Just before lockdown and whilst I had a couple of weeks free, I decided last minute, to book myself a direct flight, from Manchester to Phuket.

Very unusual times for all of us. I hope that you are all keeping well and safe. Four weeks ago, I arrived in Thailand where there were only 16 recorded cases of COVID-19.
Two weeks later, when my flight home was due, the number had risen to over 900!

On return to the UK, that’s when it hit, with just how quiet the roads were on the drive home from the airport.

On 24th Jan, I took a trip to London, to meet Josh Patterson (Made in Chelsea reality TV star and ex-professional rugby player) and be on his limitless podcast, which is the number 1 Apple podcast in the UK.

Ash Dykes invited onto the Joe Rogan Podcast in Los Angeles.
Joe is an American stand-up comedian, mixed martial arts (UFC) commentator, podcast host, and former actor and television host.

Ash said “I’m super stoked to be on the podcast, I’ve been a fan of Joe and his podcasts for a while now and always hoped to get on the show one day, but never thought it would be this soon!”

Ash received an honorary credential on his most recent trip to China, by Shanghai Media Group. The credential was due to Ash’ positive promotions of sustainability and environmental awareness among the course of Mission Yangtze.

Ash has flown back to China, only two weeks after his three-week speaking tour across Asia for the International Dulwich Colleges.
This time it’s to present at the prestigious TEDx Talk in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

Trekking 1,500 miles across Mongolia alone confronting the elements whilst pulling an 18-stone homemade trailer full of supplies. Traversing Madagascar's length of 1,600 miles whilst facing crocodile-infested rivers, bandits, and the deadliest strain of Malaria.

Today marks the day dual world-first record holder, adventurer and extreme explorer Ash Dykes crosses the finish line on his latest, 350-day 4,000-mile outing where he's taken over 8 million steps to walk into achieving his third world-first record.

It is anticipated, that if all continues to go well, Ash will cross the finish line, where the Yangtze River meets the East China Sea, near Shanghai, on August 8th 2019.

It feels surreal to be this close to finishing.

There has been so much energy, effort, time, blood, sweat and fear put not only into the one year of undergoing the expedition but also two years beforehand, for the planning, training and logistics.