Companies that have helped me on my journey
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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
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Mt Toubkal 4,167m 2013
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…
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Mt.Everest Base Camp 2014
Our journey to Everest Base Camp Nepal, 17,598 feet (5,364m) above sea level. 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…
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Inspirational 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;…
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Sahara Desert
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 air temperature cool off significantly at night. Insufferable heat during the…
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“How I Climbed Kilimanjaro Twice, Once with a Metal Knee”
Myself and friends embarked on a huge personal challenge, to climb the highest mountain on the African continent. Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano, rising out of the African plains it is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world 5,895 m (19,341 ft); on the northern border of Tanzania, 200 miles south of the equator. We climbed the Machame Route in 2010m and I returned in September 2012 with a total metal knee replacement -Why ??? to prove it works! And It Did **** When we reached the summit, Uhuru Peak by the Rongai Route, when darkness was gradually being replaced by “a burst of orange and pink light that painted…
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I’m 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. #livealifetodiefor
