I was born and raised in Cape Town. After finishing university in
2001, I decided to make the most of my British passport and headed
over to London. Following a few years in Britain I met Catherine
and in 2008 we got married down in beautiful Devon. Having
established a career in IT risk assurance, I feel it is time to
escape the big smoke for a period and explore the continent that I
am so passionate about.
Growing up in the knowledge of my Dad's trip from Edinburgh to
South Africa in 1969, the idea of an expedition has always been
brewing in the back of my mind. It was after a chance meeting with
a couple who were doing a similar trip a few years ago when I
decided that this dream needed to become a reality.
This trip combines everything that I love - adventure, all
things mechanical and technology. Having been raised at opposite
ends of the world, it will also allow me to introduce Catherine to
this beautiful, exciting and unpredictable continent that
inextricably defines me. Together, we hope it will be an
experience that will shape us for the rest of our lives.
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I had a wonderful childhood in Devon, surrounded by the friendly
chaos of four other siblings. After a gap year in France, I went
to Leeds university to study French and Linguistics, which
included another year back in France. From this time on, I had a
strong inkling that my life would take me somewhere, at sometime,
away from this little island.
Meeting Neil in 2004 certainly confirmed that. Neil made it
very clear from early on that he hoped to return to South Africa
one day. Fortunately for him, the concept didn't really phase me.
Maybe I was just head over heels in love. Maybe I was excited at
the idea of realising my own thirst for adventure. Maybe I had an
inner reassurance that this was all in God's plan. Probably all of
the above.
Five years on, and married, it is all becoming a reality. I
have to be honest and say the naïve flippancy with which I said to
Neil that first evening 'that's no problem', has gradually turned
into a cautiously excited realism. I am unashamedly nervous of
what this trip means as it will be my turn to leave my family,
friends, job and country to embrace the unknown.
However, I am absolutely sure that we are doing the right
thing.
This started off as Neil's dream, but now it belongs to both of
us. The next year will certainly teach us a lot about each other,
and ourselves. The details and logistics are daunting, but the
potential for wonderful experiences is immense and exciting. Watch
this space!
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