When my grandpa, who lives in Downley, High Wycombe, told the family that he was going to go to Peru it was suggested that I might go to keep him company. He agreed, but wanted to have a close look to make sure I didn’t weigh too much.I had no idea why at the time.

Anyway, a few days later we finally set off and flew to Lima. Grandpa said I should stock up on marmalade when we get to the hotel because there wasn’t going to be any for a few days. I didn’t like the sound of that.

Then we went to a place called Cuzco where we met local people who were mountain guides and porters and Grandpa had a technical discussion about equipment, medicines and other things. Marmalade was never mentioned.Then off we went.

After two days we reached a very high pass where the air was very thin. I was strangely unaffected but it was a little tiring having to pose for photographs with lots of people who seemed to recognise me including local mountain guides and everybody who had heard about my recent film.

Was this the deepest darkest Peru I had been told about? The scenery was breath-taking.  ‘in more ways than one.’ Grandpa said.

After four days we finished the journey and I perked up when Grandpa said there would be marmalade when we got to Machu Picchu

A fantastic train and boat journey then followed which I enjoyed immensely. I met lots more people.

As you know when you are having fun, time passes very quickly and it was soon time to come back to England.

When we got back to the airport we had to go into London to get home so Grandpa took us round to Marylebone to get the train to High Wycombe. The lady behind the ticket counter said ’I am very sorry to tell you but Marylebone is closed for engineering works you will have to go round the corner to . . . Paddington.’

Grandpa and I just looked at each other and laughed.  I knew I was home.