New Year, New Me?

I try this ‘new year, new me’ bullshit annually…it never works. Already just a few weeks in and all my vows and promises have spiralled out of control once more. Life got in the way. When you watch from your window as billowing smoke comes barreling your way from a bushfire started by fork lighting.Continue reading “New Year, New Me?”

Being a Grown Up

I have worked hard my whole life, slogged away at it quietly behind closed doors; the junior cert, the leaving cert, my degree, countless unpaid internships, countless shitty part time jobs. All on the basis that once I came out the end of that tunnel, my efforts would be rewarded. I would have the offerContinue reading “Being a Grown Up”

Cycling Vietnam: Logistics and Kit List.

If anyone is considering doing something similar (Hanoi to Ho Chi Min), here is our route, distance travelled each day and our kit list. If you need any more help or information, feel free to get in touch. Route: Ho Chi Min Highway & A1 Highway Distance: Day 1: 92km – Destination: Hang Tram, maybeContinue reading “Cycling Vietnam: Logistics and Kit List.”

The Big One: Cycling Vietnam

Vietnam is a country of contradictions. A stranger can hold my face between their hands, rub the hair on my arms, braid my blonde locks. Two minutes later another is shoving against me flogging their goods: “Madame smell the coffee, taste the pho, feel the texture, see the colours of the spices, buy from me,Continue reading “The Big One: Cycling Vietnam”

Cambodia – a brief respite from my life in Vietnam

We stepped foot into Cambodia. Five of us, the original five, all such different people forced together through circumstance and found that we fit together. Three Canadians, one South African and me. The first night we partied hard, free of Vietnam, of work. We were young and reckless once more. In the capital of Cambodia,Continue reading “Cambodia – a brief respite from my life in Vietnam”

Interview with Adventurer Nick Hancock

“There can be no place more desolate, despairing and awful.” – Lord Kennet (1971) Last summer Nick Hancock landed on an isolated rock in the North Atlantic Ocean in pursuit of two records, the longest solo occupation of Rockall and the longest occupation of Rockall in history, after 45 days in solitude he achieved both,Continue reading “Interview with Adventurer Nick Hancock”

“Those that ask the question will never understand the answer. Those that understand the answer will never ask the question.”

I am still not fully satisfied. Why is it that I can’t be content with a 9-5, with good friends, good food, a great family, an income. Why do I want to suffer? Why do I crave mud, sweat and tears above all else? Why do I want to feel hardship? Why do I thinkContinue reading ““Those that ask the question will never understand the answer. Those that understand the answer will never ask the question.””

Interview with Adventurer Sophie Radcliffe, aka Challenge Sophie

I have wanted to interview this person for quite a while, as she epitomises what I want to be like, in the way she lives her life. Cyclist, mountaineer, Ironman, she is the fearless Sophie Radcliffe, living her life in the mountains, challenging herself and others perceptions every day. 1.What is it about endurance sportsContinue reading “Interview with Adventurer Sophie Radcliffe, aka Challenge Sophie”

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

A train of thought… a stream of consciousness… I packed my bag and moved to Vietnam. Everyone said how brave I was, moving to Vietnam alone. Hear what she’s doing now. Wild. But this wasn’t bravery. This was just another stepping stone in the big plan. The plan to test myself little by little toContinue reading ““Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?””

#microadventure on the Saltee Islands

An opportunity seized. A bag quickly packed. A boat taken. Me and my big sister, all grown up and off on a little adventure together. Just eighteen months separate us, yet we have grown up to be two completely different people. Her, twenty four, beautiful and stubborn. Me, twenty two, ragged and determined. We pliedContinue reading “#microadventure on the Saltee Islands”