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It's True... It's Over
December 4, 2008 by Mike
Dearest readers --
and believe me, you are all dear to me.
Or should that be, you are both dear to me?
Apologies for the way the updates have dried up. I haven't really been in K-9 for the last month.
Far from it. As Sasha and Melanie.. and Zoe.. worked out, I have been as far as the road will take me, and now I'm heading back to Norridge.
The temptation, the usual phrase, is to say "I'm heading home.." but I don't know where that is. Give me time, I'm only 42.. just.
I've got some kind of writer's block. It may be that I don't want to admit to myself that the two+ years are over.. though in my head it doesn't feel like anything's over. But here I am in Prague.. not very besidetheseaside, eh?.. with a wi-fi connection and a weather eye.. trying to plot a route through the snow storms.. and I owe it to you.. and me.. to catch up on my time in the Crimea.. riding down the Valley of Death.. snooping on the Rooskie Black Sea Fleet.. listening as a judge and a policeman and two prostitutes have a 'party' in the back room of a suddenly-very-quiet bar.. having a chambermaid grab my face and kiss me Goodbye on the lips.. and she looked a lot like Martine McCutcheon..
.. and reaching the end of the road, because I wasn't willing to play games with the Roosian consulate in Odessa to get a visa to reach Sochi. No tears.
No ferries to Georgia. Or Trabzon. Or Istanbul.
So I'm heading back for mine and Pa's birthdays, too much yule log at christmas and a bit of a think.
Oh, and I'll be popping round to show you the rest of the photos.. all 6,144 of them. So get a bottle of house red in, stoke up the fire and plump the cushions. I'll be over in a jiffy.
--Mike
Prague
It was cold in Kerch.
Comments
By Tryphoon | December 5, 2008 5:38 AM
Well, it is the end of a great adventure... Or just the conclusion of a chapter!!!
I can't believe that you are about to stop making us dream of freedom, of all these great people you randomly met on the road and the lack of news followed by the burst of your posts resulting in 10 posts to read in one go!
I might have to re-read it from scratch or simply hope you publish this in its entirety one day, including the 6144 pictures...
Don't disappear once back in the UK.
Best
Your Franglais Friend...
By steve | December 5, 2008 1:44 PM
Reading the last dozen or so bl- I mean diary entries I'd suddenly realised that you must be getting to the end of your trip. And I realised, too, that I didn't want it to end, that I've loved reading your wry, evocative, passionate reports from places I've never been to and barely knew existed. So it must be pretty weird for you too.
Have a safe trip back to Blighty, Mike, and enjoy putting your feet up while you eat and drink to excess with those dearest to you. It's been a pleasure to keep up with your travels, and as for what happens next, well... something always turns up.
all the best
Steve
By KC | December 5, 2008 5:36 PM
No wonder you have dried up - being so far from the seaside!!KC
By Gordon | December 6, 2008 5:58 PM
Mike,
I have so enjoyed my 'virtual ride' with you these last few weeks. I know I could never, even in my youth, have had the courage (emotional and physical) to do what you have done - so thanks for allowing me to experience the dream that you made your reality. Thanks too to 'sis' for the URL.
Safe return.
By Dick With | December 7, 2008 9:50 PM
Congratulations on completing your big adventure Mike. I've enjoyed reading of your travels over the past two years...sorry it's now over. Like a previous post-er, above, I hope to read about it all over again in your book someday. You've got the talent, the material and the photos, so get to work!
Best regards, including to your father and siblings from the Canadian Withs.
Dick, in Newfoundland
By Mike Bowyer | December 8, 2008 8:29 AM
Hey Mike! Have a great Christmas, and if you ever come through Germany, look me up! Cheers, Mike
By Nick | December 10, 2008 6:11 AM
You're still out there somewhere in Europe, on your two trusty wheels - the journey goes on! My morning coffee won't be the same without the latest update from some far-off coastal point. What an adventure you've had, and what a great thing for we desk-bound travellers to be able to follow you all the way from Murmansk to Kerch, and SO much in between. Hilsen Nick
By david gwilliam | December 13, 2008 4:48 PM
well done son. had briefest chat in montenergro and subsequently really enjoyed (for which read ;vicarious/envious thrill) your blog/diary since returning. will be very odd to return to old life no doubt but you will always have the stability of mid table mediocrity to keep you grounded! on the ball city! david (ulcinj).
By Erkut Dora | December 15, 2008 2:09 PM
Cong.Mike! A poem for you...
Living is no laughing matter:
You must live with great seriousness
Like a squirrel, for example-
I mean without looking for something beyond and above living,
I mean living must be your whole occupation.
By carlos pascual | December 16, 2008 8:13 AM
He entrado en tu diario y he acertado al pensar que estarias cerca de tu casa. Soy Carlos el fotografo motociclista de la BMW GS que conociste en el Cabo de gata. No soy de Barcelona sino de Benicasim, Castellon. Donde segun tu diario pasastes la noche en el hotel al lado del Mar.Espero que estes perfectamente y que despues de un tiempo de descanso y publicaciones emprendas otro nuevo pequeño viaje como el que acabas de terminar. Suerte, igual nos vemos algun dia por algun rincon de este gran y a la vez pequeño mundo.
By clive marie goldwing | January 2, 2009 4:42 PM
hi mick its clive not carl goldwing in benidorm thanks for post card its still warm down ere hope u arnt to cold now that u r home and finnished your ride take care ride safe clive x marie xx
By Mike | June 1, 2010 10:47 AM
[This thread closed to comments because of the amount of spam it's generating... In other news, Hello. Hope you're keeping well. --Mike]
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By KC | December 4, 2008 8:19 PM
Well there you are in the very middle of a lot of land mass - Dad and I looked you up on the big map this eve.
It must be a funny set of feelings for you, it is for us!!
Heres hoping the rest of your journey f'now, runs smoothly amd we look forward to many tales
not 42 for much longer!!!
KC sis