Over the years I’ve spoken on the BBC a few times (Radio 2, Radio 4, BBC Breakfast and the World Service) and at a host of venues including the Royal Geographical Society in London and Hong Kong (where, admittedly, my last talk was a self-inflicted shambles), the Explorers Club in New York (hailed as ‘a triumph’ – that said, they had been drinking), the Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel Show and many book shops, schools, unis, social clubs (Royal British Legion, Women’s Institutes, Rotary): whatever size of venue – count me in.