I’M BACK

Picture by Andy Skreiner

tuluak said:

“Please, keep us paddlers all over the world up to date even after the
big trip is over!”

This was the first of over 200 well wishing blog entries on my final post about my arrival.

A hearty THANKS to everybody who sent his/ her best wishes online! 

I’ll do.

Maybe I liked to break the record of comments on a single post on my blog by not posting other entries so far…I even heard from my webmaster the site broke down for an hour the first night after my arrival…

No, I simply needed a break, too. Not that I was close to break down as well. But somehow…my body, keeping up well all paddling days, was aching now everywhere on the new days without paddling. As if it told me: “Now it’s my turn to rest, too!”

 

The final arrival was an interesting experience for me. I actually felt like just finishing another paddling day in beautiful conditions. No jumping in the water for joy, no shouting out, no crying for happyness…what were all the people doing there on the beach? I have just paddled a bit, like everyday…but it seems like some saw it different… 

Yes, I was happy that the trip was over, and I pointed that out already a few months ago. I’d loved to do, see, feel, hear and smell something different than some of the most beautiful coastline of the world. You can’t have champagne everyday. Although I didn’t mind…

Maybe this is one of my best “big expedition” qualities. Keeping my mental state under control for the big goal. Although I had emotional days, ups and downs…

I’m getting happy about details. The little fish jumping out of the water in front of me. The dolphin playing around me for a minute. The interesting different snack I was just able to dig out of my food back. I’m able to easily forget the thing which upset me for a moment. Nothing worth to keep that in mind…

 

I paddled around Australia. So what? 

 

I divided the trip in goals, long term, short term. Reaching the next headland, logging the planned 70 km for that day, arriving in the next resupply spot, finishing another of the 15 legs. Eventually you are there, and it is over, faster than you think. 

 

It was just a very long, speedy trip. A daily challenge for myself.

I knew I could do it. What’s next?

 

New challenges are waiting. I’ll have to catch up with my home, family and shops again. I decided to do that book thing. I need to deal with the international publicity. I’ll travel to talks and symposiums around the world to share my knowledge.

And I’ll keep my blog updated.

Another long, big expedition? We’ll see…

5 comments on “I’M BACK

Miller

Before you started. The very thought of this made me shake in my boots. I am so glad that you made it safe and sound. You did it. Besides you and PC I don’t think anyone esle ever has. It may never be done again. Wow…. Shine on you crazy diamond!

Sandy

Just a quick clarity on the above. Yes Tas. as been done – but nobody as “done” all of Australia.

Sandy

Hi Freya from Oz,
What about doing Tasmania as well – the other state of Australia, as the next trip? Paul didn’t do that. Than you would be the only “person” in the world who would have done that. Certainly not a feat that would be emulated for a long time.
All the very best to you and your loved ones for the festive season.

Rose

I’ve got some photographs and a couple of clippings from the ‘Victor Harbor Times’ to send to you, but we’re having a series of postal workers’ strikes in Australia at the moment, so I’ll send them after Christmas when the strikes are over and the Christmas mail backlog is sorted out.

Have a splendid Christmas, catching up with everybody and everything!

And Freya…I don’t think anybody has circumnavigated Antarctica yet…

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