Terry Grigg

I live to travel. It is in my blood. It is when I am at my happiest and most exuberant. In my twenties it was Europe by InterRail, in my thirties it was the odd package tour, but in my forties I finally broke free from my humdrum bourgeois existence and headed to Africa. Five months in trucks, buses, coaches, pick-ups and God knows what else, over-landing across ten countries from Nairobi to Cape Town.

But I also have a passion for the natural world. My idea of heaven would be somewhere in the rainforest, home to over half the earth’s plant and animal species. I’ve worked in an animal sanctuary, a garden centre and plant nursery, and been involved in Green politics, environmental charities and campaigning. So I suppose you could say travel, trees and the environment are my bag.

South-East Asia was next on the list with a slight diversion to Australia and New Zealand. Nine countries this time over two years; unfortunately interrupted by falling off a mountain in Australia and breaking my ankle. As soon as I was fit and well, off I went again. Never once was I homesick; if I grew tired of one place, one city or one country I could always move on - and move on I did, following the sun. But all good things come to an end, and back home I came to write up my first published book ‘Backpacking with a Bunion’.

Since then I have done extensive travelling in other parts of Asia, Africa and the Americas. My current project is Terry’s Travels. The first volume is entitled ‘Orcland to the Ottomans’, a journey from New Zealand, via Australia, Eastern Asia and along the Silk Road to Turkey. The second is called ‘A Scam in the Ashram’ all about the Indian subcontinent. I have just finished the third 'The Dark Heart of Humanity' about Africa all the way from the Canaries to Cape Town. But meanwhile there’s plenty of time to fit in some more travel and adventures. Be seeing you.