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 was not a beater of children and as a consequence I've always been, I think, very agreeable and co-operative.

I think my strengths perhaps are that I'm determined. I may not be the best climber in the world, but I do like to sort of succeed and so that tends to drive me on, as it were, and I don't give up too easily.

Nothing can replace courage, a resounding motivation and that little bit of luck.

We shared a philosophy together [with June Hillary]. We believed very strongly in the welfare of helping other people, particularly the Third World people.

It's not a real adventure when you have to pay for it.

I don't spend a lot of time thinking about dying, but I like to think that I've - if it did occur - that I would die peacefully and not make too much of a fuss about it.