Talks
The 2015 – 2016 season
A list of this season’s talks appears below; click on an individual entry for more information.
- 06Oct 2015Next talk
Southern Africa's Toughest Trek
Lee Farmer · Tuesday 6 October 2015, 8pm
In 2014 Lee Farmer led a small team through the Namib-Naukluft desert of Namibia on reputedly the toughest trek in Southern Africa. The team were self-supported as no other people were encountered in this petrified desert area.
- 20Oct 2015Next talk
A Balkan Adventure
John Pilkington · Tuesday 20 October 2015, 8pm
In 2013 John spent the summer walking and hitch-hiking from Trieste to Istanbul, enjoying the mountains and meeting people in remote villages, travelling through Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania, Greek Macedonia and Bulgaria.
- 03Nov 2015Next talk
Alone In Antarctica
Felicity Aston · Tuesday 3 November 2015, 8pm
In November 2011, Felicity Aston is left completely alone on the coast of Antarctica. The isolation is instant and devastating. Only two people had crossed Antarctica alone; Felicity was to become the third
- 17Nov 2015Next talk
Members' Social & Ethiopia – History and Culture
Elizabeth and Ben Baker · Tuesday 17 November 2015, 8pm
Join us for our annual social evening. This year we have a golden anniversary quiz, BYO buffet and a short talk given by two former committee members on the history and culture of Ethiopia.
- 01Dec 2015Next talk
Sri Lanka – Elephant Complex
John Gimlette · Tuesday 1 December 2015, 8pm
John travels through Sri Lanka, trying to make sense of the country as it emerges from 26 years of civil war. Along the way he meets elephant experts, tea-planters, terrorists, politicians and soldiers.
- 15Dec 2015Next talk
Cycling to The Ashes
Oli Broom · Tuesday 15 December 2015, 8pm
Oli pedalled through 23 countries from London to Brisbane to cycle to the Ashes. On the way he played cricket with the national teams of Hungary, Serbia and Turkey, desert nomads in Sudan, and Google executives in India.
- 05Jan 2016Next talk
Secret Siberia
Paul Whittle · Tuesday 5 January 2016, 8pm
Paul is just back from an amazing 2,500 mile trip by rail across Siberia from Vladivostok to Lake Baikal. He will show lovely photos of the scenery, Soviet-built secret cities, the fortifications at Vladivostok and of course Lake Baikal.
- 19Jan 2016Next talk
Human Power Along Iran's Longest River
Leon McCarron · Tuesday 19 January 2016, 8pm
Leon and Tom Allen follow the River Karun from its humble origins in the Zagros Mountains, to the Persian Gulf. They travel by foot, packraft, and bicycle. As well as mayhem, madness and misery, Leon also had the time of his life.
- 02Feb 2016Next talk
Vietnam – A Land of Contrasts and Colour
Sam Manicom · Tuesday 2 February 2016, 8pm
Hiring local scooters, Sam and his partner explore Vietnam. There we will find that there are more cultural contrasts than perhaps any small country should hold, and enough vibrant colours to make an artist’s palette battle to keep up.
- 16Feb 2016Next talk
Around Africa by Public Transport
Ian Packham · Tuesday 16 February 2016, 8pm
In a 25,000 mile journey through 31 countries, Ian attempted to complete the first solo circumnavigation of Africa by public transport. He used bush taxis, flatbed trucks, dugout canoes, and a van delivering freshly-made meat pies.
- 01Mar 2016Next talk
Trekking the High Himalaya
Kev Reynolds · Tuesday 1 March 2016, 8pm
Kev walks among the world’s highest mountains from the remote far west of Nepal into Sikkim, exploring valleys rarely visited by Westerners – taking in the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang ranges.
- 15Mar 2016Next talk
Northern Peru Revisited
Hilary Bradt · Tuesday 15 March 2016, 8pm
Hilary Bradt, co-founder of Bradt Travel Guides, will share some of her experiences of travelling in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, plus an exploration of the little known pre-Inca ruins and natural wonders of the Chachapoyas region.
- 05Apr 2016Next talk
AGM & Ethiopia – Trekking the Simien Mountains
Jenny Allan and Andrew Luyten · Tuesday 5 April 2016, 8pm
Jenny and Andrew bring us their experiences of trekking in the isolated splendour of the rocky plateaus of the Simien mountains, encountering the indigenous wildlife including the Gelada Baboon and Lammergeier.
- 19Apr 2016Next talk
50th Anniversary Event – Back in the USSR: Heroic Adventures in Transnistria
Rory MacClean and Nick Danziger · Tuesday 19 April 2016, 8pm
Join Rory, best-selling travel writer, as he recounts his and award-winning photographer Nick Danziger's remarkable journey to Transnistria, a nowhereland hugging a narrow valley near the Black Sea, Europe’s secret state. This is a special ticketed event, free to members. Wine and canapés included.
These are the main items of the programme, but they may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. Other events will be announced at the meetings and in our newsletters.