I´ve noted that many tales from the road seem
to end abruptly when the physical journey is done... and that makes a lot of sense, but I am often
left wondering about the aftermath. What
happened to that particular character? How
did the protagonist feel about their achievements some months down the road of
life? How did they get back into the day
to day swing of things, or did they simply turn around and head off somewhere
new?
And, indeed, I don´t necessarily feel that my
own “...journey in search of direction...”
ground to a halt with my arrival
back home in sunny Barcelona. I have
been thinking about what I have done, why I did it... why
did I do it? ... and what effect
it has had on me, and how I will take that with me through the rest of my life. Before I headed off, I was told by some who
have been and done that the journey would change my life... I must confess I scoffed a little (inside) at
such statements. I am reminded now, as I
reflect, how right they were.
Perhaps I have been thinking too much. Perhaps I should simply park the memories in
that corner of my mind, for revisiting on cold and damp days. Perhaps I should be setting my sights forward
for further adventures. But, I´m sorry to
report, that is not necessarily me. I
am, therefore, driven to wrap up this section of my trip tales with an
epilogue, where I explore the impact of such a mammoth journey and how I have
managed to return to earth without too much of a bump. I hope you will stay with me through this
final leg.
So where do I start? So many thoughts running around my mind on
return home, the first of which fuelled by a small degree of fear, as reported
in the final trip episode. Why on earth
I felt that way was a mystery. Mrs Pat had
done nothing but pour love and support in my direction from the outset of this
project. But it was nevertheless there,
and I should acknowledge that. Despite
the wonders of Skype and mobile technology, it remains the case that we both
spent quite some time out of contact, and out of the habit of sharing our daily
woes. When you decide to spend a life
together, not spending it together becomes alien, and I think it was that which
tossed tinder into the flames of my unsettled emotions. Each traveller on return will undoubtedly
feel different – we are all different people after all – but I am pleased to
report that my worries were well and truly unfounded.
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They say that absence makes the heart grow
fonder... don´t you just hate such clichés? Even more so perhaps when they prove to be
true. My time away made me realise with
crystal blue clarity what I have at home, and I record that lesson here lest it
be lost. After close to 20 years
together it is easy enough to accept your life partner, for better and for
worse, but perhaps also without much real thought. This trip has given me the opportunity to
revisit who we are and why we (usually) work well together, and what I value
most. It has also given me the time and
perspective I was looking for to put my own head in order. I feel I have done that, and I feel a greater
closeness and understanding at home...
something I value more than the chance to see more of this wild and
wonderful world... but only just!
I also find myself being more reflective and
thoughtful of late, and measuring my life and opportunities I have seized, and
wasted, against those available (or not) to the people I met on that long
journey north. I often say I am a lucky
guy, but perhaps it is only when you open yourself up to others can you really
sense the truth in that. Travelling
alone across continents for months on end forced that process in me, and I very
much hope I do not lose that perspective as life and the daily grind takes hold
again. What we have far outweighs what
we have lost. A message I plan to keep
close to my heart.
And, equally, what we do does not necessarily
have to revolve around our own needs and desires. The generous giving I experienced from people
with comparatively little has, since my return, impacted on my being more
greatly than I had envisaged. If they,
without so much as a thought, can readily offer their time, energy and
resources – then surely I can do more.
People, on seeing that I was alone (and at times I was feeling it
strongly) readily shared their time with no desire other than to lift spirits
and help me feel more at ease in their world.
Powerful stuff indeed. I can now see that the feeling I felt when in
receipt of selfless acts can be imparted to others, and that I personally
should do more... and that I will do
more. We are already discussing how we
can make a difference and translate these reflections into more concrete
measures, if only on a small scale. A
new journey in life awaits. A man once
said, “do the little things”, wise words indeed.
Talking about journeys, Idris had a much
longer one than I, though it did indeed arrive back in the UK safe and sound. My thanks to James Cargo for their support
and service. Though having to wait some
2 months for the return of the bike was more of a struggle for me than I had
anticipated. I missed the two wheeled
freedom within weeks of my return to Europe.
This was eased somewhat with spending many weeks in the UK catching up
with family, friends and (yep) work. I
wasn´t going to miss, for example, the Adventure Bike Rider Midlands Rally
weekend, even if I had to hitchhike.
Though, despite the very generous offer of some wheels for the weekend,
it did seem rather odd chatting to old friends and new about the trip when the
trusty steed in question was still in a box heading around the world... the
wrong way!
Needless to say that on Idris´ arrival back
in the UK, I took the opportunity to ride out to see friends again, before
heading down through France and home, where Idris will remain until warmer
weather returns to the north of the continent.
There are, after all, many roads in Spain left to travel – and I hope to
be doing as many as I can over the months to come.
The committed few who have followed these
ramblings over the last year or so will recall that I had a few falls, most
notably one in Argentina that left me in pain for some time. I´m happy to report that I am relatively
pain-free now, though I felt the need to get checked out properly on arrival
back in the land of the paella. In case
you are wondering, my clicking knee is nothing more than that, and with a bit
of regular exercise should hold its own for many years to come. My back, which was more of a worry, is now
displaying a herniated disk – which looked a lot worse on the MRI than it
feels.
I am reliably informed by competent
specialists that the physiotherapy that I am undertaking will be sufficient to
strengthen the muscles in the area and take the load off the spine. In short, a few minor worries that may limit
my trail riding in the short term but, overall, a small price to pay for the
experiences and wonder I drunk in through this amazing journey. Idris also requires a bit of TLC, which it is
now getting in readiness for more adventures to come.
Ride safe, and may sun always shine on your
bike (it does on mine!).
