« Ping
And then there were two…. »

Oooops, forgot I am supposed to write By jon December 9th, 2008 at 7:17 am

Just off the ferry between Igoumenitsis in Greece and Ancona, Italy. It seems we have forgotten to write for a little while. Ooops, sorry.

We have been in Turkey, Greece and now Italy. Greece was really just three days whipping through the north to get the ferry. It was amazing to be there just as Athens was in turmoil. We knew nothing of it. Trouble has followed us- from democracy protests in Bangkok, to the clashes between Cambodia and Thailand on their border, terrorism in western China and now riots in Greece!!!

Turkey is terrific, full of history [Troy, ancient ruins at Aphrodisias amongst others were highlights] and of course the pilgrimage to Gallipoli Peninsula. We were joined by two ABC mates from Melbourne, Serpil and James. They are taking a year out of the ratrace and living with Serpils parents in Bodrum. Wonderful family hospitality and then good company all the way to Eceabat, the town nearest ANZAC Cove. James has been reading Les Carlyons ‘Gallipoli’and was able to give us detailed explanations of the various sites. It is emotionally overwhelming, and to have the Turkish side explained by Serpils translations as well as the ANZAC history made it even more emotional. In the space of a bowling green, 6200 men died in three days at Lone Pine. At the Nek, three hundred died in a few hours fighting over a distance separated now by the wiidth of the tar on the road. The terrain is so harsh, the mistakes made now so clear. And the generosity and care taken by the Turks now all the more moving. It is all a national memorial park and the Turkish war graves and memorials impressively done.

We  are nearly finished. A few  days and we will be in France. I can not quite believe it. I regularly pinch myself. Our huge bull-barred car looks so odd amongst the little Euro hatchbacks. On the ferry several people  gasped as they saw our numberplates. I gasped when I saw the exchange rate and the price of diesel. We paid as much for one litre in Turkey as we paid for 165 litres in Iran. but Iranian fuel prices were never going to last…..

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 7:17 am and is filed under Europe. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

22 comments to “Oooops, forgot I am supposed to write”

  1. By Chris December 9th, 2008 at 8:47 am

    1:165! that’s some serious price difference :)

    it’s been a great read so far… when you’ve remembered! keep up the great work guys look forward to the interviews when you get back!

  2. By Diane Pettigrew December 9th, 2008 at 8:53 am

    Must admit to a tear thismorning as I read you most recent account of the journey. It has been an amazing achievement of tenacity and planning, I can only imagine the joy of arriving in Paris and meeting up with Jan…..you are both amazing, my best wishes to you at Chrstmas and enjoy some luxury after the trials and tribulations of this amazing journey.

  3. By Czaba December 9th, 2008 at 9:27 am

    Hmmm. Does OOOPS mean you were enjoying yourself so much that you forgot to put something up on the website. Well, good for you! That’s what you are supposed to be doing, isn’t it?

    Coupla days and your are there in the UK. Is Jan there yet?

    Have a great reunion with your family.

    Czaba

  4. By Elizabeth Andrews December 9th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    A great read indeed. Places I’ve dreamt about but, in all probability, will never see but you’ve managed to describe the wonders of it all.
    Thank you for sharing with us an amazing journey.

    Jan, I’m sure will be more relieved than all of us to have you back.
    I must admit to thinking, wow! after all of the other stuff you don’t need riots in Greece to contend with.
    Enjoy the rest of your wonderful journey and leave and come back to 774 refreshed and relaxed and tell us all about it :o)

  5. By Caroline Piesse, Melbourne December 10th, 2008 at 7:34 am

    Recently I have been following your journey with some trepidation. Would Jan have to enjoy Paris for Christmas on her own?
    The journey has been fascinating and I, with many of your listeners/readers, have enjoyed the weekly (sic) updates. Hope you have some time to ’smell the roses’ in Europe.
    Have a wonderful reunion, celebrations and safe journey home.
    Thanks for the journey!

  6. By Mary MacInnes December 10th, 2008 at 7:43 am

    OOps!!! I missed the messages too….Have a good holiday in London……watch out for those double decker busses!!!!!

  7. By Pam December 10th, 2008 at 8:51 am

    So glad to see the posts again a little scarey not hearing. What a amazing journey. Thanks for sharing

  8. By Gary and Kym December 10th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    Well done guys. Me and Kym are setting off from UK to Brisbane in April. Don’t suppose your selling the truck are you?!
    Be great if you had a question and answer session at some point when you’re ready. I’ve got too many questions already!

  9. By gary December 10th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

    …and steer clear of the A13 in east London !!
    Congrats guys ….almost there…in modern parlance ,you rock !
    Do me a favour , while in Italy go up to Venice and give those AH’s who spruke the Tronchetto carpark a kick in th A.. for me ! …:-)
    …and be careful in Rome …full of pickpockets .

  10. By Paul & Gay Smith December 10th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    We have been following your journey with interest and at times,trepidation. Thank you both for sharing it with us. Best wishes for a safe landing in Paris. We are looking forward to your return to the airwaves Jon.

  11. By Lesley December 10th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    I have to comment on how wonderful your photos look. What a terrific photographer you are Jack. I wish I could take such great photos. Well done!

  12. By Merih December 13th, 2008 at 8:49 am

    I have been following your journey with great interest. I was concerned about your predictions in getting to London on time. But you have managed to pull through. Reading your journey is inspiring. Jacks photos are great. John, I am looking forward to reading the book that will come out of this adventure. Well keep safe and have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!

  13. By kathyatkallista December 13th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    My goodness you are almost their wow how quick was that !! well done. off to look at pics

  14. By kathyatkallista December 13th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    almost there !!! :)

  15. By Frans December 16th, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Hi Jon, and Jack.

    Thought to drop a line. Any good fishing spots? Look forward to have you back on 774. Not quite the same. Merry Xmas, and a safe trip back home.
    Frans.

  16. By Dorothy Button December 17th, 2008 at 10:59 am

    I have loved reading your adventures gentlemen.
    Having adventured like you two, I live every minute when reading your words.
    You still have a few kms to go but wow how satisfying and pleasing it has all been according to your stories.
    Melbourne will welcome you both back with gusto. We have missed you Jon. All of radioland has missed you.
    I thank you for sharing your trip with
    everyone. Wishing you both a very happy reunion with your family and a wonderful Christmas whereever you may be.

  17. By jenny December 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    Hi Jon and Jack. what agreat journey you have been on.loved your stories and photo’s.i will miss reading them.look forward to you being back on 774. Have a great Xmas get together.

  18. By Craig H December 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    Jack and John,

    Having Flown to London and back earlier in the year I looked down on much of the landscape that quickly receded behind us from 35000 feet. my thoughts travelled to you, your adventures and the wish to participate in this sort of adventure myself. Best I could do this year was to keep reading your messages which did make me feel that I was right there with you.

    Thanks for the memories, experiences and next time can you feed the smells over the web as well. Look forward to hearing many of the stories next year.

  19. By charlie merryweather December 28th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    john & jack well you know this is only the start of your travels.once you have the bug [ and all the gear just sitting there] it wont be long and next time, il bet jan is with you [ may be just the two of you ] any way what a fantastic trip we have loved every picture and story well back on the radio will be awful tame but only for a little while until the next exiting epesode of john & jans world travels charlie from echuca

  20. By Doreen Berry January 27th, 2009 at 9:23 am

    Welcome home, John and Jack. Have been following your adventures through your journey and am looking forward to the book. All the best for 2009.

  21. By Eddie January 29th, 2009 at 9:23 am

    Thank you for this website and news of your travels. I have enjoyed the information, the pictures and descriptions.
    The long gaps in time between updates from you on this site may well be due to the overall tasks you undertook of travel plus communicating. Considering the difficulties you have had, I thank you again.
    However, I feel very let down by you refraining from updating more frequently and more fully from when you left China. Further,your last message posted Dec 9 is still so far from the completion of your journey.
    Would you kindly complete this story by some sort of closing report on this website?

    Regards to you both.

  22. By Eddie January 29th, 2009 at 9:30 am

    Oops, my mistake. I have just found reports from you subsequent to Dec.9.

Leave a Reply

Archives

Categories