Hobbies
Gardner has been President of the British Trust for Ornithology since 2019. After his injuries in 2004 he relearned how to ski using a bobski (also called a sit-ski), that allows disabled people to ski while seated. He has since competed in the BBC Celebrity Grand Slalom in Courmayeur, coming spectacularly last, and has taken his children scuba diving in the Indian Ocean.
I would like to thank you for a very interesting session in Ely this evening. It was truly an inspirational time to listen to your insights of the Middle East and the conflicts taking place there.
Looking forward to reading your book
Hi Frank just to say that you are what makes Britain Great.Your determination should be a lesson to us all.
I must add that you write a good book as well.I am currently reading Ultimatum.
Absolutely Colin, Frank is incredibly inspirational.
I note you have an interest in wildlife photography especially using long lenses. Currently I’m paying quite a lot for insurance on a high end camera and supertelephoto Lens with a specialist insurer. The rest of my kit can be covered under the personal belongings section of my home insurance as it does not exceed the single item declared limit. Like you I have a spinal injury (medical not traumatic which impacts walking) For any distance a wheelchair is mandatory. My House Insurance could cover it but the insurer refused me because I won the “British Birds” Magazine “Bird Photographer of the Year” competition in 2013 which involved a cash prize. This was at a time when I was fitter and working. I entered on a whim on the last day for entering and was extremely surprised to win. I don’t intend enterring competitions like that again and feel somewhat discriminated against. One of the benefits of this insurer is they give full in car cover 24/7 provided the kit is covered. Its all kept in one bag which has a securirt cable and the car is pretty secure too as the windows at the back would make extraction difficult. The car is also alarmed.
I am now retired with limited mobility and want to get out and about a more later this year and do some wildlife photography following my 4th operation in as many years. I live in Norfolk so it’s about as ideal as you can get. My Home insurance is up for renewal and the sole reason for refusing cover is a cash prize won 6 years ago! The difference in premium between the home insurer premium and specialist insurer is three hundred pounds+. I’d be interested in hearing from you about how, who and where you insure your gear with and costs involved.
Thanks in anticipation
Frank, I have attempted to contact you on behalf of a friend who is looking for an Author to write a book on her father who planned and lead the only completely successful POW escape in WW2 if you have any interest in this please contact me. I could send you her contact details, and she is a member of ELMS (Escape Lines Memorial Society)
I’ve just been watching and very much enjoying your PNG documentary. Your fortitude and determination are to be admired. I lived there with my wife for over two years from 1976 to 1978. Although Port Moresby based work wise we managed to travel quite widely throughout the territory. This Included trekking through the highlands and staying in villages. Anyway, to get to the point: on one trip my wife and I were invited to our office post boy’s wedding. His village of Avakok in Morobe province was way up on a mountainside; a two hour trek up from the drop off point from where the PMV from Lae left us. As the two guests of honour during our time staying in the village we were presented with a gift. It was a bit of a Monty Python moment but the bird on the stick was a raggiana rather than a stormy petrel.
Being a bird watcher myself it was a both a delight and and a privilege to take possession of this small part of their tribal ceremonial dress. The stick is down the bird’s throat for securing it into a headband thereby permitting the delicate red tail plumage can fan out during a tribal sing-sing. After all these years I still have it and from time to time remove it from its cardboard tube storage. PNG has many interesting species. I recall one of my former workmates pointing out a harpy eagle during one weekend walk in the rainforest.
Like you I do try and go out of my way to spot birds during my travels with the more exotic ones being worth the extra effort.
Hey Frank,just finished Blood and Sand and read Ultimatum and crisis,all excellent and look forward to more from you,found Blood and Sand a very inspiring book.keep up the good work my friend
Frank, just watched the BBC2 documentary ‘Being Frank’, found it inspirational. I was fortunate enough to be on the same flight as you on the 2nd July, 2010 from Brize Norton to Afghanistan. I had six months in theatre in what was the most beautiful country, spoiled by a few, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching your reports knowing you were there representing me, my colleagues and the plight of the thousands of innocent Afghan nationals that had to endure that hardship year after year. Thanks for everything, and although I didn’t have the guts to approach you in the departure lounge that day, I have felt a certain connection from that moment on… Very Best wishes, to you, the girls and Lizzy. Glenn Johnson – UK MOD PsyOps
Hi
A friend of mine has what’s called a chair topper.
Not sure if you have heard of that.
Basically its a metal box thats sits on a car.(looks like a ski box)
it has a built in motor that connects to his wheel chair.
His wheel chair folds up and is lifted into the box.
So it allows him to drive ( he has hand controls on his car) without having the pain of having to put the wheel chair in the back of a car.
It’s amazing.
I wondered if you had come across that device.
It’s made him mobile without having to rely on others.