DARTMOUTH, NEC BIRMINGHAM AND HAMPSHIRE

BOATS ON THE RIVER DART

MOUTH OF THE RIVER DART

MUM AND DAD IN DARTMOUTH

Although work keeps me mainly in Hampshire, I spend as much leisure time as I can in Dartmouth. I have a great love for this beautiful Devon harbour town and try to contribute to the economy by shopping in the locality, being a member of the Dartmouth Conservative Club (not that I have a strong political affiliation), using the Gym at the town’s Leisure Centre and contributing to the cost of running the Flavel Arts Centre. I find the atmosphere of Dartmouth both exciting and relaxing (depending on what is going on), and the coastal walks are just stunning. Just a look at pictures! I have had excellent support for my walk from several anonymous benefactors in Dartmouth, and I thank them for this.

On 27 March I visited the Outdoor Show at the NEC in Birmingham. This terrific event gave me the opportunity to buy a lightweight Keela Sonic jacket for a mere £40, an emergency charger for my mobile phone that uses only a single AA battery and some OS maps of the Lake District (see my next entry). I also climbed a rope ladder high above the show floor and practiced ‘ice climbing’ up a vertical wall lined with foam plastic panels. Before I departed I met an amazing chap, Kevin Shannon, who is planning to cycle around the world over a period of two years. He will be cycling in aid of Combat Stress, and is training in Scotland about the time I will be starting out, so we hope to meet up again. Check out his website www.becauseitisthere.co.uk for more detail and please give him your support.

The other notable occurrence was my recent loss of income. Although self-employed, my client base has dropped over the past year to just one company. When they hit financial difficulties, I was the easiest to dispense with. There is no mercy for those without a formal contract so my notice period was…...zero. Am I miffed? – well, yes, given my loyalty to them and the fact that most of their electronic products are based on ideas that I devised.

I am sure that there is honour and compassion in business even during these difficult times, but it is not always easy to find. Am I devastated? – no, I am too resilient for that. Besides, now I can spend much more time planning my charity walk and enjoying myself in Dartmouth.