Huckleberry Alexander Supertramp.
Paddling along all day by yourself, with no-one to talk to, the sounds and lyrics of Curtis Mayfield filling the void, one has much to think about. The patterns and designs of thoughts, images and anecdotes going through ones mind is wide and varied. Lately, further adventure tours have flooded the cranium, and I must say, there is so many possibilities, yet so little time.
Currently there is a German lady called Freya Hoffmeister who is kayaking around Australia. Previously, she has paddled around Iceland and New Zealand’s south island. As I write, two old school friends are coming to the end of a massive journey, cycling from Alaska to Chile. Just a few weeks ago I met a fellow who was cycling around Australia. Who could forget Karl Bushby, who is walking from the southern tip of South America to England. 36000 miles in 14 years, unassisted by any means of transport. What about Shaq and Al, who are running hundreds of miles across Moroccan desert. There are so many more and hugely different odysseys completed over the years and they would take too long to mention.
So, the mind wanders and to cycle around South America is taking precedence over other possible feats at the moment. The spanish lingo skills would obviously be at their best after such a trip. Let alone the ability to succeed in tough situations, to avoid coming out second best when faced with a sticky situation.
The Amazon, The Nile, The Atlantic, The Antarctic, Siberia, The Andes, The Pacific, The Rockies, The Sahara. The Murray seems like small fry does it not? I have never been one to take away from personal achievements, let alone my own and, yes, it has been hard going at times. Yet, I believe this could be the first of many more adventures in a lifetime of essence.
The nature gods have struck their curse upon me. The leader of leisure looks down and declares that I must attempt more and subsequently gain more. We never know what is in store around the bend, (bends in the Murray are very numerous and I cannot wait to reach Morgan whereby it heads mostly south) excuse the pun.
