My botanical activities in the last 55 years divide into three main parts – palaeoecological research involving pollen analysis, vegetation history and statistics; lecturing and field courses; and ‘hobby botany’. This hobby has encompassed over 90 botanical expeditions to alpine and arctic areas on all continents except Antarctica. Although retired, I remain active in research and have more time for my hobby of expedition botany. I define an expedition as an adventure with a purpose.