Went to see him give a talk in Malvern yesterday evening. What an inspiration that chap is.

“I’m going to spend a few minutes talking about the Marathon des Sables; I expect many of you have done it…”

We are off to see him next week in Leeds. Looking forward to it. A mate saw bike Durham who also said he was excellent

I’ve met him a few times, my Dad used to book him for talks he’s great, I think maybe some of his really ‘downplayed’ tales have been optimised for the audience, in sure they’ve grown over the years but maybe not.

Did he talk about leaving the SAS? It’s a great story.

He gave a talk at my wifes work a couple of years ago. She said he was incredibly interesting and modest,and very charismatic!
They had tried to book Bear Gryls but he wanted an eye watering amount of money!

When I grow up, I want to be Ran Fiennes.

Baronet, Eton, Army – thought he’d be in the STW devil incarnate category.

When I grow up, I want to be Ran Fiennes.

Silly boy, you can’t do both.

Distantly related to him, never met him though.

He’s written a couple of cracking novels as well . I really enjoyed The Sett by him .

Silly boy, you can’t do both.

😆

Ooo, wish I’d known about that! I bet he has a story or two. 🙂

I couldnt put The Sett down, cracking read.

Harder than a very hard thing too. I love it when I hear prisoners rabbit on about how ‘hard’ they are cos they can fight & think, ‘whatever’.

Interesting. We saw him at Kendal film festival a fair few years ago…and There was almost a bit of heckling.I must admit I am somewhat biased after his attack on Roland Huntford due to his criticism of Scott and hero worship of Shackleton. I am a Shackleton man after surviving the southern ocean in a floating skip rather than a Scott man a.d can’t stand many people who defend Scott. Still I will give Fiennes this, he is a dammed sight more real than that Bear Grylls idiot.

[Quote] Ooo, wish I’d known about that! [/quote]

Still a few dates left if you’re interested; Linky McLinkface.

just read his wikipedia entry
😯

… can’t stand many people who defend Scott.

Well, you know – you weren’t there.

Still a few dates left if you’re interested

Chapeau, sir – thank you! 🙂

UKIP supporter. WTF?

Also, seen him do a talk / slide show for a charity event in Bristol. Brilliant fellow, just a brief summary of his adventures was thoroughly entertaining.
We thought that his comedy timing and dead-pan delivery was hilarious.

I think he claims to be a decendant of Roger Mortimer.
His life and relationship with Queen Isabella is one of the best historical stories imaginable and if you like that sort of thing I would encourage you to search out a book on the subject.

Agree about his novels. The Sett and The Feathermen are excellent.

Loved him in ‘Hail Caesar’

He’s an excellent speaker, very deadpan. Had the entire auditorium in stitches at a talk I went to a few years ago but it was obvious that he’d worked on it, he had the delivery and the lines perfect.

Fascinating character.

UKIP supporter. WTF?

No one is perfect. The £18+ million he’s raised for various charities makes the UKIP thing forgivable.

Military style leaderhsip on expeditions: It’s my way or you leave’

Not everyones cup of tea….

Baronet, Eton, Army – thought he’d be in the STW devil incarnate category.

We’ve had plenty of time to get used to CFH 🙂

Military style leaderhsip on expeditions: It’s my way or you leave’

Is there another way to lead ?

Is there another way to lead ?

I think as long as the leader has the confidence to ensure his ego allows him to consult at their choosing you are probably right in that sort of life and death environment. It’s no place for mother’s meetings and bitching from the ranks.

Military style leaderhsip on expeditions: It’s my way or you leave’

There is a time and a place for that kind of leadership. When there are lives at risk is exactly the right time and place, in my opinion.

Captain Scott.
Captain Sir John Franklin.

Fine military leaders.

Duffer – Member

Military style leaderhsip on expeditions: It’s my way or you leave’

There is a time and a place for that kind of leadership. When there are lives at risk is exactly the right time and place, in my opinion.
I give you: one man takes the authority for the decisions. One man’s reputation lives or dies by the result.

That’s funny, my mum who has been mountaineering and leading Ramblers’ walks all her life saw him recently and thought him arrogant and conceited. She said he was screening some pics or a video and somebody allowed so light to enter through the blackout curtain and Fiennes shouted: “I told you to shut those bloody curtains!”

That’s funny, my mum who has been mountaineering and leading Ramblers’ walks all her life saw him recently and thought him arrogant and conceited.

Well you don’t get anywhere these days by being a fanny.

Ramblers don’t get me started on them. I had a debate with them this morning about bells on my bike. They are the devil incarnate!

He’s written a couple of cracking novels as well . I really enjoyed The Sett by him .

The Sett… I was mates at secondary school with one of the main, err, ‘characters’ who features in the book. 😕

thought him arrogant and conceited

That’s my view of him as well. IIRC many years ago he was caught drink driving, but hired himself a fancy lawyer and avoided a ban because of all his ‘charity’ work.

He didn’t improve his driving though and later fell asleep at the wheel (his fault because he hadn’t slept after a 42 mile marathon), causing an accident leaving one chap in a coma for 17 days with collapsed lungs, broken collar bone, broken ribs, a broken wrist and a shattered left knee and right pelvis. Yet again he managed to keep his licenese, CPS said he should not be judged like ‘a normal human being’……………….. 👿

We went to see him last night in Preston. It was a really entertaining evening. He told some great yarns and was very funny with it. If you get chance to see his tour then go.