“Ticket to Life is an exploration of the life, career and contemplations of Dave Benjamin, through which he introduces us to the people and places and the flora and fauna that populate his world. By following his experiences all over the British Isles, Benj introduces us to a parade of times and places; from the streets of Brixton to the pristine beaches of Western Scotland. He recalls glorious spectral images of long-gone mighty railway stations to bearing witness of sunrise aloft mountains.
Often the most vivid character of all is the fauna that pulses through this homage to nature, as Benj’s passion to observe and wonder at our native wildlife takes him roaming from bloodied scenes of clashing seals on the Lincolnshire coast to momentary glimpses of barn owls in the Norfolk dawn.
Whilst the reader will hopefully view the bounty on our doorstep with greater interest and curiosity, our guide also shares with us a profound understanding of what truly matters in life – the relationships, the humour, the camaraderie and the quiet contemplation. A career dedicated to helping and understanding struggling children, instinctively drawn to those who need help the most, has given him a rare perspective which readers of Ticket to Life can now share.” (Matthew Lunn, 2017).
If you are lucky enough to get hold of a copy then it will reveal twelve chapters and just short of 400 pages, with about 120 photographs. The autobiography covers the working life in teaching, with emphasis on the more memorable moments in pastoral care and outdoor education, together with personal top tens of wildlife and landscape, a tour of the Isle of Mull, running across the Cambrian Mountains, bikepacking to Skye and an insight into society and the freedom gained on retirement. A chapter entitled ‘Steam train to the sea’ gives a few clues as to the fascination of the steam locomotive. It concludes with ‘Heroes and Villains’ where I get chance to highlight some of those personal characteristics that we probably all envy in others.