For relaxation he reads, walks and cycles and rides with the Honourable Artillery Company Saddle Club. He is passionate about the benefits of exercise for children and walks at least 15 miles a week with his sons (Charlie, 14 and Nicolai, 13). (‘It’s the best thing for parent-child communication. There’s a pattern to our walks – the boys whinge for a half a mile and then we start to talk… Our best conversations are always on a stroll.’)
Matthew speaks fluent French, reasonable Spanish, and, thanks to his former partner, Khelga, whom he met in Moscow in 1991, he can recite Pushkin as well as a choice repertoire of Russian slang phrases.
For 10 years Matthew Collins was ‘Special Assignments Man’ on BBCTV’s The Tavel Show. An endless succession of surprise travel challenges (presented to a stunned Matthew each week on the show) included travelling to Spain with his leg in plaster (it wasn’t broken but he had to test travelling facilities for disabled people); staying at a nudist camp where single men and photography were banned (he was alone with three cameras round his neck); and journeying to Athens and back on a bus (six days and six nights of travelling) with only an hour’s break in Athens.
For the last five years Matthew has been bringing up his children alone and when he’s not hunting for bargains in Waitrose, he writes and talks about Father-and-Sons’ adventures. He’s written three books: Across Canada with the boys and three grannies; Across America with the boys; and Matthew’s Travels – 10 Years of Trips for the Travel Show. He’s contributed to other books (including a guide to Spain) and has a new book about Florida due out soon(ish).