Happy September
I want to mention serendipity. As with the three princes in Horace Walpole's 'The Three Princes of Serendip', I, too, have had my fair share recently, of making fortunate discoveries by accident. Since deciding to do this trip, my emotions had flipped between sheer joy and excitement, to moments of sheer terror (usually in the small hours just before dawn). When that happens, or if I come across difficult times, I fall back on a comforting thought - something will always turn up!
One example of this serendipity was when I recently met a fellow cyclist called Astrid.
It all started with my friend's mother! Knowing about my proposed trip, she told my friend about a woman cyclist from Bristol (she couldn't remember her name) who had just given an interview about her recent round the world cycling adventure for local radio. My friend naturally told me.
'Fantastic!', I said and completely ignored it.
Some weeks later, I went to see a talk by Alistair Humphreys, who some years ago spent four years cycling round the world on his own adventure. Afterwards, I put a few questions to him and he happened to mention Astrid, a Bristol woman who had just come back from a world trip! It was quite clear this was the same woman that my friend's mother had spoken of some weeks back. So I got in touch with Astrid and we met for lunch one Sunday a couple of weeks ago.
Meeting Astrid was one of those fortunate events. Not only was she a woman of similar age to me but because she had been on such a recent cycling trip, her information was very up to date. I have read a good number of books of travel cyclists and been to see a few talks by inspiring speakers who have done the same thing, but the problem was that their journeys took place many years ago and I really wanted more up to date information. So it was very fortunate indeed to have met up with Astrid. In fact, if she is available, she has told me she would like to cycle with me for a while when I leave from the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Serendipity! Something always turns up.
This was again evident a few weeks later at a college in Oxford, where I teach photography. One of the reasons I chose to travel by bicycle was to travel slowly, soak up the atmosphere of places and to meet local communities. In Oxford, one of my fellow tutors told me about an organisation called Servas. This volunteer run organisation promotes understanding, tolerance and peace between countries and sets up registered hosts (local people who are willing to put travellers up for a couple of nights in their homes to help them understand the true nature of the country by staying in the community). I must admit I had never heard of them before, so I have registered with them and will wait to see what happens. I must attend an informal interview with a local representative and have passport photos ready and get character reference letters . So now, let me see, who will I contact for those....?!
So, it's all been very good news but I am sitll worried about one or two countries. No, not about the 'crickets on a stick' as mentioned in my last blog, or having to cycle through one or two of the more 'slighty dodgy' landscapes. No, the country I am most worried about is Italy! I love art and I keep thinking to myself, 'am I ever going to get out of Florence'! There will be so many artistic delights round every corner that I won't know where to start. I shall be excitedly scampering around from one dazzling, awe inspiring vision to the next, like a frenzied hen! I can only imagine future correspondence with loved ones going something like this......
'Debbie, it's been three years now since you set off - where are you now, India, China, Malaysia?'
'Nope, still in Florence'
Well of course, that's just Florence. Then there is Rome, Greece, Turkey and visiting the ancient city of Pergamon and of Alexander's personal court painter, Apelles, and his court sculptor, Lysippos, who in that ancient Greek, Hellenistic age, influenced later stages of western art.. and then there is Demosthenes, another influential ancient Greek sculptor, who brought a new dimension of expressive power to Greek portraiture... and then there is......... well, you will just have to wait to read the book!
catch up with you next month
bye for now
Debbie
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Sunday, 1 August 2010
The story so far....
The story so far....August 2010
Plans are going well. Researching the artistic theme for the trip is endlessly fascinating. From the joy of Monet's gardens at Giverny in France, to the fragrant gardens of the Taj Mahal, to the bronze statue and paintings of the horrors of Ypres, to Rembrandt's sketch of an Indian Moghul. Even sketches by Peter Mundy, a 16th century English traveller, who witnessed the building of the Taj Mahal and whose drawings showed how the early Indian Moghuls and their court, lived and moved around the country on their heavily decorated elephants and oxen. I'm constantly discovering these artistic threads, linking the countries I intend to visit.
The next stage in my preparation is to get all the maps I will need. I found to my delight that the only other Stanfords (the famous London map shop) is in Bristol! No need to trek all the way to London now when I have it on my doorstep. This is why I love living in Bristol - it has everything!
Having Stanfords on my doorstep means that I can now get down to the fine detail. My route then, is as follows: Leaving from Royal Academy of Arts in London - Dover to Dunkirk -Belgium -France - Switzerland -Italy - Greece - Turkey. Fly from Turkey to Pakistan or direct to India. (havn't decided on that one yet) Across and around India. Fly from India to Thailand. Thailand to Malaya to Singapore. Fly from Singapore to USA. LA to San Francisco - across USA to New York. New York to Dublin. Dublin to Hollyhead to Chester and follow Watling Street to London.
You will have to read the book I intend to write when I come back to find out why I 've chosen this route as it would take to long to explain here.
This is a long trip and I will need a break from cycling from time to time, so I will be having 'holidays' from cycling, where some of my friends will come out to join me for a week or so to relax and enjoy the sights and explore more of that particular country.
Whenever a long trip like this is planned there are people who will worry. A few of my friends and family have expressed concerns and anxieties about me going solo on this trip. So, I have put together a list from Lonely Planet's, book, 'Hot Hints and Tips for Travellers' that I was reading recently, to put you all at ease. These are some of my favourites....
'Lone female travelers attract far more kindness, invitations and favours than solo male and group travelers. So forget the essentials of the packing list such as torch, plugs and towel and instead, take one smart skirt and some lippy!'
'Next time you stop off at your local butchers to get some chump chops, ask him to also vacum pack your spare clothes to help save space'
'There are far more smiling faces to be found than dark alleys once you pass the departure gate'
'Those on a bicycle see more than those in a car. And those who stop just to sit and stare on a street corner or beside a rice field in Asia see the most'
'Going by bike gives you a true window on how people live. The museum you might forget but the people you meet - less likely.'
'You don't have to try the crickets on a stick if you are not comfortable with it'
And to finally put your minds to rest once and for all, I will end with this one...
'after the smallest snack, don't forget to wash your hands, -when your're asleep those cookie-crumbed fingers are the ones the rats lick first.'
I hope that's put your minds to rest now.
My own worry is that only having two panniers and a bar bag for all my worldly goods, means that I am constantly searching for ideas and items in which I can save space and weight. Attention to detail is everything on a bike, so here are a few weight saving items I have come across recently.
A spork - an aluminium spoon with 3 prongs on the end to double up as spoon and fork - hence the name, spork. A hairbrush that folds in on itself complete with a mirror in the handle (well it's so handy for putting on the lippy!) A miniature toothbrush that folds into its own case and a drinkng cup that collapses down as flat as a flying saucer. Fascinating - I'm eagerly looking out for any more of these space saving devices. And you all wonder what I do with my days now!
Well, I'm about to bury my head in more maps and books so watch out for the next update in September.
Debbie
Plans are going well. Researching the artistic theme for the trip is endlessly fascinating. From the joy of Monet's gardens at Giverny in France, to the fragrant gardens of the Taj Mahal, to the bronze statue and paintings of the horrors of Ypres, to Rembrandt's sketch of an Indian Moghul. Even sketches by Peter Mundy, a 16th century English traveller, who witnessed the building of the Taj Mahal and whose drawings showed how the early Indian Moghuls and their court, lived and moved around the country on their heavily decorated elephants and oxen. I'm constantly discovering these artistic threads, linking the countries I intend to visit.
The next stage in my preparation is to get all the maps I will need. I found to my delight that the only other Stanfords (the famous London map shop) is in Bristol! No need to trek all the way to London now when I have it on my doorstep. This is why I love living in Bristol - it has everything!
Having Stanfords on my doorstep means that I can now get down to the fine detail. My route then, is as follows: Leaving from Royal Academy of Arts in London - Dover to Dunkirk -Belgium -France - Switzerland -Italy - Greece - Turkey. Fly from Turkey to Pakistan or direct to India. (havn't decided on that one yet) Across and around India. Fly from India to Thailand. Thailand to Malaya to Singapore. Fly from Singapore to USA. LA to San Francisco - across USA to New York. New York to Dublin. Dublin to Hollyhead to Chester and follow Watling Street to London.
You will have to read the book I intend to write when I come back to find out why I 've chosen this route as it would take to long to explain here.
This is a long trip and I will need a break from cycling from time to time, so I will be having 'holidays' from cycling, where some of my friends will come out to join me for a week or so to relax and enjoy the sights and explore more of that particular country.
Whenever a long trip like this is planned there are people who will worry. A few of my friends and family have expressed concerns and anxieties about me going solo on this trip. So, I have put together a list from Lonely Planet's, book, 'Hot Hints and Tips for Travellers' that I was reading recently, to put you all at ease. These are some of my favourites....
'Lone female travelers attract far more kindness, invitations and favours than solo male and group travelers. So forget the essentials of the packing list such as torch, plugs and towel and instead, take one smart skirt and some lippy!'
'Next time you stop off at your local butchers to get some chump chops, ask him to also vacum pack your spare clothes to help save space'
'There are far more smiling faces to be found than dark alleys once you pass the departure gate'
'Those on a bicycle see more than those in a car. And those who stop just to sit and stare on a street corner or beside a rice field in Asia see the most'
'Going by bike gives you a true window on how people live. The museum you might forget but the people you meet - less likely.'
'You don't have to try the crickets on a stick if you are not comfortable with it'
And to finally put your minds to rest once and for all, I will end with this one...
'after the smallest snack, don't forget to wash your hands, -when your're asleep those cookie-crumbed fingers are the ones the rats lick first.'
I hope that's put your minds to rest now.
My own worry is that only having two panniers and a bar bag for all my worldly goods, means that I am constantly searching for ideas and items in which I can save space and weight. Attention to detail is everything on a bike, so here are a few weight saving items I have come across recently.
A spork - an aluminium spoon with 3 prongs on the end to double up as spoon and fork - hence the name, spork. A hairbrush that folds in on itself complete with a mirror in the handle (well it's so handy for putting on the lippy!) A miniature toothbrush that folds into its own case and a drinkng cup that collapses down as flat as a flying saucer. Fascinating - I'm eagerly looking out for any more of these space saving devices. And you all wonder what I do with my days now!
Well, I'm about to bury my head in more maps and books so watch out for the next update in September.
Debbie
Monday, 28 June 2010
A long journey always begins with one small step..
I'm up and running ! Well, with this new blog is anyway!
It has been said that the planning of the trip is as exciting as the journey itself. True. I love the hustle and bustle of 'getting it all together'. The extra challenge for me, apart from the usual travel obstacles of vacinations, maps, planning the route and so forth, is that I will have to fit everything I need for the trip into two cycle panniers and a handlebar bag! Luckily I have done some short UK cycle tours before and have experience of cramming what I need into 2 small bags hanging off the back of a bicycle. However, a continuous world trip has many more demands and I will have to be disciplined and ruthless when packing for this trip next May!
Because I love the preparation and planning almost as much as the trip itself, I am starting this blog now - a year before departure - so that those of you who are keen to follow my journey - will be able to dip in and keep tabs on how I'm doing, as well as having a laugh at what is sure to be some mishaps and frustrations with whatever is thrown up before me in the next year. Also, if you are like me, and interested in the logistics of a journey, you will be kept up to date with just how my progress is doing and what I am doing as each month leads up to departure date.
Then when travelling, I will try to keep this blog up to date as much as possible but I am intending to cycle in a few remote places and may not be able to post to the blog for a short while. So, please do follow my journey and please buy my book that I am going to write when I get back!
thats all for now folks!
Watch this space
Deborah
It has been said that the planning of the trip is as exciting as the journey itself. True. I love the hustle and bustle of 'getting it all together'. The extra challenge for me, apart from the usual travel obstacles of vacinations, maps, planning the route and so forth, is that I will have to fit everything I need for the trip into two cycle panniers and a handlebar bag! Luckily I have done some short UK cycle tours before and have experience of cramming what I need into 2 small bags hanging off the back of a bicycle. However, a continuous world trip has many more demands and I will have to be disciplined and ruthless when packing for this trip next May!
Because I love the preparation and planning almost as much as the trip itself, I am starting this blog now - a year before departure - so that those of you who are keen to follow my journey - will be able to dip in and keep tabs on how I'm doing, as well as having a laugh at what is sure to be some mishaps and frustrations with whatever is thrown up before me in the next year. Also, if you are like me, and interested in the logistics of a journey, you will be kept up to date with just how my progress is doing and what I am doing as each month leads up to departure date.
Then when travelling, I will try to keep this blog up to date as much as possible but I am intending to cycle in a few remote places and may not be able to post to the blog for a short while. So, please do follow my journey and please buy my book that I am going to write when I get back!
thats all for now folks!
Watch this space
Deborah
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