Sam Roddick opened the doors of erotic emporium Coco de Mer in 2001, while simultaneously working tirelessly as a campaigner and social activist on issues such as pornography, feminism and human rights, which she continues today. Daughter of Body Shop founder, Anita Roddick, and Big Issue founder, Gordon Roddick, she is mother to Osha.
Q: What is your first childhood memory of travel?
My first memory was not of me traveling but of my father packing his tartan suitcase. I was 4 years old when he left for a year to travel on horse back from Argentina to New York on a trail called Tiffany’s Ride (which only one other person had done before). His horse fell down a cliff in Bolivia and so he had to come back after 10 months; when he came home I saw case at the bottom of the stairs. I no longer recognized him but I felt such a huge pang of love – I knew it was him.
Q: Where have you had your best holiday to date?
I have been to the most beautiful places in the world, but there is nothing like being stranded in the valleys of the Alaskan mountains and white water-rafting – it cleans the soul.
Q: Where was the first place you went with a little one in tow? How did it go?
I went to Canada when she was three months; it was super easy.
Q: How do you find the experience of travelling with children generally?
I was super lucky because Osha loved it from a tiny age. She was comfortable on the plane and easy to travel with. With her flights being free till she was two I wanted to travel with her as much as possible. She was breast fed till 18 months so I would pop her on the boob when taking off and landing, which helped her ears.
Q: Where was your best holiday with your child?
Last year, Osha and I went hiking in Nepal. We stayed in some really rough places and camped; it was windy and cold; the food was horrible and we walked and walked and walked until it felt like torture. But, it was the best holiday we had together, both armed with little more than lip balm, walking boots and an iPod .
Q: And your worst?
An all-inclusive hell hole that I have burnt out of my memory; I must have been insane to agree to it.
Q: What is your must-have travel accessory when away with children?
When they are small, pens and paper, a camera and a scrapbook, glue and a pack of cards.
Q: And top tips for travel with kids?
When we were traveling by plane I always kept Osha up or made her sleep and eat at the right time in accordance to where we were landing. Jet lag is linked to your digestive system as well as sleep patterns so I insisted on no sugar and loads of water. This helped her jet lag last no more than two days.