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10 Random Facts About Ross Corbett AKA The Blighty Traveller

With the launch of The Blighty Traveller and myself being the current editor I thought it might be a good idea to get to know each other a little better, after all, we may bump into each other quite a bit around the site so I thought this would a be a good way to introduce myself.

I’m an Australian citizen due to my mother and British thanks to my father. I was born and brought up in Shrewsbury in the west Midlands which is also where Charles Darwin was born and raised.

My favourite city in all of the world is Berlin. I know I should not be promoting cities outside of Britain with me being The Blighty Traveller but I do love the German capital. It has an incredible history, wonderful atmosphere, friendly people and a great vibe. Ok that’s enough of me cheating on Britain.

I use to be a budding politician and really thought that one day at a local level I would get involved however over the past few years British politics and the media have well and truly showed that it is just all spin and trash which put me off for life. I think just the want to be a politician in this day and age with everything that comes with it is a dangerous sign which should put you off becoming one.

I am a passionate WW2 enthusiast which started when I was very young due to my fathers interest in the subject. If I wasn’t running The Blighty Traveller I would be running some kind of WW2 website for sure. WW2 brought out the worst in humans but at the same time it brought out the best.

I am a supporter of Liverpool Football Club. I have been following this magnificent club for over 20 years and there is no sight more special than 45,000 Liverpool fans singing ‘You Will Never Walk Alone’ before a home match, brings a tear to my eye. Apart from the club, the city is a vibrant place with friendly people and well worth a visit when in England.

I am a terrible cook which I shouldn’t be as my brother is a professional chef at a terrific restaurant. It probably has something to do with the fact I hate cooking! I am very fortunate though to have Mrs Blighty Traveller who is a wonderful cook and enjoys filling my belly with delicious dinners such as my favourite Sunday Roast.

Growing up Michael Palin was my inspiration and probably still is. I remember back in 1989 his first major travel series ‘Around The World In Eighty Days’ was screened weekly on the BBC and I loved it. I was very young at the time and this was the first adult program that I had ever taken notice of. The sounds, the sights and the adventure as a whole gripped me and I am positive to this day that this is where my inner Wanderlust was born. Funnily enough he was educated at Shrewsbury school where I grew up.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in September 2010 which is a form of IBD affecting 60,000 people in the UK. When I first heard the news I was devastated but have come to terms with it over the past few months. If you are a regular traveller then Crohn’s is certainly not your best friend but this is no reason to stop you travelling, you just have to adapt. In 2011 I hope to start fundraising for Crohn’s UK, a charity who do a fantastic job supporting people who need it.

I love comedy! I love to laugh so I watch lots and lost of comdey movies, TV and standup. When it comes to TV you cannot beat the British. Some of my favourites inlcude Fawlty Towers, Dad’s Army, Some Mothers Do Av ‘Em, Only Fools & Horses and many more. When It comes to stand up, Lee Evans is the man.

If I could go back in time then it would be to the mid 1930s. Times were clearly harder back then but life seemed so uncomplicated and an era when strong communities existed. I would settle in a a nice village somewhere and spend my evenings listening to the wireless. I think I have been watching to many old movies.

So that’s me, what about you? Why not say hello and share a random fact in the comments below

14 Responses to 10 Random Facts About Ross Corbett AKA The Blighty Traveller

  1. Smitten by Britain Reply

    February 12, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    You are one of only two people I know who likes Some Mothers. It is one of my all time favorites but many American Anglophiles have never seen it or even heard of it. Mention Michael Crawford and the only memory they have is Phantom of the Opera.

    • The Blighty Traveller Reply

      February 14, 2011 at 10:50 am

      I know I love it also. Frank Spencer is just the most fantastic character. When watching him, I sometimes find it hard to believe that Michael Crawford went onto become the Phantom of the Opera. They repeat most of the classic programs on a regular basis in Britain but for some reason ‘Some Mothers’ is very rarely shown which is a real shame. Thank goodness for DVD’s.

      • J.Knight Reply

        May 18, 2011 at 7:03 am

        Most Brits. loved “Frank Spencer” when the programme was in it’s hey day.
        It was a shock to all when Michael Crawford became the Phantom–noone knew he could sing!
        We don’t see much of him these days, perhaps he’s retired.

        • The Blighty Traveller Reply

          May 18, 2011 at 7:10 am

          I still find it hard to believe Frank Spencer became the Phantom of the Opera. I don’t see Michael Crawford on TV any more, would be hilarious to see him come back as Frank Spencer as an older man 🙂

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  3. J.Knight Reply

    February 22, 2011 at 2:08 am

    You sound an enthusiastic & interesting person.
    I too find the World War 2 period interesting but regarding the experiences of people not battles.
    I watch “Dads Army” every Saturday evening–you’re right it’s time “Some Mothers do ‘Ave ‘Em” was repeated.
    I’m glad to know that the traditional Sunday roast is alive & well in your household–you could do a feature on pubs that do very good roasts.This should include vegetarian versions(nut roast).
    Have you visited a website called Sacred Politics?
    Keep up the good work on your wonderful site.

    • The Blighty Traveller Reply

      February 28, 2011 at 10:28 am

      Thanks J.Knight. I quite fancy the idea of going around the pubs testing out the Sunday Roast Dinners all in the name of research, mm yum!

      I have not visited Sacred Politics, I try to avoid anything to do with politics and politicians in this day and age.

  4. Deborah Lee Reply

    May 4, 2011 at 11:15 am

    I love this piece Ross! It’s so refreshing to read such a concise and honest bio .. Great job 🙂
    And I’m with you on the WW2 history .. being a Lincolnshire girl I’ve grown up with it. We’re very proud here of our wartime contribution and keen that those who gave everything continue to be remembered and honoured.

    • The Blighty Traveller Reply

      May 4, 2011 at 1:28 pm

      Thanks Deborah, thought it was important for you to know who is behind the words so to speak.

      You should most certainly be proud of Lincolnshire’s WW2 history, so many young brave men took off from there and sadly never came back.

      It’s up to us to keep the memory alive.

  5. CancerBikeMan Reply

    May 6, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Well Ross, hats off to you if your an Australian who likes Berlin, LFC and WW2, AND a budding politician. You’re in big trouble in more ways than you know!! I’ve had bowel cancer sothink I can understand a bit of what it’s like to have Crohn’s. I won’t have much time to read your blog over the next 10 weeks whilst I’m cycling around the GB coast for Cancer Research UK, but I’ll do my best. Regards, Bill Honeywell

    • The Blighty Traveller Reply

      May 6, 2011 at 9:29 am

      Ah Thanks for dropping by Bill, I will forgive you for not having much time to read the blog as you have a rather good excuse, cycling over 4,300 miles around Britain may just take up a little of your time 🙂

      Good luck!

  6. worried mom Reply

    May 17, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    Ross,
    Son diagnosed with Crohn’s last Aug. Has been controlled on Pentasa for the most part but I cook a lot of special food(grain free,fully cooked veggies, boiled meat,etc). He is a junior in high school (US) so only has one year left. We want to do a special vacation but are worried about dining since dining out tends to make him loose weight. Thinking about Scotland. Any comments/suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

    • The Blighty Traveller Reply

      May 18, 2011 at 6:48 am

      Hi,

      Regarding eating, I think the best thing to do is to try and do a little research beforehand and also don’t be afraid to ask that food is cooked in a certain way. One thing about travelling with Crohn’s is trying to eat the right things that have been cooked the right way. I’m sorry I can’t help more on that.

      I will say however that getting out on vacation is a very good thing indeed, not just for the obvious reasons but for his confidence. Last year when I was diagnosed, my confidence for travelling was shattered, I was use to travelling around the world and then all of a sudden I was afraid to leave my own front door and comfort zone and did not want to venture far. I’m slowly building that confidence back up and I’m sure a holiday to Scotland would do him a lot of good 🙂

      I wish I could be more helpful. Don’t forget you can always contact me direct through the contact page at the bottom of the site and please let me know how the vacation goes.

      Happy travels! 🙂

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