We were going to start by saying everyone would visit Antartica at least once in their lifetime, but then of course it would be trashed, and no longer the pristine wilderness that it is. Words or photographs cannot adequately describe or capture Antarctica, it is just one of those place you have to experience for yourself, it is a feeling - an emotion.

Some of our outstanding moments have been comedic and on one particular episode 3 Adélie penguins provided the perfect comic relief. We were busy taking some photos of two Antarctic fur seals having a bust up, and it was getting loud and quite vicious. when out of the corner of my eye I saw these 3 little chaps all in a line hop - walking over - with the occasion belly slide thrown in for good measure. They darted behind a snow hummock and one peered out at me. They then seemed to pushed out into the open and the other two appeared, it was almost like they were egging each other on. We were still trying to capture the squabbling fur seals, but the got closer and closer, until finally they were right on top of us. If you could have drawn captions for them - it would have been what the “hell it that!” meaning us of course. Their curiosity evidently satisfied they hopped off again. In the excitement of the encounter with the Adélie’s we missed the conclusion of the fight, but whatever it was over was evidently settled and they both sat down to lick their wounds.

We have so many photographs and stories from Antarctica and plenty of natural items to display, as well as the more unusual such as Port Lockroy’s Union Flag, broken propellers, paintings and prints as well as samples of the natural geology. The huts and remnants from the past are an open air museum in their own right and tell a story of courage and exploration, we hope they are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

We have visited the high arctic on many occasions, very different from Antartica, the first thing you will notice is that the wildlife runs, and runs fast - away from you. Mankind has heavily predated the animals and they have learnt to fear us. In Antartica it hasn't happened to the same degree, and they are either curious about us and will wander over, and it is not uncommon to find a penguin under your arm, or they will see you off, as Fur Seals are inclined to do when you are on. their beach - and they can run faster than you in wellington boots - a bite on the bum will soon have you scampering off in the opposite direction! The Arctic is beautiful it is own right, with perhaps more distinctive seasons, low forests of hundreds of years old birch trees, it can be a windy and desolate place, but hauntingly beautiful. The Arctic is the realm of the Polar Bear, Musk Ox (actually a giant goat), the stunning beautiful, yet deadly Arctic Foxes, and giant white arctic hares, like something out of Monty Pythons film. More Goliaths lurk of shore, the seldom seem but incredibly long lived Greenland shark, which may live over 500 years! Humpbacks and Atlantic (stinky) Minke (their blow is a bit fishy!) Whales cruise the pristine waters along with Sei, and the greyhound of the sea the mighty Fin Whales, second largest of the whales they grown to 20 meters, but it is their speed which is most impressive, and we have watched them overtake our ship - just cruising past at 15 knots, but they have a burst speed of over 40 km/h! The estimated 725,000 or so largely survived the first part of the whaling years, but were decimated when powered ships came in leaving as few as 38,000. I would run away too if I was them. They are thankfully started to recover and as many as 100,000 of these beautiful 80 tonne may now be cruising around, and if you are overtaken chances are its a Fin whale.

Palacio Del Gobernador, or the Governors Palace, and Mayan Archaeological site in Uxmal Yucatan Province Mexico - Central America.

I remember sitting on a log sketching the building - trying to capture (and failing) the shadows of light and dark. Ir seemed a frivolous waste of time, whilst I could have been wandered around taking it all in, including the 40 meter high Pyramid of the Magician, also on the same site.

Yet when I look back it is the sketch’s which fill me with joy, and somehow link me more to the place than a thousand photographs ever could.

Mexico is not just one culture it is a landscape bursting with cultures from its ancient past of Mixtecs, Mayans and Zapotecs (all indigenous groups who still live in Mexico) through to more Spanish dominated cultures and language.

It has a rich and vibrant history and present. We have been fortunate enough to travel from Mexico City and the great Aztec culture through to Yucatan and Belize and the amazing West Indian Manatee, and onward through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. This region has 5 of our must see places and we have many artefacts in the Museum of Travel from this region.

It can be a dangerous place, so go with guide or a group and don’t take chances, but go and you will be rewarded with so spectacular temples, sights and wildlife, and hopefully like us you will meet some interesting characters along the way.

Teotihuacan - Mexico - Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, - Aztec

Uxmal - Yucatan - Pyramid of the Magician - Mayan

Copán - Honduras - Founded by King Great-Sun First Quetzal Macaw - Mayan

Tikal (Yax Mutal) - Guatamala - The Great Tkal Temple - Mayan

Ek Balam - Yucatan - Temple of the Jaguar - Mayan, lesser known that the above it has some Fine stucco work and the impressive stone carved Jaguar teethed altar.

Wilderness camping has to be one of the most enjoyable experiences ever, but as the human population grows and the pressures on nature increase it is being increasing difficulty to find. It makes us want to cry when we see broken bottles and left over disposable BBBQ’s, litter and all the detritus our fellow humans leave behind. *Bag it and take it away with you. The old saying of “leave nothing behind but footprints” is never more valid than now.

*As a group we collected 20 sacks of rubbish from the fabulously named Accursed Mountains” in Albania. Why not organise something like that in your local beauty spot?

At Plas-Y-Brenin the Welsh Outdoor Centre which we used for team building, night navigation in Brenin Forest, and trips up the Carnedd, Snowden and The Glyders, and the lesser known Moelwyns (great place to go to get away from the crowds). We had got to know the instructors and Mountain Rescue Team well, and being fellow outdoor enthusiast had the same gallows humour that people who have to rescue others often develop. It was snowing heavily and with no signs of letting up we took our trusty Landrover 110 off to the hills.

We the sound of “we won’t come and get you” still ringing in our ears, and the big grins on the faces of the Mountain Rescue Team, still fresh in memory we set off. It was hard going, back packs full, snow falling and that quietness that only deep snow can bring. We set up camp and settled in the for night. That first cup of tea in the morning waking up in a blanket of fresh snow fall and the views over the mountains was to die for. (But go prepared please -don’t want to put others at risk - oh and don’t die) :-)

As keen motorcyclist we have had several touring trips, camping and touring around Britain,. including classics such as the Super bike weekend at Brands Hatch, and one of Carl Fogarty last races in the UK which must have been the 1999 race on his Ducati. (beutiful motorbike). We were on a Honda VFR 750, which was a great sports tourer, and could take an amazing amount of weight - tent, luggage and even a slab of beer! And of course the girlfriend - but didn’t want to put her on the same line as weight. Think we got away with that one!

We have several tents, and all the paraphernalia of camping, from kip mats, and sleeping bags, cooking stuff, including survival type equipment and open fire cooking. We hope to add some motorbikes and dioramas in the future.

We would like to recreate our motorcycle “garage” of the past, so if you have one of the following you would like to donate to The Museum of Travel we would be delighted. We also have two ‘dream’ bikes which we never got to own but would love to display for the public, namely the stunning Ducati 748 or 916, which we think was the original and the best and of course the work of art that is the MV Augusta F4. If you have one and would like to donate it, contact us by email.

CZ 125 Yellow Yamaha RD200 - Silver Yamaha RD 125 - Blue Kawasaki KMX 125 - Green Kawasaki KH 250 Triple - Green Honda VFR 750 - Red Ducati Monster 750 - Silver Triumph Speed 4 600 - Black Honda Hornet 600 - Black CCM Spitfire Scrambler 600 - Silver

Within The Travel Museum collection we have a small selection of Automobilia, including Motorcycle Helmets, leathers, boots, as well as numberplate and London Cab plates.