So, whats happened so far? After deciding in December 2013 that I would take myself up on the challenge of walking solo, unsupported across the Simpson Desert a lot has happened. Firstly, I'm glad I gave myself over a year and a half to plan this trip, as balancing a busy home life, a full time work load and organising such an adventure doesn't leave a lot of time for any thing else.
The first step was to put my plan, which was swimming dizzily around my head onto paper, what a relief to finally get my thoughts and ideas out and to realise that my dream could be a reality. Next up, my cart? Who? How? What? I was at a party on Australia day talking over the idea with my good friend Alvaro (Al) an aircraft engineer working for North Australian Helicopters in Katherine, we spent the good part of two or three hours talking about the ifs and buts and whys and why nots of a desert cart that will carry approximately 200kgs of water and provisions across the desert. Anyway the night got the better of us and driving home the next morning the desert cart would not leave my thoughts, most importantly who could design such a contraption? Who? Of course! Al! Absolutely, why it didn't dawn on me during our conversation the night before? So, Al who is now working out at Coolabah Station is out there slowly but surely designing my desert cart..... thank you Al.
Next up my website, which is here, a work in progress, live today and with it this, my first blog....Today I have also approached the Australian Cancer Research foundation a worthy charity that will hopefully allow me to raise funds and awareness in their name to benefit cancer research.
So all i have to do now is drum up support, invest in equipment, publicise, publicise, publicise drum up more support, exercise, brush up on my navigation, more exercise, more publicity, brush up on my navigation and exercise, oh yeah and a facebook site.... coming soon...........