BEAR GRYLLS & SEAWEED
September 30 Sunday 2007
Bear Grylls? I didn’t have the foggiest idea who (or even what) Bear Grylls was until recently. It’s not always easy keeping up to date with what’s going on in the UK, especially living on the other side of the world. But now that I am back in the UK, I’ve learnt that (and taken from his website):
"Bear Grylls is a man who has always loved adventure. After breaking his back in three places in a parachuting accident, he fought his way to recovery, and two years later became the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest and survive, aged only 23. He has since led record-breaking expeditions across the world.”
It was certainly amusing hearing Bear talk about goats testicles with Nicky Gumbel; watching clips of him eating elephant dung; and seeing him sleep in a dead camel – quite the survivor. I now feel inspired to share some photos of one of my more recent adventures… seaweed picking.
It may not be quite as dangerous as climbing the slopes of Everest, but last Summer my Dad, Kayi and I braved the elements (it was a really nice day) and took a trip down to Llangranog Beach.
It was only after getting down there though, that I became aware of the other holiday-makers, who looked on with puzzled expressions as we stuffed clumps of seaweed into plastic bags. I must admit that I began to feel rather self-conscious... but it was certainly worth it in the end.
After we got the seaweed back to the house, we rinsed it (managing to get very wet in the process), and then laid it out in the sun in my parents' conservatory. Apart from filling the house with the smell of the ocean, the seaweed underwent a chemical-process (according to my Dad) that made it fit for eating... and consequently, fit for our evening dinner.
Looking at the last photo, I can't help thinking that it resembles an illegal drug processing plant. I'm sure if any policemen passed by, we would have ended up in a bit of trouble. Thankfully no law-enforcement did pass by, and after the seaweed was completely dry, we put it straight into a chinese soup, which by the way, tasted absolutely fantastic, and much nicer than goats testicles I'm sure!
