About Me
Pre-BNT Hike
I've worked for large corporate companies for most of my career across a number of roles and industries. Although I'm not really an IT geek, for the last 25 years I've helped the companies I have worked for get the most out of their technology platforms. I'm kind of over it now though, and am looking for a tree change but I'm just not quite sure what that is yet.
For kicks, I'm a bit of a DIY freak, and have spent the last 10 years renovating and landscaping my home in Healesville. More recently I've become interested in self sufficiency and have made good progress at home but certainly can't claim victory just yet. Now that the creative part is largely done - and all that's required is the upkeep - I have literally been heading for the hills. I love where I live and getting off the beaten track to explore the Yarra Valley region with my family. It has also been fun sharing some of these experiences on my Facebook page Yarra Valley Experiences - Healesville & Beyond.
I'm prepared to give most things a go; in fact, I get a real sense of achievement from doing something new and figuring stuff out, particularly if it's difficult or uncommon.
Once I have an idea, that's it, there's no shaking it. This isn't always a good thing, just ask my wife, she'll tell you I'm as stubborn as they come (actually, obstinate is the word she uses most often...). For better or worse, though, I see things through to the end.
Probably one of my biggest obstacles to overcome is that I am very impatient - not one of my endearing qualities, and certainly not one that the Bicentennial National Trail will respond kindly to. I know the BNT is going to be very tough but the idea is so firmly planted I feel I must give it my all. I do know I need to learn patience, the false start in May is a testament to that. The initial plan was to walk home, starting from Cooktown. I hiked about 630 BNT kilometres (about 750 all up) before tibialis anterior tendinopathy (tendinitis of the lower leg) stopped me in my tracks. I'm now heading north from Healesville and a little more circumspect, with the simple aim of taking my time and getting as far as I can.
What else can I tell you about me, where I'm at, and where I'm going?
What I'll miss most..
It goes without saying I'll miss my wife and three kids.
My wife's cooking and her cellar.
What I won't miss..
Work and the feeling of no sense of purpose.
The 5 kilos I need to lose before I go.
What am I most worried about..
Another injury and not being able to complete the BNT.
Crocodiles (all going well, not for a while now)
My pack weight.
What am I most looking forward to..
Getting on track!
Post-BNT Hike
After wrapping up my BNT hike at Blackbutt in southern Queensland, I was still adamant that a tree change was the go career wise. However, I had no clear idea what my new career might be. After spending a bit of time scouring employment sites online, I chucked my hat in the ring for a couple of jobs that ticked most of the boxes for the criteria I had set (outdoors, physically demanding, local & low to no stress). I was also thrilled that my wife Beth agreed to go on a multi-day hike with me, and I got stuck into planning that. We settled on the 8-day GOW (Great Ocean Walk), and I got busy acquiring new gear (for Beth) and a new tent that would accommodate both of us.
I love the irony with the first job I had post the BNT - I was looking for a tree change and I got a job at a tree farm! I quite liked the demands of the job as it was physically very tough and I built up a bit of upper body strength working with large trees (the advanced tree section of Australia's largest wholesale nursery). It certainly kept me fit and I completed the GOW with Beth - an awesome hike.
I worked at the tree farm for four months before accepting a job as a vineyard worker at the largest winery in the Yarra Valley. I'm really enjoying the simpler life, being outdoors and active (and getting paid whilst I'm at it). Late summer (Feb/March) is vintage time and seriously full on, with lots of overtime and not much time for anything else. That's ok, though, as it certainly was quite the experience. That said, I'm now thinking about getting on track again.
I've worked for large corporate companies for most of my career across a number of roles and industries. Although I'm not really an IT geek, for the last 25 years I've helped the companies I have worked for get the most out of their technology platforms. I'm kind of over it now though, and am looking for a tree change but I'm just not quite sure what that is yet.
For kicks, I'm a bit of a DIY freak, and have spent the last 10 years renovating and landscaping my home in Healesville. More recently I've become interested in self sufficiency and have made good progress at home but certainly can't claim victory just yet. Now that the creative part is largely done - and all that's required is the upkeep - I have literally been heading for the hills. I love where I live and getting off the beaten track to explore the Yarra Valley region with my family. It has also been fun sharing some of these experiences on my Facebook page Yarra Valley Experiences - Healesville & Beyond.
I'm prepared to give most things a go; in fact, I get a real sense of achievement from doing something new and figuring stuff out, particularly if it's difficult or uncommon.
Once I have an idea, that's it, there's no shaking it. This isn't always a good thing, just ask my wife, she'll tell you I'm as stubborn as they come (actually, obstinate is the word she uses most often...). For better or worse, though, I see things through to the end.
Probably one of my biggest obstacles to overcome is that I am very impatient - not one of my endearing qualities, and certainly not one that the Bicentennial National Trail will respond kindly to. I know the BNT is going to be very tough but the idea is so firmly planted I feel I must give it my all. I do know I need to learn patience, the false start in May is a testament to that. The initial plan was to walk home, starting from Cooktown. I hiked about 630 BNT kilometres (about 750 all up) before tibialis anterior tendinopathy (tendinitis of the lower leg) stopped me in my tracks. I'm now heading north from Healesville and a little more circumspect, with the simple aim of taking my time and getting as far as I can.
What else can I tell you about me, where I'm at, and where I'm going?
What I'll miss most..
It goes without saying I'll miss my wife and three kids.
My wife's cooking and her cellar.
What I won't miss..
Work and the feeling of no sense of purpose.
The 5 kilos I need to lose before I go.
What am I most worried about..
Another injury and not being able to complete the BNT.
Crocodiles (all going well, not for a while now)
My pack weight.
What am I most looking forward to..
Getting on track!
Post-BNT Hike
After wrapping up my BNT hike at Blackbutt in southern Queensland, I was still adamant that a tree change was the go career wise. However, I had no clear idea what my new career might be. After spending a bit of time scouring employment sites online, I chucked my hat in the ring for a couple of jobs that ticked most of the boxes for the criteria I had set (outdoors, physically demanding, local & low to no stress). I was also thrilled that my wife Beth agreed to go on a multi-day hike with me, and I got stuck into planning that. We settled on the 8-day GOW (Great Ocean Walk), and I got busy acquiring new gear (for Beth) and a new tent that would accommodate both of us.
I love the irony with the first job I had post the BNT - I was looking for a tree change and I got a job at a tree farm! I quite liked the demands of the job as it was physically very tough and I built up a bit of upper body strength working with large trees (the advanced tree section of Australia's largest wholesale nursery). It certainly kept me fit and I completed the GOW with Beth - an awesome hike.
I worked at the tree farm for four months before accepting a job as a vineyard worker at the largest winery in the Yarra Valley. I'm really enjoying the simpler life, being outdoors and active (and getting paid whilst I'm at it). Late summer (Feb/March) is vintage time and seriously full on, with lots of overtime and not much time for anything else. That's ok, though, as it certainly was quite the experience. That said, I'm now thinking about getting on track again.