What I didn't know until Thursday was that Paddy Tyson had put me down for a presentation at the event despite me explaining that I didn't really want to do one, and I wasn't even sure if I'd be back from my travels in time. After a hurried assembly of some pictures and video clips on Saturday I was pretty nervous. I felt the best way to prepare for this was to sit around the Overland campfire until the early morning with some new friends and the last of my ample Prosecco supply while Irish musicians entertained us with flutes, harps and fiddles. Oh my weary bones :)
In the end my presentation slot on Sunday morning actually worked out a treat despite being tired and emotional. Subjects covered included the mechanical inventiveness of the scooterboy, that having kids does not have to mean the end of adventuring (Frankenstein Scooters) and the thorny subjects of religion and karma. There's a short clip of the opening section below, but it got better as I went on. I'm not a match for the hilarity of Austin Vince's irreverent delivery, which cracked everyone up as the highlight of Saturday night, but you need to leave room to improve...
Overall Overland Event was a great weekend for me and young Sam: chilled-out with multi-cultural entertainment and dining options and ample camping to cope with the throng. I met so many inspiring people, not least of all former scooterboy Stephen Holmes, sportsbike riding RTW-er Bruce Smart and of course Ted Simon whose book Jupiter's Travels prompted so many of the people there to set off on adventures big or small.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the Overland Event for making it such a chilled environment .