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MOST MEMORABLE PLACE YOU HAVE VISITED?

CROSSING into Mongolia and arriving in the 4,000 ft-high capital Ulan Bator. It was extraordinary — like driving on a different planet.

EARLIEST HOLIDAY MEMORY?

MY BROTHER and I were given old bicycles aged respectively 12 and 11 [in 1955], and some pocket money, and told to cycle from home in Swindon to join our parents in Hope Cove, Devon. It took us a few days — if any parent did that to their children today they’d be put in prison.

YOU’RE A FRANCOPHILE — HAVE YOU GOT A FAVOURITE PART?

I ADORE France and have a house in the south-west. I love the French way of life, the food and wine, and visit my house whenever possible.

GOT ANY TIPS FOR DEALING WITH OUR GALLIC FRIENDS?

I’LL never understand why so many Brits are so bloody about the French. I’ve always found them very polite and welcoming — they’re very happy in their own skin.

DOES IT HELP TO SPEAK THE LINGO?

MY FRENCH is by no means perfect, but I certainly make the effort, and I always get by fine on my limited command of the language.

WHAT CAN’T YOU TRAVEL WITHOUT?

MY POCKET penknife, which can be awkward, because the security staff take them off you at the airport, so I often have to post it on ahead. I always find my penknife comes in handy.

DREAM DESTINATION?

I’VE got a real yearning to go to Japan, which I’ve never visited — it just sounds so entirely different. If I can get the time off later this year, I might just fly out there for the Rugby World Cup.

n My AlphAbet: A life From A to Z, by Nick hewer, is out now.