About

Photo courtesy of an envelope doodle by Shona.

Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.  -Kerouac

After a serious conversation or two we decided that 2018 was the year to throw caution to the wind and break the cycle.  To the consternation of a few but the excitement of many, we have come to the conclusion that a salary, comfortable beds, warm showers and drawers full of clothes are so last year, especially when the view out of the window doesn't change.

Day-to-day, I do strongly uphold the notion that you make your own fun and create your own happiness.

Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux.  -Proust

However, sometimes new landscapes are longed for, maybe even necessary.  For both of us, travelling, seeing and experiencing more of the world is an itch that needs to be scratched.  And it's an itch that has been bothering us for some time.  2018 seems like a good year for turning pipe dreams into cold, hard, beautiful realities.

The decision to travel by bike had already been made by Olly and I didn't take much convincing.  Cycling evokes in me such a giddy feeling; there's something so childlike, innocent and liberating about pedal power.  Cycling is a pretty eco-friendly option too, which is an important consideration for our roam around the globe.  The decision to cycle, for me, epitomises the idea of an adventure.  It is going to be challenging and that's important.  Our plans require some careful consideration, thought, discussion and debate and these are all good things for us.

Somewhat inevitably, at this stage everything is a plan, an intention, a hope, a dream. 

Whatever you dream you can do, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.  Begin it now.  -Goethe

The departure date is set for the beginning of August.  We currently live and work in Shrewsbury and spend our spare time running, walking, cycling, eating, climbing, reading and exploring the beautiful countryside that surrounds us.  This blog is the place for us to record, reflect and share our adventure which, really, has already begun.

Why, 'Oyster Catcher'?  Well, if you have to ask, you'll never know.  The name came to me on a walk along the Pembrokeshire coast.