First stop? The rifle range. “100 yards… 80 yards… 60 yards…! 50 yards”, and the air fills with screeches, pops and, finally, a booming noise that wrenches your gut and sha... Read more
If you think that climbing mountains takes years of experience, requires a penchant for suffering and is the preserve of the athletic elite then think again. If a television programme in hig... Read more
I’ll admit to being a little confused. It’s to be expected after any international flights – losing track of time as you cross different zones and spend infeasible periods in que... Read more
And so it was with the familiar blend of apprehension and coursing adrenalin that I followed the trailing rope across the glacier and towards our latest foe: the 5,700-metre high Cerro Sofia... Read more
I awake with a searing pain in my eyes. Without a background in chemistry or any medical knowledge whatsoever, I imagine that this is what it’s like to bathe ones eyeballs in a dilute... Read more
These things happen like an avalanche. A sense of foreboding. The tiniest of movements. And before you know it, the world is in freefall. I set off this morning on a low. Emails were typed w... Read more
Heaven opens the sluice gates and eight pairs of knuckles turn white as they cling to poles in an attempt to keep the tent earthbound. Someone breaches the silence with the words we had alre... Read more
“I think we should do it”, Laura said, determined. And everything changed. With the acceptance that it was happening, my body put itself into the appropriate gear and set about m... Read more
There’s a protestShe saidAnd I asked her what forJustice?Peace?Same as before? Um, noShe repliedA smile turned to frownNot in this placeNot in this town One side wrongOne side rightIt... Read more
When next shall I find myself lying in a ditch beneath a sheet of camouflage nylon inside a sleeping bag strewn at the most obscure of angles to find comfort whilst tending a pot of luke war... Read more
My forearms rest over the handlebars and my head is down. My body rocks from side to side and my legs keep turning over. I look ahead at the rising road and subdue a smile with gritted teeth... Read more
“I know you”, she says, pointing a finger at me as she opens the front door. Hmmm. Is she a dedicated follower of my top-class website? Seen me give an inspirational talk somewhe... Read more
