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This Man Has Lived On A Desert Island For 20 Years

This Man Has Lived On A Desert Island For 20 Years

With a dog for company.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Ever just feel like buggering off to a desert island with only a dog for company? Same.

David Glasheen, 73, did just that back in 1997 and he's never been happier.

David moved to Restoration Island, a tiny landmass off North East Australia, after losing his multi-million-pound fortune in the stock exchange crash of 1987. Seems like a good enough reason to move to me.

The former businessman and property magnate was worth an estimated $28.4million at his richest point, before the crash.


Credit: Caters News Agency

David is now completely self-sufficient on his island, where he lives in a shack with his dingo-cross, Polly.

Speaking on the 20th anniversary of his move, David said: "I want to die here - where else would I? This is my heaven on earth.

"When I came here I was sick of money - money is what makes people sick - and my marriage had broken apart.

"But being on your own you do miss intelligent conversation and the physical contact of other people. I would love to find a partner who wants to live with me here, or a couple of ladies who want to come and visit a couple of times a year.

Credit: Caters News Agency

"My favourite thing about living here is the peace and enjoying nature - it is just a beautiful place in a remote part of the country most people do not know about. I just love it.

"The elements and wildlife are dangerous - if you do get into trouble here, you are pretty much dead. The saltwater crocodiles are beautiful animals - they are dangerous but I love them.

"There is no routine, that's what I love about it - every day is different. I do what I want to do, not what I have to do."

David, who was born in Sydney to Irish parents, had his own gold-mining company in Papau New Guinea, before being hit by the global financial crash.

Shortly after his wife left him, and inspired by a new girlfriend who spoke of wanting to live on a desert island, David began doing his research.

Credit: Caters News Agency

If you're now thinking you could never give up memes for long enough to live on a secluded island, then let me tell you, thanks to a generator and solar panels, David is able to use the Internet. He particularly likes to watch Britain's Got Talent videos on YouTube. Each to their own.

He ventures to Cairns once a year to pick up essentials, like rice and cooking oil, and treat himself to some sweets, including Mars Bars.

He also has a 'gifting system' in place for people who visit the island, meaning he occasionally gets booze. He's got it made.

David said: "I used to get backpackers coming more regularly but that has dropped off now.

Credit: Caters News Agency

"Here there are snakes, spiders and crocodiles but it is safer here than lots of other parts of the world when you hear about terrorist attacks.

"I have a lot of respect for the land - I am glad we never decided to develop the island because we would have destroyed it.

Featured Image Credit: Caters News Agency