One of my favourite historians and journalists is Dan Cruickshank and his two TV series “Around the World in 80 Treasures” and “Dan Cruickshank’s Adventures in Architecture” had me glued to the screen each week when they were first broadcast in 2005 and 2008. I now have both series on DVD and often delve into them still and treasures such as The Blue Mosque, Machu Pichu and Easter Island never cease to please.

Staring at my bookcase this evening I noticed the “80 Treasures” book and I suddenly thought that I’d like to do a similar exercise by finding my “80 Treasures” around where I live. Thinking a bit more and setting some ground rules, I have set myself the target of finding 80 very personal treasures to see and write about, all found within 1 hour’s drive from my village near Market Harborough.

It will take me some time to complete this task, and some of the “Treasures” will not be what you immediately think of as traditional booty, but they will be my “Treasures” nontheless. It will give me an opportunity to get out and about with a purpose together with my camera. On days when I feel more confident and chatty I can choose  to engage with people around me whereas on less confident days I can just chill out, take my pictures, gather my information and come home.

Perfect.

I’m off to find a map and plot my first treasures.