Gary Booth - Karl 1963

What happens when a curious boy from Manchester decides the conventional path isn’t for him? In this episode, I speak with Karl about his brother, Gary—a man who, at 21, walked away from Thatcher’s Britain with just £150 and a self-taught smattering of French. That leap launched a 35-year adventure spanning continents, languages, and brushes with death, transforming him into a near-mythic figure among Namibia’s Himba people.

Karl gives his account and a glimpse of how Gary, growing up in a typical Lancashire working-class family, and stifled by a comprehensive school education system decided to break free from the “rat race” as a young 21yr old and embark on a lifetime adventurer that Hollywood could only dream about.

After leaving home in the early ’80s, he vanished for 15 years, working across Europe before making a perilous journey across the Sahara, through war-torn regions, and finally into Namibia’s vast wilderness.

Gary’s extraordinary letters home—often 50 pages long—document his life tracking endangered rhinos, surviving lion attacks, and earning the tribal name “N’garikatuki”, the man of the mountains. Perhaps most astonishing was his decision to buy a yacht despite minimal sailing experience and navigate solo across the Pacific, enduring hurricanes while relying on Karl for weather updates via satellite texts.

Today, Gary runs his own safari company, guiding small groups to Namibia’s hidden corners. His knowledge even caught the attention of filmmaker Eric Valli, who based a film on his experiences. This episode explores not just Gary’s remarkable life but the bigger questions about conventional paths, courage, and what happens when curiosity leads the way.

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"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

Christine Miles - Brenda 1939

What makes a friendship last for over five decades? In this heartwarming conversation, I sit down with Brenda—once known to me as "Auntie Brenda"—to explore the remarkable 50-year friendship between her and my aunt Chrissie.

Their journey began in 1967 at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in London, where the two women worked as midwives, sharing accommodations and forming bonds that would withstand the test of time. Brenda recounts their early adventures with infectious joy, from misadventures in Chrissie's grey Austin A40 van to joining the Twickenham Ladies League of Health and Beauty (complete with mandatory navy shorts).

Our conversation takes us through their evolution from young professionals navigating 1960s London to seasoned travellers exploring France, Italy, and Egypt. Their stories are filled with charming details—finding £600 hidden around Chrissie's parents' house to fund a Cornwall holiday, transporting elderly relatives to a French wedding, and sailing down the Nile where the landscape resembled "the days of the Bible."

Beyond the adventures, we discover the secret ingredients to their enduring friendship. As Brenda reflects, "You don't live on top of each other... you don't get fed up with each other." Their connection survived career changes, geographic distance, and the passage of time because they created space for meaningful reunions and genuine support.

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"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

Thomas & Helen Part II - Toni 1938

While talking with my mother, I explored my family's experiences, particularly focusing on my grandparents' move from London to the Isle of Wight. I discussed how they adapted during World War II and their journey from working-class backgrounds to owning and operating a guesthouse business. My analysis offers insights into family dynamics, the challenges faced during wartime, the evolution of the local hospitality industry, and the broader social context of that era.

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"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

Thomas & Helen Part I - Chrissie 1936

When my Aunt Chrissie was born prematurely, a doctor's warning about London's pollution prompted Thomas and Helen Miles (my grandparents) to make a significant move to the Isle of Wight—a decision that profoundly shaped their family's story. Sitting in Chrissie's cosy Steyning cottage, we chat about everything from wartime beach barricades to life on the Isle of Wight, where her parents welcomed holidaymakers from the Potteries. Through stories of family hustle, resilience, and a love that endured through the years, I hope our conversation offers a warm, nostalgic glimpse into a time when life seemed much simpler yet full of meaning.

parents/daughter

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"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

“Longtime Ago People” is a podcast I’ve been thinking about for a while now. My family memories inspire it, and I wanted to share those cherished, funny, and inspirational stories we all have, especially those involving our grandparents, parents, friends, and other exceptional individuals.

Launching this podcast has been fascinating, and I’m learning a lot along the way. Preparing for the first episode, which features my Aunt Chrissie, has been an exciting part of this journey into podcasting. It’s a world I’m just beginning to explore, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me and what stories can be told. Thank you

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"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."