The Last Post

Hello readers! I have made it through Africa and you have made it to the final blog! Well done us all!

Yes. About 11,900 Kms travelled, 8600 on my bicycle. One day’s illness, no punctures, no road accidents, one arrest, one attempted mugging, 5 fallings off, 265 days….

Best moments? Tricky. But right up there, cycling into the quiet African mornings with only birdsong and the awesome African scenery for company, those wonderful cold showers after a long hot day on Mr Merc, the sound of an ATM as it counts out money behind the scenes (I have money!!) …And all those times I thought I was in a bit of trouble and was helped (kindnesses that extended to the very last and the offer of a lift to Hermanus in torrential Cape rains and howling headwinds). Oh, and the family welcomes in Cape Town …and at Heathrow…and, well….there are too many best moments!!

No wait a minute. Best of all, sitting in the restaurant of the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town that evening of arrival, Joe tapping his glass to beg a moment’s quiet (me waiting for him to go on about my wondrous feat, how intrepid his dad, etc, etc) but in fact to receive the news that I shall shortly be a grandad! That really topped it all. 

Worst moments. Hmmm, one or two of those I guess. 1. Cycling 160 Kms to the Sudan/Ethiopia border in somewhat warm weather, the last part in darkness, only to find the border ‘closed’, and the 2 days of aggravation that followed to find a crossing further north by Eritrea. 2. All those days when you think you’ve made it but it turns out you haven’t, the map’s wrong, there’s another hill…and another! Bloody hell! 3. That time in Sudan when I accused a group of little children of stealing my map and then found it in my pocket. I felt so bad.

Anyway. It’s done. Cycling those last few miles into Cape Town on a cloudless day and knowing family and friends were just a few corners away was very special indeed. The last bend was on the waterfront and then up ahead I could see the balloons and the banner and a lot of excited waving people. What a reception and what a moment! So long anticipated. One that was repeated 10 days or so later at Heathrow. A couple of pictures attached! Thanks so much to all.

I said goodbye to Mr Merc in a cycle shop where he would be boxed up for the journey home. What a star! Confidente and sleeping companion (I’m finding it strange sleeping without a pedal in my face!), clothes horse, picnic table, drying rack, baggage carrier, bicycle…Just brilliant! New brake pads front and rear and a tightening of the chain was all that was required. The key to cycle maintenance is, of course, lots of cleaning!

Well look, I won’t go on. Save to attach some highlight photos and to say a lifetime’s dream has been fulfilled. I also want to say a huge thanks to all those in Africa who helped me along the way. The kindness I received from so many was simply overwhelming. You are all awesome and I hope that one day I will have the chance to reciprocate in some measure if any of you are ever in the UK.

Now, where’s that map of South America…