[imagesource:here]

If I could swing being half as tough as Harry Harvey when I’m in my 80s I’ll consider myself lucky.

Harvey, from Tynemouth in the north-east of England, went hiking on Saturday with an organised group.

When a heavy hailstorm hit, he was separated from the rest of the walkers. He was reported missing at lunchtime the next day, and mountain rescue volunteers and an RAF search and rescue team spent two days looking for him.

After searching without luck, police feared that he was dead, his family was distraught, and a press conference was called to appeal for help.

As the conference was about to begin, reports The Guardian, Harvey showed up in a Land Rover with a rescue worker, having been spotted by a wildlife photographer who saw him waving at her.

Speaking to the press, he had this to say:

“Where we got separated was absolutely desolate, there was no chance of putting a tent up that’s for sure. So I had to find somewhere safe,” he said, insisting that he had not been in great danger.

“I’d got all the kit, all the training,” said Harvey. “The biggest problem I had was getting to Tynemouth from Keld because I only had £21.05 in me pocket.”

The bandage over the front of his head, he said, was covering an injury that he sustained while trying to find somewhere safe to camp out.

“I rang my wife when I was found – I didn’t give her chance to get angry with me, I put the phone down before she could be.”

I’d like to meet his wife – she sounds sassy.

More from Harvey:

Harvey thanked his family and the authorities who worked to find him.

Bless the man.

He’s made of stronger stuff, than most.

[source:guardian]