Hello from the UK

  • HTML tutorial

kayasaman

Rank I

Contributor I

145
London, UK
First Name
Kaya
Last Name
Saman
Hi,

I have just signed up and wanted to say hello. I will need to take some time to figure out profile picture and other customizations which I will do shortly.

Reading through the "New Members Start Here" part I see a posting from Lifestyle Overland.... is that Kevin from the LO Youtube channel? If it is then the irony is really pleasant :-)


I don't have any overlanding experience as of yet but I did have a journey to Scotland recently which I got inspiration from basically these Youtube channels:

Lifestyle Overland
Overland Revere
Jim Baird (from Canada)
Lucas T. Jahn (from Germany)

- recently: Expedition Overland in addition

I guess I have always loved being in the middle of the wilderness and far away from civilization (and people) and particularly as I have a few conditions makes it even more apparent.

After the invitation to Scotland came, I wasn't going to go there without filming it and turning it into my own version of what I got to enjoy watching from Youtube.

I used an all DJI camera setup with the Action 4, Pocket 3 and Air 3 drone. The videos were processed using ShotCut for Linux. Since then I have upgraded to Davinci Resolve Studio and reprocessed some of the content which now looks amazing taking advantage of the more advanced features from Resolve. I am also looking at expanding my setup with maybe 3 or 4 more action cameras (Action 5 Pro's), and maybe a Blackmagic Pocket 4k or 6k G2 Pro camera (though long lenses for the 6k are about the same price as a brand new softroader lol)


Currently I have fallen in love with the Gen6 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter edition and really want to import one with a few modifications. I would probably go for an extra roof top lightbar, winch, ICOM 2-way radio (dual band version - same one as used in the trucks from Expedition Overland which was another irony), possibly front protection or bull bars (though I don't know if they are legal in my country as I remember them being banned back in the 90s), and Garmin Tread Overland XL GPS Satellite Navigation system that can also control trailers
....and that's about all I can think of for now!
I would want to get a trailer too and probably an MDC XT16, Imperial Outdoors X145 (the X195 might be too much for the 4Runner in terms of tow weight), or the Pause Reboot (which again might have too much tow weight for the 6000lbs max rating of the 4Runner).


My background story is a bit complicated but I got diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum) just over 15 years ago (quite late in life) after I had to give up my career having just started it as living in a big city I could not cope with the commute to work any more or the business around. Recently I got diagnosed with ADHD in addition and have many other health issues all stemming from anxiety caused by certain things due to being Neuro Divergent.
I think the main issue that causes anxiety for me is the next level from depression called Anhedonia. It's where the brain goes into emergency mode after it can't cope and stops producing dopamine and serotonin as a result. It's a way of telling the body that it isn't happy basically!
I already lost 10 years of my life not being able to leave my house due to anxiety being through the roof but these last 3 years I have been able to achieve quite a few major things.... I took up photography then started volunteering for a nature organization (trust).
Sadly after Scotland I had a major panic attack on the way home due to burnout (no sleep for 2 weeks then 3 hours sleep and a 7.5 hour drive all be it with 2 stops in between) and again depression related as I didn't want to come home (as I haven't moved away from the city), so things got pretty much out of hand and am now on heavy medication and have been home bound for the last 8 months and haven't been able to drive either for the last 4 months.


This is the Scotland play list - 3 parts in 3 videos:



Right now I'm just trying to do whatever I can to keep afloat so that hopefully one day I will able to get out there and pursue my dream of traveling around the world with a 4x4 and even more so change locations from the city to somewhere more suitable for me where I can "function" properly and my anxiety issues won't emerge any more like now.


Again videos for me that really get me going are the Alaska videos from Overland Revere and Lifestyle Overland, the Idaho video from Overland Revere is amazing too. Recently I am watching the Africa series from Expedition Overland which goes from South Africa, into Botswana, then Namibia and something that I really would love to do in addition.

Namibia is a Class 1 World Heritage Dark Sky site like Chile so that's really exciting as I am very keen on astrophotography:







... a really crappy attempt at the Leo Triplet galaxies:


It took a while to locate with a 1.5 hour drive out at 12am: Warburg 04/18

Full astro album: Astro
- note the better or more high quality stuff isn't mine but things I got from friends around the world and processed. My sky is too heavily light polluted to be able to achieve things like that sadly :-(

and some macro stuff:




So yeah.... I guess that about sums things up for me :-)
 

freak4life

Local Expert
Member

Contributor II

1,300
Cañon City, Colorado, USA
First Name
rich
Last Name
anderssohn
Hi,

I have just signed up and wanted to say hello. I will need to take some time to figure out profile picture and other customizations which I will do shortly.

Reading through the "New Members Start Here" part I see a posting from Lifestyle Overland.... is that Kevin from the LO Youtube channel? If it is then the irony is really pleasant :-)


I don't have any overlanding experience as of yet but I did have a journey to Scotland recently which I got inspiration from basically these Youtube channels:

Lifestyle Overland
Overland Revere
Jim Baird (from Canada)
Lucas T. Jahn (from Germany)

- recently: Expedition Overland in addition

I guess I have always loved being in the middle of the wilderness and far away from civilization (and people) and particularly as I have a few conditions makes it even more apparent.

After the invitation to Scotland came, I wasn't going to go there without filming it and turning it into my own version of what I got to enjoy watching from Youtube.

I used an all DJI camera setup with the Action 4, Pocket 3 and Air 3 drone. The videos were processed using ShotCut for Linux. Since then I have upgraded to Davinci Resolve Studio and reprocessed some of the content which now looks amazing taking advantage of the more advanced features from Resolve. I am also looking at expanding my setup with maybe 3 or 4 more action cameras (Action 5 Pro's), and maybe a Blackmagic Pocket 4k or 6k G2 Pro camera (though long lenses for the 6k are about the same price as a brand new softroader lol)


Currently I have fallen in love with the Gen6 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter edition and really want to import one with a few modifications. I would probably go for an extra roof top lightbar, winch, ICOM 2-way radio (dual band version - same one as used in the trucks from Expedition Overland which was another irony), possibly front protection or bull bars (though I don't know if they are legal in my country as I remember them being banned back in the 90s), and Garmin Tread Overland XL GPS Satellite Navigation system that can also control trailers
....and that's about all I can think of for now!
I would want to get a trailer too and probably an MDC XT16, Imperial Outdoors X145 (the X195 might be too much for the 4Runner in terms of tow weight), or the Pause Reboot (which again might have too much tow weight for the 6000lbs max rating of the 4Runner).


My background story is a bit complicated but I got diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum) just over 15 years ago (quite late in life) after I had to give up my career having just started it as living in a big city I could not cope with the commute to work any more or the business around. Recently I got diagnosed with ADHD in addition and have many other health issues all stemming from anxiety caused by certain things due to being Neuro Divergent.
I think the main issue that causes anxiety for me is the next level from depression called Anhedonia. It's where the brain goes into emergency mode after it can't cope and stops producing dopamine and serotonin as a result. It's a way of telling the body that it isn't happy basically!
I already lost 10 years of my life not being able to leave my house due to anxiety being through the roof but these last 3 years I have been able to achieve quite a few major things.... I took up photography then started volunteering for a nature organization (trust).
Sadly after Scotland I had a major panic attack on the way home due to burnout (no sleep for 2 weeks then 3 hours sleep and a 7.5 hour drive all be it with 2 stops in between) and again depression related as I didn't want to come home (as I haven't moved away from the city), so things got pretty much out of hand and am now on heavy medication and have been home bound for the last 8 months and haven't been able to drive either for the last 4 months.


This is the Scotland play list - 3 parts in 3 videos:



Right now I'm just trying to do whatever I can to keep afloat so that hopefully one day I will able to get out there and pursue my dream of traveling around the world with a 4x4 and even more so change locations from the city to somewhere more suitable for me where I can "function" properly and my anxiety issues won't emerge any more like now.


Again videos for me that really get me going are the Alaska videos from Overland Revere and Lifestyle Overland, the Idaho video from Overland Revere is amazing too. Recently I am watching the Africa series from Expedition Overland which goes from South Africa, into Botswana, then Namibia and something that I really would love to do in addition.

Namibia is a Class 1 World Heritage Dark Sky site like Chile so that's really exciting as I am very keen on astrophotography:







... a really crappy attempt at the Leo Triplet galaxies:


It took a while to locate with a 1.5 hour drive out at 12am: Warburg 04/18

Full astro album: Astro
- note the better or more high quality stuff isn't mine but things I got from friends around the world and processed. My sky is too heavily light polluted to be able to achieve things like that sadly :-(

and some macro stuff:




So yeah.... I guess that about sums things up for me :-)
Hello Kaya, welcome to Overland Bound.
 

kayasaman

Rank I

Contributor I

145
London, UK
First Name
Kaya
Last Name
Saman
Hello Kaya, welcome to Overland Bound.
Thank you :-)

Apologies for the bit of a gloomy first glance, sadly I can't really do anything about my current situation in life apart from just push forward and try my best. I'm sure things will pick up again (hopefully)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: El-Dracho

El-Dracho

Ambassador, Europe
Moderator
Member
Supporter
Investor

Off-Road Ranger III

13,288
Lampertheim, Germany
First Name
Bjoern
Last Name
Eldracher
Member #

20111

Ham/GMRS Callsign
DO3BE
Hi Kaya,

Welcome to Overland Bound!

I am one of the OB Ambassadors in Europe. @Polaris Overland , also OB Ambassador is based in the UK and could point you in the direction of the nearest Local Expert to you. Please do not hesitate to contact him or me for questions regarding Overland Bound, and the App or information regarding overlanding.

Local information for any of the OB regions can also be found in the Overland Bound by region forum. Each region has its own sub-forum. The UK, for example, belong to the region West Europe. So, this link leads to the West Europe subforum. Feel free to introduce yourself to your local area here.

Please take a look at the Rally Points for planned events. There you can filter by region. There are plenty of meetups planned for 2025 for Europe already and more to come.

We also do a virtual campfire once a month, there are always members from many regions of Europe. Next one is scheduled for end of January. This is a relaxed online talk about overlanding, trip plans, gear, everyday life and more with like-minded people. Just join us next time if you like.

If you have any other questions just ask, please. Always happy to help.

Safe travels,

Bjoern
 
  • Like
Reactions: kayasaman

kayasaman

Rank I

Contributor I

145
London, UK
First Name
Kaya
Last Name
Saman
Hi Kaya,

Welcome to Overland Bound!

I am one of the OB Ambassadors in Europe. @Polaris Overland , also OB Ambassador is based in the UK and could point you in the direction of the nearest Local Expert to you. Please do not hesitate to contact him or me for questions regarding Overland Bound, and the App or information regarding overlanding.

Local information for any of the OB regions can also be found in the Overland Bound by region forum. Each region has its own sub-forum. The UK, for example, belong to the region West Europe. So, this link leads to the West Europe subforum. Feel free to introduce yourself to your local area here.

Please take a look at the Rally Points for planned events. There you can filter by region. There are plenty of meetups planned for 2025 for Europe already and more to come.

We also do a virtual campfire once a month, there are always members from many regions of Europe. Next one is scheduled for end of January. This is a relaxed online talk about overlanding, trip plans, gear, everyday life and more with like-minded people. Just join us next time if you like.

If you have any other questions just ask, please. Always happy to help.

Safe travels,

Bjoern
Thank you so much Bjoern! I really appreciate this :-)
 
  • Like
Reactions: El-Dracho

freak4life

Local Expert
Member

Contributor II

1,300
Cañon City, Colorado, USA
First Name
rich
Last Name
anderssohn
Thank you :-)

Apologies for the bit of a gloomy first glance, sadly I can't really do anything about my current situation in life apart from just push forward and try my best. I'm sure things will pick up again (hopefully)
Ah but you can do something Kaya, you control your attitude. The best way I know of, when I need an attitude change (often) is prayer.
God enables me to do the work on the changes I need.
Blessings Rich
 
  • Like
Reactions: kayasaman

roots66

Local Expert, Texas USA
Launch Member
Member

Off-Road Ranger I

3,507
Weir, TX, USA
First Name
Mike
Last Name
Roots
Member #

16968

Ham/GMRS Callsign
GMRS: WSGB862
Service Branch
USAF
Thank you! It's already feeling like a good place to be.... :-)

I really appreciate everyone's warm welcomes and input so far
My wife (who's British) and I started "overlanding" in Scotland back in the 90s with a Ford Mustang, so you're off to a good start.
 

kayasaman

Rank I

Contributor I

145
London, UK
First Name
Kaya
Last Name
Saman
My wife (who's British) and I started "overlanding" in Scotland back in the 90s with a Ford Mustang, so you're off to a good start.
Hu? Mustang?? how'd ya'll fit anything into that things trunk?

My neighbor (pro photographer) gave me so much stuff to take as extra that the trunk was about to burst at the seems.....

I can't really imagine taking anymore camera equipment in it. That's where things like trucks and SUV's come in super handy as you pack everything in there including kitchen sink lol
 

kayasaman

Rank I

Contributor I

145
London, UK
First Name
Kaya
Last Name
Saman
Thank you! It's already feeling like a good place to be.... :-)

I really appreciate everyone's warm welcomes and input so far
My wife (who's British) and I started "overlanding" in Scotland back in the 90s with a Ford Mustang, so you're off to a good start.
This how my trunk ended up looking like:
 

Attachments