I did have my moments of despair. It was certainly not - it's not an experience I would like to have again. And then June came along.

I get older I get more cantankerous, but June [Hillary] gets a bit more cantankerous, too.

It's all bullshit on Everest these days.

I have been seriously afraid at times but have used my fear as a stimulating factor rather than allowing it to paralyse me. My abilities have not been outstanding, but I have had sufficient strength and determination to meet my challenges and have usually managed to succeed with them.

I never talk about being leaders and all the rest of it. I can only remember one or two occasions in my life when I actually issued orders, and I felt thoroughly miserable after doing it.

As a youngster I was a great dreamer, reading many books of adventure and walking lonely miles with my head in the clouds.

My grandmother I admired even more [than mother]. She was an Irish lady and a very kind-hearted person. She had a lot of talent, she painted extremely well. She was quite a strong factor in my life.