Since leaving the UK, I have taken more than 30 flights visiting 16 countries. Each destination has been very different. Each one having a special characteristic. It’s been an amazing journey. I have seen a lot. I have learnt a lot not only about different people and different cultures but also about myself. I have met some delightful folk. I have traveled alone but rarely been lonely. And everywhere I have been it has become clearer (although I suspected it before) that consumerism, the insatiable desire to acquire more stuff, bears no relationship to happiness and often works against it. Some of the happiest and contented people I have met are those who have little or nothing.
Now, it’s nearly time to go home. Time to see my family. Time to catch up with mates who I haven’t seen for such a long time. And time to start planning the rest of my life. My children are grown up, my wife wants to go her own way. Who knows, maybe I’ll get itchy feet after a while and set off again.
To those of you who have taken the trouble to read my scribblings, either regularly or just once in a while, I say ‘thank you’. What started out as merely a daily discipline, developed into a very enjoyable way of recording my adventures. When you are constantly on the look out for interesting photo opportunities you quickly become much more aware of your surroundings.
So now it’s time for Phileas to hang up his hat but, perhaps, not for too long.
Until we do it again.
Richard.
thelasthurrahsite 