A Twist in the Road

A deal with National Express took me to London and back for £2, allowing me the privilege of sharing time with some of my favourite people. The contrast with life on the hill and the city is enormous and dipping between these worlds puts each in sharp focus. Through such contrasts, the joy of being relatively poor is sharpened. No, I'm not saying that having no money is my preferred state but that, like anything in life, it really has a positive side. It forces you to be resourceful, pushes you to act beyond your comfort zone and helps put things into perspective. Hunger is the best spice and the little luxuries, through the prism of this perspective, become precious experiences that the wealthy cannot afford.

Thinking of this, I want to share my world with others. Writing is one avenue and someday, with luck and perseverance, I will succeed. I can never be accused of being in a hurry to make it big - this project, this game I am playing with my life, is a long-term commitment and I will continue to look for new ways to express myself and share my journey with others.

At the limit of my finances, I can still draw on a lifetime of good credit. And, as long as I continue to choose adventure over insurance, I will stay in control long enough to bring the dream home. This is why I have just spent the equivalent of $6,000 on High Definition video equipment - a small price for some but a year of increased penury for me. The way I see it, I cannot afford to live like others and remain free to do what I do. The reality is that I am already homeless. I would never waste my credit-card to buy a year in a bed - it would be a short-term comfort. This way, I might eventually have something to show for the financial risk and the discomfort that is sure to follow.

I can understand why people might think me mad but I intend to document the next year of my life. The logistics of such a task are intimidating. Carrying my world on my back, I now have to contend with a heavy camera, a tripod, more power problems and the worry of damaging equipment I cannot afford to replace. To add to this, I must be ruthless with myself to make room for the new paraphernalia. Gone is the big tent, replaced – for now at least – with something weighing in close to that of a bag of sugar. Gone are unnecessary items such as tea bags, coffee, milk and even a cup. Gone are spare, spare clothes and a heavy, warm sleeping bag. Perhaps, as I get fitter and gain a better understanding of how to make this work, I can add some of these things back but, for now, I'm sure I can survive with what I have.

With no experience in film-making I hope, nevertheless, to capture the beauty of Scotland and share with you and others a little of the adventure I am on. In a year's time, I want to look back with you and see and hear, as well as read, about what happens next. I have no idea what that 'happening' will be but have no doubt that, condensed to documentary form, it should be pretty damned interesting. I will continue to write, to explore the setting for my novels, to edit and complete Dreamwords and to deal with the harsh realities of publishing from a tent.

For the next week, as I await delivery of equipment, I will stay with family. I then need to take some time to learn the basics of making a documentary on a zero budget and with limited resources. This should not take long – I will make my mistakes and learn as I go. I am excited in having a new challenge, particularly one that fits so well with what I am already doing and compliments my writing.

Life is good.