Friday 16th October is a date that will stay with me for a long time. It marked the final day for this adventure as Bridget and I arrived at Kimber House in Abingdon. An apt destination, as the current headquarters of the MG Car Club, and a tribute to all the car club members around the world that have been so helpful during our trip.
We were welcomed by the lady Mayor of Abingdon marking the long relationship between the town and the MG marque. For those that are not MG owners, Abingdon was the location of the factory that produced these marvellous cars and would have been where Bridget started out in life.
As well as my family and friends, Julian White, the General Manager of MGCC led a posse of local members and officials many of whom had brought their MG’s. Television and the press were well represented.
So we have completed the final leg of this journey and ponder what lies ahead, but first I need to reflect a little on our achievement.
As the BBC so succinctly put it at the start, “You only speak English, you are not a mechanic and you are going to drive a totally unsuitable car around the world….” That helped to focus my mind on what I had undertaken and at the same time hardened my determination to do it. Now some 39,000 miles later I can ask “Was it really worth it?” Since the ninth day out I have had no doubts whatsoever that the personal experience was worth whatever the cost turned out to be.
I have been privileged to touch the lives of thousands of people in 27 countries around our globe, many of them children. In most cases the experience was fleeting, a laugh, a cry of glee or just a smile as we drove past, but if seeing Bridget caused even one child to develop the ambition to improve his or her life then I shall deem the event a success.
The contrasts of the different cultures are fascinating yet it is the common desires for love, peace and harmony, all very overworked adjectives, that is so striking. The vast majority of differences are superficial; the way our food is cooked, the work we do, the buildings we live in, but when given a media slant it makes “them” different from “us”. Add some emotive words such as “alien” and soon there is distrust and even hate.
Seeing and experiencing the extremes of nature such as the floods in Australia, the landslides in Ecuador and the earthquakes in Panama; or the beauty of the Andes, the spiritual effect of the Himalayas and the wonders of the deserts in Pakistan, Australia and Peru gives a true perspective of mankind and our insignificance.
There are so many people to whom I am immensely grateful for their support during this adventure, in particular as I mentioned earlier the members of the MG clubs in England, Australia and Canada. There are also the fond memories of individuals around the world that helped me or who I have swapped stories with. They are not forgotten even though I may not have actively kept in touch, such as the Reithers in Austria, the lifeguard in Iran, the Mullah in Esfahan, and the students in Kerman. I am still trying to establish that they are safe after the trouble following the elections in Iran.
Will there be a book? As long as I can find a publishing agent that thinks there is a suitable market then yes there will. I hope to make an announcement on this site before the end of the year.
Would I do it again? Probably not in the same way or even the same route because I’ve done that, but I certainly won’t stop travelling. There is so much more to see, for instance I have only seen the northern Arabic countries of Africa and there is still Russia, Mongolia and The Gobi Desert. An MGB might be more suitable for The Gobi, or perhaps an Austin Healey. If I was to strengthen the rear suspension…………….
8 responses so far ↓
1 Kate Dale // Oct 18, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Congratulations Roy, Well Done. What a fantastic journey.
Hi Kate, lovely to hear from you and thanks. You were the first to voice support for me at the beginning and it’s appreciated. Take care - Roy
2 B.R.Osborn // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:36 am
Well done to you and Bridget - both survivors of an epic journey - from the Midland Centre.
Was hoping that you might wave to some of us as you journeyed from the docks to Abingdon through the Midlands, but first we knew - you were there. Looks like they gave you a good welcome, as you deserve.
Hi Brian, thanks for the message and sorry I missed you. I hope to be at the Classic Car Show next month so perhaps we will meet up then. Whatever I will be in touch with you shortly - Roy
3 Will Estill // Oct 27, 2009 at 3:36 am
I have just recently been made aware of your adventure via an MG message board. Many congratulations on completing an amazing journey. Had I known, you would have been very welcome to visit as you passed between Seattle and Everett.
You must write the book as it would make a fine companion to “Coleman’s Drive” which I have read in wonderment on several occasions. If you are not familiar with the book, it is a first-person narrative of one man’s journey from Buenos Aires to New York in an Austin Seven in 1959-1960. Very entertaining.
You even have a similar writing style!
Hello Will, you’re very kind thank you. I am working on the book right now, so hopefully it will be completed before the year end. - Roy
4 Andy Hardie // Oct 27, 2009 at 5:57 am
Welcome home Roy and Bridget. So glad you received such a warm welcome. Well done.
Please let me know how to get funds to you for UNICEF, their web site still doesn’t like me
Best wishes, Andy
Hi Andy, sorry about that and I will e-mail you direct. Not like us to refuse anything!! - Roy
5 Doug & Dawn Sherman // Nov 9, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Congratulations Roy & Bridget. We were pleased to read that you are back in UK in one piece. Well done from your friends at Geelong MGCC.
Hi Doug, Dawn and all in Geelong. I was thinking of you all at the weekend whilst going through my photo collection. Ugly lot, but with beautiful hearts. Take care - Roy
6 Jenny Towers // Nov 15, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hi, a friend alerted me to your story (I have a 1975 midget). What an amazing adventure. Do you plan to do an talks about your experiences? It would be great to hear more of your tales first hand.
Hi Jenny, yes I will be doing some talks in aid of UNICEF. Let me know where abouts you are and I will contact you direct. Thanks for asking. - Roy
7 Brett Lane // Nov 16, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Hi Roy! I was speaking to you yesterday at the NEC show with my dad who has a ‘78 Midget in black. (you may not remember us, but i was the lad with Long brown hair, and my dad was the short bald chap.)
The site is brilliant! I am happy to be able to see and hear about your journey in more depth. Keep up the good work, and i will be telling my friends about the site!
Regards,
Brett
Hi Brett, I recognise the vivid picture you describe of your dad! The abuse us Dad’s have to take. Glad you like the site and it was nice chatting to you. - Roy
8 Jenny Towers // Jan 30, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Hi Roy,
I sent a messgae back in November (see below) re you doing talks about your experiences. Only just located your response!!!
I’m based in Pinner, Middlesex (HA5) but more than happy to travel to hear more about your experiences.
Origianl message … ‘Hi, a friend alerted me to your story (I have a 1975 midget). What an amazing adventure. Do you plan to do an talks about your experiences? It would be great to hear more of your tales first hand.’
Hi Jenny, yes I will be doing some talks in aid of UNICEF. Let me know where abouts you are and I will contact you direct. Thanks for asking. - Roy
Leave a Comment