The archived Ride for Hope journey: Melbourne toward London, 2022–2024.https://muggeridge.au/en-auhttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/an-idea/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/an-idea/Most of us can identify that over time our lives can be divided into chapters. Some are obvious, and fairly universal: we all share at least the identifiable chapters of 1. infancy, 2. toddler years, 3. schooling. Most cultures mark the staSat, 11 Jun 2022 22:13:39 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/sleepless/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/sleepless/I feel like I haven’t slept a wink last night. My mind is churning with boyish excitement.Sun, 12 Jun 2022 07:38:11 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/im-cold/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/im-cold/Sitting here rugged up with the heater on in my lounge room with only the idea of a long ride to chill my bones, I’ve been pondering that I will take the season with me on a six-month ride from Melbourne to London. Whatever the season in whSun, 12 Jun 2022 15:00:16 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/feeling-flat/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/feeling-flat/I don’t expect I’ll keep up a diary daily, although these first few days that’s been the pattern.Mon, 13 Jun 2022 22:00:28 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bush-bikes-and-tech-dramas/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bush-bikes-and-tech-dramas/Well yesterday was a blast… out with a mate on my Honda CRF450 out at Narbathong ploughing through waist-deep puddles and sliding around muddy clay that is more slippery than I am skilled at riding. But so much fun.Sun, 19 Jun 2022 21:58:58 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/evolving-plans/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/evolving-plans/A big part of me would like to keep my plans pretty quiet. That’s significantly motivated by the fear that this ridiculously audacious and impossible endeavour might just not get off the ground.Sat, 25 Jun 2022 16:15:49 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/on-the-road/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/on-the-road/The day has come. I’ve packed up and cleaned my rental accomodation, filled three bike panniers with all I will have with me for the next months, and rolled out of Melbourne. A big ride today. All the way to (just north of) Adelaide. LeftTue, 08 Nov 2022 10:53:08 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/disasters-come-in-threes/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/disasters-come-in-threes/Up at 6 this morning with a plan for a quick pack and to post haste head north. Packing took ages, and I wasn’t on the road until around 8:30. Not the end of the world. Went to the local supermarket for much needed supplies, and ate my muWed, 09 Nov 2022 03:51:24 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/woomera/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/woomera/I got the tent set up only just before it bucketed down with rain tonight. The storm chasing my up the highway finally convinced me to pull in here, and I’m glad I did. It leaves a longer ride ahead tomorrow if I’m going to stay on track Wed, 09 Nov 2022 12:02:10 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/northern-territory/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/northern-territory/Rode 860km today. Going ok. The roads are long, straight, and nearly empty. And those roads have delivered me to the land of the 130km/h speed limit (NT)! I am pretty sure this is the first time I’ve been to the Territory, which seems stranThu, 10 Nov 2022 11:00:43 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/mataranka-and-4-hours-to-darwin/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/mataranka-and-4-hours-to-darwin/Almost there… to major stop one on the way to London. 3,400km down. 450km to go. It’s cooler today than the last few days - “only” 36 degrees. I’m still dripping like a watering spout. While I’m riding at least there’s a 120km/h breezeSat, 12 Nov 2022 09:19:25 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/camping-illegally-in-darwin/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/camping-illegally-in-darwin/Well I’m here. A long but not ridiculous day of riding. Any time I stopped, the sweat taps turn on. Ain’t pretty, but there’s no point telling this story and leaving out the gory bits. Actually I suspect the sweat taps are on while I’m Sat, 12 Nov 2022 09:36:48 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/rest-day-in-darwin/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/rest-day-in-darwin/I can’t for the life of me figure out why anyone would want to live life without a 24-hour rest each week. I’ve learned more recently to love a “sunset to sunset” rhythm, which marks the beginning moment to “down tools” each (for me) SaturSun, 13 Nov 2022 12:37:15 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/down-at-the-pub-on-the-docks/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/down-at-the-pub-on-the-docks/Today has been a slower pace. Had extended coffee and breakkie with Joey, who I met a few months back incidentally through work (Oho). As always, talked much about a wide range of things, which was a great way to add some “personal” to thMon, 14 Nov 2022 09:35:57 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/servicing-new-tires-and-a-bit-of-admin/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/servicing-new-tires-and-a-bit-of-admin/I was in at BM Motorcycles in Ringwood (Melb) only two weeks back, buying better bike jacket and pants for the rigours of a crazy ride through Asia’s wet season. Conversation turned to what I’m up to, and Chris asked about how recently the Wed, 16 Nov 2022 02:08:28 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/sunset-dinner-at-the-beach/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/sunset-dinner-at-the-beach/Monday afternoon and evening I was down at “the local” enjoying good conversation in a very-not-tourist bar at the docks. The aim was to work towards finding passage for the bike and the boy on the same boat. The conversation in the end dWed, 16 Nov 2022 09:12:30 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/the-search-for-passage-continues/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/the-search-for-passage-continues/Getting the bike serviced and the new tires yesterday was pretty uneventful, and I’m reminded again what a blessing it was to even manage to get that booked in. I’d just paid and was getting my gear on when the typical afternoon thunderstoThu, 17 Nov 2022 11:32:51 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/its-a-really-social-project/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/its-a-really-social-project/Any who knows me will know that I’m an introvert – quite extreme, actually. That speaks to the reality that I recharge from alone time. It means I will run my batteries flat if I’m with too many people for two long without a break. ThankSun, 20 Nov 2022 12:02:18 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/on-a-boat/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/on-a-boat/Well… after all that searching, I’m now on a boat! Isn’t it something how “half the story” can sound so much better than “the full story”? You’ve met Allan before – he was very warm and hospitable when he and I first ran into each other oTue, 22 Nov 2022 03:06:55 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/circles/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/circles/It seems I’ve saturated the possible Timor Leste leads. Still lots of conversations and plenty of energy, but they’re going around in circles now and every recent lead has doubled back on previous ideas. On the face of it, that seems I maWed, 23 Nov 2022 08:19:42 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-mad-idea/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-mad-idea/How shocked would you be if I had a mad idea? Glenn at Dinah’s Beach is looking to sell a 40’ motorboat. Apparently it needs only a small amount of work to be seaworthy… except for the small issue of it having no motor. So… what if I buy Wed, 23 Nov 2022 12:03:27 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/mad-idea-evolution/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/mad-idea-evolution/Yesterday’s mad idea hasn’t survived… exactly. But it has evolved. I’m now looking around to see if there are yachts I could buy, sail, and sell. All with Allan’s help, of course. Got an appointment for 3pm tomorrow with one candidate. Thu, 24 Nov 2022 08:16:18 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-bit-of-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-bit-of-video/After hours of struggling with iMovie on an iPad, I’ve put together a bit of a summary of the trip from Melbourne to Darwin. Here ‘tis: https://youtu.be/XJqZLxxaY1I It’s probably way too long, but it has taken me a couple of days of wresThu, 24 Nov 2022 08:21:17 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/who-am-i/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/who-am-i/Identity is such a key topic, on which most of the rest of our life is built. And yet it is a topic to which most of us usually give precious-little attention.Sun, 27 Nov 2022 17:02:29 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/slowing-to-5-knots/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/slowing-to-5-knots/You may have gathered that I usually run a fast pace. That pace gets things done, and combined with my trademark stubbornness it can achieve outcomes against the odds. Often that’s positive, but like most things it will become unbalanced Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:17:22 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/growing-expectation-settling-rhythm/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/growing-expectation-settling-rhythm/I’ve given myself the week what unfolds in Darwin towards Timor. Three basic options remain:Thu, 01 Dec 2022 21:52:47 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dinah-beach-membership/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dinah-beach-membership/A week ago I’d suggested to Allan that I stay for this week and then reassess. That week is up now. So we’ve set another reassess point for two weeks from now. I now doubt very much I’ll be north of Darwin before Christmas, but over thesSat, 03 Dec 2022 23:41:33 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/the-d-word/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/the-d-word/It is done. The Deputy Registrar made a divorce order this morning. There ends 24 years, 11 months and 3 weeks of marriage. Well, not quite – as the order takes effect in a month and a day from now. So we’ll still technically be marriedMon, 05 Dec 2022 11:53:10 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-few-quiet-days/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-few-quiet-days/I didn’t make time to write to my diary Sunday night, and yesterday I didn’t have the wherewithal beyond the heaviness of the divorce topic. But Sunday was really lovely. After morning church I had a Boost Juice lunch (in honour of my dauWed, 07 Dec 2022 00:07:21 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/companions-in-crazy/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/companions-in-crazy/I returned a call yesterday from a mobile number not in my contacts. I was pretty sure it was going to be the all-common all-nuisance spammer. “Hi Daniel. Thanks for calling back. ’name’s Taylor. I saw the posters from your motorbike aFri, 09 Dec 2022 17:08:07 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/litchfield-park/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/litchfield-park/Another stunning NT day – high 30s and hardly a cloud in the sky as I rode the 90 minutes to Litchfield National Park on Wednesday. It was an easy ride, with straight, empty roads. Much of the park was closed for wet season, but there werFri, 09 Dec 2022 20:53:08 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-quarter-of-a-century/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-quarter-of-a-century/Twenty five years ago today, Kathryn and I stood at the alter and promised ourselves to each other. So much good has come of that – starting with our children Georgia, Amy, Ruby and Andrew. It has had many joys, mixed with hardship and plTue, 13 Dec 2022 21:46:04 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dyneema-day/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dyneema-day/Finally! The specialised “Dyneema” rope and turnbuckles have arrived for the mast stays. WOHOO!Wed, 14 Dec 2022 23:59:25 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/darwin-to-timor/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/darwin-to-timor/Come sailing to Timor! The S.V. Huey is looking for a volunteer to make up a third crew for sailing to Timor in January 2023. From there, options can be discussed to:Sat, 17 Dec 2022 08:28:52 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-very-varied-weekend/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-very-varied-weekend/My weekend started with a working bee in the yacht club. A clearing out green waste in 35+ degrees isn’t something I want to do every day. Hats off to those who do. Allan and I then did a bit of re-machining to fix new cleats to the yachMon, 19 Dec 2022 01:57:05 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/minor-movements/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/minor-movements/Plenty of things haven’t moved recently: I’m still marking time, still (passively) looking for passage to Timor, still helping where I can to get SV Huey back in the water asap as the best option for transit. It still looks like Huey will Sat, 24 Dec 2022 00:29:30 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/house-sitting/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/house-sitting/A different style of update today just to mix it up: https://youtu.be/eHqDM1cWzi8 Christmas is most definitely better shared with loved ones. I was glad to spend an hour at church this morning surrounded by people, but my roast beef and Sun, 25 Dec 2022 19:36:32 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/money-laundering-and-other-non-events/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/money-laundering-and-other-non-events/A certainly wouldn’t have anticipated I’d end up involved in money laundering on this trip, or any other time. Life can take surprising twists. But I’ll get to that later. It has been a slow couple of days. I used to cheekily say I had aWed, 28 Dec 2022 16:54:39 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/plans-evolve-again/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/plans-evolve-again/The yacht maintenance is within striking distance now. With a good run at it I’m confident we’d get it in the water quickly enough, as this New Year kicks into gear. Sounds like good news? Not so fast. Over the Christmas and NY period ITue, 03 Jan 2023 13:17:37 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/options/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/options/I’ve had a couple of people check in to find out where my diary has gone. Truth is I’ve still got nothing to say. With a cyclone coming through NT a week back, Allan has now declared that the Huey won’t be going anywhere until the dry seaFri, 13 Jan 2023 11:55:10 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/the-ten-commandments/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/the-ten-commandments/Exodus chapter 20 in the Bible records God’s decrees handed down through Moses for His people. Our generation and culture is not at all comfortable with this Law. I offer an observation here with bated breath, not myself daring to “go up Sun, 15 Jan 2023 18:46:54 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/still-waiting-with-an-update-on-where-and-how/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/still-waiting-with-an-update-on-where-and-how/Somehow there the mills seem to have sprung a rumour that I’m on my way to Singapore. Sorry to disappoint – that’s just not true. I’m still sweating it out in Darwin. It seems that my best action is still inaction; still just waiting to Sun, 15 Jan 2023 23:03:45 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/just-like-the-movies/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/just-like-the-movies/Yesterday’s Food Bank volunteering was eye-opening. The volume of food that flows through the warehouse is jaw-dropping. Some of it perfectly good quality, and of course ranging from there to a reasonable amount that will feed the local pTue, 17 Jan 2023 18:42:12 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/how-are-you-really/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/how-are-you-really/I was chatting with a good mate yesterday, who said “I’ve been reading your blog [diary], but still want to know how you’re doing… how you’re really doing”. I shared some thoughts then which I realise now haven’t really made it into this dWed, 18 Jan 2023 12:34:41 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/twists-and-turns/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/twists-and-turns/Yesterday started at 7:30am at Food Bank. Day two… and I got “a promotion”! Many of the volunteers who were there yesterday were on day release from prison, so I guess I was a pretty clear choice, given that there were too few drivers forSat, 21 Jan 2023 00:11:12 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bike-and-boy-booked-beyond-the-border/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bike-and-boy-booked-beyond-the-border/Strangely, it was the airport – not the docks – to which I took my bike this morning for Customs to give it an official stamp. The stamped CPD – or Carnet De Passages En Douane – serves very much like your (human) passport, but for vehicleTue, 24 Jan 2023 21:28:54 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bit-of-a-disaster/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bit-of-a-disaster/I had a reasonably relaxed day most of today. Watched two Americans fight it out for a place in the AO semi finals – surprisingly engaging match. Finished reading “Purpose Driven Life”. Got a couple of certified copies of my Driver’s LicThu, 26 Jan 2023 00:04:01 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/keep-calm-and-have-a-cuppa-tea/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/keep-calm-and-have-a-cuppa-tea/Losing a passport and driver’s license is not really a small thing. Last night I’d re-traced the ride between several of my destinations, hoping in vain with lights on high beam to pick up something in the middle of the road or in the guttThu, 26 Jan 2023 11:41:21 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/no-backsies/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/no-backsies/It’s been a strange day today. Calm. Imminent. The beginning of the end of the Aussie chapter of my adventure ride. I started today with a coffee at the Botanical Garden. It’s hard to say exactly what my favourite part of Darwin would Fri, 27 Jan 2023 23:07:05 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/boarding-lounges-and-fulcrums/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/boarding-lounges-and-fulcrums/Very little of the last few days has looked anything like I’d expected. That’s probably just as well, as I’d expected a weekend without sensible transport and almost entirely alone and without activity or external focus. Having a couple oMon, 30 Jan 2023 13:04:17 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dili-dally-no-longer/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dili-dally-no-longer/Getting from Darin to Dili this afternoon was so much of a non-event it was almost a let-down! In this case I’m very glad of the pedestrian, simple, easy day. It was more of a drama getting a boarding pass from Qantas than getting into TiTue, 31 Jan 2023 00:42:53 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/contacting-daniel/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/contacting-daniel/Just a quick word. For anyone who wants to contact me now I’m out of Aus, please use WhatsApp or other data-powered tools, and not SMS or phone. My Aussie service is currently switched off because it wasn’t working, but even if I get thatTue, 31 Jan 2023 00:46:33 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dili-day-one/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dili-day-one/Transport costs very little here in Dili, but taxis or even public buses would have robbed me of much of my day-one sense of the Timor Leste. I prefer to explore and experience “for real” the cultures through which I travel, not just catchThu, 02 Feb 2023 02:12:33 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/peaceful/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/peaceful/My ears are chewed very definitely off. And I’ve been in Timor only one out of at least four weeks. This introvert is going to need more time out, perhaps wandering along the beaches. A thick Bangladeshi accent features consistently in tSat, 04 Feb 2023 13:33:33 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/shifted/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/shifted/I’ve shifted accomodation.Tue, 07 Feb 2023 19:28:43 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/some-local-community/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/some-local-community/It’s been a surprisingly busy week, on my current activity scale. I’ve joined a choir, hopelessly out of my depth. We’re signing a brief medley of songs next Sunday to farewell one of the original choir members from years ago. “Once a joMon, 13 Feb 2023 00:36:10 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-few-other-details/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-few-other-details/I’ve woken up this morning with conjunctivitis. Yuck. I am the fifth of five of us at this residence to do so. I was just at risk of getting proud of myself for having resisted while others fell like flies around me. The Dili chemist saThu, 16 Feb 2023 15:11:51 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/rice-planting/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/rice-planting/Thankfully my conjunctivitis convalescence was conveniently curtailed. I’m not sure if it was the super-strength, single-dose, over-the-counter antibiotics, or if it was the eye drops, or if it was just that my bout was never going to be mWed, 22 Feb 2023 01:45:07 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/beyond-dili/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/beyond-dili/I’ve got a bike! No – mine hasn’t arrived yet, and has suffered even more transit delays (grrr!) – but the borrowed Honda has been just wonderful to get around on my own agTue, 28 Feb 2023 19:21:52 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dili-days-video-reprisal/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/dili-days-video-reprisal/My video is still a long way behind any written notes, but I’ve finally put together a summary of my first week or so in Dili. Please enjoy, if you have nothing better to do for 20 minutes. https://youtu.be/qJex31DQD6I This video correTue, 28 Feb 2023 19:33:01 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-rice-planting-in-talifurlau-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-rice-planting-in-talifurlau-video/https://youtu.be/qNWlre1Xnfk See diary entry on rice planting for commentary and photosTue, 28 Feb 2023 20:23:52 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-laclubar-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-laclubar-video/https://youtu.be/2U2EerfGnMc This video reprises diary notes on time “beyond Dili”.Mon, 06 Mar 2023 01:23:40 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-eastern-loop/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-eastern-loop/It has been wonderful to take a generously-loaned 150cc Honda touring around Timor Leste’s eastern half this last week. What a trip! I planned three days, but the road had other ideas. I’ve kept diary notes each day, and batched them up Mon, 06 Mar 2023 19:48:52 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/progress/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/progress/I’ll admit it is a head spin. One moment it feels like weeks until any possible progress towards Indonesia. The next it is imminent. This morning took a few leaps and bounds in that direction. A little email exchange with the shipping lMon, 06 Mar 2023 19:53:27 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/reunited-ride-on/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/reunited-ride-on/I could hardly dare believe it, but just as promised, I was reunited with my bike this morning. Rob’s loaned CB150 had a good thorough ($1) wash yesterday. This morning I filled it with fuel, and headed in to Rob’s offices.Wed, 08 Mar 2023 21:55:09 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/on-my-way/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/on-my-way/I dropped in this morning to the ferry booking office, just to confirm tomorrow’s sailing details. I’m really glad I did, as it turns out the sailing is 5pm today not tomorrow.Thu, 09 Mar 2023 19:20:18 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/border-crossing-the-hard-way/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/border-crossing-the-hard-way/The boat from Dili to Oecussi is is an overnight sailing scheduled from 5pm to 5am. The vessel is modern and well presented. But not designed for comfort. The chairs do not recline, and people sleep simply anywhere and everywhere, both insFri, 10 Mar 2023 23:13:28 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/comedy-of-errors/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/comedy-of-errors/I have again combined a couple of days diary into one post, largely since data and battery issues have prevented me from posting more frequently. Writing on Saturday After hours wrestling without success to get data on my phone working onMon, 13 Mar 2023 22:47:22 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/exhale-in-kupang/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/exhale-in-kupang/I just cannot walk 5 steps without someone yelling “MISTER!”. Half the scooter riders even yell it as they ride me walking. Maybe it means “hello foreigner”. Or perhaps “That’s funny – a man fell in the bleach!” It definitely expresses surpWed, 15 Mar 2023 14:02:29 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/exhale-in-kupang-addendum/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/exhale-in-kupang-addendum/Had lunch today, Wednesday, at a local restaurant on my way home from the day’s walk. Same as almost any meal – rice, veggies and a little chicken. I was of a mind to skip dinner tonight as I am trying to eat less, but noticed on Google MapThu, 16 Mar 2023 01:36:40 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/east-nusa-tenggara/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/east-nusa-tenggara/Kupang homestay paid and packed, I found my way back to the docks, and sat with ticket in hand ready and waiting in good time to get on the ferry to Aimere. That was a good opportunity to start adding some photos to the previous few diary Sun, 19 Mar 2023 04:56:57 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/west-nusa-tenggara/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/west-nusa-tenggara/That was fast and intense! I ferried into West Nusa Tenggara one day, and out of the other side of it the next day. The ferry into WNT was much more pleasant than that into ENT. There were a few corners where I could hide from the noise aMon, 20 Mar 2023 00:45:59 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/lombok/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/lombok/Lombok is truly beautiful. By far the most beautiful of the places through which I’ve been on this trip to date, and that is saying something. I have an instinct it will outshine Bali, too. Time will tell.Thu, 23 Mar 2023 01:50:27 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/photos/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/photos/At long last I hope I’ve finally got my head around the problems and a workaround in WordPress that have been playing havoc with photo formatting. Photo galleries (with click-through to the full-size image) have now been added to:Thu, 23 Mar 2023 04:06:44 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/maps-and-galleries/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/maps-and-galleries/I was chatting with a helpful reader recently who hadn’t realised there’s a bit of info beyond the diary posts on this website. It was suggested I highlight these to make it easier to follow the ride progress. So here ‘tis:Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:06:02 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-eastern-loop-part-i-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-eastern-loop-part-i-video/This post reprises the Timor-Leste – Eastern Loop diary entry, having finally edited some long-overdue video content.Sat, 25 Mar 2023 05:52:39 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bali/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bali/Places can be beautiful, and experiences can be exhilarating. But it consistently continues to be people that highlight my road trip. Bali has been no different.Sat, 25 Mar 2023 17:40:01 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/java-diy-camping/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/java-diy-camping/The ferry from Bali to Java hardly has time to get to cruising speed before it has to slow for docking. It was easy, quick, and effective. From there I’ve ridden down to the south east corner of Java, and had my tent up just before I lostSun, 26 Mar 2023 00:16:03 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/java-rest-day/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/java-rest-day/Today has not turned out as I’d expected. Without finding a church, I’d anticipated a day hanging around at my DIY campsite, right on the beach. It is peaceful here, and really quite lovely. So that was definitely a positive prospect. JSun, 26 Mar 2023 22:54:19 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-eastern-loop-part-ii-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/timor-leste-eastern-loop-part-ii-video/This post follows Timor-Leste – Eastern Loop Part I (video) as the second of a two-part video, reprising the Timor-Leste – Eastern Loop diary entry.Mon, 27 Mar 2023 01:37:55 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bromo-bad-brakes-and-beaut-blokes/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bromo-bad-brakes-and-beaut-blokes/Up early, I hit the road yesterday after a casual pack up at a relatively lazy 8am. After torrential rain the day before, I needed an hour or two of sunlight so I didn’t pack a soaked tent. If not for attempting to dry the tent I’d have beTue, 28 Mar 2023 23:59:45 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/kang-jj/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/kang-jj/Let’s wind the clock back for a moment. Faisal is an adventure rider who happened to stop by to check if I was ok when I crashed in West Timor a few weeks back. We exchanged numbers and have kept a little in touch. Faisal inquired about Thu, 30 Mar 2023 20:16:02 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/west-timor-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/west-timor-video/This video reprises several diary entries including Border crossing the hard way and Comedy of Errors.Thu, 30 Mar 2023 20:45:24 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/something-new-instagram/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/something-new-instagram/Ok, ok… Instagram is hardly new. But I have staunchly pushed back on having my own account these 13 years since it was launched. It’s new that I’ve got an account. I can hear “it’s about time” echoing through the Indonesian (and AustraliThu, 30 Mar 2023 20:52:04 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/contrasts/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/contrasts/All of Indonesia has been amazingly beautiful scenery. The route to and from Kang JJ’s added the fresh ingredient of extinct volcanoes. The steep triangle with the cap ominously cut off has a splendour, grandeur, and a powerful majesty toWed, 05 Apr 2023 20:55:51 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/tech-issues-hopefully-sorted/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/tech-issues-hopefully-sorted/If you’ve been following along with my road trip you may have found the website a bit problematic over the last month or so, and worse over the last weeks. It has been completely down over the last couple of days. Warwick has kindly led aWed, 05 Apr 2023 21:05:39 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/east-nusa-tenggara-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/east-nusa-tenggara-video/This post reprises East Nusa Tenggara.Wed, 05 Apr 2023 21:11:04 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/west-nusa-tenggara-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/west-nusa-tenggara-video/This video reprises West Nusa Tenggara:Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:34:38 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/lombok-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/lombok-video/This video reprises the diary entry for Lombok.Fri, 07 Apr 2023 13:48:17 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/johns-jakarta/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/johns-jakarta/It was a very full week. I got into Jakarta late and tired Saturday night (2/4/2023), delighted to see Google tick over to the last 50km left to my destination. Almost there! So I thought. I paid no attention to the 3 hour time Google qSat, 08 Apr 2023 00:45:40 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-stack-on-sumatras-south-shore/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-stack-on-sumatras-south-shore/The ride from Jakarta to the Sumatra ferry was uneventful. Traffic was minimal due to Muslim holidays.Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:11:40 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/back-online-again-sort-of/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/back-online-again-sort-of/Dear reader I’m holed up in a tent in a thunderstorm on Penang Island in Malaysia. What better time to write in my diary? It’s a little cramped, but otherwise really peaceful. The rolling thunder is a great reminder of how small we all Mon, 24 Apr 2023 23:29:19 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bali-video/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/bali-video/This diary entry reprises the Bali diary entry.Mon, 24 Apr 2023 23:44:06 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/north-sumatra/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/north-sumatra/[Note there are no photos in this post, hopefully just until some tech issues are sorted] I felt a bit hurried through Sumatra. In a way that’s strange, because in reality I’ve had a bit of hurry and impatience about me for the whole trTue, 25 Apr 2023 00:31:29 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/malaysia-to-thailand-problems-come-in-threes/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/malaysia-to-thailand-problems-come-in-threes/It has been a full day. I’ve been kept on my toes with at least the usual quota of things going wrong. But all has ended well. The pack up from camping on one of Penang Island’s beaches was smooth and trouble-free. I set off a bit late Wed, 26 Apr 2023 03:03:01 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/long-on-kilometres-short-on-news/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/long-on-kilometres-short-on-news/There was nothing much to report from today. So here I am dutifully reporting… well… nothing much. Today was uneventful; just 740kms (that’s a lot for a day in Asia, but only a short ride in Aus!) of wide, straight, rolling, empty highwayWed, 26 Apr 2023 22:55:40 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/sulking/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/sulking/I’m having a bit of a sulk today. In a funk about my family breakdown most of the time, to a degree, and of course some times are more acute than others. Today is one of those “more” days. [I’ve written and then, on advice, edited out a Sat, 29 Apr 2023 22:07:25 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/thailands-north/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/thailands-north/Malaysia and Thailand have afforded much speedier progress than through Indonesia’s winding, ferry-interrupted roads. That at least feels a bit like I’m making decent progress on the road trip. But… I’m still stuck this side of Myanmar. Thu, 04 May 2023 02:19:08 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/contribution-conversation-and-coffee/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/contribution-conversation-and-coffee/We are designed to contribute, to be productive. For most of us, I expect that life can be fulfilling only to the extent that our days are invested for others. That contribution comes in countless different colours, flavours, and varietieFri, 05 May 2023 14:05:28 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/border-adventures/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/border-adventures/The last few days in Thailand’s Phrao were full of people time in a wide range of settings. A few more coffee-teaching classes, lots of English conversations, meeting the parents of a village kids’ outreach program, a farewell dinner last Tue, 09 May 2023 01:50:05 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/half-way/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/half-way/Well who’d have thunk? It turns out that as the crow flies, my unplanned sojourn in Luang Prabang is pretty close to exactly 9,000km both to Melbourne and to London. This occurred to me only an hour or so after I stumbled this afternoon aThu, 11 May 2023 23:36:08 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/misty-mountain-majesty/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/misty-mountain-majesty/Today has been a day of contrasts. I packed up from a hostel in Luang Prabang, which turns out to be quite a tourist town. Walking out of the hotel I found a young Chinese couple leaning on my bike for a photo! They were a bit shocked toFri, 12 May 2023 23:21:29 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/surprise/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/surprise/Today has been full of surprises. After packing up my camp site I stopped in Vang Vieng for a coffee, hoping from the cool decor it might be decent. It was really quite good! In fact, for I think the first time since Australia I was ableSun, 14 May 2023 01:48:15 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/one-handed-diary-entry/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/one-handed-diary-entry/CONTENT WARNING In fact I genuinely wish you wouldn’t read this. I don’t want to even write it. But this diary is first for my own purpose and if I leave out the bad bits it won’t do what it is designed to do. Feel free to go watch NetfWed, 17 May 2023 20:17:06 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-chip-on-my-shoulder/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/a-chip-on-my-shoulder/It’s been said of me before today. But never before was it meant literally. I do now have a verified chip on my actual shoulder. An X-ray this afternoon has confirmed that I did in fact break my humerus in Tuesday’s crash. Not funny. ISat, 20 May 2023 00:20:07 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/home-for-hospital/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/home-for-hospital/I can’t say enough how strengthening are all the messages of support and encouragement. It is only ever the briefest of moments I’ve felt the least bit lonely over the last six months on the road, and much of that strength is from the sensTue, 23 May 2023 06:37:41 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/surgical-prevarication/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/surgical-prevarication/After finally being allowed to board the Bangkok-Sydney flight, getting to Melbourne was relatively uncomplicated. A mate Rob collected me from the airport and we drove straight to the ER room at Box Hill hospital. The rest of the day wasWed, 24 May 2023 23:58:51 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/re-entry/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/re-entry/The rhythm of the road was such a different energy to the sudden and unexpected return to Aus. It’s quite a slap across the face to suddenly be back in and around familiar places, culture, people. Not at all in a bad way, obviously, but eThu, 01 Jun 2023 21:30:17 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/second-opinions-and-coffee-conversations/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/second-opinions-and-coffee-conversations/I saw a surgeon this morning, who is independent of the public hospital system that has seen me these past two weeks. That in itself seems a minor miracle, as I only spoke with a GP on Friday for a referral. Monday (yesterday) morning I tTue, 06 Jun 2023 22:54:12 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/improvements-feedback-and-whats-next/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/improvements-feedback-and-whats-next/My smashed shoulder is improving daily, mostly only by small degrees. In aggregate that is still far more improvement than I had expected. My mood and temperament is bouncing hourly, much like a yo-yo. Overall that is I guess exactly as Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:56:25 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/slowly/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/slowly/Things are moving. Slowly. It’s about 7 weeks since I smashed my shoulder in a bike accident. The bone bits will now apparently be mostly “cemented” – exactly where the accident redistributed them. Given that the gaps between fragments Sat, 08 Jul 2023 12:16:17 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/sabbatical-take-two/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/sabbatical-take-two/I’m sitting here as I write in beautiful accomodation in glorious country farming landscape. The afternoon sun is streaming in warmly through the otherwise crisp winter’s clean, clear air. A dozen tiny wrenTue, 25 Jul 2023 15:21:05 GMThttps://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/monday-calls-sabbatical-draws-to-a-close/https://muggeridge.au/rideforhope/journal/monday-calls-sabbatical-draws-to-a-close/This feels like it may have been the world’s longest Sabbatical. But. I’m glad to say… My career break has now drawn to a close. Yes, it is the end of a Sabbatical. Yet as one adventure finishes, a whole new adventure dawns. And isn’tSat, 06 Apr 2024 23:40:09 GMT