My Perfect Day: Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Described as the ‘world’s greatest living explorer’ and, at 65, showing no signs of slowing down, Sir Ranulph Fiennes found time to talk to walk about his favourite things
His achievements include reaching both Poles, crossing the Antarctic and leading the first hovercraft exhibition up the Nile, as well as running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Despite a heart bypass, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has no desire to stop exploring. He lives in Exmoor with his second wife, Louise, daughter, Elizabeth, 2, and stepson Alexander, 13.
On your perfect day, where would you like to wake up?
In heaven.
Do you feel more alive when you’re up close to nature?
Being close to nature can definitely make you feel more alive – for instance during an avalanche or a crevasse fall.
Your favourite view?
Parts of Somerset are absolutely stunning.
When in training for an expedition, are you strict with your diet and fitness routine?
My diet includes lots of complex carbohydrates, especially rice. I also run for two or three hours every week.
What’s your favourite meal and drink?
Curry, red wine and Horlicks.
Who do you most admire?
In polar travel, it has to be the late Sir Wally Herbert and, for hot desert travel, the late
Sir Wilfred Thesiger.
Is it hard to adjust to modern comforts such as a proper bed and central heating when you return from an expedition?
When I get home it’s never hard to enjoy those comforts again – especially hot baths.
What exercise helped you most when recovering from your heart bypass?
Running slowly for two hours cross-country helped me rebuild my strength.
Where do you most like to go on holiday?
To a different place every time I go away – there’s so much to see.
Is there anywhere else that you still want to explore?
Yes, there is and we are working on it (confidentially, so I can’t reveal any more!).
Sir Ranulph Fiennes will be speaking at the Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show on Friday 27 March at 11am. For more, please visit www.outdoorsshowextra.co.uk
