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Greetings from the Arctic
July 30, 2006 by Mike
In which I apologise for not having spent all the time I've actually been on the road, sitting tapping away at a computer keyboard instead!
This is a short (but sweet) message from just inside the Arctic Circle. The campsite in Jokkmokk, to be exact.
Well, with a name like that, hopw could I refuse?
This is the Sunday morning after setting off from Norwich on Wednesday. I've been a bad Mike and not counted mileage but around 2000 kilometres at least.. northwards ever northwards.. and without the time to learn how to reposition the map, the best I can do for now is point you towards this map and tell you Jokkmokk is not far from the top!
There's a famous Sami festival here every year but today the only worshipping is of the sun. It's t-shirt, shorts'n'sunblock up here.
Not that it wasn't freezing last night in my hammock. Brrrrrcold. But then the sun comes up and I get all forgiving.
This is ä Swedish keyböård, by the wäy. Nöt eäsy tö figure öut!
The biking is fantabulous.. most of the roads are clear, clean and swing left and right and up and down just fine. Apart from a nasty habit the Swedes have of tailgating (no fun if you're taking it slow) all is as i could only have hoped.
As for this site.. I have been writing reams but all on my laptop. Here I am sitting at an old-fashioned PC and there's no way I can get the two to communicate. So please check back for much more on the first few days.. and then much more on the many days hereafter.
Have to go. Not allowed online for löng. But.. I'll be back with a pröper updåte very söön!
--Mike
Comments
By Nick | July 31, 2006 6:01 PM
Boooo - I wanted to be the first to leave a message! Brilliant start - now youve made it to Murmansk and are really on your way....
Nick&co
By Knut Ingebrigt Langballe | July 31, 2006 7:33 PM
Hi Mike.
It is very exiting that you are on your way. Just got your website from Nick. Good luck and all the best. We will follow your jurney keenly. Will tell Jill you are on your way when she comes back.
Knut
By Catherine | August 1, 2006 12:50 PM
Hi there Biker Boy!!!
Youre eventually on your way and I bet you are loving it!!! :) Will keep reading to find out where you are, find out what you are doing and of course, if I get enough money together ( and if you'll allow it!) track you down somewhere preferably hot and sunny :)
Dont forget to break!
Catherine x
By Catherine | August 1, 2006 12:57 PM
By the way - just been checking your website out! - it is great :) You kept all this quiet! Looking forward to the next video........
I am really happy for you that you are on your way - I know it means a lot! :)
Catherine x
By Birgitta | August 6, 2006 7:44 AM
Glad you are safe and that a motherly person can keep track of you.
I allways thought there should be a sort of Where is he now? website. Now you have your own how brave is that?
By Birgitta | August 6, 2006 7:45 AM
Glad you are safe and that a motherly person can keep track of you.
I allways thought there should be a sort of Where is he now? website. Now you have your own how brave is that?
By Martin and Sarah | August 6, 2006 9:14 AM
Hello Mike,
Congrats on getting this trip sorted out. Sounds like a hoot. We'll be following your progress. Hope it goes well.
Martin and Sarah.
By John | August 6, 2006 4:05 PM
Jahn Teigen, I hope all is going well.
By Andy | August 8, 2006 9:44 AM
What is the appropriate listening for this site, Mike? Ali Farka Toure is playing right now - live from the grave - but should I move on to J Cash? He's in a grave too. Maybe I'll download Ace of Spades. Lemmy is still among us and he will transport me to an office you have almost forgotten entirely, I hope.
Lots of love
By KC | August 8, 2006 12:56 PM
TRIUMPH - even in adversity!!! Glad to B "with" U and a link for No.3
By fuwad | August 10, 2006 4:13 AM
Well Mike, bloody hell.
When I got divorced I decided to do another Masters degree, you really have pushed the boat out or the preverbial envelope.
Well good on yeah!(liverpudlian accent required).
My travelling tips not that you want them are watch out for the mafia they're everywhere, keep some mugging money in your shirt pocket and dont tell them your from the UK if you do come across unsavory types and dont talk to strange women or men for that matter, it 'll only cost you money!!!
I know its summer or the tale end of but you could of gone to a hotter peninsular.!!!
Anyway im sure your having fun I wont be thinking of you Ive got enough problems.
Enjoy and be happy!
Fu
By KC | August 12, 2006 4:08 PM
I've got the hang of printing @ the library and shall take reams back to No. 3 . . . and start a printed version. We are "with" you all the way!
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By Samantha | July 31, 2006 2:17 PM
I'm so thrilled for you that you're finally living your dream. I'll be keeping a close eye on your progress.
All my love.