Good day to you all,

I have been contemplating making this post for some time and am no longer able to restrain myself. This has a great deal to do with African hunting so if the moderators could please bear with me.

I would like to share some information that may be of interest to some of you. At the same time, I need some advice and can think of no better place to get that advice than right here, on AR.

On the 1st May or thereabouts, I shall embark on a foot journey which shall ultimately see me circumambulate Zimbabwe in its entirety, beginning and ending at Victoria Falls and following the borderline the entire distance. Those of you familiar with Zim will understand when I say that I will be passing through some of Africa’s most ruggedly remote and spectacular country along the way, and that I expect to have the adventure of a lifetime. This journey has been a dream for a very long time and to say that I am excited would be an understatement. I have several reasons for wanting to undertake this expedition, and will fill you in more as things develop. For the time being, suffice it to say that it shall ultimately benefit conservation and hunters, and I believe the results will be most rewarding indeed. Before anyone thinks otherwise, this is not going to be another African begging bowl story. Firstly, I have enough money in hand to complete the walk, and secondly I am an African who has thought of a novel way to raise awareness, support and finance through my own initiatives, believe it or not. I shall enlighten you in time as to which causes I am going to be backing (two very worthy ones), and just how I am going to go about it.

At the present time, I am busy planning and prioritizing – getting things in order. On a date to be decided early next month, I will be heading up to Harare to make a presentation to National Parks and various other interested parties. I have already submitted a proposal outlining my intentions and what I hope to achieve, and have been most encouraged by the responses received. I don’t anticipate any setbacks as far as permission and support from Parks or anyone else is concerned, but in the event I do face some, it should be known that I shall accomplish what I intend, no matter what obstacles I encounter. This walk has become much more than a dream – it is an obsession and an obsession that I have no problems with having.

Anyway, the walk and its envisaged results are so involved that it would take pages to explain it all. For now, what I need is some advice, especially from you North American hunters who do a lot of backpacking. What I need information on is a suitable backpack, a durable, lightweight two man mountain tent and a decent but not too expensive GPS. Any ideas? Initially, the plan was to go without a tent but I know I won’t be happy after a few days in cold drizzle in the middle of nowhere! Here is a basic list of equipment and supplies I have put together, can anyone think of anything else I may need?

Tent, back-pack, sleeping bag, torch, camera (with spare batteries and memory cards), GPS, hardcover writing journals, 2 pairs bush shirts and shorts (maybe 3), jacket, jeans, hat, 2 pairs shoes (rafters and tackies), fishing line and hooks, 2 knives (1 very big and 1 small), spoon, plate, 2 pots, 2 water bottles or josacks, mielie meal, matemba (dried fish) and biltong, dried vegetables and fruit, pronutro, tea, sugar, salt, sunblock, some type of energy drink (any ideas?), rudimentary first aid kit, soap, toothpaste….

Just for your information…. The distance to be covered is approximately 3000 kilometers, maybe more. It is difficult to work out as Zim’s border has so many little jinxes and I have been trying to use the string on map method! I envisage taking anything up to a year to finish, but probably more like 8-10 months. Of course, it could be done much faster than that, but bear in mind I will be carrying a fair load, the terrain will be pretty tough going for the most part and there is no deadline. I do not want to rush this – I want to enjoy each and every moment. There are no hard and fast rules, the only definite one being that I must walk the entire borderline. If I come across a decent place to camp and fish and update my journal, I shall do just that, for a day or two or more, whatever I decide at the time. Too, I will be taking about half a dozen week-long breaks along the way, at centers where I can access the internet and update people on progress, transcribe my stories to computer, download photos etc. As far as weight is concerned, I guess I’ll be carrying about 25 kg’s the whole way. Through certain dry areas, I will have to carry enough drinking water for days, but in most areas there will be an ample supply. The areas of concern are the Botswana boundary with which I am unfamiliar, and the lowveld/Gonarezhou stretch….

There is so much more, but this post is just to give you an idea of what is in the pipeline, and to get some opinion. I would appreciate and value any input any of you may have.

Have a good day

Dave

Sounds like a real adventure. I would want a top of the line water purification/filter and about 4 porters for all the other stuff you listed . Water proof containers or zip lock bags for camera, batteries etc.. A roll of good duct tape, a good headlamp that takes the same batteries as the camera and the GPS.

Thank you Grafton - a torch, quite right, i just thought of that...and a few lighters...

Nuskin for blisters. Are you carrying any form of weapon?

Jeff

David,
Good luck on your adventure it sounds wonderful.
I did not see a mention of any type of firearm? Also there are some really good water puriication tabletsnow available. I hope you are going to set up a web-ite or blog so we can track your progress when you reach an internet location. Can't wait to learn more.

Michael J

Bwana,

No weapon other than a big knife. Through most national parks and safari areas, I have to have a ranger accompany me by law, so that covers those areas. For the rest, well, I've been walking around this country without a weapon my whole life...

michaelj - thanks for that. I will have a website up and running in due course and you will be able to follow my progress, though updates will obviously be few and far between. I keep on saying 'me' and 'I' but I doubt I will be alone very often. Zim is like that - there will be a willing guide in each area, and as I've said I will have to be accompanied by a ranger through state wildlife land. Safari areas and parks make up a large percentage of the Zim border zone. And I am not alone in this venture by any means - already there are people behind the scenes helping me put it together. To them I am most grateful.

Dave

Dave

What a great adventure! You'll get a book out of it, I'd bet. Good luck. I'll be looking forward to reading your posts.

David - Your journey sounds quite interesting, I wish you luck! I would highly recommend you email Bryan Martin at bkmartin@telus.net He is a good friend of mine who could give you all the advice and recommendations you could ever need in regards to gear and equipment that might be valuable on your adventure.

He is a guide & outfitter in B.C. Canada, and Asia, he writes numerous articles and reviews on backing, hiking, and hunting gear for backpackers and hunters alike! He can recommend the best pack, tent, gear, etc, etc. This is his specialty, and he would be excited to help you, I guarantee it! Tell him I referred you.

Good Luck,
Aaron Neilson
Global Hunting Resources

Thank you very much for the advice Aaron, I shall definitely contact Bryan, just the kind of lead I was looking for.

Cheers, Dave

quote:

Originally posted by David Hulme:
Bwana,

No weapon other than a big knife. Through most national parks and safari areas, I have to have a ranger accompany me by law, so that covers those areas. For the rest, well, I've been walking around this country without a weapon my whole life...

michaelj - thanks for that. I will have a website up and running in due course and you will be able to follow my progress, though updates will obviously be few and far between. I keep on saying 'me' and 'I' but I doubt I will be alone very often. Zim is like that - there will be a willing guide in each area, and as I've said I will have to be accompanied by a ranger through state wildlife land. Safari areas and parks make up a large percentage of the Zim border zone. And I am not alone in this venture by any means - already there are people behind the scenes helping me put it together. To them I am most grateful.

Dave

Dave

Mine detector!

Pack donkey, Toilet paper, sat phone, Handgun, flares, digital camera, spare memory cards, super glue for cuts, duct tape, small bottle Balistol, little digital voice recorder,

As a gps garmin e-trec, spare batteries, Flash light best are LED the mini mag 2 or 3 cell AA same batteries as gps, compass,

1x nice blonde and 1x brunette

Cheers

Dave,

Sounds like a great trip. Wish I were going with you...

For a shelter look into a Hennessy Hammock. For areas with trees it is great. Much more comfortable than a tent. It can be pitched like a tent in areas without trees. I like the Explorer A-sym. www.hennessyhammock.com.

A phone is a very good idea. I have used iridium in Zim with good success. www.iridium.com

Try several backpacks. The size and shape of your body will determin which works best for you. There is lots of good information on the net and even here in the "Backpack Hunting" section. I currently like and use kifaru but have used kelty and others as well.

Membership in Global Rescue and the sat phone are two of the best investments you could make. www.globalrescue.com

Good luck and hope you have a great trip!

Brett

freischutz,

I won't need the donkey if I don't take all that other junk

Brett,

Wow, that hammock is just it! Thanks for the link.

Dave

David,

Here is a site that posts evaluations of backpacking gear. This and other similar sites may be helpful. Try a google search for "backpacking gear evaluations."

Backpack Gear Test

The lightest gear that fits your need is important, especially for so long a trek. This applies to the GPS (I've always used Garmin when I carry one) and other gear. Take this to extremes for instance cutting handle short on toothbrush, one handle for multiple cooking pots, cookpot lid for plate, etc.

Consider very lightweight cooking gear specially made for backpacking. I assume that you will be using natural fuels and campfires so maybe a stove and fuel is not needed. Look for a good supply of lightweight and emergency fire starters.

Adequate foot care (blisters), first aid, and emergency gear is a must. The water filtration unit is a great suggestion. Given that you will be out of contact for long periods consider a spare filter.

Feet, health, food, water, fire and survival are top priorities. Comfort comes next. you might consider a backpacking sleeping mat if weight allows.

Most find an internal pack more comfortable since it rides close to the back; however, it tends to be hotter. I've always used a top-of-the line external frame.

If you are traveling with a comrade, the larger gear can be shared between the two packs. For example, a tent and fly in one pack and poles and stakes in another.

There are lots of good lightweight backpacking tents. Look for a good brand name with the lightest weight that will give you the space needed. Integral Designs, Kelty, MSR, Eureka and others are well known brands. Something on the order of 4 lbs or a little more for 2 people should be possible.

I'd suggest you find several good backpacking web sites and/or how to books for other ideas. You might also look at a way to cache additional supplies or arrange for them to be delivered along the way to lessen amounts carried.

Best of luck!

David,

What a fantastic idea! I sure wish you luck and the bit of advice: The better you plan and prepare the less luck you will need to complete.

Hell man, I'm jealous for not having thought of such an adventure when still young enough to undertake. You will no doubt have a life-completing type of experience. Once you've accomplished the realization of such a dream, make sure you have another dream lined up to keep on living for. Otherwise many such great adventurers just fade away after their great adventure, as they have nothing left to live for. Maybe completing the book about your adventure can be the follow-up adventure?

Freaking fantastic idea and adventure!

Only suggestion: A small solar power AA battary recharger?

Good luck and enjoy the final preparations.

In good walking.

Andrew McLaren

Thank you for all this advice and positive vibe gentlemen. Oday, thanks for all that gen, I will go over it all and make sure I am fully prepared in every respect.Andrew, you are as young as you feel - care to join me for a stage?

Thanks again guys - I knew I would get sound advice from you. I will be offline for the day soon, but will keep you informed on progress

Cheers, Dave

tube of super glue & epoxy to fix what breaks - good luck david - it has the promise of a great adventure, i'll look forward to a new book i hope

Sounds like a lot of fun and I can't wait to read reports on your hike. While you want to haul as little as possible around, you should strongly consider a sleeping pad of some sort, both for comfort, but more to help keep your sleeping bag dry. Contact with even seemingly dry ground will cause condensation that will make the bag wet and cold. I like to use a self-inflating type. There are many models designed specifally for hikers. A good site to look for all sorts of gear is www.campmor.com.

David:

There is book entitled "A Walk in the Woods" by American author Bill Bryson. It's an account of Bryson's walk from one end of the eastern coast of America to the other along an historic 2100 mile trail known as the Appalachian Trail. Bryson is a well known author with several books to his credit. By admission he is neither outdoorsman nor hiker.

The book failed critical acclaim but was nevertheless a best seller here in the States. It's a simple book you can read in one evening.

What Bryson did is in no way equal to what you're planning. His trek was literally a "walk in the woods" by comparison. Yet from the standpoint of seeing so much of one country on foot and meeting so many people along the way, you may find his story an interesting primer for your journey. It'll give you another's prespective on how to prepare intellectually for such a trip.

Damn you, though, what fun you'll have!

Best........Tom

Wicked mate!!!

I would definately not leave without:
headlamp
multi tool
decent sleeping arrangement, what ever suits you, I really like bivy sacs and covered hammocks
trail shoes - I dont like boots
decent first aid
comms - unless you wnat to be cut off?
cash.

Enjoy, would be amazing!

That sounds like a blast! I used to spend months at a time living out of my pack.

Given the amount of time you're going to be out, I would definitely add a lightweight Thermarest to your kit. Sleeping directly on the ground is cold, and you'll wake up feeling much better with a pad under you. It's worth the extra pound.

As for packs, go with what fits you. I would recommend Dana Designs as a brand to consider if possible.

Instead of bringing a fleece, I'd go with a lightweight down jacket. It's lighter, warmer and will compress better than fleece. After spending a few nights in the leopard blind in Zim, I'd also suggest a lightweight pair of merino wool long underwear for the evenings.

Socks are very important, I'd go with Smartwool. You can get by with wearing them for a couple of days without washing them and they'll still retain loft. They wear very well too.

As far as boots, I've had good luck with Vasque. Italian lasts fit my feet better than German. A lot of my friends have had very good luck with Mountaineering boots from Lowa and Asolo as well. You boots are probably your most important piece of equipment.

Other small things to consider are Dental floss and a needle, Dr. Bronner's soap, a lightweight towel (you can use it for everything), chapstick, and a candle lantern.

I'd be willing to bet that I'm not the only member on AR who has a lot of this stuff laying around gathering dust. I have an MSR Whisperlight stove I'd be willing to donate to your cause if you have access to white gas/coleman fuel. I might have a few other odds and ends I could send over with someone as well.

Pete

+1 on the Smartwool socks!! They are definitely the best I've ever used.

I don't know how useful it would be, but there are GPS maps for Zimbabwe. Here's a link:

http://www.tracks4africa.com/t4a_gps_maps.asp

You may need a certain model of GPS for it to work, but I believe the vendor should be able to indicate what is required.

It sounds like a great expedition.

That sounds like the adventure of a lifetime. I just got into the world of lightweight backpacking. I have been going out for 2-3 days at a time, but this year I plan to stay out for a week or two when deer season starts. I have been hunting/camping my entire life and I have stayed in camp for weeks at a time, but it’s a totally different world going out and staying out, carrying everything you need (for the entire trip) on your back. Some items that I found work great and are extremely light weight that I use are –

Badlands 4500 Backpack.
2 person REI Tent (5 lbs but less than 4 if you leave the rainfly at home)
Snow Peak Stove, Fuel, Cup, and bowl.
Kelty +20 deg goose down sleeping bag
REI Sleeping pad
Katadyn bottle water purifier

I usually buy some of the dehydrated “Yuppie” foods from REI. They actually taste pretty good and all you have to do is add hot water.

I have a Garmin Rino 110 GPS. It’s the cheaper Yellow one. The radio on it is absolutely horrible. I still take it every time because of the GPS. It’s a basic GPS and I just use it for the waypoints. I’ll usually mark where my Jeep is, then walk out, make a camp, and mark where camp is and hunt from there. You’ll need to do a lot more with a GPS so I recommend spending the $ on a great one.

Take a look at the REI website. I’m sure there’s not one in your area but it’s a great place to see how much stuff cost and what their members recommend. But beware they’re not hunters!

Good luck on your trip! I wish one day I would be able to do something like that!

David,

This will be an epic adventure I am sure.

How will you replenish food?
How will you get in contact with people if you have an accident and need medical treatment or get something like malaria?

The guys are giving a lot of good advise and I am learning a lot as well.

Please keep us posted on the progress of the planning and everything else

David - Here is a link to some helpful info on Bryan Martin's website, have a look. http://www.canadianmtnoutfitters.com/links.html

Aaron Neilson
Global Hunting Resources

This is going to be an amazing adventure.

Everyone has mentioned some great gear, but for backpacks, you want something really comfortable, and I've never found a company with more comfortable packs than Gregory. They're on the expensive side, but they're worth every cent. They have everything from small to medium (Baltoro 70) to gigantic trekking packs (Whitney 95).

also +1 on the Thermarest. I like the TrailLite regular length.

take more than one water purification method. a filter + some chemical purification. The Sweetwater system combines to two: http://www.msrgear.com/watertreatment/sweetwater.asp

and I was thinking you should consider an Epi pen (epinephrine in a syringe) in case you find yourself going into some kind of anaphylactic shock (several venomous buggers can do it to you).

Goodluck to you. Im looking forward to reading any updates!

I would humbly suggest you seriously talk to an ex: SAS/Selous Scout type person prior to taking on this challenge. I take it you will know of some individuals whom could offer you more relavent good information than most of us whom are in the main used to the comforts in life.

There are some very knowledgible (OLD Rhodies) whom have traversed some of the areas you will be passing and could be a wealth of information for you as they have had the training and tools that could make you much wiser and help in the venture.

I know the Zambezi valley from my younger days in the territorial force, it is a god damn hell hole when tramping in mid summer temperatures to say the least, we were equipped and still came unstuck on a few occasions.

DONT FORGET there are unmarked landmines in some border areas so dont get complacent

Good Luck and best wishes

Cheers, Peter - RRR B Co. 1963 / & territorial force

Dave, you are obviously in close comms with those who know the lie of the land better than anyone outside Zim. Plus your upbringing lends itself to superior knowledge on what to expect geographically, physically and regarding potential fauna danger.

I respect your modesty in asking advice from international members re advanced knowhow/availiabiltiy of better survival gear (that which is unavailable in Zim.)

When I first moved (kicking and screaming) to the States from Zim, I drooled (and still do) over the selection and range of things we considered luxuries out of our wildest dreams.

I will follow your progress most closely - I patrolled the Zim/Bots border with Parks and spent time in the valley.

Pamberi.

Your trip sounds fantastic. Long hikes are tough. Here in the states, we call distance hikers, through hikers.
One of the things that my friends and I do is use individual bivies rather than a bigger tent. You can get real tired of your best friend and his infernal ____ (add whatever habit)after a couple weeks.
We also cache supplies along the route. To do the Applachian Trail, we box up supplies and have a friend send them to drop off sites along the trail at predetermined times and locations. These sites are little country stores and the like where they will keep them until you pick them up.
+1 for the thermarest and good water filtration. You might want to map out as many water sites as you can. It can be a really big deal with not positive resolution, when you don't have any water.
I use gatorade for my electolytes, because I sweat a lot. I eat a lot of oatmeal for breakfast.
My meals are very boring, because I'm walking, not eating out. I just have a good tasting meal, maybe once or twice a week.
Weight is a killer. I cut the handles on my tooth brush and all that silly stuff. You can save pounds doing that, and a few pounds can make a big difference over a couple hundred miles.
A great book that is a little dated, but still a good resource is by Collin Fletcher's. It's called something like the Complete Hiker.

Take along plenty of moleskin and powder.
Bfly

David,
Would love to join you on some sections of that walk but I doubt I'll be able.
Was looking into a foot Safari around the Mathews Ranges (old foot Safari blocks) in Kenya with the help of Camels .
The Australian "WILDERNESS EQUIPMENT" Karijini Pack is what I would recommend. www.wildeqipment.com.au
Do watch out in those Land Mine areas, and something tells me you are going to be sick of Sudsa by the end of this trip..

David,
Am green with envy.......
I have mates with an area in moz east of Gonrezhou, I am sure they, or I would be able to offer some sort of assistance on that leg.
I think a bear banger would come in handy from time to time.

John

What a fantastic response! Thank you everyone, for the interest, encouragement, constructive comment, offers of help etc. I am very glad I decided to share this with you all. Strangely enough, there are those amongst the few I’ve told who think it is a crazy plan! Weird, but they don’t know our real motives and what we hope to achieve.

Let me tell you a little more about this walk. As some of you have correctly guessed, it has much to do with my never-ending quest to find and write new stories. That is what I enjoy doing more than anything else – wandering about looking for adventure and stories. I’m sort of like that guy whose home is wherever he lays his hat. Different strokes for different blokes, but that’s who I am. Anyway, I obviously do intend writing a big book en route, about the adventure and about this country in general, and I hope it lives up to my expectations. So, one could say that that is my primary reason for wanting to undertake this journey, but there is more to it.

At some point within the next couple of months (probably a couple of weeks after I set off), a revamped international version of my first book ‘The Shangaan Song’ shall be printed in the US. Sometime during the course of the year or possibly early next year, I shall be publishing my second book, which is all about hunting. This book has frustrated me for a long time but I am beginning to get it in order now. And then, of course, there will be the book about the walk. As I said yesterday, I shall be getting a website set-up soon, and ultimately all 3 books (hopefully more in time) will be available to anyone in the world for a reasonable price. I am going to donate 50% of the royalties from all three of these books to two most worthy causes – one is involved in saving Zimbabwean orphans, and the other is involved in saving Zimbabwean wildlife, particularly black rhino. All the specifics will be made public knowledge in due course. That is what this walk is all about – raising awareness, bringing attention to these causes. I shall be doing this through the internet, magazine articles etc. Once I have completed the first leg of the walk – Victoria Falls to Plumtree – I am going to initiate the campaign. Hmmmm, I have actually already initiated it, haven’t I? Anyway, upon completion of the walk, I am going to set-up a trust foundation and continue pushing the campaign to the best of my ability. I shall let you know what the foundation is going to be called once it is established, but to give you a hint the first two words are ‘Hunters for…..’ I did state yesterday that this was not going to be another African begging bowl story, and it will certainly not be. The message that shall be conveyed is this: buy a decent read (hopefully!) for a decent price, and at the same time you will be doing a good deed supporting these worthwhile causes. Everything is going to be totally transparent, and I already have a few very upstanding members of the community signed on to the board of trustees. More on all of that in time to come.

So, there you have it in a nutshell – my real reasons for wanting to do this. For too long I have stood by idly, complaining about what is wrong here and never doing anything about it. That time is in the past and I have now decided to stop whining and take positive action. I think you will all agree that as far as this country is concerned, the timing is perfect. There may have been good reason for me putting this off time and again for so long…

Thanks again for all the great advice, offers of help etc. I have been looking at all the sites and am getting a clear idea of what I am going to need. Wow, there certainly is some amazing stuff out there. Much easier to be an adventurer type these days than it was in days gone by. Now I just need to work out how to get some of that stuff over here! I am so pumped about this and am undoubtedly going to write some more, but am just going for a tea break now.

Dave

David,

Best of luck with this worthy project.

I am still interested in getting my hands on a copy of Shangaan Song...

Anyway, all of the above is kind of irrelevant at this time. I just wanted to explain a little more about where I'm coming from. Don't really know how effectively I managed that....
The pressing issues right now are to get kitted out, get up to Harare and do my presentation and then get walking! The rest shall all be put in place as we go along. I shall keep you informed, as events unfold and as and when I can.

Dave

Gerhard,

Send me your email address and I will send you a PDF file of the book, for the time being. My address is hulmour@yahoo.com. I know it is not ideal but I have sold out here. Maybe you could print off the stories one by one, or something. I will have this reprint done soon, and then it will be available online. Must say that I didn't manage it all very well the first time round!

Dave

Here is something that is really relevant to all of you, and to this website. A huge percentage of the area I will be walking through is hunting area. I will be sure to post much feedback on these areas for your interest. I will find a 50 inch buffalo for whomever is interested and make sure it's nowhere near a pen! And I'm sure it won't cost $100 000 either! Just book an open ticket and stand by...

Dave

good luck buddy ...

have fun and be safe

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
David - Your journey sounds quite interesting, I wish you luck! I would highly recommend you email Bryan Martin at bkmartin@telus.net He is a good friend of mine who could give you all the advice and recommendations you could ever need in regards to gear and equipment that might be valuable on your adventure.

He is a guide & outfitter in B.C. Canada, and Asia, he writes numerous articles and reviews on backing, hiking, and hunting gear for backpackers and hunters alike! He can recommend the best pack, tent, gear, etc, etc. This is his specialty, and he would be excited to help you, I guarantee it! Tell him I referred you.

Good Luck,
Aaron Neilson
Global Hunting Resources

x2. Brian wrote the MOST useful articles about backpack gear. Tents have evolved abit from his articles a few years ago. Bryan recommends hilleberg, which are pretty much bomb proof. I like the new Big Agnes tents. Having both, I take the BA emerald mountain now.

What a fabulous trip. Any thoughts of contacting National Geo or outside magazine for sponsor/publicity?

Dave,

I've got a two or three year old hand held Magellan GPS it is very light and very small it's got a cracked screen. If you'd be interested I'll give it to you for cost of the repair. And I'd take an IOU on it, if your interested PM me.

Greg

PS

I am looking at it right now it's an Explorist 100.

You just have to promise not to share my top secret hog hunting waypoints to the general public.

Greg,

Thanks for the offer - PM sent.

Jack,

I have thought of various magazines, and have emailed one editor so far, just waiting on a response. The magazine I wrote to is a hunting mag which I have written articles for before. My intention throughout this expedition and its aftermath is to push hunting - it is going to be hunters for this, and hunters for that, you know? I am tired of the bad rap we always seem to be on the receiving end of. Anyhow, National Geo, wow! Now that would be something. I don't know if I'm brave enough to approach them, maybe I will just do a leg of the walk, submit an article and see what they say...The closest I have come to National Geographic is meeting Peter Godwin! But anything is possible and maybe I can get closer.

Once again, thanks to you all for the enthusiasm, much appreciated.

Dave