Checking in... Helen Glover
Olympic rower
FAVOURITE COUNTRY?
GREAT Britain. I just love the variety — from coastlines and woodlands to moors and rivers, there’s something for everyone. If I were forced to choose somewhere abroad it would probably be Australia. I adore the outdoor lifestyle there.
FAVOURITE HOTEL?
THE Karma Hotel on St Martin’s on the Isles of Scilly (pictured). The staff are so friendly.
MOST MEMORABLE VIEW YOU TREASURE?
THE first trip my husband (Steve Backshall) and I did together. It was to Morzine in France. We h i ke d up a mountain first t hing in t he morning, and the clouds were below us, with these fantastic blue skies above. We could see the peaks of other mountains popping out of the clouds, and there was nobody else in sight.
WHAT DO YOU NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT?
MY PATAGONIA coat. It’s light enough to carry, but doubles up as the perfect pillow.
EARLIEST HOLIDAY MEMORY?
WITH my family, camping in France. I remember my first taste of freedom, cycling around and exploring.
WORST PLACE YOU’VE SPENT THE NIGHT?
WHEN I was 14 I went on Scout camp and we decided to wild camp in the woods one evening. After building the most pathetic den imaginable I woke up in the night to torrential rain, a river running through my shelter and dead torch batteries.
WHERE DID YOU GO FOR YOUR LAST BREAK?
THE Isles of Scilly. The destination is really special to me. I’m an ambassador for the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and I’m keen to ensure it remains a hub for wildlife. We went kayaking there and seals were popping up all around us.
MOST MEMORABLE NIGHT OUT ABROAD?
IT HAS to be Rio. After the Olympics rowing f i nal in 2016, a celebratory night out ended on Copacabana beach, where we watched the sun come up. A drunken volleyball game took place, too.
WHAT’S YOUR BUCKET LIST DESTINATION?
TONGA. I would love to free dive with the humpback whales.
WHAT’S ONE TYPE OF HOLIDAY YOU’D NEVER TAKE?
I RARELY choose a holiday where I sit still. Mine are always focused on the outdoors.
Helen is supporting Cotswold Outdoor’s Sound On campaign, encouraging people to spend more time in nature and enjoy the sounds of the outdoors (cotswoldoutdoor. com/soundon).