THE lAST WoRD

JULY 2021 Taking the Travel Plunge.......

Cindy Bennett, Member #4170

COVID has been a blasted nuisance I must say. We were meant to have been just returning from an “Ultimate South America” trip of 100+ days, damn you to hell COVID. However, it’s not all about me – some people have actually got sick, and some others sadly succumbed to it. So, when will this mess be over with and we can be free to swan all over the world again? Well, lacking a crystal ball we have decided to take a punt on 2023. After the excellent news that Compass Expeditions have been resurrected and planning trips, we received a very welcome email in the inbox inviting us to a pre-booking opportunity as we were impacted by not being able to do the planned Ultimate South America trip. So, where to go – we had 2 options to consider. The first being the epic “Road of Bones” expedition of 105 days starting May 2023 and going from London to Magadan in Russia. Very, very tempting. Second option was the Patagonia Explorer of 18 days from Santiago, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Chile 2015

Lots of consideration was given to both options and while we were initially keen on the Road of Bones, several factors decided against this option with the timing not being quite right with me just starting a new permanent role (hmmm asking for around 5 months off after less than 2 years tenure…) and Duncan’s consultancy work having to be put hold for that period. So, Patagonia it is! January 2023 it starts and we will be on hire BMW’s – the familiar 700GS for me and the usual 800 for Duncan (he loves that 21” front wheel). This will be our second riding trip in South America, and I am keen to return to experience the excellent roads, food and wine and spectacular scenery that this region in renowned for. Also, it is kind of poetic that we will then have bookended the American continent – top of Alaska in 2019 and then down to the Southern most point (hopefully…) in 2023. A self-planned trip to fill in the middle bits will be all that is needed – but hey that can be a retirement trip in a few years…. hang on, what about Road of Bones - definitely on the cards in 2025! Will we be able to travel the world in 2023? I am an optimist by nature, so I am saying a hopeful YES. But planning must happen and risks taken. Deposit paid – tick.

The proposed route, below: