Richard Stupart

One week. Seven days and I am off. Adventure waits, pouncing every night in my dreams and growing ever more pervasive as the remaining days fade one after another. But I am not without progress. With forex obtained and visas (except for you Sudan, yes you. I’m looking at you), the last major item that remained to be done was to double check that I have all the gear I need, and that all the gear I need will in fact fit. And that, once fitting, it can be carried without the assistance of a mule. Such was this evening’s project.

Read the rest of this entry »

38 days remaining.  No clever mathematical symbolism in that number (that I can work out), I’m afraid. As the clock counts down, real life is beginning to behave oddly at the edges, like the period just before the end of a dream, when you feel what you thought to be real coming to an end – giving way gently to a new feeling of the world. This is that. It’s getting stronger and stronger, and will consume me soon, I know. But in the remaining days, there are things that must be done. Plans that remain to be planned.  A fundamental part of which is assembling a first aid kit.
Read the rest of this entry »

For an extended overland trip in Africa, particularly one made without the (relative) luxury of a 4×4, there is the inevitable question of what gear to take. While there remain a fair swarm of decisions still to be made about everything from a tent to a first aid kit, I have largely made my mind up about the key gear I intend to take to fulfill two of the most creative activities on the journey. Taking photographs to reflect the story of the journey to Cairo – and weaving together the words to bring out the rest. Read the rest of this entry »