Published 10:22 11 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Brit who sold own life on eBay and bought remote tropical island revealed only thing he misses about UK
Ian Usher sold off his entire life and bought an island, but he did miss some things
Joe Harker
A Brit who sold off pretty much every aspect of his life on eBay and used the money to go and live on a tropical island did end up missing one main thing about the UK.
Ian Usher had been living in Australia when a divorce left him reckoning he was pretty sick of the life he had, so he decided to sell it all.
He sold his house and stuck all of his possessions (even his job) up for auction on eBay, then used the money to buy a deserted island in the Caribbean.
Living off the coast of Panama, Ian had to do without running water or electricity and had to grow a lot of his food himself but had 'no regrets' about selling off his old life.
During a trip to London he met a woman named Vanessa, and they hit it off well enough for her to join him on his remote island.
Ian Usher's life on the island was the subject of a Ben Fogle documentary (Channel 5)In 2015 he sold the island and the couple went travelling around the world for years, Ian's last update came in 2021 where he and Vanessa had set themselves up in France.
When Vanessa joined Ian on his remote Caribbean island she missed 'a London-style cappuccino', while he admitted there were a couple of things he missed about his former life too.
Of course he missed his family back in the UK, would have liked 'a better internet connection' and lamented the loss of his jet-ski, but all in all he was rather content with the years he lived on a remote island for.
Ian did say that he missed 'an evening out with family and friends at a good English pub on a Friday night'.
That's rather understandable, all things considered, even if there's the desire to go and live on a remote island to get away from it all.
His life on the island wasn't entirely self-sufficient, but he could get by without electricity or running water (Vanessa Anderson)During his life on the deserted island in the Caribbean Ian would get people to house-sit for him whenever he travelled away.
As for keeping himself alive, he enjoyed the chance to grow much of his own food while he had enough money to buy the rest, with local fishermen sometimes coming to visit him and sell fresh produce.
He also kept chickens on the island, but let them roam free so their eggs could be 'totally organic'.
When he wasn't tending to his food production the bloke was able to live a life of leisure, saying he could go and relax on the beach or have fun snorkelling through the reefs around his island.Featured Image Credit: Vanessa Anderson / Channel 5
Topics: World News, Travel, Lifestyle, UK News
Joe Harker
Published 18:53 10 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Brit sold his own life on eBay and bought remote tropical island with huge sum of money he was paid
Ian Usher sold his entire life and started to live 'freely', eventually buying his own Caribbean island
Joshua Nair
A man sold his life on eBay over 15 years ago following a dark point in his life, and has shared what he has done since the bold move.
Brit Ian Usher, 60, left Darlington after he managed to sell his 'entire life', which included his three-bedroom home and everything inside it, car, motorbike, jet ski, all in Perth, Australia.
This happened after a painful divorce, as he realised that he was sick of his job and his new life down under.
He eventually accepted a bid of AU $399,300 (£192,000 at the time), and though he expected higher bids, he admitted that he had 'no regrets'.
Originally, Usher had aspirations to travel, saying that he'd 'like to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower' as 'one of a huge list of things' he wanted to tick off.
Ian Usher decided to free himself from the shackles of 9-5 life (Vanessa Anderson)Just six years later, documentarian Ben Fogle caught up with him after he moved to a deserted island in the Caribbean, where Usher revealed that he was happier than ever in his new life.
In an episode of Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild, the Brit featured along with partner Vanessa on their tropical island, Bocas del Toro, just off the coast of Panama, where he explained: "I’ve always been a bit of an adventurer and so have always spent a lot of time pursuing outdoor activities such as climbing, canoeing and diving."
Though he may not have had running water or electricity, he could pursue all three of his outdoor activities.
Usher shared: "We're not completely self sufficient here on the island.
"We do grow coconuts, pineapples, yukka, sugar cane and almonds but we haven’t yet perfected the art of growing other vegetables on our land.
"We have 10 chickens who roam free on the island so our eggs are totally organic. Sometimes the local Indians will bring freshly caught fish to the dock for us to buy.
"Everything else comes from the supermarket in town or Ernie’s Jungle 7/11 – a small store on the edge of the jungle."
Usher learnt to get good with hands (Channel 5)Usher bought the tropical island in 2011 for $27,500 (£21,000) when it was overgrown and neglected, and spent four years working on improving it.
While living on the island, he spent time working on the land or sitting on the beach, revealing his simple life where he would snorkel on the reefs, read or swim - more or less whatever he felt like, whenever.
Usher also explained that every 10 days, they go into town for food and fuel, while saying that girlfriend Vanessa Anderson, who he met on a visit to London, 'made a big difference' in his life as she moved over to live with him.
Speaking about what he misses from home, he said that apart from family, it's just jet-skiing that he misses, along with better WiFi and being out with friends and family at an English pub.
He added: "Vanessa still misses a London style cappuccino but I think she’ll get over that soon,
"I wouldn’t change anything - I really enjoyed building an off-grid home and living on the island. I've always thought life is supposed to be an adventure."
Vanessa (middle) and Ian (right) have travelled the world since selling their island (Channel 5)However, in 2015, he managed to sell the revamped island according to his official website, where he has shared every aspect of his journey since selling everything he owns.
He noted that he has nothing tying him down as he was debt free after the sale, and looking for a new adventure.
He and Vanessa globe-trotted for seven years, visiting countries such as Thailand, Nicaragua and Nicaragua to name a few, buying a property in Burgundy, France.
The couple chose to settle there and that is where they were based at the time of their last update, in 2021.Featured Image Credit: Vanessa Anderson / Channel 5
Topics: Australia, Ebay, Travel, Lifestyle
Joshua Nair
Published 20:23 5 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Man who visited 'world's most dangerous island' reveals the moment he thought he was 'screwed'
British adventurer Miles Routledge, AKA Lord Miles, thought he was done for at one point
Olivia Burke
A man who visited 'one of the most dangerous island's in the world', which is swarming with venomous snakes, has told of the horrifying moment he thought his luck had finally ran out.
British adventurer Miles Routledge, who is better known online as notorious 'danger tourist' Lord Miles, documented his dangerous voyage to Ilha da Queimada Grande in a heart-stopping YouTube video.
You might be wondering how he made it to the spot commonly referred to as Snake Island, off the coast of São Paulo in Brazil, seen as though it's completely off-limits to the public.
And to be frank, it's quite the extraordinary tale - although you shouldn't start getting ideas about heading there yourself.
You see, only a handful of selected researchers and the Brazilian Navy are permitted to access the place due to the slight problem of it being overrun with terrifying serpents who can administer a fatal bite.
It's estimated that about 4,000 snakes call the 106-acre island home - and among these are the highly venomous golden lancehead species, which can spew a highly potent venom which can kill a human within 60 minutes.
But Miles managed to defy the odds and snuck onto Snake Island, despite being completely aware of all the reasons why he shouldn't.
"If you Google this island, every article, every video and every expert will call you stupid for even trying, stating that coming out alive is impossible," he said. "With that being said, I've decided to pop down and see what it's all about."
Miles Routledge boldly snuck onto the terrifying Snake Island (YouTube/Lord Miles)It was touch and go for a second while he travelled by boat with the team of locals who were assisting him, as they had a near-miss with the Brazilian coast guard while they were still en route.
But Miles didn't want to waste a second when he finally made landfall, so he quickly headed off to explore the jungle - while constantly keeping an eye out for any slithering creatures which could easily kill him.
He waded up through a ton of thick, overgrown vegetation and managed to reach an abandoned lighthouse he had been in search of, which he described as one of the 'most dangerous' on Snake Island.
"I've got to level with you guys," the YouTuber said. "A lot of the time, documentaries make things seem scary and obviously this place can be a little bit terrifying. It's not that bad, for the second most dangerous island in the world."
He spent some time in the lighthouse, until his adventure was interrupted by some worrying technical issues.
The adventurer though he was 'screwed' and feared the Brazilian Coast Guard had caught up with his crew (YouTube/Lord Miles)Miles told the camera: "Guys - it's bad news. I can't hear my friend from the walkie-talkie. This thing has got like 10-15 miles range, right. And they're not responding...and I know they're not out of battery.
"So I'm hoping the Coast Guard didn't get them. We'll be screwed otherwise."
Yes, that's right - for a second there, Miles believed his crew might have been captured and that some very stern Brazilian officials were waiting for him waving a pair of handcuffs.
But still, he ended up hanging around for a little bit chatting to the camera and thanked those who had assisted him.
While unveiling the Brazilian flag, he said: "Thank you to all the Brazilians that have helped me get this far. It's a lovely place and thank you for letting me on your island... I'm technically doing it illegally, but thank you for not prosecuting me."
A short time later, he realised his walkie-talkie was making some noise and jumped to answer it.
He told his team: "I couldn't hear you before guys! I'm on the lighthouse, repeat, I'm on the lighthouse, over. I'll come back down, I should be an hour guys. I'm very sorry about this, I should be an hour, over."
Play
The only thing was, he had to get back down the way he'd came.
His pals were sporadically radioing Miles and urging him to get back 'as fast as he can', but he seemed to admit defeat at one point and told them to flee for their own sakes.
"I'll be too long you've gotta run, you've gotta run, please," he pleaded. "Run! Come back in a few hours, please, you won't be able to get me. I'm too far up. I'm struggling man. Just just act normal and I'll tell you when I'm close."
And at the same time, he's praying that he didn't bump into a golden lancehead on the way down.
But thankfully, after a frantic scramble back to the water's edge, he spotted his crew.
He yelled in relief: "I see them and they're alone! Thank God. There they are, tending to fish. I made it! I made it!"
The lads then helped Miles hop into their boat before sailing off into the Brazilian sunset.
He signed off the video saying: "I guess I survived Snake Island, guys.
"I would like to thank the snakes for not seeing me, the Brazilian coast guard for having slow boats and all my Patreon followers."
goes without saying, but don't get any ideas about a sneaky trip to Snake Island next summer.Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Lord Miles
Topics: Animals, World News, YouTube, Travel, UK News
Olivia Burke
Updated 15:29 23 Oct 2023 GMT+1Published 15:28 23 Oct 2023 GMT+1
Last words Brit hiker said to his wife before 'vanishing' on Greek island two years ago
He's been missing since June 2021
Claire Reid
The wife of a British man who vanished while on holiday in Greece is still searching for answers more than two years on.
David Wolstenhulme, from Skipton, was on a walking holiday with his wife Heide and a group of others in June 2021 when he vanished without a trace on Greek island of Serifos
David, who was an experienced walk leader, decided to take a hike on his own while the rest of their group did something else.
Describing what he was wearing at the time of his disappearance, Heide recalled: "He'd got quite a broad-brimmed blue Tilley hat on, bright blue shorts and rucksack, proper walking boots and just a dark blue t-shirt, so he would have stood out.
Heide Wolstenhulme"We just can't imagine what has happened to him, whether he has had an accident and he's rolled somewhere where he can't be seen, it's just unbelievable."
David’s lone walk was not an unusual thing for him to be doing, and he’d left with ‘just enough euros for the day’ and without his passport.
In an interview with ITV, Heide said that the morning of his disappearance was just like any other.
She shared: “He got up quite early, had his breakfast, and he just said, ‘ta-ra, see you later.’”
Despite a full-scale search, no trace of David has been found since.
Heartbroken Heide and David’s sister Carole Hulland are still desperate for answers - and have admitted to fearing the worst.
In an interview with The Sun, his wife said: "It's two years now since Dave disappeared and nobody can find anything at all.
"I’d love for him to be alive I just can't imagine that he is because he had nowhere to go.
Heide Wolstenhulme"He wasn't going to be able to go anywhere really because there were still Covid restrictions and didn't have anything with him, not his passport.
"You don't imagine something like that is going to happen to you. It's like watching something on the TV.”
Even though there are no clues to what might have happened, there are a couple of theories.
Heide continued: “I know accidents happen or he may have had a heart attack.
"I just can't understand where he was going. I have this awful feeling that he's gone through the ground because there are some old mines in the area.
"I just wonder whether the ground has given way - it's an awful thought."
Heide is still appealing for anyone in the area to keep their eyes out for anything that might lead to information about David’s disappearance.Featured Image Credit: Family Handout
Topics: UK News, World News
Claire Reid
Updated 12:40 21 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 12:31 21 Jul 2024 GMT+1
British couple who were trying to sail the Atlantic Ocean found washed up in a lifeboat on remote island
A friend of Sarah Packwood, 54, and her husband Brett Clibbery, 70, said the couple died doing ‘the thing they loved’
Olivia Burke
A British couple who were attempting to sail across the Atlantic Ocean have tragically been found dead in a lifeboat which washed up on a remote island off the coast of Canada.
Sarah Packwood, 54, and her 70-year-old husband Brett Clibbery had embarked on a daring voyage on their wind and solar-powered yacht, Theros, on 11 June from Nova Scotia in the hopes of making it to the Azores.
According to Canadian police, the pair departed from Halifax Harbour on the 42ft vessel and were reported missing a week later after concerns were raised when contact with their boat had been lost.
Three weeks later on 10 July, the bodies of Sarah and Brett were sadly discovered on Sable Island - which has been dubbed the 'graveyard of the Atlantic' - after their three-metre life raft washed ashore.
Officials have launched an investigation into the incident and formal identification is still yet to take place, but Brett's son James Clibbery said it 'is hard to remain hopeful' following the discovery around 108 miles southeast of Nova Scotia.
Sarah Packwood and Brett Clibbery were found dead on Sable Island (Facebook)In a Facebook post paying tribute to his father and his wife Sarah, a musician from the UK, James touchingly wrote: "The past few days have been very hard.
"My father James Brett Clibbery, and his wife, Sarah Justine Packwood have regrettably passed away.
"There is still an investigation, as well as a DNA test to confirm, but with all the news, it is hard to remain hopeful.
"I am so very sorry to the people who were friends of them. They were amazing people, and there isn’t anything that will fill the hole that has been left by their, so far unexplained passing.
"Living will not be the same without your wisdom, and your wife was quickly becoming a beacon of knowledge, and kindness. I miss your smiles. I miss your voices. You will be forever missed."
Sarah and Brett are said to have first met at a London bus stop in 2015 before getting hitched on their beloved yacht the following year, and later doing it all again in a Celtic marriage ceremony at Stonehenge.
The couple were attempting to journey across the Atlantic to the Azores (Facebook)Investigators will now work to piece together what happened to the couple as they headed off on a 2,000 mile mission across the Atlantic to reach the autonomous region of Portugal.
Brett was reportedly carrying a Garmin GPS device with him, which is said to have last pinged with his location around 40 miles south-west of Sable Island on 13 June.
The treacherous 28-mile stretch of land where the couple were found is notorious among sailors due to the more than 350 shipwrecks which have been recorded there since 1583.
There isn't much in the way of human activity up there, as only a handful of people - typically federal government staff or researchers - man the protected National Park Reserve site which has no permanent residents.
The couple documented their adventures on YouTube (YouTube/Theros Adventures)Sarah, who hailed from Warwickshire, was described as an 'accomplished sailor' who moved to Canada with Brett, with pals explaining they lived on Salt Spring Island, near Vancouver.
They documented their voyages onboard Theros on their YouTube and Facebook pages, Theros Adventures, and had dubbed their adventure across the Atlantic 'the green odyssey'.
The couple said this was in homage to their yacht being powered by a battery from an electric Nissan Leaf car and six solar panels.
Pal John Dolman told local news outlet the Times Colonist that the pair died doing 'the thing they loved'.
"She called him 'captain' and called herself the 'carpenter’s apprentice'," he said of Sarah and Brett.
"They were in love. They passed away doing the thing that they loved. Their adventure continues on the other side."
