We’ve been lucky enough to interview some interesting personalities over the years. We particularly enjoyed meeting…
Benedict Allen The acclaimed British adventurer and film-maker had just returned from several months in Siberia where he’d attempted to cross the frozen ice of the Bering Strait with a team of sledge dogs. A tall shield, given to him by a tribe in Papua New Guinea stood in pride of place in his living room – fascinating glimpse of another of his many immersive travel experiences in the world’s remote places.
William Dalrymple Historian and author, regularly cited as the voice on India, William Dalrymple was on great form during our short to camera interview at the first Traveller’s Tales Festival. He went on to enchant a very appreciative audience in the Ondaatje theatre. We’re hoping to see him again in the future.
Jonathan Dimbleby Relaxed in a comfortable armchair in his north London home, the esteemed political broadcaster and author shared stories from his fascinating travels in Russia for a BBC series and book, together with memories of the statesmen he has interviewed over the years.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes It was an absolute thrill to chat with the world’s greatest living explorer. From the icy Poles to the summits of Everest and the Eiger, via many more of the world’s most extreme environments and inspiring places – Ran has done the lot, and raised millions for charity in the process.
Frank Gardner, OBE The BBC’s first full-time Security Correspondent was entirely inspiring to talk to – the fortitude that helped him recover after being shot and left for dead was evident, his determination to live fully despite losing the use of his legs was a lesson too, and throughout our interview, conducted by the Thames on a steely grey morning, his razor sharp mind impressed as much as his philosophical outlook.
Pen Hadow A modest yet incredibly inspiring man, Pen has been dubbed ‘the human ice-breaker’ for his Polar achievements, including being the first person to trek to the North Pole solo without external assistance. His vast knowledge and experience of these regions have made him an international spokesperson on climate change and the environment.
Robin Hanbury-Tenison, OBE Just reading Robin Hanbury-Tenison’s biography left me feeling exhausted – he seems to achieve more each year than most people do in ten! He is one of this country’s greatest ever explorers and the founder of Survival International. We met up in the Fellow’s tea room at the RGS to talk about his latest trip through Albania on horseback, and his energy and force of personality filled the room. He puts this to good effect for projects he believes in – when he gets behind a deserving cause he gives it his all.
Alexander McCall Smith, CBE I read the first book in the highly acclaimed No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series many many years ago, during a week when everything seemed to be going wrong. By the time I finished it, all was right with the world again. McCall Smith’s writing is entirely happy-making. The author was as gentle and entertaining in person as he is on the page and interviewing him over tea in Piccadilly was a treat. He’d spent all morning signing books at his publisher’s office and had several other appointments that day, but his kindly demeanour and unruffled air and discourse on philosophical and moral dilemmas created a world of calm and smiles during that short hour, just as his books do.
Jan Morris, CBE The grand dame of travel writing. So the hour interviewing her at Durrants in London simply sped past, taking in the world while it lasted. And she was immense at the latest Traveller’s Tales Festival, keeping the audience greatly entertained with a sort of stand up routine (sort of because she was sitting down). Many brilliant episodic encounters from her latest book Contact came alive on that stage and left us all in awe of her talent for the most elegant observations of the world and those in it.
Bruce Parry Our first interview was a freeform chat under a tree on a sunny day in Hyde Park. The second took place indoors at a refined London hotel. On both occasions, Bruce was just as enchanting and likeable in real life as he is when presenting his acclaimed television documentary series, Tribe.
Colin Prior Recognised as one of the world’s best landscape photographers, Colin has played a big part in the Travellers’ Tales Festival since it first started in 2009, and it was during that year’s Festival that I had chance to talk with him about his craft. A compelling insight into the graft and determination needed to produce the stunning images.
Marjane Satrapi is quite extraordinary. Stunning, provocative, super-sharp and achingly funny. And she creates amazing graphic books, that convey with great black humour the vagaries of life in Iran – Persepolis, Embroderies, Chicken with Plums. That the film of Persepolis was critically acclaimed (it won the Jury Prize at Cannes) and became a hit was no surprise to anyone who has read her work, or heard her speak. I was lucky enough to interview her at the ICA before she gave a talk. She broke many rules during the course of the interview – I won’t say which ones, but the entire experience was great fun.
Jonathan Scott We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know wildlife photographer Jonathan and his wife Angie – an incredibly talented photographer in her own right – through their involvement with both Traveller magazine and the Travellers’ Tales Festival. The passion and enthusiasm that they demonstrate for the wildlife of East Africa on their much-loved television series Big Cat Diary really does shine through, and it’s always a delight to catch up with them both.
Rick Stein, OBE My first interview took place over the phone. By the time he’d finished describing all the great food he’d enjoyed during his French Odyssey, I was starving by the end of it. Luckily the second took place over lunch. In our humble opinion he’s the best – his programmes don’t just deliver accessible and scrumptious cooking but bring in culture and literature and poetry as well as a strong sense of place. A man after our own hearts.
Rory Stewart, OBE I met traveller, diplomat, author and now politician Rory Stewart in the offices of Picador, his London publishers. He’d flown in from Kabul, where he set up the Turquoise Mountain Foundation to preserve the city’s historic quarter. He’s a talented writer, he’s walked across Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal, he’s governed two provinces in post-war Iraq, and he’s now standing for parliament here. He was understated and modest through the interview, thoughtful, though without taking himself seriously. He’s a man with serious purpose though, and one to watch.
Michael Wood In The Story of India, as in his other television series, Michael Wood has shared his vast and impressive knowledge with audiences in a charming entertaining way. He was just the same during our interview, despite a very late night helping his daughter with a homework project. His tiny office was filled with paperwork and mementoes from his many travels, and the hour was filled with fascinating anecdotes. We can’t wait for his forthcoming series on China.