Apparently time flies!

2012 has arrived! It is quite daunting to think that it has been more then 3 months since I took that drive where the idea of The Long Walk Home was born. Whenever I spoke about the walk it still seemed so far away, but now that the numbers match (i.e 2012 is 2012) it seems awfully close! This was never more apparent then when I received an email from Michael Wedel, who has agreed to help me with my training and preparation for the walk, that said and I quote, “considering you only have about 6 months before you go…”. I must admit though prior to this statement he did tell me I could ditch the tyre towing exercises which needless to say I thought was a fantastic idea! Thanks Michael!

Now that I have support for my training I just have to have a couple of words with the weather gods and see if they can’t bring about a cool change to help with the training. Only this morning I was looking at the forecast which read 43, 44, 44, 44, 43, 44, 45, and I thought anywhere else that would be a heat wave and it would not only make the news, but also have health professionals issuing warnings and advice, but here it is just the average summer which you learn to live around!

Christmas delivered me my first piece of equipment for the walk which was appreciated after the fits of laughter subsided. While standing in the kitchen my brother walked in carrying a stick over his shoulder with a piece of fabric tied to the other end. Upon closer inspection I realised that a discarded Christmas tree had been transformed into a perfectly imperfect walking stick which happened to be just the right height, and already engraved with The Long Walk Home! Everything made perfect sense after receiving this as the previous day he had wandered into the kitchen first looking for a pocket knife, then returning for sandpaper, before finally searching for an engraver. Not only this the fabric held other crucial equipment such as a fly veil, emergency blanket, pannikin, fly catchers, a whistle and 2m of paracord in case I need to pull a Man vs Wild and abseil down a canyon, or swing over a raging river while crossing the desert! Ever resourceful and always practical, and after training this morning I might be using the fly veil sooner rather then later.

Finally, thanks again to Michael for putting his hand up to help get my two feet across the desert, and with “only 6 months to go” I better get this show on the road so keep an eye out for updates about The Long Walk Home. Just in case you ever get the urge to spread the word the web address is http://www.thelongwalkhome.com.au to make it a little easier!