I enjoy plotting and planning for expeditions almost as much as the act of adventure itself. Well, that is not entirely true but it's close! Maps, satellite images, gear lists, trip reports, conditioning - all exciting things to get stuck into. Somehow out if this big mess of things a viable expedition appears. Reading past accounts of similar journeys is a big plus for motivation and intelligence. As part of general research into my 7 rivers, 7 continents project I only recently came across an account of a Nile River source to sea attempt undertaken in 1950 by an American, John Goddard and 2 Frenchmen, Jean LaPorte and Andre Davy. As far as I can tell the descent was successful, however John did not publish his book until 1979 under the brilliant title - "Kayaks down the Nile", sounding more like a black and white film starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly (the book's cover could even be the matching movie poster!)

I am just a few days into the read and already the story is gripping. The adventurer's first day on river saw them lose two thirds of their equipment and a kayak (they are paddling collapsible boats made from wood and canvas!). Escaping the croc and hippo infested river and happy to be alive, John quotes a poem by the acclaimed writer, Kalidasa- or the "Sanskrit Shakespeare", as I like to call him. The prose was written some time in the 1st or 2nd century.

Look to this day, for it is Life, the very Life of Life;
In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of our existence
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of beauty
For yesterday is already a dream, and tomorrow is but a vision;
But today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
And tomorrow a vision of hope
Look well, therefore, to this day
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn

I am not exactly a deep and meaningful kind of guy but I reckon Kalidasa might be on to something here. Hopefully, a near death experience is not needed to convince you of the importance of approaching life in such a fashion as this.

Oh, by the way, John is still kicking it at more than 80 years of age and even has his own website like all the cool kids these days.