I have been unusually blessed in that I've been allowed to pursue two strands of a career that both delight me and seem to please the public.

John Hall, my geography teacher at school inspired me to a lifelong interest in geography and a curiosity about our world which has stayed with me through my life. Geography is a living, breathing subject, constantly adapting itself to change. It is dynamic and relevant. For me geography is a great adventure with a purpose.

I always wanted to be an explorer, but - it seemed I was doomed to be nothing more than a very silly person.

I mistrust total competence. I've always felt life is a series of small disasters we try to get through.

The human race should just slow down and think about what it is doing.

I don't see why it should be remarkable that you can acquire a reputation for fairness and decency. Those are qualities shared by so many people. And the great majority of people I meet are decent people, just trying to navigate their way through the world without causing too much trouble.

There is barely a country in the world where you will be completely safe.