HAVING had his portrait taken in the rather grand, galleried salon at the back of Daunt Books in Marylebone, author Sir Alexander McCall Smith takes a few minutes in a nearby cafe for a well-deserved cup of coffee, having left his Edinburgh home at 5am in order to catch a flight to London. Later that evening he would be back at Daunt's for the London launch of the 24th volume in his much-loved, Botswana-set 'No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series, which has also been made into a popular television show. Once again it features Mma Precious Ramotswe, the 'traditionally built' proprietor of the firm, who has another case to solve in the forthcoming 25th instalment out this month.
It is now 26 years since Ramotswe made her first appearance, paving the way for no fewer than four other literary series from McCall Smith's fecund pen, not the least of which are the '44 Scotland Street' novels, serialised daily in The Scotsman. All told, this quietly spoken former University of Edinburgh law professor has now sold 28 million books worldwide, and the 76-year-old was knighted in July by HM The King for his services to literature, academia and charity. But we're not here to talk about his astonishing literary success. We're here to discuss fishing, because McCall Smith is an absolute fiend for the rod.
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Strength in Numbers -The success of Britain's growing band of Farmer Clusters shows the value in working together and engaging with the public in the name of conservation, says Gabriel Stone
In a world that leans into gloomy headlines, it's important to wave the flag for a refreshing success story. That's especially the case when it comes to our overburdened farming sector and the wider way in which we manage the landscape. Yes, we: everyone can play a role, not least through one inspirational initiative. Ever since a 2013 pilot project by the GWCT in association with Natural England, Farmer Clusters have mushroomed across Britain. Led by farmers with guidance from expert advisers, today's network of about 125 clusters encourages a cohesively managed, locally tailored, larger-scale approach to conservation work.
Going over old ground
Forget modern tractors and minimum tillage - there is something glorious about the sight of farmer, horse and vintage plough in perfect harmony
Return of the natives
There is nothing as satisfying as creating a magical miniature woodland or conservation hedgerow using our native trees - and now is the best time to start.
Tagging the Cornish tunny
Enormous Atlantic bluefin tuna are once again making waves in UK waters almost a century after their showstopping appearance in the North Sea
In it for the long haul
It may have fallen out of favour at the elite level but long-format three-day eventing is still proving popular with grassroots riders
Unpicking the story of hunt buttons
These treasured tokens are bestowed only upon those who go above and beyond in service of their hunt but the rules around them can be complex
A place of tradition in the heart of town
Cordings has helped shape the sartorial landscape of Britain for 185 years, with its classic country tailoring a firm staple of many sporting wardrobes
Don't play it by ear
Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on day-to-day life, making ear protection a non-negotiable piece of field kit
Back to base-ics
Britain's famously unpredictable climate can make staying comfortable in the field a challenge but the right under layers can be a game changer
Stand and deliver
A good stance provides the platform for shotgun marksmanship and is fundamental to consistent success in the field or breaking clays