-
Bizarre Employment Interview 1979
In 1979 and again in the early 1982/3 I was hired as the “labour trouble shooter” for contracts in the Middle East. To say my CV, references and interviews were bizarre is an understatement. For example in 1979, an ‘employment interview’ started totally by chance whilst drinking in the Cross Keys, Lawrence Street. Chelsea. I got into a conversation about nothing special, just usual the bar bullshit with a random guy who seemed interesting. After a few beers we decided to change pubs. As we walked up Oakey Street, I eyed three ‘jack the lads’ standing by a Pillar box on the corner of Margaretta Terrace. They decided to confront me;…
-
Working on Oil Rigs 1978
Which is crazier and/or more dangerous? Being caught in high winds whilst working in a suspended cradle 200 ft above the North Sea? OR Getting involved in blood-splattered battles in the construction camp bar?
-
Mt Toubkal 4,167m and High Atlas Mountains, Morocco Oct 2013
We were a very mixed and friendly group of 7; three men – me, Benno and Adam and 4 ladies, Lesley, Julie, Annabelle and Kay. On arrival at Marrakesh Airport our old friend and team leader Stephen Pinfold with his local right hand man Ibraham Amzil were there to meet us. A people carrier picked us up, from our hotel in Marrakesh; transporting us up to the start of our trek on the High Atlas Mountain range. Dropping us and our entire luggage off in what seemed the middle of nowhere. Steve and Ibraham, instructed us to repack what’s needed for the 6 day trek. The highlight of the Day…
-
Everest Base Camp Nepal
Our journey to Everest Base Camp Nepal The Team : Roger, Lucas Bateman, Lesley Pender, Annie (Annabelle) Hancock ,Clive Hagley & his youngest son Max, Julie Jones, Jan Meek Our journey to Everest Base Camp on the lower slopes of world’s highest and arguably the most majestic mountain is as spiritual uplifting as it is physically challenging. What makes it tougher; is trekking at altitude; rising an additional 2680m, eventually to reach Everest Base Camp, sited at 5360m; where there is 50% less oxygen compared to sea level. Altitude sickness can hit you at any time, specially over 3000m We flew from from Kathmandu, at an altitude of 1400m up…
-
Motivational Speaker
“Live a Life to Die For”. sums up my philosophy I am an accomplished motivational speaker. One man’s journey in recovery from Crime, Addiction and Cancer to Wild Adventures Having personal experiences of expeditions in the Arctic, Rowing the Atlantic, mountains and playing the two highest games of Rugby in history; to relating to challenges people face in recovery and in their everyday lives. My inspiring world of adventure encompasses a wide range; even my self motivation in arduous and extreme conditions, mental and/or physical. Typifying my tenacity or pig-headedness in overcoming the odds. **I need to remind myself that each of us has our own personal mountains to conquer;…
-
Sahara Desert Trek March 2015
The record high temperature of the Sahara was 136°F / 58°C! To me, the Sahara displays an awe-inspiring uniqueness as did the North Pole. They share extremes of contrasts yet alike in so many ways; legend, mystery and raw beauty. Both can and will kill you if you don’t respect them. The Sahara is the largest non-polar desert on our planet; 3,320,000 square miles (8,600,000 square km) If you take the wrong dune and lose your way, you’re in deep do-do, (shit)! A desert is a barren area, defined by averaging less than 10 inches / 25cm of precipitation (rainfall) each year. Clear skies, light wind and dry air helps the…
-
Mt Kilimanjaro 2010 and again in 2012
Mt Kilimanjaro is on the northern border of Tanzania, 200 miles south of the equator. It is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, rising out of the African plains to an impressive 5,895m (19,340ft) above sea level; not to be underestimated. Myself and friends embarked on a huge personal challenge, to climb the highest mountain on the African continent by the Machame Route in 2010. I returned in September 2012 with a total metal knee replacement, this time I selected to summit ‘Kili’ by the quieter Rongai Route.. We reached the summit; Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 metres the highest point in all of Africa. Darkness was gradually replaced by…
-
More Than My Past
Roger, as an Ambassador for The Forward Trust https://morethanmypast.org.uk/roger-ds-story/ The Forward Trust empowers people to break the cycles of addiction or crime to move forward with their lives. Since 1991, we have been working with people to build positive and productive futures. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change, whatever their past, as celebrated in our More Than My Past campaign. Our services have supported thousands of people to make changes to create better lives with jobs, family, friends and a sense of community.
-
Rugby on Everest 2019
In April 2019 we trekked in the footsteps of Mallory and Irvine, up the Magic Highway’ to Mt Everest’s Advance Base Camp (ABC3) 6,500m/ 21,000 feet; which is just below the North Col to play two games of Rugby on a glacier. Myself and Lesley, trekked and played alongside, Rugby stars Lee Mears, Ollie Phillips, Shane Williams, Tamara Taylor plus 20 inspirational men and women to help raise more than £250,000 for children with disabilities and facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland. The Rugby Challenge took place across 24 days; our group battled acclimatisation and altitude to play the World Record for highest ever game of mixed seven-a-side ‘Touch Rugby’ at Everest Base…
-
The Toby Wallace Atlantic Row – January/February 2016
It was approaching midnight on the 28th Jan 2016 – I was sitting in my rowing position, on the “Toby Wallace”, a light-weight ocean rowing boat; ‘primed and ready for an attempt’ on a world record. Our challenge was to Row across the North Atlantic, setting off from Marina Puerto De Mogan Gran Canaria, 4815Km. / 2992 miles to Port St Charles Barbados faster than anyone before. I was musing !!!! Rowing the Atlantic seemed a good idea at the time. On reflection !!!! However the reality, as with much of life, it’s not all it seems. Ocean Rowers will row for 12 hour in every 24…
