On on of the first pages, the author flippantly admits to bullying a classmate so viciously, they killed themselves in their car.

This is not an author whose book I want to read, no matter how much he knows about sheep. I can understand a farmer being harsh and unsentimental about farming. I cannot imagine any normal person leaving a by-the-by comment about one of the most horrific things you can do to someone in the intro of their book.

When people tell you who they are, believe them.

 A NEW FAVOURITE NON-FICTION BOOK!

It had the perfect combination of factual information, beautiful descriptions, social commentary and personal anecdotes.

I loved the discussions about how most people hold such a limited definition of intelligence and how that harms everyone involved. I loved the commentary on how artificial the tourism industry is and how you come to rely on it even though it also threatens your way of life in a lot of ways. And I loved how the author critiqued how the Lake District is romanticised by those who lack true insight and understanding of the land and life there.

Aaah I just loved this book so much.

I kind of want to read it again right now...