The Remarkable Story Of A Man Who Left Everything Behind To Embark on A Lifetime Journey Across Australia with his Cat
The two inspirational travelling soul mates are travelling for over 800 days and 50,000 km since their incredible adventure began back in May of 2015. Via: The Purrington Post
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Meet the dynamic duo of Rich East and his trusty sidekick, rescue cat, Willow.
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In May of 2015, Rich East, then 32 had a break up and decided to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure by himself.
Originally from Hobart, Tasmania, he chose to leave his 'ordinary' life behind to hit the road. After selling all his possessions, including his house, Rich simply couldn't bear to say goodbye to his furry friend Willow (then four years old), so he decided to bring her with him.
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Their main vehicle was an old camper van which turned into their mobile home
Rich believes that cats make paw-some travel companions and he didn't need to make many modifications to his camper van to accommodate Willow. When driving, Willow has to ride in the back in a special cat carrier.
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Willow, who is now six, has since completed a loop of Australia after visiting all eight states and territories, and shared countless memories with Rich, from breathtaking sunsets to floods to mountain treks
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This was quite an ambitious expedition even for a seasoned adventure cat but apparently Willow is so chilled out and easy going that the pair have been purrfect companions throughout.
Rich shared on The Purrington Post: "We've achieved quite a lot together and have shared some amazing sights. We've sailed the Great Barrier Reef, enjoyed the summer at the Dorrigo Plateau Mountain Range and travelled a 1,000 km gravel road from Bourketown in Queensland, all the way up to Northern Territory. I can't imagine being on this trip without her by my side."
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When the two best pals aren’t chillin’ in the van, they’re most likely exploring the Australian wilderness.
A typical day consists of sightseeing, napping, eating and a short drive on the open road.
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Most days they travel at least 60 km and in the evenings they find a camp, cook some dinner then go for their daily explore.
Rich says: "She's a very curious cat and is cautious when in a new place until she feels comfortable. I have a leash for walks we do together and radio frequency collar fitted to her too. So even if Willow decides she wants some alone time, I can always find her."
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Rich Concludes: "We’ve loved it so much, we’re even thinking of doing a second lap as a way of encouraging others to travel with their furry friends.”
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Check out this delightful video on these two inspirational travelling soul mates:
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