Speaking on Saturday, July 4, 2026, we have :

1st: Tony Wheeler and Richard I’Anson: Across the World in Stories and Photographs

A rare double‑header brings together two long‑time collaborators whose work has shaped how the world travels. Tony Wheeler, co‑founder of Lonely Planet and author of numerous books, joins acclaimed travel photographer Richard I’Anson, whose images have filled shelves and inspired journeys across the globe.

Tony and Richard have roamed the world side by side—from documenting Chasing Rickshaws and Rice Trails, to trekking the Wainwright Way across England and hiking to Everest Base Camp. They’ve even led expeditions together, most recently guiding a World Expeditions journey through Lo Manthang and Mustang in Gandaki Province of western Nepal.

2nd: Mary Fogarty: From mountains and men to Speedos and souks

Mary will recall decades’ worth of independent, spontaneous travel, describing how she has always been the odd one out, the outsider. Growing up in Kenya, she is considered an African savage back at her British convent school; in Italy, she is the only foreigner in her boyfriend’s village; in Australia, she is the lone ‘Pom’ amidst a mass of Macedonians; in Mozambique, the only white face walking home in the dark; in Marrakech, her frequent entries a source of suspicion to border police.

Escapades include an Egyptian doctor on the night train to Cairo; a trip across the desert with a Syrian bus driver to find a hotel with alcohol; sharing a sleeping bag with a Sherpa to cure her headaches in the Himalayas; and meeting a Macedonian in Perth who is sleeping in his office and growing marijuana in the office flower bed. In the final chapter, she is nearly murdered by the new girlfriend of her Berber ex-lover in Marrakech.

Mary’s memoir, ‘In Spite of Myself‘, which recounts all these adventures – and many more! – will be published on June 12 and is already available to pre-order on Amazon.

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Date & Time: Saturday 4th July 2026

Doors open at 14:15 in London and on Zoom with the talks starting around 14:45 (London see Event Time Announcer for local times), please arrive before 14:45 and switch your phone to “do not disturb” or silent.

We would ask that anyone with respiratory symptoms participate via Zoom.

Admission costs:

• £7 for members. (Members can access a ticket code below (Log in))
• £10 for non-members. (save £3 if you join at this meeting)
• a recording to watch later will be available to members and non-member ticket holders.

Please sign up for meeting updates to get notifications for future meetings.

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Tickets go on sale just before the meetings.