Rev Bob Shepton - a very influential figure in my life

When I was 16 or 17, I met the Rev Bob Shepton at a church youth club I used to attend sporadically - and for social rather than spiritual purposes. Bob was a climber and looking for one or two people to act as seconds on his rope as he explored the Dorset sea cliffs. Thus began a set of adventures that have continued and sustained me through my life. Bob is now 79/80 and still sailing to the Arctic with climbers. I am so warmed and heartened to see him still going so strongly.

Is it just by chance that we meet influential characters or do we go looking for them - even if we are not aware of our doing so? As my friend Gerv has said, 'You make your own luck' and 'Chance favours the prepared mind', and I think he is on to something.

An account of my early climbing with Bob, 'Above and Beyond', can be found by scrolling down this blog