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

D-day

Finally here we are. In few hours I’ll be on my way for Phase 1 of the Father & Son project. For 2009 the journey has changed a lot, the original spirit has remained the same and was the driver of all the changes. The journey is divided in two phases.

The plan is to divide the journey in 2 phases:

Phase 1 will involve me and my lovely dog sky walk along 120 odd kilometers of the decided route.  During this phase I’m looking for key stop areas as well as places where I can leave the horse food along the way.

Phase 2 will involve Matthew riding cara and me walking the whole 120 km route again.

• The route I’m planning to follow will see us leave from Manor Hamilton along the Leitrim Way up to Doo Lough at 371 M and down to Drumkeeran for a total of 35 KM.
• Day 2 will see us embrace the miners way and reach Ballyfarnon 25 km away.
• On day 3 wil start alon the Historical trail for a short 15 km to Castel Baldwing, there are a lot beautiful areas that I’m planning to explore on the way so I kept the total day mileage short.
• Day 4 will keep on the Historical Trail for 19 km till we reach Boyle.
• Day 5 will start along Lough key with the plan to return to Ballyfarnon and close the Historical trail Loop . the Option here is to deviate onto the Miners way to close the loop to Seltannaskeag.

By the end of the journey Matthew and Cara will have walked over 120 Km. And I would probably be close to 240.

I will not bring with me the computer so I will not be able to keep a day to day up to date of the journey. But I will have a 2 days between Phase 1 and Phase 2, I will make an effort to publish a short update then.

Tags: father, Journey, project, son

The big Day

Yesterday was the big day I set for myself to send out the announcement via e-mail to all the people I know. It was quite tense, and part of me kept pushing it forward. And when I finally found the energy to do so technology had to spoil the day by making it difficult, I’m still wondering if it was technology or me. After sever attempt I decided to go to bed a bit disheartened a bit relieved. So here is a new day, and with it a new resolve to make this project work, and take the next step work. I’m considering split the mighty 800 plus mailing lis in 8 smaller ones and see what happens. At times I wonder how can it become so hard to use such a simple technology like e-mail. Well I better get going. I’ll update this post later this evening.

Tags: father, project, son, 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