The last 7 years have been tricky to say the least. Corona was the last straw and it really has been hell. However, i believe if you are going though hell why stop fighting there. I dont want to stay here. So, i will keep fighting until i pass on through!
It’s a good life if you dont weaken.
The crazy thing is i have not been happier in a long time. I think this pandemic has really put things into perspective for me. About what i want from life. Assets and wealth do not make you a better person. A lot of us have lost everything so what now? Does that make me less of a man? I have recently met some incredibly good people that just radiate positivity. Most of of them are battling financially to get through this dog show yet they treat everyone with warmth. I have been humbled. I want to be around more people like them. I am now 50 years old and had an awesome life full of incredible experiences ( i did once have my therapist sobbing in the corner though Bwhaaaa ) and finally I believe I have put my demons to bed. I have a clear path ahead of me and I know what I want. I want to be happy and nobody is going to do that for me but myself.
I have been alternating daily between walking and swimming and i can feel the results. What a pleasure to be off the couch.
I was in Cape Town recently! I was hired to escort an exchange student there to apply for a Visa to Norway. Unfortunately she contracted Covid during the visit so we ended up in self isolation for 10 days. I found us a self catering unit in Strand, Western Cape. So, as you know the restrictions well, it was the student, me and………………..the ocean.
Luckily for both of us we had no symptoms so i spent the days swimming, pondering and watching the odd beautiful sunset.
I am not exactly sure what pearl of wisdom i came up with but i started to feel so much more positive. Then the penny dropped. Its was Nature! Just in a different form. I am so used to the desert i forget there is nature everywhere. Here was this magnificent ocean and i was immersing myself in it. Literally. Limited contact with humans and on a digital detox for most of the day. I realized the only way for me to keep my shit together is to be in Nature more. I was becoming obsessed with having a better life. Trying to keep other people happy and not doing the things i wanted to actually do. No more.
Nature supplies everything. The air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat all comes from nature. How can any man made object be worth more than that???
How can it not be a positive experience? Ask and you will be answered. Your problems are solvable in your head. you just need to relax and let it be. Everything will work out in the end.
So that brings me to the walk in May.
I will not be taking anymore bookings as we now have an awesome and large enough group, and it would then become a logistical nightmare. However i may walk another one in June.
If you are booked on in May i hope you have started walking your shoes in? You dont want feet like i had on my second walk. I decided to walk in running shoes. Bad mistake. Hiking boots preferably with ankle support.
When i do my walks i play a song once a day. I call it the morning song and my backup will play it to wake me up. Those of you on the May walk this is your Morning song.
Listen to the Music feat. Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers) | Playing For Change – YouTube
This is the terrain we will be walking through.
Camp Madisa has given us a great rate for your final night and they will be laying on a celebration dinner for us. We have a 1st class backup team and what looks like a great bunch of walkers.
May the 26th is full moon so it is going to be unbelievable. If you would like to sleep under the stars/moon then do it.
I will be in contact after Easter for help with some questions. Food allergies/requirements, health issues i need to be aware of, what to take etc…..
Also remember please that many walkers will be walking for their own reasons and may want some space. Lets respect everyone and lets make this an experience we will all remember fondly 😉
Keep up the good fight and be kind to yourself.
Exciting times.
Chadmanwalking out.
Chadmanwalking 