A few years ago I went down the Danube in a kayak, it ws a pretty big trip, I'd never really done any kayking before and in the run up to departure my sister would laugh at me.
"Kayak kayak kayak" she'd say, interrupting me as I chattered obsessively (nervously), running through my plans, buy a kayak in Germany, hitch to the river, sell it down at the end of the river and find a place to live. What kit? What technique? What risk? Kayak kayak kayak.
Shortly after finishing the river, about three months after arriving by boat in Varna, Bulgaria, I went to a UK doctor and started a tough period of time that led to major surgery and a cancer diagnosis. Cancer, cancer, cancer. I'm not sure how it is for others but for me, during my illness and recovery, cancer hovered in front of me, a constant presence blocking my thoughts and mental vision, slowly fading as time passed. What's wrong with me? What will happen? This hurts. I'm scared. Cancer cancer cancer.
With time I got better, the fear faded and I could look ahead again, start planning new journeys. But to travel I needed funds and a year on benefits left me in minus figures. So for the last 10 months it's been work work work. Gather money, take extra hours, keep saying yes. Work work work.
And now I'm here, my latest obsession, the great big, wonderful, wiggly walk around Wales. All my spare time spend thinking about kit, politicians, postcards, publicity, Twitter, rain, boots, feet, trail mix, mileage. Walk, walk walk. Will I be tired? Will I be cold? How wet will I get? Will anyone join in? Will I make it? Can I actually do this at all?????? Walk! Walk! Walk!
"Kayak kayak kayak" she'd say, interrupting me as I chattered obsessively (nervously), running through my plans, buy a kayak in Germany, hitch to the river, sell it down at the end of the river and find a place to live. What kit? What technique? What risk? Kayak kayak kayak.
Shortly after finishing the river, about three months after arriving by boat in Varna, Bulgaria, I went to a UK doctor and started a tough period of time that led to major surgery and a cancer diagnosis. Cancer, cancer, cancer. I'm not sure how it is for others but for me, during my illness and recovery, cancer hovered in front of me, a constant presence blocking my thoughts and mental vision, slowly fading as time passed. What's wrong with me? What will happen? This hurts. I'm scared. Cancer cancer cancer.
With time I got better, the fear faded and I could look ahead again, start planning new journeys. But to travel I needed funds and a year on benefits left me in minus figures. So for the last 10 months it's been work work work. Gather money, take extra hours, keep saying yes. Work work work.
And now I'm here, my latest obsession, the great big, wonderful, wiggly walk around Wales. All my spare time spend thinking about kit, politicians, postcards, publicity, Twitter, rain, boots, feet, trail mix, mileage. Walk, walk walk. Will I be tired? Will I be cold? How wet will I get? Will anyone join in? Will I make it? Can I actually do this at all?????? Walk! Walk! Walk!
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