We have had some feedback about the site, and it’s time to give a little insight into our feelings, both as we approach our major milestone and how we’ve been feeling over the last couple of weeks.

We’ve both experienced very mixed emotions; walking through the Alpes was amazing - fantastic weather, breath-taking scenery and a real feeling of achievement. John joining us for that part of the trip was as uplifting as the views.

Arriving in Italy however, I felt that here we go again, another country, another culture that we have to quickly get into the swing of. We had both managed to find our feet in France, had gotten used to it’s quirks, routines and people, it had began to feel very comfortable and natural traveling around.

Since being in Italy the weather has been very bleak; foggy and grey; this coupled with the nights drawing in, has had an effect on both of our moods. We have gotten fairly low at points recently. Getting to Turin was a massive boost, as we were able to wonder around getting to know the city and become accustomed to Italian life again. (Tom himself didn’t see much of Turin as he fell sick, I don’t know what he would have made of the museum of cinema! I’m sure the mere concept in his day would have blown him away)

Giving up not only your job but your creature comforts can have quite a dramatic effect. The physical demands can be tough on there own, but that’s all a case of building muscle strength, stamina and a good diet. It’s the emotions and mood swings you go through which are the toughest part, you can have several mood swings in one day, and not just one month! The littlest thing can get you down or perk you up.

For me the trip so far feels almost like going into rehab, for the last 4 months we’ve been stripped of the usual things that clutter your time and mind. You have a lot of time to think, clear your mind and concentrate on the things that really matter to you and your life. I’ve found it has been both exhausting and refreshing.

We may be unable to get to the internet in the next week or two, so for those of you who are in text contact and if you get the time, could you add to this post where we are and where we’re heading - thank you.

Just to mention, Colin Sandall has been kind enough to put a link on his website to ours and to return his pain staking efforts we have now updated our site with a return link (under Misc in the links page or just here). Colin is a fantastic teacher of IT and taught me all I know (anyone got a map of Burma?!) Seriously he’s very good and patient!

If you don’t want to read all the posts, here is a link to the new pictures.

Why Daisy ?

I’m sure people have been wondering why Michele is home getting Daisy ? It’s very simple; we have run out of accommodation. The holiday season is basically over in France so most of the tourist campsites are shut or shutting. The gites and hotels we have stayed at in the North have just blown our budget, so we have to stop staying in them. We are also entering very sparsely populated areas of France now, so any services are facilities are way too far apart for walking, our modern world is not designed to be tackled without a car.

How Daisy

We have a number of options. The basic ‘rule’ we have always used on the adventure is
to follow in the footsteps of Tom, using the same spirit of adventure and discovery . For me personally I have always planned to travel by walking or by ‘of the period’ means along the whole route. So as long as I walk (or row a boat or ride a horse etc) without gaps, it really doesn’t matter where I sleep. Hence I am happy with ‘train hopping’ and now the new system called ‘Daisy hopping’. Soon to be followed by the old Daisy/ train/ mountain bike system. Which ever way we do it, I will walk (or etc) without gaps, Michele will walk or ride her bike as much as she can and we will mainly sleep in Daisy. Simple really !?

And here she is:-

Big PS

I’ll end this post saying that I cannot wait for Michele to get back and for Daisy to join us, and to thank everybody who is helping Michele get Daisy ready for her adventure.

While I’m on the subject of thank you’s, I’m touched by the number of you who are visiting this site, we are currently running at over 400 a week and growing ! Well, thank you all very much for your support so far and I hope I’m not boring you too much with these post.

I’ve done a couple of videos. With varing degrees of quality and success. I think Hollywood is safe.

Why? I don’t know. But I’ve taken, yes me, some pictures of Snails and clouds

For those of you that are a little squimish you may want to skip over the pictures of clouds and get straight into the snails.

Snails and clouds

Why ? hmm, Cute and fluffy?

The truth is Tom didn’t actually walk all the way to Venice and back !! Does this come as a shock to some of you ? Well, below is the excellent map created by Strachen in his book about Tom’s life.

He used a variety of transport methods, including horseback or coach through most of France, he was even carried over the Alps on a sedan chair by some mountain guides. So if there any volunteers who want to carry me over the 2000m high Cenis Pass it would be most appreciated.

I don’t think we will find and horse and carts to take us across France, but what I am really interested in, is how Tom got along the Rhine. He paid to be part of a crew that was rowing up the Rhine. Now call me a bit strange, but I think rowing up the Rhine could be lots of fun, and truly ‘following Tom’. So, if anybody has any grand ideas how to do this then please let me know.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, I’ve never paddled or rowed, other than in the fishing ponds at my uncles farm around 25 years ago. So I think I will need beginners kit.

Please contact me or leave a comment if you have any advice or thoughts on this matter !!