What's your earliest memory of travel?
Sticking lollipop sticks into my scrapbook on the Costa del Sol.

How did you get involved with travel professionally?
Rather by accident.

What's the best thing about the Guild?
Definitely the opportunity to meet like-minded people with their wealth of experience and knowledge. Charlie Connelly's introduction to the Africa Centre bar and its Tusker beer was alone worth the membership fee.

What's your best travel experience / funniest?
I've just come back from three months' dogsledding in the far north of Canada. Right now I think it's hard to beat the intense pleasure of sledding down a snow-packed trail watching those incredible dogs trot along with their velvety little ears bobbing up and down, and wondering whether the hungry wolves and maniacal moose that are surely hiding in the bushes will choose this moment to pounce… As for the funniest, there have been many humiliating times. Near the top of the list is my encounter on a Chinese train with a small child who pointed at my head and screamed in terror.

What's your worst / most bizarre?
In the Xishuangbanna jungle in southern China, I tucking in to my dinner of superannuated, stringy dog in the company of the village headman's son. My guide explained that these villagers were very poor and they ate everything; sometimes they even ate rats. At that point a bony cat came into the room and slunk around the table. 'Do they eat cats too?' I asked. My guide translated for the headman's son who assumed an expression of horrified distaste. 'Cats?' he choked. 'No way!'

What do you never leave home without?
Lavender essential oil. Very occasionally, I get the opportunity to take a bath.

What's the best thing about being professionally involved in travel? Discomfort, tiredness, pain... I recently spent a week camping in an unheated tent at minus 40 degrees. It was character building and for that I am deeply grateful.

What is the place you haven't been to yet which you would most like to visit?
Everywhere in Africa except the scary bits where they shoot people. Ditto the Middle East - I am really very eager to go to Iran but need to figure out the logistics. North Korea also appeals, but ideally not the parts where they shoot people. I have an aversion to being shot at.

Who or what would you like to be in the next life?
A sled dog. They get frequent foot massage.

Whom do you most admire?
Anyone who can hold down a regular job and write books at the same time.

Future plans and ambitions?
To write this book about the Yukon and sled dogs. To conquer my jetlag so that I can be snoozing cosily at 3 a.m. instead of sitting at my computer filling out questionnaires. On a serious note, I would like to get involved in more hardcore adventure travel. And, if I really get my act together, maybe do some telly.

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June 2006