The show must go on..

Phase one of the Father & Son Project has been a true adventure of exploration. Few kilometers into the journey I discovered that no horse could have gone trough it. The main problems I found have been simple obstacles that go from crossing over some sort of fixed fencing to ground so bogy that would not hold my weight let alone the weight of a horse.

I’m in the process of adding a detailed account of the journey including difficulties to expect and gear to bring along if you decide to walk the trails.

Despite all these obstacles, I also learned what roads a horse can trade without the risk of intense traffic or the problematic barrier of land boundaries. I also learned that there are a lot of very kind people are ready to help if I find the courage to ask. In many ways as they say is not so much the destination that counts as the journey to get there.

To add to that Cara has been lame for the past week and while she is now on the way of recovery, is not wise to bring her along for phase two. By now I learned not to despair, like I did the first time I found an obstacle on the way, or the day I reached Drumkeeran soaked to the bone and no place or strength to pitch a tent. Problem will always be there weather or not is an adventure or everyday life. Along this journey I discovered that is all about discovering how what I see is a problem and recognise the alternatives available to move forward, wherever forward is.

This project was not about horses, even if the idea of travelling on horse back is still very much alive for both of us. I asked Matthew how he felt about continuing the journey on foot and maybe complete the full round from where I started.

He agreed and we decided that we will start exactly from where I left it on Wednesday, Boyle. From there we will follow the Historical Trail around Lough Key to Keadew, then deviate on to the Miners Way till it joins back with the Leitrim Way to reach Drumshambo. On day 3 we will walk all the way along the other side of Lough Allen till we reach Dowra. From Dowra we will close the Sli Leitrim loop and re-join the path that bring us back to Manor Hamilton.

In this way we will both face a completely new trail and with it a new set of challenges. We will not have horses with us but we still share a great adventure.

Before I close this post I also want to thank everyone that contributed so generously to Goal the latest count was at 770 Euro, far beyond what I had imagined and I hope it will keep rising in the next few days :-).

Thank you all very much.

Tags: Adventure, Cronicle, father, Horses, Journey, project, son, Travel

Last few preparations for the Journey

The last 2 weeks I’ve been quite busy, a lot of the equipment for the journey have arrived and I’m now testing weight distribution and what to bring along with me. The last very important component that is remaining to figure out is the kind of food to bring along. There will be a good opportunity to do buy food in local shops, fruit and vegetables still I’m wold be more conformable knowing that I do have a certain amount of high energy food.

At the moment I’m exploring a number of whole grains bars and packaged Miso soups they are all very light in weight and will provide a a ready available energy in a compact  size.

A certain sense of excitement is surfacing and all of a sudden it feels like I don’ t have enough time to be ready at all.  Well I guess this is the feeling of adventure I always been seeking for.

I still have not made up my mind fully on the path to take. There are a number of consideration to be made about rigorously journeying along the dismantled North Western railway. At time it takes very long winded deviations away from a more attractive direct route. I guess I will have to make the decision were it is possible to follow smaller roads and walkways. It is all part of the unknown. and in some way I’m glad I’m going ahead surveying the ground It will make it easier when Matthew will join.

Tags: Adventure, Journey, west

Lead the way…

Wow!! it has been so long since my last update, Irish summer is really amazing, I know many people might not agree with me on this. Just think about it we have such long bright days that span from 4:30 in the morning to 11 in the evening, the temperature is swinging between 16 and 24 degrees at best and the more than occasional light rain keeps the country green and luscious. It is great to be out, and the time goes by so quickly…

I’m just back from Italy, my little brother finally got married, and in the few days I was there I got torrid sticky heat with daily thunderstorms that made the air heavy and stuffy, we almost got caught by one of them, and the boys were so surprised by the water downpour that you swear they never saw rain before.

Every time I go back to Italy I’m punctually reminded why I love Ireland so much…

Aside from the weather let me update you on the project status.

This has been the more tortuous project I’ve ever had to face, but I can certainly say I’ve got what I asked for. So the goal has changed a bit, the Journey will be only about a week, so I’m about to nail down where to start and finish, and my gut say that I should start at Malin Head none the less and wind down to Sligo.

Seen that I will not need that much free time for the journey  I decided that while Matthew is enjoying his well deserved holiday in Italy I will go and survey the path on foot to start with so that when it come down to ride it we will know exactly where to go.

I’m prepping for this little hike, walking will also allow me to time how far we can go in a week. Going solo with my dog Sky a rucksack and a tent will somewhat appease my thirst for adventure. I guess is a way for me to lead the way in the best way I know, just do it !!

Tags: Adventure, Cronicle, Journey, Planning, project

The Stuff of Legends…

Wow time is flowing at an incredible pace I’ve been dedicating the last few evening researching equipment and learning about web site building and only now realized that is already almost a week since my last post.

It’s amazing to see how technology is progressing so fast. I was looking for a tent for the journey. The key is to keep the weight down to a minimum. Without pack horse all we carry with us will have to be accommodated between the two horses we will be riding. I understand that for such a lengthy journey the maximum a horse can carry is around 1/5 of its weight that means that that we will probably have less than 20 kilos each to carry.

I found a wonderous Terra Nova Laser tent that packed wights at 1.24 Kg. that is impressive, just what I need the downside is that with the weight reducing the price seems increasing. The same goes for all the rest of the equipment. so I’m starting now a shopping list to check out costs. Maybe if I found everything at a single store there is a chance I can ask for a discount.

I’m also considering hydration backpacks with 2 litres each per day. I’m a bit conscious about the weight on the shoulders but the practicality is undoubtedly there –  no need to pack bottles or anything like it.

The next thing I’m pricing is the horse first aid kit, there again there a whole new world to learn. Rachel is giving me lessons about what to do and what not to do with horses from basic grooming to understanding the intricate patterns of horse communication. Is not really that different from human communication if nothing else the words don’t get in the way. Is all about body language, ears moving direction twitching of muscles on the withers, it is all fascinating and at the same time it makes perfect sense.

I’m become more aware of each horse personality and this makes it easy now I think I know what it means to choose the right horse, there is a combination of fitness, suitability to the project but more than everything a sort of chemistry.

This reminds me what this journey is all about …. It is about Partnership, sharing a journey and working together to make it happen. just last week I had the privilege to hear Alexander Dunlop who is a management consultant that uses the patterns of mythology and storytelling to help organizations identify their image and branding. What struck me what his idea of the adventure, the initial reluctance, reaching the commitment, finding the guide all the way to facing the dragon and eventually the return. I can certainly see myself in the first few steps. When I had the idea there has been a long period of uncertainty between the want it to go and the hope the idea would disappear. Then building the website represented my commitment. I guess when Marianne responded to my e-mail so quickly I found my guide, she has been really supportive since then and she certainly is a very inspiring guide…. I’m just wondering when will I face my dragon, I think I can feel it approaching fast. 🙂

Tags: Adventure, Horses, Journey, Legends, Partnership, project, son, track, west

Migration to WordPress

I’ve just completed the migration of my blog entries from iWeb to WordPress. It was easy enough however in the process it seems I’ve lost the entry from my good old friend John and that of Anonymous CW. Guys I’m really really sorry about that and I really wish you will see this post and continue to contribute with your thoughts.

Thank you.

Tomorrow I will migrate Matt’s blog too, by doing that it will enable him to make his inputs even when I’m not at home.

Drawing a Map

Today I found a very interesting web tool, http://www.geolives.com/ it allow me to explore maps of ireland to 1:50000 scale enough to view tracks and paths. This is one of the details that for me has always been important I need to know the how to get there on a map.
So I spend most of the day drawing up the beginning of the journey, I discovered that there is a dismantled train track that crosses most of Donegal down to Sligo, which could be an excellent route to follow and stay out of the main roads. I don’t quite know what kind of condition is this track, it might be worth a while to survey the grounds. Yet I can still have a choice if the track is not practicable I can still use a variety of roads.
The brilliant thing about geolives is that it tells me exactly how long is the route and how long would it take if I go by foot this gives me a good estimate of how much time will take me. it also allow me to plan the areas where we will potentially stop for the night.
The last few days I also started feeling a bit apprehensive is I don’t do at least something every day about planning the project. It is really a strange sensation Last week was a great buzz to talk about it with a number of people and set up the site, it made me feel so close to it, it felt like it was actually happening. Yet the few days that I didn’t do much about it I felt drift away, and with it the fear of giving up.
This sensation made me think about everyday life, if I don’t do something about it every day it just goes by with a sense of giving up.
That in itself is a great discovery…

Tags: Journey, project, track, west

Finding a route

While I always knew where we would have started the journey, Malin Head in County Donegal, I’m not familiar with the south of Ireland as much as to have an idea of where would be the arriving point. So yesterday evening I decided I’d explore google maps and define a broad map of the journey. I finally found the precise destination, Cloghane at the tip of Mizen Head in County Cork. I also defined the starting point as Ballyhillion at the very top of Malin Head. There are still a lot of question marks about the route I know that I want to cross all the counties at the extreme west of ireland, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Cork. Yet my idea is to stay off the standard roads as much as possible and instead use walkways and old postal ways, it is only fair for the horses to keep them on a comfortable terrain and is safer for both Matthew and I riding along ordinary traffic.

Yet again one more piece of the puzzle is laid down and journey is starting to gain a life of its own.

Tags: Horses, Journey, track, west

Setting up the website

Today is quite a big day, I’ve started setting up the site for the project. Is a big day because entering information about the father & Son project is making it real.

There are a lot fears as my mind is projecting the whole journey forward.

Yet today is a day for courage. This adventure is all about finding that courage to do something meaningful, and overcoming any apparently logical explanation why it cannot be done.

It almost an interesting combination that today is st. Valentine, this project is about love. Love for each other as human beings, love for adventure, love for the beauty of nature and love for life.

This is my first entry, the site is not yet live, but is taking shape very quickly as write on this page and with it the energy and enthusiasm is building up.

I can already see ahead some of the challenges I encounter and I’m sure there will be many I can’t even begin to fathom, yet I  know that each of these challenges will also bring new incredible discoveries, and that is what I look forward to.

Tags: Adventure, father, Journey, project, son, track, west