ExpeditionJim

A Glimpse into Field Research Life

2011-01-29T11:40:00.012Z

The time here is going fast. The third and final week on the marine portion of the expedition has come and gone. It was characterised by rough seas and difficult sailing conditions that made survey work particularly tricky. Thankfully, the weather stayed calm when at high tide one day a few of us arranged to borrow some canoes from the local fisherman and have a paddle through the mangroves.

Through the years I have often wondered what field research life would be like. I have always been interested in biology, geography and the study of the physical world. Back in school I had at one point considered a career specific to this. Something along the lines of the character played by Sean Connery in the film Medicine Man (if you don’t know it, seek it out. It is a quality film). To have had a first-hand glimpse into this area of the scientific world has been very enlightening.

Patience and persistence are important traits of the field researcher. Weather conditions, logistical difficulties and the need to work around nature means that there are long periods where no progress is easily made. However, interspersed within these are moments when fantastic sightings and breakthroughs can come about. And when these come, they can be really invigorating. Vivid reminders of what an amazing world we live in, and how much more is still out there, waiting to be discovered and explored.

I have really enjoyed my time working on the marine section of GVI’s Kenya Expedition. Now I move back onto the mainland, to Shimoni, where I will be starting the forest research aspect of my 10 week program.

Marine Survey Leader Day

2011-01-19T07:03:00.007Z

During the course of the Kenya Expedition I am studying for a BTEC in Biological Survey Techniques. As part of this I need to lead two survey days; one for the marine research and one for the forest research. This week I carried out my survey leader day on marine.

The evening beforehand, I briefed the team on the three main aims of our next day’s surveying. These included conducting a dedicated search for cetaceans in two key locations and investigating a new location for a regular snorkel transect. With a little careful planning as to the necessary equipment, logistics and personnel requirements, the next morning we set off on schedule, bright and early.

The areas I had decided to survey are known to be where the sighting of dolphins is quite rare. So it was not surprising that we didn’t encounter any. If we had wanted an almost guaranteed sighting, we could have gone to a different area, but that wasn’t the point of my survey day. I wanted to look into if they were also active in a different nearby area. This could have supported a future increase in the Marine Protected Area. However, they were not there. Only additional days at sea would provide a better picture as to the situation. As for the new transect location, we did identify one which a few of the team members were quick to remark provided one of the best collections of reef fish they had yet seen. It has subsequently been added to the regular transect list.

All things considered, my survey leader day went smoothly, efficiently and without any problems. Two things have sprung to mind following it. One is that it is worth remembering that the collection of useful, important data can be a very slow process and patience in this regard is always required. The other is that it is good when everything runs according to plan and without any hiccups. If only every day on an expedition was like this. But then having said this, where would be the fun that comes in having to sort out a crisis of some sort? I do enjoy a challenge now and again! Perhaps next time I should overlook some important health and safety concerns. That could provoke one... haha!

That was, of course, only a joke.

A Case for Enlarging the Marine Protected Area?

2011-01-14T19:19:00.004Z

Following an initial two days of training; learning how the marine research is conducted, what species we need to be able to recognise, and our roles on and off the boat, we were thrown in at the deep end... (sorry, couldn’t resist!). The typical daily routine involves heading out to sea shortly after dawn, undertaking dedicated searches for cetaceans (dolphins), and snorkelling transect surveys until around midday, then returning back to base for data entry and analysis in the afternoon.

Yesterday morning we spotted a group of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins in an area where they have very rarely been seen before. It was a significant distance to the north-west of the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Protected Area (MPA) and could provide important data in support of a case for it to be enlarged.

The current Kisite-Mpunguti MPA comprises an area of 39km² to the south and south-east of GVI’s marine base on Wasini Island. Whilst Bottlenose Dolphins have been seen outside of the MPA to the south-west, to see some to the west of Wasini almost as far as Sii Island is an exciting sighting. Watching them for almost an hour, their foraging and feeding behaviour indicates that this location may be an important area that also needs to become protected.

Despite having been working with GVI for almost 2 years now, this is the first time I have joined a project purely as a volunteer. So being the one to make this important sighting from the GVI research boat, it is extremely satisfying to think that I am making a valuable contribution to the expedition’s objectives to help conserve this key biodiversity hotspot. Next week I will be leading the marine survey team for a day and we will be going back to the area of this sighting to see if we can reinforce our data further.

First Impressions in Kenya

2011-01-09T11:41:00.011Z

Following an eventful bus journey from Dar es Salaam, during which the main problem was avoiding smashing one’s head on the ceiling when we crashed over the bumps and potholes in the road at the fastest speed possible, I arrived in Mombasa. Staying the night at the GVI orphanage project base, the next morning I joined the rest of the new recruits for the start of the expedition.

When choosing to join the Kenya Expedition as opposed to any of the other ones run by GVI, there wasn’t actually much thought put into this. I have always wanted to go to Kenya, it was the easiest place to get to from South Africa, and I liked the mix of activities. The Kenya Expedition provides opportunities to take part in not only terrestrial and marine research, but also in community-based initiatives. So that was it. Decision made.

I had taken very little time to research and look into exactly what the setup would be like, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I knew it would be basic, especially on Wasini Island base where there is no electricity or running water. For some reason, the idea of being in a ‘shipwrecked’ situation kept popping into my head. In many respects this isn’t too far from the reality.

A short boat journey in a small canoe transported us across to the island which is where I was to be based for the first three weeks. We form a small community of our own with around 25 volunteers and staff all living together. A central wooden enclosure or ‘banda’ provides the main communal area where we cook, eat, work and relax. A few hammocks here and there accurately depict the tranquil nature of the set-up, the elevated view of the beach and local fishing dhows adding the icing on the cake. It is a beautiful place to be living and would be hard matched. Everyone here is keen and eager to start getting involved in the projects, as am I. Initially, I will be assisting on the marine research and we start tomorrow.

Adjusting My Pace in Zanzibar

2011-01-06T11:32:00.003Z

I was so busy with tying up all the loose ends in South Africa before I departed, I hadn’t had any time to slow down at all, to think about what lay ahead. All I knew was that when I arrived in Zanzibar that would provide me with a short holiday before the expedition in Kenya.

There is an expression commonly used in Africa. If you haven’t heard it prior to visiting the continent, upon arrival you soon will – ‘T.I.A.’ ...‘This is Africa’. It explains that Africa has its own pace and schedule for how long anything takes to happen. Whether it is waiting for your food to be served in a restaurant, to when you actually expect the local handyman to get around to paying you the visit you arranged six weeks ago. There is no point becoming frustrated, fighting and struggling against it, it is just part of the culture.

“Why is it taking so long? What is the hold up?”

“T.I.A.”, is the answer.

Now anyone who knows me well, knows that I often choose a particularly fast pace to my daily life, such that the front-runners of the caffeine-fuelled commuters in London would often be left behind. When I made the move from the UK to Cape Town, I was told that I would have to get used to a slower pace. Now heading into East Africa, dropping my pace further still has been raised as a potential challenge for me. So relaxing in Zanzibar for five days after having been working flat out, it provided a perfect lead in. And relax is exactly what I did.

Forming part of the Spice Islands of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar Island is a beautiful little spot off the mainland coast of Tanzania that is a coveted tourist destination. Encircling it there are numerous white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters that could satisfy some of the most discerning ‘paradise island’ enthusiasts. It has a history and culture that has been heavily influenced by African, Arabic and Indian sources to provide it with a feel that is entirely its own. At the heart of it is Stone Town. Here the narrow, medieval style streets provide a maze of colours, shapes and smells that it is easy to get lost in, though you don’t in the least bit mind. When travelling, whenever I spend more than two days in the same place, I usually find a preferred little spot to base myself. In Zanzibar this was on the peaceful rooftop terrace of the hotel overlooking the Anglican Cathedral. When I decided to take a break from exploring, it is here that I passed my time.

Rest, reorganise my thoughts and concentrate my focus is what I did. Adjusting my pace I think has followed in tow. As a result, feeling much more prepared to take on any new challenges that could be thrown my way, travelling on to Kenya feels me with that adventurous anticipation that any traveller will understand. I’m truly excited now and I can’t wait to get started!

Damn. Maybe adjusting my pace still needs some more work...haha!

Bananas and Fireworks

2011-01-02T13:42:00.000Z

Have you ever seen fireworks from the air? Well, travelling a budget airline when the New Year kicked in we unfortunately weren’t treated to a free glass of champagne as I optimistically hoped for, but seeing fireworks from above was very cool. It looked like a cross between a circuit-board lighting up and an air strike on a battlefield – explosions of light bursting up and out from the ground below!

Strangely somewhat fitting, the two descriptions above could perhaps be taken as metaphors for two key characteristics of so much of Africa; bright lights of electrical energy symbolising the huge potential that it has, playing against a ravaged ‘war zone’ of poverty and corruption that is prevalent in so many areas, holding it back.

Up until now I have almost exclusively been in Cape Town, which whilst it has its own examples of these characteristics (for which the inequality extremes are only I believe matched by Brazil), it is developed and westernized enough to allow one to sometimes forget they exist. Such occasions are now being left behind. Journeying away from the most ‘European’ city in the most developed country on the continent south of the Sahara, I know that life for me is going to get a lot more basic and a lot more ‘real’. ‘Real Africa’ – the one that is typically depicted with the heat, the humidity, the dust and the sweat – I was flying straight for it.

Veering away from the more sober strain of thought above... Whilst everywhere has troubles of some sort, there are always friendly, happy and smiling people mixed in amongst them. Aside from the fact that obtaining a visa at Zanzibar Town Airport must have taken all of 60 seconds, with a grand total of zero questions, my taxi driver into town could only be described as one of these happy, smiling people. Our pleasant conversation was briefly interrupted along the way as he stopped along the side of the road to buy some bananas. He was quite right. They were very sweet and very delicious, but one was enough for me. Despite his insistence, I couldn’t possibly have accepted taking half of the bunch. What a nice welcome. I have problems recalling the last time a taxi driver offered me a bunch of bananas...

And so this marked the start of my journey into East Africa.

GVI Cape Town Half Marathon

2010-12-10T08:51:00.068Z

I’ve been working in my Regional Coordinator role for GVI in South Africa for just over 15 months and my time here is now coming to a close.

During this period I have become very attached to the Cape Town Community Projects and the fantastic work that all involved are undertaking. Whilst I wasn’t here from the very beginning, I have seen them develop and grow extensively during my time. What with around 400 volunteers having joined the projects since I arrived, I have had the privilege to meet many generous, kind-hearted and wonderful people. For the vast majority, to have been able to volunteer in South Africa is no mean feat. For many they have had to give up a significant amount of their time and money to be able to travel half way across the world to help children they have no connection with. I have always found the efforts of these volunteers to be very inspiring.

Drawing on this, I could often be heard saying that before I leave South Africa I wanted to do a fundraising event to make my own contribution to all the children. And so last Saturday I did. I ran a half marathon to raise money for the Cape Town Community Projects.

Now, not being aware of my current level of fitness, how are you the reader going to be able to gauge exactly how difficult a challenge this really was for me? Well to help you with this, I must first point out that I have done little to no running in the last 4 years. Whilst I think I could walk or hike almost indefinitely, running is a different activity. When I first started training for this half marathon, 3km felt like my limit. Let alone 21km!

Conditioning my muscles and joints to handle the impact of running for that distance was crucial. So with only a 3 week period within which to train prior to the race, I had to undertake a fast and intensive training schedule to get myself up to standard. By the end, I had covered 70km in 17 days.

Back in 2007, I completed the London Marathon in a 36 degree heat, not having been able to complete my training, starting from near the back, in 4hrs 15mins. So whilst at first I wasn't too concerned about my time for this half marathon, in the back on my mind I always thought that I could, and should, be able to break that significant 2hrs barrier.

So on the day, running a pretty tough trail run that included a good number of hills, I was more than happy with a time of 1hr 56mins. In fact, that is an understatement - I was very happy with that!

If you would like to donate towards this fundraising effort, you can do so via the following link:

http://www.justgiving.com/Jim-Bacon-GVI

And to see exactly where this money is going, do please visit the GVI Cape Town Community Blog:

http://gvisouthernafrica.blogspot.com/

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Safari Day-Trip

2010-11-12T06:55:00.000Z

There is a safari day-trip that our volunteers in Cape Town often go on. Up until last weekend, I’d encouraged others to do it but never actually done it myself. Now that I know exactly when I’ll be leaving Cape Town, I am acutely aware of various activities I want to do, and sights I want to see before I go. This was one of them.

Owing to the fact that the game reserve is very small in size, it is possible to see a whole range of amazing animals in quite a short space of time. Although I know it will pale in comparison to what I’ll see in Zambia, it was still a great day out! Here are some of my favourite photos.

Raising Awareness About Climate Change

2010-10-06T09:20:00.000+01:00

350 parts per million is the concentration of CO₂in the atmosphere scientists say is the safe limit for humanity and the earth to survive. Above this level, the damage by global warming becomes self-perpetuating. 350.org is an international campaign that is building a movement to unite the world around solutions to this crisis. A new sense of urgency needs to be created. They are encouraging people to organise rallies and demonstrations around the world on the 10^th October as worldwide support of this message.

GVI Cape Town, including both our office and field staff, jumped the gun on the date last weekend by carrying out a South African version of an event. Since the Western Cape is famous for its stunning winelands, we joined forces with three of the finest vineyards in the region; KWV Laborie Estate, Nederburg Wines and Fairview Winery. They all showed their support of the 350.org message by planting with us an indigenous tree in each of their grounds. The trees were Olea europaea subsp. africana, more commonly known as a ‘Wild Olive’ (or 'Olienhout' in Afrikaans!)

If you would like to find out more about the 350.org campaign, please visit their website – www.350.org And keep your eyes and ears alert for all the fantastic events happening globally this Sunday...

Expanding Our Orphanage Work

2010-09-15T13:52:00.000+01:00

On our Cape Town Orphanage Program we at GVI have just started sending volunteers to a third location. Just last week I paid a visit to find out how things have started off – ‘very well’ is the short answer.

Whilst the volunteers live in the small and pleasant coastal town of Fish Hoek, situated about 25mins out of Cape Town south along the peninsula, the main focus of the project work in this area is in the West Lake Township. Here there are three nurseries typically trying to care for 60 to 70 children with only the smallest amount of regular help. Some of these children are orphans, while a lot are there for the day as it is a 'safe-house' for them. Their families are often destitute and extremely ‘disrupted’, for want of a better expression. Without the existence of these nurseries, the children would usually be left on their own during the day to fend for themselves. Ranging from newborn up to seven years in age, this is a very poor situation. All these children are in need of love and care, and someone to give them the attention they require and deserve. A lady by the name of Cynthia is trying to provide this for them but is in desperate need of help from volunteers.

So when I went to find out how our first group of volunteers have been finding things, it was fantastic to see so many happy, smiling faces. It is difficult to express how excited these children were that they had someone to play with them, to interact with them and to teach them. The value of GVI’s assistance there is clearly evident.

On a personal note, as it is my job to encourage volunteers to take that step and make the commitment to come and join our project work out in Cape Town, my job satisfaction soars every time I go and see not only the difference that is being made to these children’s lives, but also how glad the volunteers are they decided to come and help. It gives me great pleasure to connect those who need the help with those who want to help.

'A Simple Freedom'

2010-06-15T11:09:00.000+01:00

Sunday 13th June was the anniversary of the day when the Rivonia trials concluded with the sentencing of 8 men to life imprisonment. Since these men were political prisoners, the term ‘life’ was to mean life. Nelson Mandela was one of these men and Robben Island was where they were to start their sentence.

Another of these men was Ahmed Kathrada. On this anniversary day a small group of us were to be part of a special audience and tour of Robben Island with Mr Kathrada. This was in fact my first visit to the former prison and having a tour of it with one of Mandela’s oldest and closest colleagues was a real privilege.

Mr Kathrada spent 27 years on Robben Island. Calm, collected and yet full of life, you could tell that his principles are still as strong as ever. He has returned to the island many times now since his release in order to tell the story of their struggle, to educate others and spread their message. Aside from other stories, recollecting how himself and Mandela worked together to smuggle out Mandela’s writings, it was fascinating to hear.

This trip coincided with the release of a new book by Mr Kathrada. ‘A Simple Freedom’ is a compilation of various quotes and writings that he collected and drew upon to help maintain his courage and optimism during his captivity. One quote in particular caught my attention:

“Without the power to sacrifice self, great ideas will never bear fruit”, Louis Michel at the burial of Blanqui, 1881.

As one can imagine, the emotions invoked by making return visits to the prison were very present in Mr Kathrada. And yet he continues to go there, time and again, to educate and to inspire others, still sacrificing his own comfort to promote freedom and how so few can ‘make a difference’. He sets an example for us all.

Great White Sharks

2010-05-02T12:08:00.002+01:00

Great White Sharks are one of the finest predators this world has ever seen and have always been a source of fascination for so many. South Africa is one of the best countries to see them.

Now, I don’t think I would be alone in saying that the film ‘Jaws’ had a profound effect on me when I first watched it as a child. So during the two encounters with these animals that I have now had whilst in South Africa, the phrase “We’re gonna need a bigger boat...” was definitely one that sprang to mind. Although this time it was rephrased as a question – “Are you sure we won’t need a bigger boat...?!!”

Cage-diving was the first of these encounters. The way it works, they start by ‘chumming’ from the back of the boat. This is where they mix a bucket full of bloody sardines (or some other such small fish) with sea water and regularly tip a bit of this over the side to create a stream flowing from the back of the boat. The particles of blood in the water attract the sharks. Once they have attracted a few into the vicinity, this is when they lower the cage into the water along one side of the boat. This was a long, thin cage wide enough to be able to fit seven people in side by side. Kitted out in a wetsuit and a mask, climbing into the cage there is a rail on which you stand and one to which you hold onto. Standing at the back of the boat, the Captain has a few tuna heads tied to the end of a rope. He throws this into the water, gradually pulling it towards the front of the cage. As the sharks snatch at this bait, you see them in full feeding mode right before your eyes. As the sharks draw nearer, the Captain yells “Down, down! To your front!” or “Down, down! To your left!” You take a deep breath and dip your head underwater.

If you go cage-diving around July, the visibility in the water could be as good as 10 to 15metres. At that time of year, you’d be able to see the sharks swimming quite a way off, and obviously have more warning of when they are approaching the cage. Going in January as I did, the visibility at the time was only 1 to 1.5metres. This meant that you had no time to prepare yourself for seeing a shark close-up. One second you can’t see anything, the next the biting jaws of a Great White are flashing a foot in front of your face! Holy shit!!
Needless to say, it was quite a thrill.

Now my second encounter with these amazing animals was when I went to visit the Great White Conservation Program that GVI sends volunteers on. When we went out on the boat with them, I had the opportunity to try out the ‘tuna head on a rope’ task. You are not supposed to let the sharks eat the tuna, but being unpractised in this art it is easy to underestimate how quick the sharks are when they properly go for it. On one occasion I was too slow. The shark latched onto the tuna. Then there was one of those moments that seem to happen in slow-motion. This was when I realised that I had a Great White Shark biting onto the end of the rope I was holding. Again...holy shit! At first not wanting to let go, as if who came away with the tuna had become a contest, my colleague quickly pointed out that there is no point wrestling with a Great White – quite right.

First note to self: ‘Choose one’s battles wisely’.

Second note to self: ‘Learning to surf in shark-infested waters is now even less appealing’.

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Cage-diving with Great Whites is a bit of a contentious issue in regards to disturbing these creatures in their natural habitat. Attracting them to the boats with the lure of food so that a profit can be made from them can be considered exploitative. This is an issue regarding tourism and its interaction with wildlife that always comes up. I am not going to go into this whole argument here. Suffice to say that I am aware of it, and in fact the Great White Shark Conservation Program does regularly monitor the cage-boat operators nearby. Investigating their impact is one of the program’s current research topics.

Mountain Guide Course

2010-04-20T13:25:00.001+01:00

I have just completed an intensive 8-day Mountain Guide Course. This has been a fantastic, thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Run by the outfit VentureForth who I recently undertook an excellent 2-day Sport Climbing course with, I was confident that it would be of high quality. However, I was still slightly unsure as to exactly what to expect. Starting in the classroom to begin with we studied topics that included navigation, route planning, mountain weather, emergency procedures and other various aspects a mountain leader should know about. Some of this acted as a refresher of my knowledge, some of it was new ground. Either way it was all good!

The course culminated with an overnight hike up in the Matroosberg Reserve. For those unaware, Matroosberg is the highest peak in the Western Cape of South Africa. This was the real highlight of the program. In particular, it was when I took the lead to successfully guide our group of ten on a steep climb over difficult terrain with tricky navigation to our 2,000m summit. My overriding thought at the time was that this is where my true passion lies, in leading. That has been a conscious thought for a long time, but it is always good to be able to get out into the field to put it into practise.

Incwala

2009-12-20T07:10:00.000Z

I am in the middle of a 7-day trip to Swaziland. Today I had the honour of being invited to take part in a tribal ceremony along with about 900 other men. For the best part of it I was the only foreigner, the only white man. An honour it was indeed!

Incwala is the most sacred Swazi tribal ceremony. This is when the king grants permission for the people to eat the ‘first fruits’ of the year. Men from all over the kingdom make their way to the royal residence at Lobamba and build a ‘kraal’. This is a large circular wooden enclosure. They then perform dances and sing songs inside the kraal for a number of days as they wait for the king to come before his people to give his blessing.

I went along with two girls with the intention of merely being a spectator. The way it works, there are two entrances to the kraal. The men enter from one side and the women from the other. Having first removed my shoes, I went in through the one entrance expecting to meet up with the girls inside. However, once I had entered the enclosure the possibilities of this was cut out by the presence of about 100 head of cattle directly in front of me. I didn’t see the girls again until afterwards.

The majority of the men were in traditional Swazi dress whilst a small number were in military uniforms. At first, I stood at the side with the elders as the rest of the men swept around the enclosure in a large circle in a kind of dancing, marching style, herding the cattle in front of them. After this had gone on for about 10-15 minutes, all the men formed ranks facing the entrance that the women, the King and his wives would be coming through. Then everyone proceeded to start a slow dance/chant. It was very slow and rhythmic. The elders had re-joined the rest of the men at this stage. Whilst I would have been content to just stand at the side still and watch, they beckoned me to come and join their ranks. So I did. One thing I haven’t mentioned is that all the men and a wooden staff that they were using as part of their dance. Perhaps in place of a spear, I thought. I was without one of these. Luckily, one of the elders had a spare.

So there I was, a solitary white man dancing a sacred African tribal, ceremonial dance with several hundred men, wooden staff in hand. I lost track of time, but I think that we danced there for about an hour.

This was quite a surreal experience and one I wasn’t expecting to find. It’s funny how the best ones work out like that. Needless to say, it is one I will always remember.

Touchdown

2009-09-18T06:32:00.001+01:00

Well…I landed this afternoon after almost 24 hours of sleepless travel.

It was a lot colder than I was expecting. I remember when I touched down in Calcutta, I walked through the door of the plane and was knocked back by the change in temperature. Though that was never really going to happen. It is only Spring here, after all. Actually, it was warmer back in Old Blighty the week before I left.

I was introduced to my new apartment and couldn’t have been more pleased. Situated in a marina style complex it holds the top floor of its block. Inside it consists of a spacious open plan design between kitchen, lounge and balcony that is very agreeable. My bedroom hosts a large double bed and ensuite bathroom – a particular luxury considering I have been cramped into a small single for the last six months. All things considered, it seems I’ve done quite well. However, best of all is the view from my balcony. Northwest facing, it allows me to watch the sun set behind Table Mountain from across the sea.

Happy days so far!

Difficult and dangerous

2009-09-15T19:36:00.002+01:00

The reputation of Africa for being a place unlike any other instils a certain amount of trepidation prior to my move there.

I have challenged and I have pushed myself to travel to some fairly difficult and dangerous places before – Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia sitting near the top – but Africa is supposed to take the biscuit. Except is it really as difficult and dangerous as some people make out? Opinion is relative to experience. Perhaps that is what they think, because it is the common opinion. Is it actually the case?

TIA...’This is Africa’... is a phrase I have recently become acquainted with. As far as my understanding of it goes, it is supposed to sum up the idea that anything can happen in Africa, nothing goes to plan, and expect the unexpected. Well on that basis, it’s certainly not going to be a dull place! In fact, from my experience of literature, film and other sources of discussion about Africa, it is full of so many extremes of the good and the bad things in this world, that it is…as I said before…a place unlike any other.

And this is why I’m going. I won’t shy away from the difficult and the dangerous. It has always been in my nature to go out and explore and experience as much of this world as I can. When I’m old and tired, if I have achieved that, or at least given it a bloody good go, then I will be a satisfied man.

Ready to go

2009-09-14T05:01:00.000+01:00

The last four weeks has comprised a long series of goodbyes on my run up to moving to South Africa…

From those in the office, to those in the pub. From old friends in London, to new friends in St Albans. From visiting my father, to visiting my mother. It seems to be a never-ending process. Not one that I make begrudgingly, don’t get me wrong. I have enjoyed my mini-tour to see family and friends. But I am now ready to go.

The recurring questions generally revolve around,

“Are you excited?”

“Are you nervous?”

To which I always answer “Yes, a bit of both.” The relative proportion of each varies from one moment to the next. And as much as I am happy to answer the questions, it seems I have answered the same questions hundreds of times now. My response has been mastered and refined over and over again, like the reworking of a speech. I suppose it could be likened to a boxer or an athlete being asked a continual stream of repetitive questions running up to the big event. So now I am at that stage that they must reach, when they are tired of the talk and the chat. They, as I, just want to get on with it. To start the fight. To start the race.

I am ready to go.