When and why did you join the Guild?
In 2010. I'm game-keeper turned poacher - or the other way around. I ran a Travel PR company for 30 years - in the 70s through to 2000. I'd like to think my then clients and I helped quite a few members over those years. Then I retired from serious PR to write - particularly boating and travel. I still know some members although regrettably others have passed on. Then, last year, I thought 'I wonder if they'd have me?' I asked and you did. I'm delighted.

What are you working on at the moment? Any future plans?
Travel, wildlife and boating features, UK and abroad. Back to Africa, the Carib but I've ambitions to visit new countries. I just did Arizona - and Vegas for a second time having said I'd never go back, fun though it was. It was even more so the second time. I'm also advising a couple of marine charities in an honorary capacity.

What's your earliest memory of travel?
With my parents from our London home to Wales where my grandfather was a poet and Congregationalist minister. I was four and remember my granny telling my mother to keep me quiet in the pew. Travel got more exciting after that thank goodness!

What's your most bizarre memory of travel?
Nearly being seduced by an orang-utan in a Borneo sanctuary. I was interviewing a ranger who was holding one, then another came up, grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the jungle. She was so persistent and wouldn't let me go - she kept pointing, tugging me. She was very strong, incredible. The ranger told me her name was Hope. When I finally broke away she looked so sad - and I felt guilty!

Which is the place you haven't been to yet but would most like to visit?
India, to see the tiger (I'm very into wildlife) or China, because I think I should!

If you could take a day trip back in time to any point in history, when and where would you visit?
I'm writing this on Easter Sunday and while I'm not that religious, perhaps I'd go back 2011 years to that empty cave. Or otherwise to the big bang. In either case, however, it would be vital I was guaranteed to get back to today and report on what I found.

Which travel destination has taken you most by surprise and why?
For some reason I'd never wanted to go to Australia. Until I found myself in New Zealand and thought I couldn't go all that way and not “test” Oz. In fact I was knocked out by it and the people were great. Now Sydney is my second favourite city (after London of course)!

Most memorable hotel?
The Shangri-La, Sydney. For its wonderful view of the harbour, bridge, opera house and wonderful scenery afloat.

Everyone gets it wrong sometimes, so what's the biggest travel blunder you've ever made?
It wasn't my blunder but I had to carry the can. Back in my travel PR days I hosted a party of writers, mostly BGTW members and chums, to Hawaii. We had to change planes in Los Angeles, the days when your baggage didn't automatically go all the way. Amazingly the LA check-in desk said they had no seats so I went off to sort it and thankfully did. But I put my baggage down at one desk before returning to check my writers and their bags in at another. When we arrived in Hawaii, guess whose baggage came off? Mine but not theirs! That really did test friendships but next morning it all turned up ok.

If you had one tip to share with other travel writers what would it be?
Write as you go. Your feelings and words for wonderful places need to be committed ASAP. Emotion and enthusiasm fade quickly and I always try to write about best experiences the same or next day.