When the BBC transmitted Coast for the first time it was a
magnificent programme that inspired thousands to explore our land. Ray Mears, Bush
craft, Northern Wilderness and Survival with Ray Mears proved so popular that
other programmes soon followed. Dead or Alive, Mantracker and many others
inspired a human desire to challenge, to experience, to 'be' the one to test
their own abilities against Nature itself. I cannot deny they also influenced
my own current choices. I blame Ray Mears for inspiring my itchy foot syndrome,
his display of skills, interesting bits and pieces, his Wild food programme,
all tickled the restless me. All; filmed with his unique personality shining
through, the sincerity, the genuine love of the land, and it spoke to that
hidden part of my soul.
I am not as ingenious, knowledgeable or clever as Ray Mears,
I am 63, a little old lady...how could I have my adventure, bring into it as
much as is possible of all that has inspired me, and keep myself
safe.........there was the seeds of it all, lay before me, less than two months
ago.
Today is the decision day. The light at the end of the
darkness; is there, in my own hands. All the research has come together,
all the inspirations, the positives and the negatives have joined the dots of
my questions into a workable theory and it is time.
My time.
Throughout my mental processing I have had the support of a
network of beautiful people. Friends, sisters in strife, brothers in bother and
steady, balanced people with thoughts, concerns, objections, promotions and a
variety of comments... (most not printable in an article viewed by any age
group).
I have been told to stop, to do it, to wait, to go now and
advised methodically and consistently to do my research before I make my decisions.
I have taken it all on board.
Those who have written, e mailed and rung me, in boxed me
with numerous links and articles have had my very best interests at heart. For
that I love them unconditionally. To be the focus of so many person’s real
concerns, expressed in terms they knew I could accept fully, is humbling.
I have, taken it all on board, I have begun my own physical
processes and I am determined.
I will begin my adventures, with Caesar and Jake as my
companions, cameras and lap top, kindle and I phone all safely tucked up in my
little car by the end of October.
I am ready, my heart, my body, my mind is all focused on the
journey yet to be.
At the root of it all is the thoughts that began this madcap
idea.
My father, bless his soul, passed to the next realm at the
age of 67, my dear mother is still with us at the magnificent age of 87, heart
whole, mind as sharp as a blade and more life in her little finger than I have
in my entire self.
The thought was simple,
IF I live as long as my Dada then I have 4 Christmases, 4
Birthdays, 4 years to enjoy all that I have so much wanted to see and
experience.
IF I am blessed with my Mothers energy and hold on life, I
will only have a limited time before my body will be too fragile to take the
many extra testing points such a journey will naturally create.
It is time, I have maybe 4 maybe 24 years ahead of my life.
It is time.............to hit the road.
