|
|
|
|
Welcome!
My training for an attempt to swim the English Channel is now in full swing, with my first open water swim in August when I swam across the Solent from the mainland
to the Isle of Wight.
I am also back in Iraq in October, visiting the Marsh Arabs and to progress some aid projects I am running in the region focusing on the cancer ward at Basra Children's Hospital, the construction of toilet blocks and potable water supply, as well as a cultural project to build a traditional mudhif.
I will publish more photos and progress details of my trip to Iraq shortly and be making regular updates to my swim diary. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my website!
|
Lectures and Public Speaking
From time to time Mike lectures about travelling and expeditions. He has lectured for Fred Olsen Cruises, the Scientific Exploration Society, numerous schools and special interest groups.
His next lectures will be for the Guildford Travel Club on 1st November and the
Scientific Exploration Society on 17th September 2012. Mike will also be soon lecturing at Oxford University - date to be confirmed.
|
Sponsored swim across the English Channel
I am attempting to swim the English Channel in July 2012, and my training is well under way. I am collecting sponsors for the swim,
all and any amounts raised are most gratefully received and will be donated to the charity MarocAroundTheClock.
I will make regular updates to my swim diary and keep you all informed as to my progress!
|
Iraq and the Marsh Arabs
I am returning to meet the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq in October, to further some aid projects in the region.
My desire to travel to this region was inspired by my friendship with the late explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger who spent a great deal of time
in this region of Iraq throughout the 1950's. The area though is much changed compared to the land that he came to know. Those who can, and
choose to do so, maintain the lifestyle barely changed for thousand of years but for others it is no longer possible. Vast areas of the marshes
were drained under instruction from Saddam Hussein as punishment for a failed uprising against him. Even now, years after his downfall, the
effects are still so evident in this once magnificent land.
The people here were always poor but they were happy because they had crops, livestock, clean water and an abundance of fish. Now they are poorer
than ever and natures larder has all but been taken away from them in one fell swoop. They are a welcoming and generous people to those who make
the effort to go and visit.
|
Burke & Wills 1860 Expedition
After three years of deliberations, my attempt to cross Australia retracing the Burke and Wills 1860 expedition was under way, as I set out from Melbourne on the 19th March 2010.
The distance to be covered was initially just slightly over 2000 miles, but that didn't account for some of the worst flooding in the region for nearly a century, that added a long
detour onto my journey.
Pioneers are pioneers, and everyone else just follows after. You cannot faithfully recreate an expedition such as this. The presence of towns and settlements along the route,
combined with modern maps and navigation systems made this a lesser challenge for me than that faced by those in 1860. However, I set out to complete this journey on my own without
pack animals or motorised transport.
Upon reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria, the original expedition team had no choice but to turn around and head back south. However for myself, I would have accomplished what I
set out to achieve and I my journey would finish there.
You can find out more about my trip in the TRAVEL and GALLERY sections.
|
|
Project 2010 concluded
Project 2010 which took place in north-western Senegal throughout 2010 and into 2011 has been a tremendous success and delivered all of its objectives on time and within budget.
Phase 2 took place from December 2010 and ran into January 2011. This saw the laying of additional sub terranean water pipes and the erection of
several new standpipes in the communities of Mbailer and Tode.
More information on this project will shortly be available on the charity's website at www.marocaroundtheclock.org.
|
|
|
|
