I was sitting on a train heading down the West Highland line on a perfect summers evening after a wee stolen midweek hill day with my Dad. I was reading a new book and I really did not want it to stop ...the book that is.

Bit of a background as to how I ended up reading this particular book ...

My cousin Alan was at a dinner where Ben Saunders was an after dinner speaker and told me to look up Ben's Blog. I did and liked it a lot but noted that it was not updated much. Alan commented "aye - but look up his pal Al Humphreys" ...I did this and was impressed. Even more so to discover that Al and myself were practically neighbors in the 2008 MdS (I was in tent 82 and Al was in tent 91). On his site there was a sample of the book - it looked very good indeed.

The book is a nice mix of the lessons (10 simple points that learned whilst spending four years cycling round the world), inspirational quotations and some really stunning photographs.

Why did I not want the book to stop ...

Fairly simple, I identified with every single word he wrote. It describes all the fears and excitement associated with a new adventure or project. It confirmed that people who take on huge challenges are "depressingly ordinary" who simply chose to do something a little "extraordinary". He correctly states that sometimes the hardest part of a journey or adventure is the decision to do it (in the case of the MdS, I found posting the entry harder and more stressful than even the long stage ...in fact I got Mirsia to post it for me). He notes that the only person who can make you fail or succeed is yourself. He suggests short term thinking is key to getting to the end. And very importantly (especially when our view of the outside world tends to be coloured by the media) that the world is a good place.

Over the years, I have come in for a bit of criticism of how I lead my life. At best, some folks have suggested that I am selfish and have a obsessive death wish ...others have simply asked why. A few have asked if that me finished ...more have asked whats next (they tend to be the ones who truly know me). At worst, some have shook their heads and commented that I would fail. Each and every person is fully entitled to their opinion and their own existence as well.

I love challenge and adventure especially in wild, high and sometimes remote places. For as long as I am able there will always be a "next".

Ten Lessons will remind me that it is worth it ...that big stuff is possible if you choose it. I don't think I learned much from the book that I haven't learned myself through my own experiences but it has confirmed my passion for what I try to do.

I would strongly recommend buying a copy from Al. He has been posting chapters on his web site but I feel it would be missing the point. Actually holding the book is far more rewarding than reading a screen. It is also the type of book that you will return and return to over the years (ok ...I will anyway). It is fantastic to pick it up, read a few pages and remind yourself it is all worth it.