But he said, in absence of the run, he had been researching the toads – previously misidentified as frogs.
He said he had become something of an amphibian enthusiast – even delving into the history of their supposed witchcraft properties.
He has been snapping his favourites for a “Toad of the Day” feature on the group’s Facebook page, where he has also been sharing poetry he has written about them.
“It’s impossible to hate anything about toads, they do nothing but good,” he said.
“I think they’re endlessly fascinating, and it’s always wonderful to be reminded that you share nature with all sorts of other things – we are part of wild country.
“Maybe it’s a bit like a thunderstorm, we hate being inconvenienced by the weather, but once in a while you see something absolutely amazing and you don’t care.”