Past My 'Use-By' Date

Two years ago I thought it would be a nice Birthday present to arrange the publishing of my father's autobiography – to say he was blown away was an understatement and the reaction I witnessed was monumental. Now most people would think that after getting their 80 year old dad's memoirs published that would be the end of it – obviously they didn't read the 1st edition! We're 2 years down the road, my 82 year old (83 in 2 weeks) father is on leg two of a round the world kayak trip with his equally adventurous friend. He has sent me an update to his previous script that details the last few years of his “retirement” replete with exploding yachts, 4 month wilderness safaris, car crashes, boat sinkings and a sprinkling of the more “usual” activities of octogenarians – prostrate operations, reminiscings and a quick trip to China!Now most people would think that after getting their 82 year old dad's memoirs published that would be the end of it – obviously they haven't YET read the 2nd edition!I can well predict that unless some form of wildlife eats my dad for breakfast on this current adventure a 3rd edition with further updates will be forthcoming. As mentioned my father and his mate, Steve Posselt, are currently on part 2 of a round the world kayak trip – not a lazy trip down some gently flowing rivers but a 6,000 mile odyssey from Canberra to Sydney in Australia, then kayaking UP the Mississippi, through the Great Lakes and across Hudson Bay in America. Then off to England for a quick kayak across England from the west coast to London, across the English Channel and down the coast of France and finally a leisurely paddle up the Seine to Paris to make the Climate Talks being held there in November 2015. Steve is doing this to bring awareness to Global Warming and its effects. My dad is running the support for this little trip and his much younger 62 year old friend is doing the kayaking. You can follow their adventures at www.kayak4earth.com I would imagine that most fathers in their eighties waving farewell to their family are doing so as they return to the old age homes or age restricted communities where they can rest out their final years in relative peace, quiet and comfort – but that's not the father I will ever know. He's off to battle the elements for a 6 month trip that would drive most men half his age into despair and make the rest shake their heads in disbelief. So maybe in reading this tale we can all take stock of our lives, revitalize the adventuring spirit that lies within us all and realize its not age or obstacles that prevent us from living. Maybe then, more of us will ignore our own “Use By” date! Nicholas NieropFebruary 2015