I have decided to prepare for my journey to South America in the same vain as our Victorian explorer.
Wallace went to the Amazon with Henry Bates, when he was 25 years old, on a sailing barge named Mischief.
Ok we are flying with BA with inflight entertainment and Hello magazine.
His journey took 29 days.
Ours will take 11 hours.
He had had his immunisations...so have I. Check.
He bought a spare pair of spectacles. I'll take my contact lenses. Check.
He practised shooting and skinning birds....I haven't done this.
Wallace and Bates met with scientists, such as Edward Doubleday, who was in charge of Butterflies from the British Museum, to learn which specimens would be worthy of collecting once they got out to the Amazon.
I have spoken at length with Trevor Roach, who is an inspirational educationalist, who's knowledge of plants is awesome, and he has advised me which plants are edible.
Wallace and Bates also had letters of introductions which were invaluable for them travelling to Brazil.
John McGrath from the new National Theatre in Wales has put me in touch with Paul Heritage at the People's Palace who is making contacts for us with theatre companies in Rio, for us to learn how they create theatre for young people.
Wallace had money from his surveying fees.
We've had money from Wales Arts International...
4 Sleeps to go...
