Hello Simon, what's new?
Everything seems to be happening at the moment. We've been taking our 'Symposium' panel discussions around the world - we were in Hong Kong last month and are in Tokyo next week. And my new book, 'The Sartorial Travel Guide' comes out in June. Books like that are a long time in the works, so it's lovely to see it coming to fruition.
What's your favourite way to waste time?
Hanging out with my family, particularly playing with my two daughters. They're getting a little older now (11 and 8) but it's great teaching them things - we were learning new card games at the weekend. Just sitting in the kitchen, back door open, sun and warm air flowing through the house.
What do you tune in to on a car journey?
Music, largely. I don't drive much, but when I do it's a great opportunity to play my music, loud. Normally it's metal or blues. I've been listening to a band called Sleep a lot recently. Like a modern day Black Sabbath.
What's your favourite road movie?
Probably Easy Rider. I like the psychedelic edge to it, and the freewheeling attitude of the characters. It feels like open-spirited and experimental movies like that aren't made much any more. Or if they are, they're packaged up with a slick trailer and a Netflix promo, so you don't realise how interesting they really area.
Who is your ideal travelling companion?
Has to be the children again. Every time I travel these days, I want to take them with me. It's a cliche, but it's liking seeing everything afresh. They notice things and ask about things that you've long taken for granted.
"I don't drive much, but when I do it's a great opportunity to play my music, loud. Normally it's metal or blues. I've been listening to Sleep a lot recently."
- Simon Crompton
What is your favourite view?
There are many, but I've always particularly liked the view of English countryside out of a plane window, when I'm coming back from travelling. Small fields, lots of hedgerows, natural shapes. It reminds me of the description of English landscape in The Remains of the Day: beautiful in its subtlety, restraint and lack of spectacle.
What is the fastest speed at which you have travelled on land?
I'm not entirely sure, but I'm going to guess it's while travelling on the bullet train in Japan. I think that tops out at around 200mph.
If you could invent a motoring accessory, what would it be?
A stylish cupholder. I need coffee with me.
When in London....
Visit houses-as-museums. They're often much more interesting than the grand, crowded museums. Sir John Soane's Museum, or Leighton House.
Do you have a Connolly favourite?
Many. Right now I'd probably say the 'giubbino' summer jackets. The red cord in particularly is the definition of relaxed yet refined.