Book 10 - Blog 1 - Left for Dead, How I survived 71 days lost in a desert hell

10 books down, now. Wow, I am about 20% of the way through this challenge for the year.

Well, the lasest book was about Ricky Megee, who was basically mugged, and left for dead in outback Northern Territory. It was an amazing read, and I would probably rate it as the best of the books that I have read so far.

In this book, Ricky share the trials and tribulations of surviving in a desert with no food, no water, no shoes, pretty much nothing of anything apart from his car keys and a few dollars of change that was left in his pockets when he was dumped.

Ricky tells the story from his early years, when he was a bit of a rat bag, he held down jobs like debt collecting and night club bouncing, among others, which exposed him to drugs and alcohol. Now, I don't think he ever suffered from addiction to anything, but being around that scene I think appeared to sour his reputation and it bought him to the attention of police officers and he appeared to end up with a big file, though not much in the way of criminal record.

After moving constantly, to run away from trouble, he had decided to settle in WA (Port Hedland), and was on a final drive back up there to start work when he stopped to pick up some locals in an outback country town. That is when the fun started. After stopping, Ricky was drugged, mugged, had his car stolen and was left for dead under a tarp out in the middle of outback Australia. No shoes, no water, nothing other than the clothes he was wearing. What a position to find yourself in. Bugger that.

Anyway, Ricky details brilliantly how he had to drink his own urine, amongst other things, just to survive. He went through a world of hurt, walking and starving and suffering from dehydration for days on end. Finally about half way through the 71 days, he came upon a water hole (wet season - thankfully) which was full. He camped next to the water hole for the remainder of his 'adventure' until he was finally rescued by the station owner. He found an old feeding trough, which he turned upside down and used as a shelter. It got hot enough during the day to cook food on. He lived on vegetables from around the water hole, grasshoppers, frogs and a range of other things. He tried to catch a big goanna, without luck. He tried cockroaches, which he said were the vilest thing he tried whilst he was out there.

When he was finally rescued, the police would not help him, due to his huge file, and they went to the point of trying to convince the public that he had staged the whole thing. What a load of bollocks, why would anyone in their right mind do that. He finished the whole experience a shadow of his former self. He was that skinny, he looked like he was from the third world. He endured so much, that he could not have possibly done that deliberately.

Again, a great read. Loved it. Go Ricky. I want to meet him one day.

I rate this book a 4.75 out of 5.

Ricky's key messages are to never give up. Do what it takes to overcome the obstacles in your life and move forward, how ever difficult that may seem at the time. Great advice Ricky!!