Impatience bites.....

 I sit here watching a documentary trailer for a guy called Nick Jaffe; who is featured in an up and coming sailing documentary (See here for the link) - Although I am a particular sucker for such documentaries I am eagerly anticipating watching the finished article; when it is released for download, next month; ugh, I'm excited about cringe worthy digital media.....and if you have to pay for it, I won't be watching it-  although, the one aspect of the trailers that would get a 'thumbs down' from me is the soundtrack; which in my honest opinion is questionable- but then again, I am pretty funny when it comes to music. I'm a bit of a music Nazi. There was a point in one of the trailers, where Nick was quite simply overcome with raw emotion as consequence of his awe inspiring surroundings; and that is the moment that I am personally looking forward to experiencing first hand.

I can't help but be envious of what Nick has managed to achieve. Nick, like the greats who have inspired my interest in ocean crossings,  Rebell, Slocum, Motessier, Willis, etc had that compulsion within; to get in a small boat, and just sail away from it all. Letting go, casting off the shackles of society, saying "fuck you" to everyone else; and just getting out there.....alone....with the grandeur of nature; unadulterated in all it's glory- the sea- the sky- the elements.  I like to think that I have the same compulsions.  I'm 27 now; and I should have at least got in a sail boat by now; you'd think; especially having such an ardent interest in ocean crossings on small vessels; but I haven't; well, apart from when on holiday in Tenerife; but it was a pretty big yacht.  Sometimes you get caught up in one thing and another; and you end up putting things off and before you know it, life has passed you by. I think for this dream of mine to be some quixotic fad is completely not the case. I think the main reason I haven't already embarked on anything is due to financial restraints, although there was one point on that lilo in Majorca where I was pretty far offshore.  I have spent the past 4 years trying to get myself in the Merchant navy as an officer; to enable me to work, doing something I want to do; and have the working patterns of a few months on and a few months off; so I can get all this shit done.  The target is well and truly locked! Granted; I am a few years off the point where I'll have my own Yacht; the plan is, once I am qualified as a Deck Officer; and I have some funds in the bank; I intend on getting myself a Contessa 26 yacht; on which I will hone my sailing skills; and finally achieve a very long term dream. I'd hope that with my training as a deck officer; I'll be able to transfer my nautical skills into sailing, and pick up the ropes quickly. I'd like to spend my time off work cruising; not only for the prospect of saving money, but it's all experience that will assist with my ultimate goal of circumnavigating the globe; which is something I plan on doing in later life; like my hero, William Willis; although, I'm not really sure a balsa wood raft would be my method of transport.  I have no intentions of writing about it; I'm not really sure there would be that much interest anyway. One thing about watching Nick's documentary was the Camera factor; would I really want to have them personal moments captured on film, and showed to other people? I'm not sure it would be the right thing for me personally; plus; I wouldn't look good on a camera at all! I would see the camera as intrusive; and my dream doesn't involve attaining acclaim, or anyone's respect; I am doing it for me.  I quite liked  Benedict Allen's one man cam-a-thon; with the ice dogs in Siberia. You got more of a feeling of authenticity from knowing it was just him there. I have no time at all for the likes of Bear Grylls or what ever his name is. Film crews; and all the stuff behind the cameras; that you don't see; luxuries and the like! A gang of frauds!



I would like to embark on a project that I could write about; and maybe raise some money for charity in the process; and I have done quite a bit of research into the field I am interested in- Pedalling across an ocean. I was following a guy called Greg Kolo-something or other; from Canada and his "Pedal the ocean" project. I was a little critical of his boat design, and also the "sea trials" that he was doing on a lake; weren't really worthwhile; as I wouldn't of thought emulating the roaring 40's would be possible on a lake- I think I did message him on facebook; but attained no response- and in fairness, he's probably had a tonne of people tell him what they think, and who am I to be taking advice from?  - In any case; he abandoned his project; I think, due to safety concerns.  I am toying with the idea of building an ocean going vessel powered by pedal- I figured that I could combine my love of cycling distances, with my interest of crossing oceans. I managed to ride 116 miles in 6 hours 45(ish) - and while it's not exactly a world beating time; I am still carrying a lot of weight more than I should be; and I think I have a lot of potential to improve as an athlete. I've done a few monster rides; and every time, I have always got back, and thought to myself, I could carry on all day. Which is why I have always entertained these thoughts of pedalling the ocean.  I have had a word with a friend about the actual physical side of it, and also the mechanics of building a pedal system that would be able to turn a propeller- He has contacts with an engineering chap that could build me a pedal system; so what's one aspect sorted. I have not even though about a boat design yet; when I'm surrounded by the right people; I will start to ask questions; but where I am in life at the moment, there aren't really many people I can call upon for advice on things nautical related.  The guys at ocean pedal challenge seemed to have all of their bases covered, with their vessel design and is  a well sponsored project; it looked the part but not long into their second voyage; they called it off for safety concerns. I believe they will be trying again, third time lucky might be the case? I hope so.


 So what is needed, is a boat that is able to withstand massive swells, take a beating from waves and wind; and still be able to make progress; with all that in mind. Christ knows? Jason Lewis (http://www.expedition360.com/) managed to get around the world on human power alone(not just pedaling oceans though) so suggesting a successful solo ocean crossing wouldn't be the acme of foolishness! I would like to do it quicker than Jason though; and I don't think what he has achieved would be something I would embark on emulating. What a seriously heroic feat. The media has hardly batted an eyelid for any of the projects I have previously mentioned; yet; when one of Jordan's tits slips out of her bra in some atrocious London night club; it becomes front page material! I went to my Nan's quite a few times last week; and she gets The Mirror delivered every day; and it's seriously difficult for me to put into words how remedial the people who contribute to it must think 'we' are. I wouldn't go out of my way to read a red and white tabloid, I was merely passing the time. There it was....  the continuous demise of Simon Cowell's life, throughout the week- if the old seven day adventists are to be believed; then surely the demise of Cowell in one week is possible, if God can create the world in the same amount of time?  Who cares? How does this shit sell? Then there was a shockingly terrible article about Great White sharks; it had that much of an impact on me that I have forgotten what it was about; but I remember it lacking serious scientific facts about sharks- in fact it was about some "shark whisperer" - it failed to mention tonic immobility; which the entire story was based on. So the public are left thinking that this ball bag goes around fingering Great Whites into a submissive state. You should have heard the sigh I let out.  So many reasons to want away . . . . . .


So . . . back to reality. It's raining, the dog is depressed because it's raining, and I seem to just be in constant daydream mode;  My mobile phone has completely perished; the screen no longer works; I don't really care.  I have no intentions of replacing it.  I get my dole money this Wednesday; and I'll have about £50.00 to live off for 2 weeks; oh the recurring joys of having to live off the government. I hope I can find a job to get me through the summer, until I start my cadetship.  I've today purchased Dom Jolly's Dark tourism, after being told about it by Mark; one of the guys in my cycling club. As soon as he told me that Dom visited an Iranian ski resort; it was sold to me; "right up my street" I thought; and the first chapter is now out of the way; and I'm looking forward to the rest of it.


Time to walk the dog....

Dan

Predictable old me.

January, and it's resolutions pretty much went up in smoke. I drank 3 times in the month, after planning not to drink. I didn't lose any weight; but didn't put any on either, and I only managed to get 270 miles done on the bike; which I guess can be excusable because of the weather, and I didn't really advance my maths knowledge as far as I'd liked. We're in February now, and I am still a maths retard. I was doing linear equations, and quadratic (sort of getting, but not quite); but I've realised after doing one of the level 2 papers, that I need to swat up on the more remedial stuff first, before I press on. I have until mid June to get up to speed; I've never been confident about getting the B in Maths; but it's the only option that I have, so I must go with it.  If I don't get a B, then I don't get the position it's as simple as that.  If I keep procrastinating, then it's my own damn fault if I'm moaning on here about not passing, come August.  I had my third English language assessment back, in which I got the top band; so that's 3 in the top band so far; next week's controlled assessment, is the 'rant' - I have a feeling I will get maximum marks for that. So, I'm ticking over nicely for an A in English, and I'd like to think I'm ticking over nicely for an A in Literature as well. The sciences, maybe A's, possibly B's. I've felt so sorry for myself today, and yesterday. What's passed is past.

I had a tax rebate last week, from 2007;  and I also had a few winners on the horses, so I went in to spontaneous spending mode; and as I type this, I now have little money left. But I'm pretty happy with my purchases:

1: Seaworthy; adrift with William Willis in the golden age of rafting - T.R Pearson
A novelist, pretty much summarizes my HERO; William Willis' adventures. I've been meaning to get this for a few years now; I guess it was on my wish list. I look forward to reading it.

2: The Real Heroes of Telemark - R Mears
Not really a fan of Ray; I think he's a pompous scrotum; but to be fair to him, this book is fantastic. I'm interested in this, obviously, because of Knut Haugland taking part in the raid, before his exploits on the Kon-Tiki.  I've read it, but it was that good, I felt I should buy it. The gripping account 2 Norwegian resistance operations, gunnerside, and grouse; just about sabotaging a heavy water production plant at Vermok.   Heavy water is instrumental in getting a nuclear reactor going; so the stakes were high! Although it has recently been shown that the barrels that they "sank" didn't contain enough of the stuff to be a danger. Still.


3:  I'd recently watched a cracking documentary called Deep Water, on the none stop around the world Yacht race, in 1968. I was particularly interested in Donald Crowhurst; who essentially, went mental, and pretty much killed himself, but we'll never know. I have the book to read, I've had it for a while; Tom Mcnally, the fearless atlantic crossing record holder gave it to me. I was also interested in Bernard Moitessier - The Long Way - Who essentially, was about to win the race; and decided that he would turn his boat around, and carry on sailing around the world. I'm very eager to read this book.  I've also purchased Robin Knox Johnsons' A World of My Own: The First Ever Non-stop Solo Round the World Voyage - I guess he won the coveted prize by default. I'm sure it will make for some good reading.

4. I purchased "The best of: The Kingston Trio" on CD

5. Had my mudguards fitted on my winter bike, and I also purchased a pannier, and a rack bag; so my winter bike looks like I'm a right "tourer" - I guess you've got to be into cycling to know what a "tourer" actually is. My definition is "Middle aged/Elderly male, with a bike fitted with lots of baggage; slow travelling, and probably carrying NOTHING AT ALL"  I'll basically be using it for my long rides, so I can take food/water/waterproofs. I also purchased some new electrolyte tablets as I've ran out of my SIS GO. I was doing 70 mile rides last year, and when I started on the electrolytes, I was getting about 20 or more miles before getting totally drained. These one's I've bought have fewer calories.

Fucking Christ,  I'm starting to bore myself now. To be honest, I was bored when I started writing this.

I also spent £200.00 on a weekend in Krakow, Poland. Last week, I was kicking a can; moaning to myself about not having the money to get away; the next day; BAM- tax rebate. I am going with my friend from my days at secondary school, Paul. It should be funny, with my volatility, and his OCD; it should make for an odd weekend to say the least. I will try and borrow a camera and take some pictures of shitty old buildings and such. There's the option to visit the concentration camps; but, I'm really not sure this is something I want to do; I will decide when I get there. So, In just 2 weeks time, I'll be leaving for Poland. I'm still scared of flying; but, I need to face the fear, because, when I become a deck officer, I'll be flying all over the show.  I wasn't supposed to pay that much, and I'm pretty much as cheesed off as I can be. If you book via Icelolly.com, be sure to do some background checks on the company before you even ring them; my company, "Deal of the day holidays" - part of "jetline" are absolute cretins, and should be avoided at all costs.

Bucket List

1.  Visit The Marquesas Islands - After reading the Kon-Tiki expedition when I was 12, I became obsessed with the Pacific Ocean. I've since gone on to read quite a few accounts of sailing oceans. My favourite being "The epic voyage of the seven little sisters" by William Willis; incidental that; 7HTAS, which is my Twitter name, is the call sign of Willis' raft. I think it's what the Peruvian navy named the raft.  There's a company that do a tour of the islands on a freighter; but the costs are quite high; given that I'd need to fly to to L.A, and then to Papeete. I worked it out, and it was about 5 grand in total. I'd rather sail there my self...which brings me on to #2

2. Learn how to sail. Another long term ambition of mine; thwarted by chiefly, financial constraints. My plan is to buy myself a little yacht, and learn the ropes. I'm harbouring thoughts of saving up, and buying myself a live-a-board eventually. I've seen the life of live-a-boards, and although it isn't ideal, it'd be perfect for me. I'm assuming I'm going to be in the merchant navy next September, in which case, I will be be away for some time, and when I do return; I can cruise. I'm in love with the idea of being on remote islands. I want to visit Ascension, as many as the British Overseas Territories as I can, Easter Island, Pitcairn, The Antipodes, The Hawaiian Islands and Christmas Island , I'd like to visit Vanuatu; and tell them I'm John Frum - All these places could be individual numbers in my bucket list. I used look at these little slithers of land dotted on vast oceans on an inflatable globe at my Nan and Granddads. I forgot, I'd love to go to the Caymans Islands, and British Virgin Islands. I guess retirement is pretty much taken care of.

3.Visit Devil's Island -in Suriname- A former penal colony, the setting for another of one of my favourite books "Damned and Damned Again - Which surprise-surprise is by William Willis.

4.  Cycle up Mont Ventoux- Watching the Pantani V Armstrong match up in  the 2000 tour de france was possibly the greatest sporting moment I've witnessed. I'd love to ride up it myself, ans see the Tom Simpson memorial; for those not in the know about Cycling, he's a brit, who died whilst competing in the Tour in the 60's.

5. Visit Oslo- Three reasons. #1 to visit the Kon Tiki Museum.   #2 To visit Vemork - A hydro electric damn/museum (The Heroes of Telemark) and #3 Visit the Hardangervidda - All Kon-tiki related - The last two are associated with Knut Haugland - A true hero. His Wikipedia page does him no justice at all. While I think Ray Mears is a walking talking testicle; his book, "The Real Heroes of Telemark" gives a real enthralling insight into Operation Gunnerside

6. Visit Vietnam; I've always been curious about the place from various war films, but what really got me interested in going was reading Tim Severin's China Voyage. I'd also like to visit China, DPRK, and Hong Kong, while I am there.

7.- I'd love a horse. I think, when I'm up and running in the Merch; I may well get shares in a racehorse; It'd have to be a Chaser; and Charlie Poste would have to ride it; He's my favourite Jockey; I once backed him at Aintree at 100/1 on a horse called dance island; and he only went and finished second! One of his rides I'll always remember was when he managed to get a horse called heathcliffe to finish third; the horse was reluctant to settle, and he pretty much had to push the horse the entire 3 miles. I'd one day like to have enough space to be able to keep one myself; although, I am planning on living on a yacht; as soon as possible.

8. San Francisco; go to Gilman Street and take in some punk rock; and ride the tram. I've always wanted to go, after seeing Herbie rides again. Strange little houses on hills. Quirky. I like it. 


9. On the subject of Beetles, I've always wanted a 1969 VW Beetle. This exact one - with the soft top; and the racing shit on. There's an attempt at one of these round by my mums. It's not the right shade of white, it's not the correct year, and they've basically bought it; and not looked after it - all the shiny metal bits have been allowed to rust. A shame really. Although these day's, I'm a little 'anti vehicle'.

That's about it really. I mean there's a few peripheral ideas that I have, some unrealistic, some pretty achievable.  I'd like to one day live in Spain, I guess #2 can sort of accommodate that. I'd love sit down, and write a song with Neil Finn. I'd love to see Aurora borealis with my own eyes. I'd love to drive or cycle across Europe, and America. Pedalling across an ocean is something I constantly think of.  I want to see more of eastern europe as well.

They should make a film about . . . . .

I heard the tale of  Aron Ralston years ago, not long after it happened. I'd like to begin by saying I have not seen the new film. But I'm highly dubious of the fact that a big budget studio has turned it into a feature length film. It's a truly harrowing thing to happen, granted, but I'm curious to know how they have dramatised it enough to fill out 90 minutes or more and I will probably watch it when it is released on D.V.D.

 If I could get Danny Boyle in a room (I'm only using him as an example, as he made the aforementioned film- I'm not a fan or anything) I would plead with him to make a film about William Willis.  Big shot directors probably get swamped with morons telling them what they should make a films about all the time, but after learning that ralston's plight was being made into to a film, I got thinking about my hero; William Willis. Now for a kick off, the information on his wiki page is sadly skeletal. There's a number of errors, and there is a tonne of stuff that's been disregarded. Unless like me; you've read all his books, you probably wouldn't want to see a film about him; especially after looking at his wiki page (Because wiki is the all knowing all seeing)

His juvenile years would certainly make a decent enough story. When he was a nipper growing up near the docks in his native Hamburg, "ended up" on a tender boat, and untied the ropes that secured it, hoping to cross the river Elbe. He lost his oars due to being too weak to operate them, yet came out unscathed; great for a four year old! His mother saved him from near death when a raft he made had sank on a pond. From a young age, after viewing ancient greek statues; became obsessed the human form, something that would later come into relavence in the story of William Willis.

He was a talented artist, gaining a scholarship at the Kunst Und Gewerbe Schule of Hamburg - Financial difficulties and his father left the household leaving William to be the sole provider, so at the age of 15, he set out to work to provide for his Mother and younger Brothers.  Eventually at the age of sixteen, the poverty and monotony of Germany spurred him to leave his homeland in search of a better life. He ended up on an a square rigger called the henriette and braved the infamous horn; not before memorising an eye test to pass the medical. The conditions aboard these old square riggers were nothing short of barbaric.
"I realised I had entred a different world, a world of brute force and uncontrolled passions- a world I had not even dreamed of. So far I had lived in a cloister, surrounded by books and drawrings and with my mother to protect me. And now this...I still heard the curses ringing in my ears; they had been driven into my very brain- words never heard before"

There were tales of mutiny on the previous voyage of the henriette. Tales of murder, you name it.  He met an array of different nationalities, hearing all sorts of maritime related tales. The labour was intense, yet he thrived in the environment. He returned to Hamburg and there was a realization that the life of a seaman might not be the life for him, as it was mostly physical, and "deadening to the mind" He decided to leave Germany for good after being told of fortunes to be made the America and volunteered for a ship heading for America. He promised he would make enough money for his mother and brothers, and send for them, once he was settled. He planned on joining a ship, and then jumping ship in America, an idea he'd got on board the henriette. In these voyages his physical attributes would be well and truly tested, and he passed them all graciously. A boy to a man, in a short space of time. The mentality of Willis was simple- Strong body, strong mind. This, coupled with his philosophy towards life and nature would later show it's face in the tales of William Willis.

 He eventually jumped ship in frisco, and headed for Housten (He was nearly caught by a police officer, who he would encounter a year later, who remembered not arresting him, and promised not to run him in as he was a worker, and 'america needed workers') and undertook various professions. He worked in a Sawmill, and was 'employed' with out pay for the first few weeks, and eventually quit- the bastard employer threatened to blow him up to immigration, but as far as I'm aware he told him to get fucked. He breifly worked on a dredger in Galveston, a fireman on the S.S Summer, a docker, cartoonist, artist, a farmer, he tried to bunk the train back to his farm upon hearing of a hurricane that was heading for it, and was caught by a U.S Marshall, and was close to serving 90 days in prison, but his story of misfortune worked on the judge, and was let free. He briefly moved to Chicago, competed in Physical Culture's Best developed man; a contest where he was beaten by Charles Atlas, also did a stint at wrestling. This whole period of his life is steeped in tails, and he recounts much of it so well in his books.


Then it gets good.


"Damned and Damned Again" was a book released in 1959 (After the release of his first book depicting his first rafting adventure)  telling the story of when, in the 1930's, William rented a room in Brooklyn NY, off a lady called Madame Carnot; who he eventually got on speaking terms with, and he discovered her son, Bernard Carbot was incarcerated on Devil's Island for a crime he did not commit.

 Fed up with life in New York, Willis decided he would save Carnot and he set about a rescue, initially hitting the library and gathering as much information on the penal colony as possible. Using his own finances, he headed to Devil's Island to try and free the innocent Carbot. The tale is quite fascinating. He poses as an évadé (term used to describe a convict of devils island that had been released into the surrounding area) He spends a number of months in the vicinity of Devil's Island trying to find Cabot, under the guidance of an evade who he became acquainted with, called Jules. He comes down with yellow fever, and is close to death, but is saved by bush Negros. He fights barenuckle with a Leper who was trying to kill him for the gold in his teeth. He travels through disease riddled, piranha infested waters and eventually finds his man, and sends him on his way to the safety of Brazil (sending him anywhere else would probably result in him being returned to Devil's Isle)

I assure you, this is a mere gist of what happened. The book is truly fascinating.

They made a film (staring Steve Mc Queen) about the book Papillon, and in all fairness there's much controversy about the plausibility of the authors sources. The publisher, before his death, admitted the book was initially submitted to him as a novel.  Damned and Damned again happened.

Now we're with Willis approaching the age of 60. To paraphrase Willis "The Passage of time had hardly made an impression on me"  After hearing of Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki expedition, and probably wanting some sort of test, he decides to build a raft out of balsa wood, and sail it across the Pacific; which he gracefully dose so as told in "The epic voyage of the seven little sisters" - He travels further, and faster than the Kon Tiki, and on his own (The Cat, Parrot, and Shark that tailed him for much of the journey did little to assist him) In his own words, it was "A voyage of the spirit".

He drank salt water along the way; testing his own theories that a little salt water could keep a person going, also to make up for his bad planning; his water containers rusted and leaked. He ate raw fish, as his primus stove packed in and ate barley flour, canua a type of barley flour- mixed with water. He fell over board, was stalked by sharks, tested by the nature. He wanted to test himself, and prove himself, and he did just that. He arrived in Pago Pago. 6700 miles, in 115 days.

He donated his beloved raft to the people of American Samoa- It's quite sad, that Willis discovers in his next voyage, that The Seven Little Sisters was broken up and used for fire wood.

At the age of 70, Willis builds himself a raft out of pipes in a Dockyard in City Island, New York. This time, accompanied by a cat, he sails from South America, right across to Australia. He is briefly held by the authorities thinking that he is a convict from a penal colony not used for 100 years. If you look at the article I'm going to post at the end of this; you'll see why they probably came to that conclusion. He donated this raft to a Maritime Musem in Maine- Who dismantled it in the 70's - Pricks.

After trying three times, to get across the Atlantic (Failing due to medical/physical/weather) The 3rd attempt, in 1967 resulted in the end for Willis.

I've missed out tonnes of relevant stuff to argue my case that the tale of William Willis would make a great feature film, I'm pretty much writing this off the top of my head.

 Then again, they'd probably bastardize it to the high heavens and I'd be left seething that it wasn't good enough, or something was missing, or the actor they picked to play Willis was a worthless piece of shit. Maybe William Willis' tale is best left in obscurity...great, there's an hour I'll never get back.

LIFE magize article on William Willis

Also, Look out for
Damned and Damned Again, The Epic Voyage of the Seven Little Sisters, and An Angel on Each Shoulder - you'll pick them up cheap as chips from online book dealers.