13th Feb.

Back home.

Everything is transient, the good and the bad; comfort and discomfort, struggle and ease, day and night, muscle and lethargy, strength and weakness, journey and arrival, beginning and achievement, ambition and calm, elation and gloom, plain sailing and snow storms.   I think a cycling journey shows you that.

It was harder than I had thought it was going to be, not so much the cycling, but looking after myself and the bike, and being out of place, but I have some great memories.

I'm curious as to what it is that drives human beings to take on challenges, whether it be endurance, sports extremes or exploration.  Is it an expression of self-resilience, for curiosity, ego or self-worth, for the regard or respect, or for the hell of it?  Is it for the adrenaline rush, to test our limits because our culture of ease doesn't, to make us feel alive, because modern life doesn't, or to test the body's capabilities, because most modern occupations don't? Is it the desire to experience something that has made us admire others, sparked an ambition, and posed an unanswered question about our character?  Is it because it doesn't have to be fun, to be fun?

Whatever it is, it's a funny thing.  Seemingly unnecessary, but compelling nonetheless.
Sharing it seems an important part of it for most people, either in writing, photography, or story-telling.

There's always going to be someone with a bigger adventure, a tougher journey or a more impressive feat.  Everyone has a challenge that is their own.

I'm curious also about why it is that we travel.  Is it for a different perspective, new ideas and inspiration, to see yourself outside of your usual context, to figure out where home is and see it in a new light?  Is it to take advantage of a modern privilege, curiosity for culture, language and landscape, for the buzz, the exotic and the novelty, to take a break from home routine?  Is it just because that's what we do in the holidays, for social status, and because the grass might be greener on the other side?  I'm probably biased, but I haven't found anywhere, in all the travels I've been privileged enough to set out on, that for me rivals the rugged beauty, freedom and peace of the west coast of Scotland, despite, or maybe because of the challenges of weather and season.   I'm looking forward to staying on home turf now; soil to be cultivated, adventures to be had, plenty of exploring on two wheels and relaxing to be done here.  Home sweet home!

You could say that I have thoroughly scratched my itchy roving toes, for now anyway!

Many thanks to so many people for their generous donations to the Samaritans.
Over £1000 has been raised now, great stuff!
https://www.justgiving.com/lizziecycles