Happy update

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 20, 2014 at 19:55

ThreadID: 109211 Views:1742 Replies:2 FollowUps:1

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Member - Terra'Mer

I am happy to report The Happy Walk is still going strong and on track to finish the first of 4 solo continental crossings in St Kilda Melbourne on the 13th November.

Over the last 6 weeks I have been walking from Norseman to Ceduna, after trekking the Southwest and South Coast of WA, and had a week of rest enjoying the waterfront and civilisation, being able to buy fresh fruit and salad from a supermarket, much needed leg wax, reliable phone reception...

The total distance walked so far is 4,400kms, solo, without a support/safety vehicle or pack animal. All of my food, water and camping equipment is inside my trekking cart which I push along/beside the road.

This is a fundraising walk for Lifeline's 24/7 mental health crisis hotline as well as raising awareness about depression and suicide prevention in regional Australia.

This weekend I have a bit of a change of scene as Bob Cooper has sponsored my participation on his Advanced Outback Survival course in the Pilbara starting on Saturday. Survivalism is something that has interested me for a long time, having completed previous courses for remote/wilderness 1st aid, survival at sea, edible plant ID and many multiday/multiweek solo bushwalks in the mountains. This will be a challenge and I'm looking forward to every minute of it.

At the moment The Happy Walk is on the Eyre Peninsula and is on hold for Bob's course but will resume in a couple of weeks.

Continue on down to Port Lincoln Shark Cage Diving - Calypso Star Charters have sponsored a day trip shark diving which is also a fundraiser with $20 from each booking going to Lifeline. So if you're keen on doing something a bit different come out and join us on the 15th September.

And remember, if you spot me walking beside the road with my yellow and blue trekking cart, if it is safe to do so, please pull over and say hi, have a chat, take some Lifeline and mental health cards.

You can follow more of what is happening and where I am through
facebook
twitter
wordpress
and the website
http://www.thehappywalk.com/

If you would like to show your support for The Happy Walk and Lifeline you can make a tax deductible donation which goes directly to Lifeline through my fundraiser at Making a Difference

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Reply By: Bazooka - Wednesday, Aug 20, 2014 at 23:55

Wednesday, Aug 20, 2014 at 23:55

You're a gem Terra. Happy walking.

AnswerID: 537973

Follow Up By: Gaynor - Thursday, Aug 21, 2014 at 00:53

Thursday, Aug 21, 2014 at 00:53

Just something to think about on that shark cage dive, Terra....

I was against it as many of us believe that it is responsible for an increase in shark attacks here in South Africa. The thought is that by chumming the water and putting humans into that water, sharks begin to associate humans with food. Perhaps they do it differently in Australia?

Anyway, I was offered a freebie so I thought, well, let me go and see what it is all about. It seemed hypocritical of me to judge something without having experienced it. The boat handlers chummed the water (blood and guts solution for those who might not know what chumming is) and threw a large tangle of fish heads etc into the water tied to a rope. As they were dragging the fish heads towards the humans in the cage beside the boat, with a great white following it in, the boat crew said in all earnestness, we do not condition the sharks to associate humans with food.

Just something to consider...

FollowupID: 822224

Reply By: Gaynor - Thursday, Aug 21, 2014 at 01:01

Thursday, Aug 21, 2014 at 01:01

Eish .. that previous post was stuck on Bazooka's. My apologies.

Congratulations on the massive distance you have walked across Australia so far. Those 50+km days still have me in awe. You know I worry about you a lot out there on your own. It is all very well out in the wilds of the Outback, but highways and humans....?

Take care of yourself and please give my very best regards to Bob and a big hug too.

AnswerID: 537976