Focusing on Present Time

16 Nov 11:30 am by Nathan Welch Category: The Expedition

Well by the time you folks are reading this we have re-entered the Apurimac after fitting up our oar frame. We are now officially in the Red Zone – the heart of Coca growing & narco terrorist activity in Peru. We have been warned on numerous occasions re the dangers in this area. It is notoriously known as “the most dangerous part of the river in Peru“. As such the Apurimac now throws up a new set of challenges after the subsiding of the whitewater. We have to be on our toes through the Red Zone, especially considering the high’s of our most recent accomplishment on the whitewater.

I’m sure you all picked up from Marko’s last post the intensity of what we experienced. For me personally the time in San Francisco has been an opportunity to embrace a lot of personal & spiritual change. The intense pressure & fear cultivated by the Apurimac whitewater extracted a lot of extraordinary feats from individuals & the team as a whole. It was a time to step up - & step up we did!

Perhaps the real danger for us right now is letting our guards down & wallowing too much in what we have just achieved. As important as our whitewater accomplishment is….it is only a mini milestone in the broader picture. After all our adventures so far, the reality is that we still have 6400km to go & it’s important we focus on what’s in front of us right now. And right now, it is the Red Zone, so bring it on….

Please keep all your posts, well wishes & prayers coming – they are our soul food & make an enormous difference to us in times of hardship. The only sad thing for us is that we are unable respond to everyone personally – just know that each little comment & thought are an integral part of our journey & has our heartfelt thanks.

Watch our latest video.

14 Comments »

Dear Nath (young middle aged man – hehehe)

Happy Birthday for Sunday babe. Like your Mum and Dad I will be partaking in a vino or two in celebration of YOU. I don’t think you ever had a hope in hell of forgetting your birthday this year – it will be one that you will never forget!

Marko and Phil – can you organise a cake? Some fairy bread, streamers and party hats perhaps…surely that’s not too much to ask! LOL

Love you. Miss you. Big love, hugs and kisses.

Ange xoxoxoxoxo

P.S. Digger and Charlie send their love too. Charlie still wants to join you and be the raft mascot. Just not sure what sort of duty customs would charge over there to import such a handsome specimen???

Comment by Ange Hanly — November 16, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Hi Nat ,Mark & Phil, I have read Marko last post a dozen time and it still sends shivers down my spine.
Mark and Phil on sunday I want you use Barrys laughing theropy on Nathan as it is his birthday. We would appreciate the two of you singing hapy birthday to the lad who turns 32. Please note Nat hates celebrating his birthday so I invite everone to write and wish the lad a big happy birthday.
Nat we will be thinking of you on this special day . Stay safe we miss you heaps, Love Bill & Toni. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Comment by Bill Welch — November 16, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
Hello Buffy, Welchy and Swartzy!

Buffy! Good post boy. Honest. You’re growing stronger. I remember Wayne Bennett saying it’s not what you achieve but what you become..And Arnold says “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” Keep up the good struggle. I hope Arnold didn’t get that off Mein Kampf?

Happy Birthday for Sunday Welchster. Join the 32 club flacas blanco gringo. Welcome!! Good work the other day..You’re almost getting to my level of strength..You’ll love it!

Swartzy..Madiba said “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.”. Hope you like Madiba?

So Long Comrades
Matt

Comment by Matthew Kalch — November 16, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
Nathan Mark & Phil This message is from grumblebum & granny they said to tell you his computer is “ratshit” his words only. They said they have not forgotton you, i am keeping them up todate with all. As soon as they are able they will be up & running. They have you in their prayeres & thoughts.

Granny & Grumblebum xxx
Barton Street Mackay

Comment by Toni-Maree — November 17, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!
Keep paddling real fast or you’ll be druggies stew!
he he he he! Happy Birtday Nonny - you and your buddies keep pushing forward and soon that 6400km will wither to 640km and then 64km and then aaaaahhhhh!
Happy Birthday Nathan - I’m helping you blow your candles out………NOW!
Love WINNER Tahlie! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
That says it all doesn’t it?
Bye, Cheerio, Aurevoir, Ciao! No Sir I didn’t see a thing!
Mad, Tahlie and Chris

Comment by MadMadonna — November 18, 2007 @ 10:41 am
Hi Nathan this message is from Grumblebum the computer is still out of action.

Happy Birthday for today hope you have a good day wish i was with you “Grumblebums words”.

Will make contact as soon as we can good luck for the next part of the journey, thinking of you all
Love Grumblebum, Wife & Kid.xxx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN HIP HIP Hoorah.

Comment by Toni-Maree — November 18, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Nat, tried to ring you a number of times today with no success .Happy Birthday trust you had an enjoyable & relaxing day. Love Bill & Toni xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Comment by Bill Welch — November 18, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
Hi Nathan

Happy Birthday! What an experience you are having (and we are having via you!)

Hope you have a great day - you can guarantee it will be a birthday like no other.

We are checking in on you from time to time and love the fact that you are living your dream. We are so proud of you!

You are never far from my thoughts

Lots of Love

Janelle, David and Finn xxx

Comment by Janelle, David and Finnegan — November 18, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
Happy Birthday Nathan!!

This will be a birthday you will never forget! Did Marko and Phil help you celebrate? We’ll toast you tonight with our meal and wish you all the best for the next year and beyond.

Cheerio for now.

Donna & Barry

Comment by Donna & Barry — November 18, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
Hi Marko, Nathe and Phil

How are those rowing arms faring? You should all be balls of muscle when we next see you! Mark and Phil were you especially nice to Nathan today?……did you sing him Happy Birthday and do the laughing therapy together? It helps you know!

We’re with you all the way and looking eagerly for the next post.

Safe journey and lots of love.

Donna & Barry xxxxxxxxxxxx

Comment by Donna & Barry — November 18, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Buff, Nath and Phil,

Your video on You Tube is amazing! Thankyou for the wonderful visual insight you have give us of your journey so far.

Nath - Happy Birthday mate!

I like a quote I recently read by Elbert Hubbard:

“One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.”

Buff, Nath and Phil - you are all extraordinary men. You are an inspiration to us all. Take care.

Taity

Comment by Taity — November 18, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
My 3 amigos
Sort it out , keep pushing hard.
Best wishes Nathan, remember no smiling…

keeping my eye on you you guys, wicked slide show.
awe

Comment by Scott — November 19, 2007 @ 2:58 am
Mark and Phil, a very merry unbirthday to you! But to Nath, kick back in style rockstar and have a day off the oars!! Hope the boys brought you breakfast in bed and that you’ve had at least one rendition of “happy birthday” belted out to you.

You’re probably not going to believe it but according to the Sunday Times (front page with a photo) there is a minke whale that has swum 1 600km upriver to a town called Santarem to be with you on your birthday! I think when I put in the order wishing you a “whale” of a time, somebody got it a little wrong…

Wishing you wind on your back, gentle sun and rain free days, swift and logless waters, clear channels and friendly encounters. River love, ocean hugs and mountain kisses!

Let us know if you’re ready for some mind bending lateral thinking puzzles!

Comment by Jess — November 19, 2007 @ 7:39 am
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Comment by Ivan Ford — November 13, 2008 @ 8:38 am