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Howard Worsley's Sabbatical |
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Latest Updates 8th Jan Howard reached Rabat yesterday after over 2000+ miles on the motorcyle! He's hoping to catch up with the Dakha rally at TanTan on Wednesday (though I assume not joining in!). 12th Jan Howard reached Tan Tan on Wednesday and took a rest day there watching the Dakar rally pass through. He met a German biker at this time and they are travelling together for some of the way further into Mauritania - this person also happens to be a mechanic so this is doubly beneficial! 15th Jan Nouadhibou. He is now trying to organise the next part of the journey by train to Choum. He is still presently travelling with the aforementioned German biker! He has met quite a few other bikers on the way (the desert is obviously full of them!) and met one, Nick Saunders, who is something of a biking celebrity - makes films of his journeys etc - but who had run out of petrol! Howard was therefore able to assist him. Apparently Nick's team were impressed that Howard is making this journey alone. |
Howard Worsley, Director of Education **Latest Updates at bottom right of page ** **NOW WITH PHOTO'S!!** Howard's thoughts on his trip
The Reason I am travelling because I love to do so, especially when the rest of life is so busy. Mauritania has been the focus of my prayerful interest since 1980…one of the poorest countries and least accessible. I have a sense that being alone will allow me to process some key areas of theological and philosophical reflections… maybe offering a chance to meet with God on the edges of the world. I find that riding a motor cycle allows me to live fully in the moment, considering how to negotiate the next section of track. The whole journey is seen as a form of pilgrimage or an inner journey of discovery, accompanied by God.
PROPOSED ROUTE
Tarmac in Europe and mainly tarmac in Morocco. In Mauritania some roads are badly deteriorated and some are tracks across sand. At times the route is simply soft sand and at other times washboard (rutted track with ridges of hardened sand caused by weather). When I come to places where there is no petrol or water for 5-600 miles, I will wait for other traffic to accompany me. The Dangers Mainly finding water and fuel…but also ensuring accurate map reading. The longest stretch without fuel or water is from Dakla to Nouadhibou and on to Nouakchott (460 miles and 530 miles). From Dakhla a convoy needs to conduct travellers due to dangers of minefields and the possibilities of getting lost. The Places to Visit I intend to take meaningful stretches of time to be still and to reflect at places of water. These are likely to be at Terjt (near Atar) and possibly Tidjikja.
The Bike
The Permission Initially this was negotiated 2 years ago as a sabbatical from St John’s College, where I served as Director of Studies. It was carried over into the present job as Director of Education, with the condition that I was able to cover my duties. The trip has the active encouragement of my wife Ruth and my three sons, though there are many others who seem far more worried. Sponsorship has been received from Pidcocks (BMW) Motorcycle dealers and from the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham. The Preparation Apart from about 15 vaccinations, visas, carnet de passages, motorcycle preparation, riding training (in off road conditions in Nevada, Utah and Arizona), equipment (bike, camping & medical) and general life experience, it is all quite straightforward. Contact During my absence, I will be in occasional contact with Ruth via a satellite phone. Ruth will inform the Education Department at Southwell ** (See Latest Updates below!) Any work enquires to my Assistant Sheila Barker sheilab@southwell.anglican.org
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The Desert, taken by Howard's German friend. "Wow!"
The time & place for some serious theological reflection.
Reflecting on something less theological this time! |
Updates Continued
19th Jan
Howard travelled by train to Choum - a three day journey - and spent most of it sleeping in the back of a truck. During the journey he was, at one point, left in a siding! He has parted company with the german biker and is now travelling alone.
From Choum he has travelled to Atar (back on the bike again) and has experienced getting stuck in the sand. He has however met some very hospitable nomadic people, including some of the children, who have helped dig out the bike and offered him water and tea etc.
He is staying at an auberge in Atar which, after the back of a truck, must seem like the Hilton!
 22nd Jan
The news from the Sahara this morning is.......
Howard has arrived at Terjit. This was a town where he was intending to spend some time in reflection - however it is crawling with ants and he is being besieged by locals who are fascinated by him! As this does not sit well with a quiet period, he has forsaken the bike for a camel and is taking a three day trek into the desert with a local guide and camping out at night. He has arranged for safe storage of his bike, as he is hoping to revert to this speedier method of travel for the return journey!
29th Jan
Howard has emerged from his three day camel trek, having enjoyed the experience very much. It appears however that much walking was involved as the camels were used for carrying all the equipment!
He then returned to Terjit, where his motorbike was safely returned to him, and then travelled on to Nouakchott - the capital of Mauritania. He was not impressed by Nouakchott, but had the good fortune to meet another biker there (a builder from Oxford!) and is travelling with him back towards Nouadhibou, camping out in the desert en route.
30th Jan
Apparently Howard is now experiencing 2 - 3ft floods in the desert! Fortunately the builder from Oxford (mentioned in previous dispatches) is also pretty adept at pushing motorbikes out of the mud!
2nd Feb 07 - No longer in the Sahara!
Howard is now in Gibraltar due to the fact that his bike had a bald tyre and had to go there to get it fixed!
He is now on the return journey and it may be somewhat shorter than originally planned. His intended return route is experiencing extreme weather conditions (snow and ice) - not the best conditions for motorcycling! At present he is still travelling with the Oxford builder who is taking the boat from Bilbao to Portsmouth. There is a spare ticket going and it is likely that Howard will take it.
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12th Feb 07 - Safe home!
A final report to let you know that Howard's Sahara journey is now complete and he is now enjoying the British winter weather!!!
He will be spending the remainder of his sabbatical period (until the end of March) in the UK and will use this time to concentrate on his research project "Bible Stories between Children and their Parents." |
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