Ben Fogle, broadcaster, traveller and conservationist, tells Tracy Harvey how he felt when he saw a pink dolphin – and why he will always love the sea
I’m never happier than when I am by the water – or on it. It calms and soothes me, brings me closer to nature
What would you say is the hardest challenge you’ve undertaken so far?
They’ve all been difficult in their own way, and none was much harder than the others. Rowing across the Atlantic [with James Cracknell in 2005] was hard, mentally, spending all that time at sea, in an environment I wasn’t comfortable with. My year on the isle of Taransay, although I loved it, was difficult as it meant being away for such a long time. The most painful was The Marathon des Sables, which is a 160-mile race across the Sahara Desert. I lost most of the skin on my feet.
The sea’s important to you, isn’t it? What is it you love so much about it?
I went to Portsmouth University, had some time in the Royal Naval Reserves, and spent most of my weekends and all my holidays at sea. I’m never happier than when I am by the water – or on it. It calms and soothes me, brings me closer to nature.
Do you think some people are just born with an innate love of the sea?
Funnily enough, my mother is a landlubber. She can’t stand the ocean, or boats. I remember endless childhood journeys on cross-Channel ferries when she would be all white and pasty, while we’d be racing around, having the time of our lives. Some people love the ocean and some hate it, but if, like me, you love it, then you really love it.
You’ve been to so many places. Of all of them, do you have a favourite?
I was particularly taken by Papua New Guinea but, in terms of ocean journeys, my favourite place was an island called Tristan da Cunha. It’s a British protectorate in the South Atlantic, between South America and Africa, with about 300 permanent residents. It was about a 14-day boat journey from Cape Town, and it was just the most amazing place. Reaching somewhere that can only be accessed by boat is fantastically romantic.
And if you had to settle in one place for the rest of your days, where would it be?
I don’t think I’ve found that place yet. I think the books I’ve written have always been about that search. It will probably end up being somewhere in the UK, I suspect on an island, or at least near the sea. I think that’s the fun thing in life, it’s that kind of eternal search for, you know, where you eventually want to settle and bring up a family.
As well as travel, you’re heavily involved with animal welfare and conservation. What’s the most amazing creature you’ve seen on your trips around the world?
That’s a difficult one. I thought the pink river dolphins in the Amazon were amazing, just because they were so unexpected. Until I first saw one, I don’t think that I even really believed that dolphins existed in rivers, and let alone pink ones with long beaks! Then there’s a creature in Africa called the pangolin, which is sort of a cross between a porcupine and an armadillo, and it’s the most extraordinary thing you will ever see. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one when I was in Zambia, and I won’t forget it.
As exciting as it is, do you think you’ll ever move on from this kind of life?
No, I love it too much. I’m lucky to be paid to do it, because my work is also my hobby and my passion. I never get bored of my work, and the day I do is the day that I shall retire. I firmly believe that we only have one life, and I want to live mine to the full.
This feature has previously been published elsewhere and all information was checked at the time of its original publication.
