I Want to Share Something

Ten years ago, I came up with a somewhat dubious plan. I had just lost my beloved mother so, perhaps, formulating any strategies about my long-term future wasn’t the best thing for me to be doing at the time. Anyway, the plan was to get rid of everything that I owned (and by that, I mean EVERYTHING!), don a backpack and, travel the world.

It’s been a really, really tough ten years. Tougher than I ever imagined life could be for me. But, on Thursday, 12th December, I donned a backpack (…………OK, OK, OK, it’s two backpacks, a large duffel bag and………a Sainsbury’s carrier bag) and left Hertford.

Hertford, the place which has been my temporary home and haven for the last year. Thanks to a select few (and rather amazing) individuals, I have been able to sort my life out and make that “dubious” plan a reality.

So, on Sunday I leave the UK and head for my first stop, Calais. From there, I will visit as much of continental Europe as possible, a few North African countries and, some of the Middle East. I’m going to be taking photos and writing stories about the things that I see and experience.

For now, I’m in Dover. It’s a bit of a weird place. On the one hand, it’s a busy port, a gateway to Continental Europe. On the other, it’s rundown and more than a little bedraggled. It has a rich history, Dover Castle dates back to the 11th Century and has, within its grounds, one of only three surviving Roman-era lighthouses in the world.

I’m sitting by a window in the hotel lounge, the sky is blue and the sun is lighting up the Castle. The Union Jack flutters in the breeze. But around me are housing estates, motorways and, generic shopping centres. All of the buildings which speak to the character of the town are, as near as damnit, derelict. It’s pretty sad really.

Then again, maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m sad to be leaving.

Obviously, I’m happy to be embarking on this adventure but, there’s no denying, a part of me is sad.

I wish I knew why!