Summasummarum
Despite the economic crisis I never saw an Englishman slamming coconuts together while driving down the road. And no voice told me to look for the Holy Grail, because I was already sitting on it.
I have endured many thousands of kilometres of left‑hand traffic, even though there were a few moments of breath‑holding. I have experienced British weather from its, well, not‑so‑best side. And I have made my way through all the lands without ever holding a real penny in my hand. There were occasional payment‑card issues at petrol stations, but because stations are so common it never became a major problem.
Above all, I met helpful and friendly people on the islands in a way I hadn’t expected. Apart from the breakdowns and the support I received, there were moments when, standing by the roadside, I seemed to give the impression that I might need help, and people stopped and asked. That impressed me. Also the fact that so many strangers simply raised a hand in greeting, whether on the roadside or from a passing car. As for driving, yes, you move quickly on the island, but unlike in France or Germany nobody hangs on your neck or overtakes you in a risky way. If things go a bit slower – not just because of me on the AWO – you keep calm. What a contrast when I was back on continental Europe under my wheels.
And then there’s the country itself, or rather the country that I finally got to know, at least in parts. This mix of green hills and mountain ranges, the wildness of the Highlands, the ruggedness of the smaller islands like the Shetlands or the Hebrides, and the jagged coasts of Ireland and elsewhere will stay unforgettable. Boredom was almost non‑existent because the many little side roads offered room for discoveries you simply don’t get on big highways. Stop briefly and enjoy the vastness when the weather allows. Some scenes reminded me of Scandinavia or the Alps. The high plateaus with free‑roaming animals, the mountain passes in the Highlands or the southwest of Ireland sometimes appeared unexpectedly. And as quickly as you were in one scene, you were already in the next natural tableau. The wild camping spots on the coasts, which gifted me with sometimes dreamy sunsets, will remain unforgettable. One moment there was almost still sea without wind, the next fierce gusts and loud, foamy spray on the rocky Atlantic shore. I am happy to have experienced all this myself, no longer just tracing a finger over a map or, as a child, learning about it from the lexicons on my parents’ bookshelf. The most interesting part of this trip – and not only this one – is everything that happens between start and finish. No book, film or narration can offer that. Experiencing it yourself is the absolute feeling. It’s like taking a shower yourself.
Enough with the writing. What remains is what a privilege it is to be able to travel when the conditions allow it. Much of it is in your own hands; some of it rests on understanding, cooperation and support. Thanks to the readers, the thumb‑pushers, the generous donors, and also to those who just like the pictures and don’t read any of this text.
The GPX data show 9 771 km. That includes all ferries. The kilometres driven with rotating wheels were, according to the odometer, 8 214 km.
Breakdowns:
– Wheel bearing – gearbox drive shaft
– Wheel bearing – engine crankshaft clutch side
– Weld 2× side stands
– Weld 2× clutch due to crumbling rubber “mupfel”
– Lost screw from luggage rack
