def split_string(x, separator=' '):
    """
    Quick function to tidy up lines in an ASCII file (split on spaces and strip consecutive spaces).

    Parameters
    ----------
    x : str
        String to split.
    separator : str, optional
        Give a separator to split on. Defaults to space.

    Returns
    -------
    y : list
        The split string.

    """

    return [i.strip() for i in x.split(separator) if i.strip()]