• 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.…

  • 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…

  • Expeditions

    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…

  • Expeditions

    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…

  • Speaking

    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…

  • Adventures,  Expeditions

    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…

  • Recovery

    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…