John Halsted was educated at Westville Boys High, just outside
Durban, South Africa, where he spent more time on the sports field,
gaining honours for athletics, and just managing to graduate. His
lack of interest in academic school work led his teachers and
parents to despair, while his coach rejoiced.
In the two years following high school he commenced national service
with the South African Air Force and spent more time on athletics
tours and having a good time, never fully committed to the defence of
apartheid, as his Sergeant Major will readily testify. After completing
his national service he spent the better part of eighteen months
cycling around Europe.
On returning to South Africa in 1980 he found a job as a shipping
clerk and when the opportunity presented itself he transferred to
Johannesburg, only so he could continue his athletics career.
In 1982 he found himself managing a container depot. It was here
that he was run over by a seven-and-half-ton forklift truck and his
athletics career brought to a screaming halt – both literally and
figuratively. He spent three months in an orthopaedic hospital
recuperating. It was also at this time that the Western nations applied
strict sanctions against South Africa due the country’s apartheid
policies and the shipping industry all but died. Not long after leaving
hospital he found himself out of a job without any marketable skills.
The easy times were over, he had to skill up.
In 1983 he found employment as an internal auditor with a major
motor manufacturer. Searching for the ideal career he later transferred
to the Accounts and Finance department. In 1985 he went to night
classes and trained as a computer programmer transferring to the I.T.
department.
In 1986 he met his future wife Joy, a Kiwi Occupational Therapist, on
assignment from the International Leprosy Mission, at Westfort Hospital,
Pretoria. They married in 1987 and in 1988 moved to Auckland, New
Zealand where they had two children.
In 1991 the family were transferred from Auckland to Wellington. In 1994
he changed career stream (again) to project management, finally finding
his ideal career which gives him the fun, the challenge and the variety he
requires. Their third child was born in 1996 and their fourth in 1998.
In 1999 the family moved to England, the birth place of his Grandmother.
In 2001 he made a poignant journey to Poland visiting the camp where
his father was a PoW.
Always relishing a challenge he has cycled 300m/480km from the Atlantic
to the Mediterranean through France and 500m/800km across northern
Spain on the Way of St James.
In 2000 he started a part-time MBA at Bath University, which he
successfully completed in 2002. On completion of his MBA he realised just
how much time he had on his hands and commenced an in-depth personal
study of Viking history (from which his family are allegedly descended) and
the history of the Silk Road. Not sure what to do with his research notes
someone suggested a book.............
Durban, South Africa, where he spent more time on the sports field,
gaining honours for athletics, and just managing to graduate. His
lack of interest in academic school work led his teachers and
parents to despair, while his coach rejoiced.
In the two years following high school he commenced national service
with the South African Air Force and spent more time on athletics
tours and having a good time, never fully committed to the defence of
apartheid, as his Sergeant Major will readily testify. After completing
his national service he spent the better part of eighteen months
cycling around Europe.
On returning to South Africa in 1980 he found a job as a shipping
clerk and when the opportunity presented itself he transferred to
Johannesburg, only so he could continue his athletics career.
In 1982 he found himself managing a container depot. It was here
that he was run over by a seven-
figuratively. He spent three months in an orthopaedic hospital
recuperating. It was also at this time that the Western nations applied
strict sanctions against South Africa due the country’s apartheid
policies and the shipping industry all but died. Not long after leaving
hospital he found himself out of a job without any marketable skills.
The easy times were over, he had to skill up.
In 1983 he found employment as an internal auditor with a major
motor manufacturer. Searching for the ideal career he later transferred
to the Accounts and Finance department. In 1985 he went to night
classes and trained as a computer programmer transferring to the I.T.
department.
In 1986 he met his future wife Joy, a Kiwi Occupational Therapist, on
assignment from the International Leprosy Mission, at Westfort Hospital,
Pretoria. They married in 1987 and in 1988 moved to Auckland, New
Zealand where they had two children.
In 1991 the family were transferred from Auckland to Wellington. In 1994
he changed career stream (again) to project management, finally finding
his ideal career which gives him the fun, the challenge and the variety he
requires. Their third child was born in 1996 and their fourth in 1998.
In 1999 the family moved to England, the birth place of his Grandmother.
In 2001 he made a poignant journey to Poland visiting the camp where
his father was a PoW.
Always relishing a challenge he has cycled 300m/480km from the Atlantic
to the Mediterranean through France and 500m/800km across northern
Spain on the Way of St James.
In 2000 he started a part-
how much time he had on his hands and commenced an in-
the history of the Silk Road. Not sure what to do with his research notes
someone suggested a book.............
An absorbing read. Well
Worth the effort.
Howick & Pakuranga Times
Read More.........
This is a wonderful blend
of fact and fiction, putting
flesh on the dry bones of
history, demonstrating the
insatiable restless human
desire for discovery,
adventure and the
pursuit of knowledge.
Paul Sweetland
Read More.........
EXCELLENT! The book
tells a story that
captures the reader
on several levels.
What appears to be
an historical novel
becomes an adventure
set in a background of
rich experiences and
wide diversity.
Laura Stannard
Read More.........
An adventure which
skilfully combines history
and fiction into a page
Turner. A wonderful story.
David Lighterness
Read More.........
Legend... is a thoroughly
enjoyable book.
Why do I recommend it?
Well, one obvious reason is
that it has Vikings and
Vikings are always cool!
Mack Lundy
Read More.........
Worth the effort.
Howick & Pakuranga Times
Read More.........
This is a wonderful blend
of fact and fiction, putting
flesh on the dry bones of
history, demonstrating the
insatiable restless human
desire for discovery,
adventure and the
pursuit of knowledge.
Paul Sweetland
Read More.........
EXCELLENT! The book
tells a story that
captures the reader
on several levels.
What appears to be
an historical novel
becomes an adventure
set in a background of
rich experiences and
wide diversity.
Laura Stannard
Read More.........
An adventure which
skilfully combines history
and fiction into a page
Turner. A wonderful story.
David Lighterness
Read More.........
Legend... is a thoroughly
enjoyable book.
Why do I recommend it?
Well, one obvious reason is
that it has Vikings and
Vikings are always cool!
Mack Lundy
Read More.........
