Inspiration

It always comes from somewhere. My sources seem to be several in number.

Don't laugh (Ok...go on...snigger if you must) but one of my biggest (or smallest, depending on how you spin it) inspirations is The Littlest Hobo.

You laughed didn't you.

Perhaps most are unfamiliar with this particular canine hero...rival of Lassie but way cooler - because he was an Alsatian and not a female Collie...it made a big difference when I was 7!

So there was this dude of a dog, who'd go around doing good deeds and then just move on to the next town. Awesome.

I'm just gona go ahead and throw this up there.....

TIME FOR ANOTHER LIST:

•The Straight Story - if you haven't seen this film, check it out

•500 Mile Walkies - an audio book I used to listen to as a kid about a guy taking a dog for a walk...over 500 miles of walkies

•Highlander (movie) - just one line "Lots of different places" in response to being asked where he is from

•The Count of Monte Cristo - the first novel I ever read and what an impression it made...what a life he led

•Sir Ranaulph Feinnes - a true adventurer I had the pleasure to attend a presentation by

•Buddha, Jesus, Lao Tze - all great philosophers who wandered around a bit

•The Motorcycle Diaries (movie) - Che's journey and philosophies, by motorbike

•Into The Wild (movie) - I was actually jealous of Christopher McCandless...until the end

•My brother - who boldly and bravely saw a lot of the world in his Gap Year

•Jack Reacher (movie) - just one word..."Usually." In response to being asked if he was from out of town

•Max Headroom - oh boy did I want to be a video journalist because of that show

•The Long Way Round - What Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman (let's not forget the cameraman) achieved in that show was incredible. Even with a support crew it was an extremely demanding adventure. Mine is going to be a lot more cruisy and comfy in comparison

•A mad Argentinian (not Che for a change) - randomly, during filming for Transmission 6-10, I stumbled upon a guy who had ridden his customised motorbike (called Excalibur) all the way from his home country to Caerleon (the place in Wales where Camelot was mythically located). I did a Vox-Pop with him as he was visibly moved by a parade I was filming that passed him by as he was collecting funds to continue his journey

WEIRD CONNECTIONS:

It just so happened that a guy in the parade was from the very same small town as the guy I was interviewing. Up stepped an able and willing translator. Another connection is that Excalibur was showcased on American Chopper - the very same motorbike customisation team that Ewan and Charley went to on their tour.

Up Next: What is Tough?