My story...

I grew up in a coal mining town. Hard working people, with strong traditions of hard work and community. Life was predictable and prosperous. And then the mine closed, the community dispersed, and the mood changed. As a juvenile, I was affected, came to the attention of the authorities and was given an opportunity. That opportunity led to the discovery of tramping, also known as hiking, day walking, rambling, trekking... And as I wandered around the hills and mountains, I found a connection and source of peace and inspiration I didn't know I was missing. Over the years, I have often sought solace and inspiration from being in Nature. It's very hard to think about work, or bad relationships, or financial issues when you are wandering around without mobile phone or wifi service, a pack on your back and focusing on putting the next step carefully down to avoid twisting your ankle on gnarled roots or loose scree, or paddling your way through a 2 metre swell on the ocean, or stopping and watching a raptor soaring above you...

The ability to be focused in the moment, or in the present, ignoring distractions, and experiencing the senses and emotions, accepting the thoughts and finding new resolutions, insights, explanations or inspirations, goals and ways to achieve that has alway been with us. Alas, modern life with its complex distractions and societal pressures has led to a disconnection with that experience and its potential benefits. Described as "Mindfulness", "Zen", "Carpe diem", "Live for the moment" etc., this action, or strategy, has enabled me to pause, appreciate what is going on around me and variously reset my inner stress priorities, slow down and figure out solutions to problems, reset my life journey plans, accept responsibility for my past and future actions and be a better person. In short, I found inspiration in Nature. Despite all the challenges that have come my way, I am still on my life journey, making my choices. And it's not just me. Nearly every person I have met and chosen to interact with when wandering around in the extreme outdoors has been inspired by their interactions with Nature. Without any consideration of personal financial gain, they share respect for the location and others where they are at that moment, they share experiences and knowledge, they assist others when they get into difficulties, or offer network opportunities to find solutions.

I was fortunate. I have had opportunities that worked out well and led to other things. I have met some amazing people who have supported me and inspired me to dream and to achieve. The original dream and the achievement haven't always been the same thing, but as in Nature, things work out eventually. This website, and its future community, is part of a dream that has been nearly 10 years in the making. Not everyone can physically get out and away from the city, or even their house or their bed. But each of us has an amazing ability. Imagination. Through images of beautiful locations, and creative story telling, I want to help others use their imagination to step out and experience that moment of being Outdoors, to take a moment to reset their balances, to gain inspiration and to journey forward in their life journey, and encourage and inspire others with their stories.

How will all this work out? I honestly don't know. It has taken nearly 10 years of asking myself countless questions, false starts, and seeking inspiration and procrastinating while I sought the perfect solutions. And then I realised that I was the problem, not the idea. If I didn't start, then nobody would potentially benefit or be inspired. So here I am with a website, with no idea of how to actually set up or manage a website, a vague strategy of what might work, have a plentiful supply of photographs and stories and a drive to inspire and help others. And how will I know when, or if, I have succeded? I don't know. I might never know how "successful" my actions have been. Not exactly a great business model to pitch is it? But that's the point of difference . Success can be measured in many different ways. There's the hidden successes . If I can help provide inspiration and inspire at least one other person on their life journey, then I've succeeded. If I inspire someone enough that they want to share with another that they found inspiration here, I've succeeded even more. And if that second person also finds inspiration, then that's another success. And there's the visible successes such as someone sharing a story and offering inspiration with the community on the website, one that I'd be honoured and delighted to share. Or even someone sharing what story they read on the website that gave them inspiration and motivation... Someday someone might buy a mug or a sweatshirt, or gift a calendar to an organisation... Or some individual community members meet up over a coffee or weekend trip and share their stories. Or someone might want to jump on board and help out with the website... Who knows what might happen? But we won't know until I start the journey. So please, join me as I do my best to offer some Inspiration for the week to you.

Thank you all for your inspiration and support to achieve this goal!

Neil