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TOUR GUIDE
HI, I'M BARRIE -
YOUR GUIDE, COOK & MEDIC
I am a 57 year old South African, resident in the UK since 1992, and I have been running my unique Fully Catered 4X4 Adventure Tours since 2008, starting with Morocco and expanding from there. Unusually for a UK-based 4X4 tour guide, I did not first go on someone else's tour and then poach their ideas - I started from scratch and built it myself.
Another most fundamental difference in my approach, is that I always put my clients' interests first, never my own. I operate with a single-minded obsession, which is focussed exclusively on the safety and enjoyment of my clients. To this end, I keep myself in decent physical condition by strength training and healthy eating, to best serve my clients. I adhere to a process of continuous improvement, always identifying and implementing changes to benefit my clients.
I take my responsibilities for my clients' welfare extremely seriously, and I leave no stone unturned in mitigating risks. That said, we are out there to have the maximum of fun, so I do not impose a dictatorial or mollycoddling doctrine.
I see my role primarily as that of facilitator, and I encourage my clients to be as intrepid as they are comfortable with.
If you are a client of mine (past, present or future), I am at your service 24/7 - 365 days, without exception.
The following qualifications and experiences are relevant to my role of Fully Catered 4X4 Adventure Tours guide:
I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, where as a teenager I worked as both a volunteer fire-fighter (bush fires were/are common on the mountain) and as a coastal lifeguard (with extensive resuscitation training).
I was privileged to benefit from excellent primary, secondary and tertiary educations, so I speak multiple languages.
After my compulsory 2 years military service, I worked as a professional lifeguard, regularly applying real-world CPR.
At the age of 18 I was conscripted to the Medical Corps where, following 3 months of basic training, I volunteered for an additional 6 months of intensive training, to qualify as a specialised Ops Medic. Those 6 months comprised of 3 months hands-on casualty medicine training in township hospitals (equivalent to civilian paramedic), followed by 3 months of very demanding infantry training at the Army's secretive Battle School (with live ammunition maneuvers).
I was subsequently invited to stay on as a Medical Instructor, but I volunteered for combat in the Operational Area, where I was seconded by the SADF to a specialised Counter Insurgency unit. I completed two 6-month tours of duty in Namibia and Angola, during which I experienced 13 contacts (firefights for the dramatists) and treated the usual shrapnel wounds, gunshot wounds, blast wounds, third and fourth degree burns, pneumothorax and haemothorax, as well as fractures, lacerations and suchlike, together with the altogether more enjoyable childbirth attendances (which stood me in good stead later, when I was very fortunate to be able to deliver my own son in a birthing pool).
Since residing in the UK I have studied further at my own cost, and attained the following additional qualifications:
Level 3 Diploma in Surveying & Estimating (for my previous procurement role in the property development sector).
Level 2 Diploma in Food Safety and Handling for Catering Operations (for my present role in outdoor food catering).
Level 4 Advanced Personal Trainer & Life Coach with additional CPD qualifications in Low Back Pain and Obesity & Diabetes Management (this was for my own interest and development, I have never worked as a personal trainer).
It's always good to talk, so please feel free to give me a call any time - WhatsApp is best +44 7739 530124.
This was posted about me on the web recently, for which I say thank you very much to Terry (if indeed it was Terry):
Active 4x4 Tours
Has anyone had any experience with the above company, catered tours of Morocco, Sahara, Algeria and others.
Always fancied having a go at something like this.
It's a long time since I went on a guided trip, I always go on my own these days. Back in the day I have been with several different tour organisers round Morocco and Algeria (and before that, to Libya - that's how long ago I'm talking) and Barrie really stands out as one of the best. The food was great, I mean really good, and plenty of it. And the other memorable thing is that he does some real off-roading. Not just sticking to the usual places frequented by all the groups, but doing some real exploring and getting to unusual places. Also, he's a great organiser and proper safety conscious without being a nanny. No hesitation in recommending Barrie, he's a really great guy. Go for it Gary, you will have a great time. I guarantee you'll want to do it again.