26 Comments
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Phil Nolan's avatar

Late catching up (again!) another great read “….. and I lose my shit at Jeremy” 🤣 Made be laugh that did x

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Paula Dear's avatar

😜

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Derek Jolly's avatar

Brilliant !

❤️

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Julian Griffiths's avatar

Wonderful stories again, glad you had a good rest. Nice camping. The chaos of Africa is hard sometimes, but you guys keep on going. Well done

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Paula Dear's avatar

Cheers! Yeah we’re happy that we have time to stop sometimes. All good!

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Clare Duke's avatar

Yep, the shit day write up was how I imagine it to be and of course what we want to hear 😜Good luck on the next bit.

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Paula Dear's avatar

🤣

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Sabine's avatar

Oh we love to read about your journey. It is so fascinating and we really belief That You are somewhat brave.

We met Jeremy about one year ago at Torre de Chia when you, Paula, have been away for a business trip. At this time none of the two of us could imagine that we will stay connected to Ivy and your stories.

Keep going and stay safe!

All the best, Axel and Sabine

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Paula Dear's avatar

Hey, thanks for your lovely words. I’m sorry I missed you in Sardinia! Of course Jeremy remembers you very well. Have you been enjoying your van?

We’ll keep going!

😎🚚

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GaryD's avatar

Love the map ! Courageous effort when you just can’t pick up phone to graphics😳The trauma story of difficult day at the end (and did it beat the worst toilet in Scotland- Trainspotting ?) reminds us you need to enjoy the good days to get through the bad. With you in spirit - thanks for the vivid account- safe travels ❤️

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Paula Dear's avatar

Oh I’ve also got ‘worst toilet’ stories if you want those too Gary!

How I would love to pick up the phone to graphics 🤣

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Richard Lister's avatar

Ooh leave us hanging why don’t you! You create such a wonderful sense of place, I can almost smell it. And don’t we have it so easy compared to most of the world…

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Paula Dear's avatar

Thank you!

I know, sometimes I compare these shopping days to a quick trip to Tesco and think about how easy life is for many people. Not to mention water, power, roads… and on and on. You back in blighty?

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Richard Lister's avatar

Not quite. Crossing to Portugal today and then UK for couple weeks. Then back to Arnie!

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Paula Dear's avatar

Ah, Portugal, fabulous. Very happy times there. Enjoy. (Have you explored the inland Alentejo yet? Evora, Monsaraz, Estremoz etc). Should be lovely at this time of year. We love it there 🍷)

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Richard Lister's avatar

Oh good to hear. We’ve been to Evora (amazing food!) and are definitely headed further into Alentejo. Lots to see… Good luck with your journey!

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Helen Foster's avatar

Blimey Paula, sometimes I am pulled away to a dreamy idyll and other times I am totally stressed out with you! A sign of outstanding writing I am sure. Glad you are keeping well , and it’s good to know you are like any other couple when things get hot and tricky!! Safe travels.?

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Paula Dear's avatar

You’ve nailed it! This is what Africa does to you - love, fear, joy, stress, amusement, frustration. And yes, of course we’re a normal couple. Don’t get me started on parking in a camping spot at the end of a long hot day 😆

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Helen Foster's avatar

🤣 I bet that is something to behold.

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Paula Dear's avatar

We really should sell tickets 😆

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Helen Foster's avatar

Or buy a go pro for the cab … abd live stream!!! 🤣🤪

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Paula Dear's avatar

Haha! It would be unbroadcastable.

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Anne's avatar

As usual so enjoyed reading all this. Just would like to know, since so often you are eating in tiny local places, have you had any stomach upsets???

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Paula Dear's avatar

I’ve been meaning to mention this but not wanting to jinx it! Astonishingly, in nearly 8 months we didn’t have a single issue. Just this week I had my first minor bout of something. Incredible really.

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Anne's avatar

That IS astonishing. You must be very good at choosing your restaurants or you both have solid constitution:))

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Paula Dear's avatar

It’s definitely not the former! There’s often no choice or we’re pretty indiscriminate (within reason).

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