Alastair Humphreys

Having busked through Spain with a violin he can barely play for his latest book, the icroadventure pioneer talks about the fear factor and balancing his family life and his travels.

Do you think busking is a good way of experiencing a place?

Busking was a brilliant way of giving me a flavour of Spain and it forced vulnerability, which is one of the most important tools for having a good adventure. The only risk is that unless you’re good, you’re not going to have much money, so you don’t get to experience the nice food and hotels. Hopefully, one day I’ll go back to Spain and gorge on some nice wine and tapas.

Would you like to go back and do it differently?

I’d never been to north-west Spain before Galicia, but I loved it! It was green and often reminded me of the Yorkshire Dales. I really would love to go back with a credit card and a bicycle.

Is it hard to balance your job as an adventurer and family life?

Trying to be all things is the curse of the modern person and certainly [when it comes to] parenting. More and more families [are in a position where] both parents are working and want to be good at their career and be good parents. My job is great, but it can be hard to reconcile going on ‘holiday’ and being at home to put the washing out.