting friends and carving out breathing space in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world (that’s not my claim; just ask Lonely Planet!).

In 2020 I was delighted to become one of Ordnance Survey’s Get Outside Champions, encouraging people of all ages and from all backgrounds to enjoy the Great Outdoors. Coronavirus and lockdown have brought additional challenges, but I’m thoroughly enjoying sharing some of my favourite local walks and exploring new places right on my doorstep and within a few miles of home.

My first trails book, Heritage Walks in South East Wales, was published by Sigma Press in 2012 and followed by a pair of children’s trails books. I also write fiction and have had a number of short stories published in anthologies, including a number by Honno Press.

I’m now writing my fourth trails book, Quiet Walks for Quiet Minds, a guide to the lesser-known trails for those who want to get far from the slightly mad crowds making the bank holiday pilgrimage up Pen y Fan. Basically, it’s a book for walkers who honestly do like other walkers… but just don’t want to meet too many of them on their travels.