Biking in the Peaks

So my two loves - art and cycling have merged. For the last two months I've been living back in the Peak District, where I grew up. I've swapped the historic cobbly streets of Edinburgh to the rugged sweeping hills of the Peaks.

Living back here has been a mixture of nostalgia but also freshness. There are so many bits of this national park which are still new to me and what's the best way of exploring? The bike of course!

One thing that always takes me by surprise is the amount of HILL here. It seems you have to go up one every time you leave the house - mostly. I am also fortunate to live close to a canal so I can also pootle along next to the boats.

Moving to a new place, starting a new job, making changes can take a bit of time to adjust but I do find it inspires me to draw. New views, sights, feelings - I just want to capture them down in my sketch book and remember those little moments.

Below is a drawing inspired by one of my hilly rides in the Peaks (above) as well as a sketch of a family tackling their way up Blackford Hill, overlooking Edinburgh . I feel pretty grateful to have moved from one beautiful place to another.