On the road with… DR HILARY JONES
The TV docTor Talks To Polly HumPHris abouT The big fiVe in souTh africa, peaceful sTockholm and a year in The world’s mosT remoTe TerriTory
What’s your favourite on-the-road moment?
A few years ago, I travelled with Fiona Phillips and my Daybreak colleagues down to the Shamwari Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth in South Africa (shamwari.com). When filming we followed the Big Five, namely the big cats, hippos, buffalo, elephants and rhino, and I spent a few days with the local vets. We darted and tagged a white rhino, sewed up a hyena’s jaw and released two lions for the Born Free Foundation into the reserve, with me standing on top of a wooden crate lifting the door. I was just glad the lions ran off in the other direction.
Favourite city?
Stockholm. I wasn’t there long but I immediately loved the vibe of the place. I love rivers and waterways and everywhere you look in Stockholm there is a peaceful watery scene. The city stretches across 14 islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea, so you can’t go far wrong. The mix of grand historical buildings such as the Old City Hall and minimalistic architectural landmarks as seen on the waterfront is fabulous. People are relaxed and friendly. I’ve never seen so many men pushing prams, either. Maternity leave there is incredibly generous and can be taken by either parent.
What keeps you sane on the road?
Humour. A little bit of gentle ribbing and teasing keeps people cheerful. It’s important not to take oneself too seriously and I try to see something cheerful in everything.
When have you been most frightened while travelling?
I had a hairy flight from Shetland to Aberdeen in a rusty old Islander plane. It was just me with a sick patient and the pilot. We took off from a small RAF airstrip into a force-eight gale and there was banging on the outside of the fuselage.
I thought it was falling apart. The pilot just turned around and said not to worry, it was just ice coming off the propellers. Thankfully, it all worked out and the pilot let me take the controls on the return trip, a calm, sunny day where we could see Shetland and its coastline in all its splendour.
What’s the best souvenir you’ve come home with?
I was once a single-handed medical officer on Tristan da Cunha, the most isolated inhabited archipelago in the world, for a year. It’s an extraordinary place with about 300 inhabitants in the middle of the South Atlantic. A boat comes and goes three times a year and there’s no airstrip. I came back with a massive set of shark jaws that remain on display at my home.
What has been your most life-changing experience while travelling?
We took a group of small children with life-limiting illnesses to visit Santa in Lapland for a charity called Northern Lights (northernlights charity.org.uk). They met Father Christmas, were pulled in sledges by reindeer, went tobogganing and had husky rides. The look on their happy little faces is something
I shall never forget. That truly was a magical Christmas.
strangest place you’ve spent the night?
In my garden fully clothed on top of a heap of grass cuttings. I’d been labouring all day in the summer. Towards evening I just laid down on the soft pile of cuttings to rest and the next thing I remember my family is searching with torches for me early in the morning. One of the best night’s kip I’ve ever had!
Where are you hoping to go next?
When I have the opportunity I’d like to sail around the Greek islands or go to Barbados. Thanks to the pandemic, I might have to be satisfied with a little staycation in Cornwall or Cumbria for the time being.
Dr Hilary is working with Willerby holiday homes to uncover how staycations can benefit our health, willerby.com/ greatbritishbreakoff