Have you ever dared to live in retirement?
Grow flowers and vegetables, drink tea and walk your dog?
Wearing pajamas and slippers to play cards at the neighbor's house downstairs to talk about home, and when the time comes home, cook for the husband/wife, children/grandchildren?
Dave Bell from the UK shows us another possibility of retirement –
Dave Bell, 49, served in the Royal Navy for 20 years and, after retiring, embarked on the path of "life is tossed".
First, I rode more than 1,900 kilometers in Thailand.
After a short break, he spent five months climbing 282 scottish peaks above 900 metres above sea level.
After the outbreak began, Dave was stranded at home and his travels around the world were interrupted.
He was not reconciled!
At this time, a crazy idea was born - since land and airplanes did not work, Lao Tzu took the water route!
He bought a boat from New Zealand that had been used for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and prepared to cross the Atlantic from North America to his native Britain.
The ship, which he named "Billy No Mates," is 7 meters long and is equipped with solar panels that can power radio and satellite equipment, as well as weather monitors, water purifiers, and more.
The ship's rear cabin was converted into a small bedroom by him.
With hardware, so does the software.
Dave said: "Although I am not an athlete, I have had the physique and will of a Marine. ”
"I'm determined to succeed, and fear is what drives me forward."
To this end, he stepped up training day and night in order to set off as soon as possible.
Finally, on May 31, 2021, he set off from New York.
For nearly four months, he was alone, without companions or assistance, paddling non-stop, battling the waves, rain, and tides, traveling more than 5,000 kilometers.
During the 119-day voyage, he encountered dolphins, whales, and even stung by jellyfish.
However, I also encountered the docked seabirds, with their backs to the rainbow on the sea, greeting the rising sun and bidding farewell to the sunset again and again.
"It's an indescribable strong emotion, it's an epic adventure – I feel like I've been through a lifetime on the sea," he said. ”
"The sea is sometimes calm, sometimes furious, sometimes with the deepest silence, which I never knew before."
"I got it all out of this voyage."
On 26 September, he arrived in Newlyn, Cornwall, England, completing his feat of crossing the North Atlantic.
In general, crossing the Atlantic Ocean is taking the central route, because the north is synonymous with storms, waves and icebergs, sometimes as high as 29 meters, so few people cross the Atlantic ocean from the north.
But it's clear that Dave Bell is no ordinary person.
And, although a former Marine, the old Navy has a deep fear of open water.
Now, I believe his fears have been overcome, and he has become the first to row from North America to Europe independently! One! person!
Coincidentally, by the time he reached the finish line, his food supply was just one day left.
It seemed destined that he was about to reach the other shore.
118 days, 4 hours and 55 minutes, he rowed an average of 12 hours a day, Dave lost from 92 kg at the time of departure to 79 kg,
Although his skin had sunburned and molted when he arrived, and it was difficult to walk on land again, his mental state was obviously not bad.
When he reached the Shores of England, his old father and fellow countrymen greeted him on the shore.
He suddenly hugged his old father and cried bitterly, and his first words were: "I will never do anything dangerous again." ”
Oh, what about the pride of "fear pushes me forward" when you set off?
The second thing came, there was some sun food – a cup of coffee, a plate of chicken and pasta to celebrate the completion of the journey.
The third thing is to quickly take care of it, cut off the long and messy hair and beard, and restore a handsome (humble) (humble) appearance.
It is reported that in addition to some sponsorships, the rest of the trip is at Dave's own expense.
The funds raised throughout the process will be donated to two charitable associations, SBS and Rock 2 Recovery UK.
So? Stop saying we're XX years old so it's too late to do XX things.
It's never too late, just start doing it now.
Source: Overseas Network
EDIT: Yu Yue