For those of us that remember the 80s, Spandau Ballet's songs, and guitarist Gary Kemp's lyrics, hold a special fondness. However, it turns out that Kemp has been a long time hill walker and mountain climber.

In an interview with Hilary Whitney, published in the teacher's newspaper TES in the series entitled "My Best Teacher", Gary Kemp recalls being introduced to the hills by his teacher Jon Townsend. 

Kemp says "He (Jon Townsend) made us understand that climbing and hill-walking weren’t just sporting activities but that they gave you a connection to the earth that you don’t get in a city."

Of mountains Kemp says "they give you a terrific sense of proportion. They are also humbling, because being out on the hills in stormy weather is extraordinarily dangerous so you have to keep your wits about you, but at the same time you are conscious of the beauty surrounding you."

In 1977 Gary Kemp climbed Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in north Africa.

From Jon Townsend he subsequently developed a lifelong love of hills and mountains and the navigational and map reading skills to be competent when out on them.

Kemp says "I still love climbing peaks and I have passed this passion on to my son, Finlay. Young boys don’t see the point in walking long distances, but they completely get the challenge of climbing a mountain."

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