Robin remained extremely fit well into old age. In 1992, at the age of 76, he was probably the oldest man ever to climb one of Mount Kenya’s peaks, a feat which involved a 1,000 ft. rock-climb and abseil descent.

He was always happiest outdoors, whether in the mountains or in the woods of West Sussex. Above his desk he kept a quotation from Leonardo da Vinci:

The greatest joys and pleasures in life have been brought to me by nature. I look to nature for inspiration rather than the man-made creations. Nature is the finest, most perfect designer.