• My Blog,  Overlooked Survival Items

    Travel Underwear

    Boxers, Thongs or Briefs? Boxer shorts are breathable, with plenty of ball room, but rather lacking in support, best for casual wear. Thongs, also known as ‘cheese cutters’, may look good on some, some of the time: they may look good on others all of the time, but they never look good on me at any time. Practically speaking, they are not designed to keep the ‘bad boy and his two chums’ properly tucked in. They mercilessly chafe and ruffle where they touch, or so I’ve been told. I wore my lucky, merino wool, snug-fitting boxer briefs every day, for the whole of my 25-day polar plod. They always kept…

  • My Blog,  Overlooked Survival Items

    Footwear…Socks

    Footwear is an important item on your kit list… Socks The essential but often ‘overlooked’ Socks can make or break your adventure. A suitable pair of socks are a must have for any hiker, runner, climber or outdoor enthusiast. Over many years and on many adventures, inc. Everest BC and Mt Kilimanjaro, I discovered that 1000 Mile Socks are so comfortable, durable and cool; they feel like I’m walking on a luxurious, deep pile carpet. Importantly they really help to protect my feet and prevent blisters so I truly enjoy my days on the trail.   My, not so secret, few basic Tips, for Healthy Feet        ·…

  • Critical items you ‘Need’ to Survive an Adventure,  How To's,  My Blog

    FOOD… is Fuel

    An average person can survive up to 3 Weeks without Food Our body and brain require a steady supply of food and nutrients: without the body’s many systems will begin to deteriorate. The effects may include you feeling tired, weak, cognitive changes and ultimately organ failure. When on an Adventure – I recommend freeze dried meals for your health, enjoyment and survival. I have eaten freeze dried meals on many adventures and climates; including trekking to the North Pole , climbing Mountains and rowing the Atlantic; they are quick and easy to prepare, high in energy, carbohydrates, protein and other essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  Firepot has a delicious selection of dehydrated meals: meat,…

  • How To's,  My Blog

    Acclimatising              

    If you “Acclimatise” safely your body will respond and adapt; allowing you to enjoy the mountains *Walk with your head up, suck it all in – take plenty of pictures. You may pass this way only this once!    Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). *Health and Safety’s Mountain’ Mantra; “better safe than sorry”. #livealifetodiefor

  • Critical items you ‘Need’ to Survive an Adventure,  My Blog

    Knife Blade Points and what Tasks they are best suited…

    Drop-point : good compromise between strength and utility Sheepsfoot : false point – slicing, whittling & ideal to cut rope Clip-point : for more delicate and precision work Straight Back : sturdy, ideal for cutting and chopping Tanto Blade : strong, handy for pushing cuts and piercing Gut Hook : skinning and field dressing wild game Trailing-Point : filleting, skinning and camp food prepping “Your knife is your life”: You’re only as sharp as your knife and your survival knife is the one that you have on you at the time. If you’re out and about and everything turns south for the winter and you haven’t got a knife on…

  • Adventures,  Cancer,  My Blog

    Kayak The English Channel

    BBC . South East Today – Evening News 25.6.2021 – I’m on the Telly!!! This is me in the red kayak, sporting my “Chemo Curls’ ‘, paddling from Dungeness to Boulogne! Celebrating six months, to the day, (3rd Feb -3rd August) my last chemotherapy treatment. Having rung the end of treatment bell, I remain cancer free. Approaching Boulonge Harbour. Caught by Gendarmerie. After paddling 22.6 miles from Dungeness, a high-speed motorboat with its blue light flashing; crewed by armed  Maritime Gendarmrie intercepted us; we were a mere 200 metres from Boulonge’s Harbour entrance. Gendarmrie – You don’t look like migrants going the wrong way; so what are you doing? Our response – It…

  • My Blog

    Covertly Observe & Report

    Insurance Undercover & Dodgy claims During the 1990’s I was discreetly contracted by specialist cargo underwriters on behalf of the world’s biggest insurance market; based within the City of London’s financial square mile. London is home to the world’s leading insurance platform, a unique indoor marketplace! Accommodating within and under its umbrella are the very ‘best of the best’ specialist Underwriters; men and women, who are at the cutting edge of the world’s 50 plus primary Insurance Companies. My first assignment was to covertly visit, observe and report on the Rice trade in West Africa. Sounded so simple! Extract from “Live a Life to Die For.” by Roger Davies. Abruptly,…

  • My Blog

    Fly Fishing

    Gentle Art of Fly Fishing takes skill, focus and almost meditative patience – The last gift I received from my Mum, before she passed away in 1997 at the age of 72,was a Fly Fishing rod, reel, special ’fly’ line, along with casting lessons from now my long term fishing companion , Robin Elwes. An all-encompassing gift, which to me it has become much more; it’s a Legacy that has opened the door for a lifetime of special days for me. My Mum must have remembered the fun I had experienced fishing as a young boy 45years before! I caught my first fish in the late 1950’s. Since then, fishing…

  • My Blog

    Job Interview in 1979

    An unconventional, ‘off the wall’, job interview 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…

  • My Blog

    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 My circuitous journey from London’s underworld to Loch Kishorn began when situations were getting very ‘hot’ and I’d had to hurriedly exit London for health reasons. It was in my best interests if lived discretely; merely a temporary move until ‘things’ quietened down. Except : https://www.rogerdavies.me.uk/the-book-live-a-life-to-die-for/ #livealifetodiefor