Gerard Mercator was born in Flanders ( now part of Belgium ) in 1512. It is unlikely that he ever travelled more than 100 kms from where he was born. Despite this, he devised a projection which resulted in maps of the then known world. The book of maps he produced was named ‘An Atlas ‘. He gave us the word. His map projection was still in use 400 years later! We spend so much time travelling to other places that we forget there is much to see and learn in our own surroundings. There is interest and comfort in the ordinary things in our lives. I hope these podcasts will encourage you to engage in a bit of serendipitous , and happy, ambling in your area. Mercator.