Ranulph Fiennes

I go on expeditions for the same reason an estate agent sells houses - to pay the bills.

While I was serving, I worked as an adventure training officer, teaching soldiers how to ski, canoe and climb.

Rivalry is one of the factors pushing me. While my back was turned, the Norwegians managed to achieve the first Arctic crossing in winter. I didn't want the same to happen in the Antarctic.

As a rule, anything that is pretty you avoid when on an expedition in the polar extremes. Normally anything other than white means a hazard such as a crevasse.

No one will pay you for planning an expedition at first: you have to work in pubs at weekends so you can pay the gas bills. I joined the Territorial Army, which paid me when I turned up to drill nights, and so did my wife.

It is a truism to say that the dog is largely what his master makes of him he can be savage and dangerous untrustworthy cringing and fearful or he can be faithful and loyal courageous and the best of companions and allies.