Hi! I’m Dave, an Irish Australian, who loves Adventure, Travel and Exploration
Preamble
I left my home in Northern Ireland many years ago, chasing the dream, migrating to Australia. There, I took up full-time education, changed my career from a metal tradesman to a mining professional, and embarked on a FIFO (fly in, fly out) occupation spanning 21 years.
Yes, I followed my dream, achieved my goals, peaked in my career, I had a great time. But it wasn’t enough, not for this guy! You see, I’d settled down, and the adventure in me had also settled down. I’d excepted the status quo, and began to stagnate, not a good place to be, for an adventurer at heart.
I’ve now hit the reset button on life, made a move, and started living again!
A Dreamer and Explorer from an Early Age
As a little boy I wondered where the boat was going, out over the ocean, as it left the harbour in the little seaside town, I lived in. Sure, I knew Scotland was over there, but where was that? You see, I was a dreamer of faraway places and faraway lands. Now, on a clear day, I could just about see over to the other side where the boat had gone. This intrigued me!
I was the little guy digging a tunnel in the dirt straight after watching the movie “The Great Escape”, and when it snowed heavily in the garden during winter, I’d tunnel in the snow. At the Sunday dinner table, I was all talk about where I’d go, what I’d do, and what I’d make until, Mum said: “Son, come down to earth”!
I can remember my brother building a hut along the river within the trees, how exciting was that? We’d spend the day there as full-time explorers. Yes, my childhood was nothing but adventure.
Background
I was born in Nottingham England; the youngest of three boys; at six months of age, I was on a slow boat (ferry) to Northern Ireland (my 1st trip) with my siblings and Mother. This was not a holiday rather, a permanent relocation to my mother’s home country; due to circumstances beyond her control.
We arrived in the small country village of Carnalbanagh, eventually settling in the seaside town of Larne, and so the adventures of my life began in Northern Ireland.
Growing up in a single-parent home; my two brothers and I had quite an eventful childhood. Mum worked night shift as a nurse in the local hospital; giving her time to be with her kids during the day. So who do you think was looking after us at night? Absolutely nobody, pure excitement, for three boys’ home alone!
First Holidays
The annual holiday was a tradition for our family. Mum would pack us up, and whisk us off in her little car, 50 miles and more (~90km) to the pretty seaside destinations in my island home. As a child, these were my faraway places, and I longed for that super get-away experience; when it was over, the count down and dreaming till the next would start.
My teenage years were pretty special, getting a license and transport to get me moving. First, it was a boat, OK, a rubber dingy, a moped, two motorbikes, and finally a car. One thing they had in common, travel, adventure, and independence. Working in the local factory funded my adventures. I had learned from an early age that work produced money and that allowed me to pursue my dreams.
First Trip Overseas
At twenty-one, I set off touring Europe by car. I visited Scotland, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, and the French Riviera, all inside two weeks. Putting the car onto two ferries (Larne – Stranraer, and Dover – Calais), and sleeping inside the car, was all part of the fun. The trip was too short, it went by fast, and I hated having to come back home. Travel and camping however, made me happy and gave me a real sense of adventure and independence.
First flight on a Jet
On a bright clear day, unusual for Ireland I know, I could see the white trails of smoke streaming from jets as they sped across the sky. I’d stare and wonder where they were going. To quench my curiosity, I’d drive to the local airport, park the car, and watch them take off, and land, and …. dream!
One day while I was working in the local factory, the Forman passed by, and asked, if I’d be willing to go work on the job in Korea? Well, I thought …. this could be my first trip on a jet!
I had no idea where Korea was, just somewhere on the other side of the world; I didn’t know the difference between a domestic and an international airport, but I did know, I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to escape on a jet. Snapping it up, I was off within 3 days.
Two days later, I arrived at ‘The Westin Chosun Hotel’ Busan, South Korea, overlooking the Haeundae beach. It was a balmy evening when I arrived and, everything felt very, very strange, I was jet-lagged for the first time in my life.
This was all new to me, I could have been on the moon for all I knew, because everything was just so different from the world I knew back home. I loved this new experience, that was it, I was hooked on travel. Somehow, I was going to find a way to venture off to the other side of the world.
One-way Ticket to Australia
I applied for emigration to Australia. Now, after, three applications, two rejections, two medicals and eight years, I finally got accepted. During this period, to some, I would have appeared, discontent, and unappreciative of my surroundings. This was not an easy process, and it was a bitter pill to swallow each time I got rejected, but I didn’t give up, Australia was where I was headed, and I was still dreaming of those faraway places.
I packed in my full-time job in the local factory, moved to Perth Western Australia, without any work lined up, and discovered a whole new environment, full of opportunities.
Full – Time Education – Change of Career
In Perth, I took up full-time study, totally unplanned and something I hadn’t done since leaving school at 16. I completed a BSc (Hons) degree at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and commenced a career in mineral exploration and mining, which involved a lot of travel in those jets I used to see above my head.
I’d cut loose, changed direction, bettered myself, and followed my dream.
The Dreaming Stopped
In the years that followed, I became tied to a fly-in / fly-out (FIFO) occupation, tied to a job, and slowly, after many years, I noticed I wasn’t dreaming anymore. I had, unfortunately, come back down to earth, as my mother used to say, and was now living a fairly standard life, and that’s OK if you like that.
I now know what it’s like to be tied to an office, a mine site, a factory for years, and be told when to take holidays. Yes, I’ve been there, working in various occupations; (Engineering, Mining, and Geology), in Northern Ireland, Korea, and Australia, and it doesn’t matter what country you’re in, life is pretty much the same once your settled into a routine.
Though to be fair, my life has not been boring. I’ve lived on three continents, visited sixteen countries, and flown more miles (km) than most (~ 6,000 km per week), usually for work. My last gig was leading a Technical Services Team, working on a block cave for the world-famous Argyle Diamond Mine …. I had a great time, but it wasn’t enough! You see if you want to remain sharp and true to yourself you’re going to have to hit the reset button on your life at some point. That’s what i did.
New Adventure
I made a move; I’m now getting fit! My day starts at the gym, then it’s off to the rooftop pool for 20 lengths while taking in the views of the ocean and local village. In the evening, I usually get a sunset that I used to only see in a brochure. It’s not the fact that I’m in a different country, it’s more the fact that I’ve stepped off the treadmill of life, caught my breath and started living again.
Of course, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work professionally in the exciting world of mining, and I could go back, but for now, the gravy train for me has ended. I’ve set my home base up in a little seaside town called Bang Saray on the East Coast of Thailand. I’m on a new adventure.
I now intend to travel to those faraway places I’ve always dreamed of, and I’m excited about that!
Cut Loose Adventure is where I’ll document my travel and adventure related exploits with the sole intent that it motivates you to hit the reset button on life , and make a move in whatever situation your in. I’d like Cut Loose Adventure to be your go-to resource for travel planning, adventure and inspiration!
Thanks for checking in to read this short introduction, I do appreciate it. If you’re keen to know more about me or follow my adventures don’t hesitate to shoot me an email at dave@cutlooseadventure.com, also, feel free to roam around my website, get on board and follow my journey.
