The real London?

Saw an episode of the recent BBC series 'the beauty of maps', on which Stephen Walter's map of London, The Island was featured. Painstakingly created with oodles of personal details, facts – where his nan's house was, where Kate Bush went to college – make an impression of the real experience of London, streets away from your average A–Z.

Sunshine

One of the things I love about being freelance is being able to make the most of a sunny autumn day. We took the car east to Seaford yesterday and went on a blazing 22 miler, taking in some of the best sights in Sussex – Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters.

After a while, all consciousness of walking switches off – leaving your mind free to follow every fleeing thought. I find walking great for inspiration – the physical forces of the sun and wind on your face, the climbs and descents – really give me a perspective on projects that I'm working on.

Inspired!

Had a fab day wondering round west London with friend Claire Lowson this week, checking out some lovely retail spaces - Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Miller Harris & Monocle.

We kicked off the day at the Rose Bakery, Dover Street Market, and nattered on over a couple of cappucinos where Claire showed me these beautiful pieces of print from the V&A.

They're mind maps of English creatives from writers to musicians to fashion designers, sharing what artifacts in the collection inspires them. And ingeniously paper-engineered and printed by Gavin Martin. Design by Johnson Banks.