Beginnings

The Doorstep Mile

Beginnings

Mon, 24 Dec 2007, 21:08

From: Alastair

To: Ben

Subject: SOUTH

Hi Ben,

Having a wonderful time in Hawaii - been out whale watching and running this morning.

But I can't stop thinking about my future expeditions. So I decided to write and ask in all seriousness if I can join your SOUTH team? I am writing because I will regret it if I do not, but also because you know me well enough to be able to say 'No!' without embarrassment or worry...!

Look forward to chatting in the New Year when I get home. Hope you have a warm, sunny Christmas, like me,

Al

––––––––––––––

Fri, 20 Nov 2015, 11:56

From: Alastair

To: Becks Violin

Subject: Can you teach me the violin really quickly?

hi Becks,

I found your email via Google. I'm looking to learn the violin. But I have a slightly unusual plan...

I'm an adventurer and author. My favourite ever travel book is 'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning'. Laurie Lee walked across Spain in the 1930s, living from busking.

I want to retrace his journey, living entirely from busking. But I cannot play the violin!

Can you teach me to play a few cool busking songs so that I don't starve to death on the trip?!

I'm 38, I did Grade 2 piano when I was 10. I'm willing to work hard and we've got until the summer to learn...

Are you up for the challenge?

Alastair

––––––––––––––

Thurs, 5 Sep 2012, 16:10

From: Alastair

To: Leon

Subject: Walk

hi Leon,

Hypothetically speaking, would you be interested in another long walk?! 6-8 weeks. Desert. Pulling a cart. Nov-Dec. Home for Xmas...

Al

Many of the best things I have done began with an email. They are so brief, flippant and non-binding. Scribble an email, click send. Worst case scenario? You regret it in the morning and hastily back out. Easy as that. You haven't got much to lose.

Hopefully, however, you get up tomorrow and follow this small beginning with another small beginning. And you keep repeating that until those little steps accumulate into something that you look on with surprise and pride.

OVER TO YOU:
Send someone a brief email that will pique their curiosity about an adventure.

CC me in if you like: [e-mail]

★ Support this podcast ★