Milos, general thoughts

We have arrived here on the island of Milos.

Our mission statement if you've read it says that we are riding to the island of Tinos, which is not far from here but let me explain.

We were aiming for Tinos to see some friends and possibly have a great big Greek party. We had a bit of an awakening after coming over the alps that this was not going to happen as they would already been on their return trip to Oxford by the time we arrived. The map was slung out on the floor and we discussed how possible it would have been to arrive before the 5th or 6th of September. The blow was that we were only about half way to Greece by this point and it would have been a handshake while passing through, which is not enough to smash plates, drink ouzo and dance. Dissapointed, we discussed other options.

Ryan and Efi had given us some great advice about other islands in the Cyclades and told us of the natural beauty and great beaches of Milos. They were not wrong. Its a tiny little island built for burning about on a C90 and eating Greek salads. The place is amazing. There are natural hot springs, amazing beaches, fantastic volcanic views, thrashing oceans one side and calm fish filled shallows on another. We shall stay for a week.

It feel very different doing something like this. Are we adventurers? Holiday makers? Idiots? Or have we done something more personally rewarding than any trip/holiday altogether? Not only do I feel a personal change since arriving on a paradise island (healthier, relaxed, some perspective gained) but also a sense of time and space that can be taken for granted in the hum drum of normal life. We have been through English and French countryside, sraight over the alps (including riding through a cloud), through extremely hairy Italian roads, boarded ferry's, through smokey cities, quiet villages and now on an island where finally nobody bats an eyelid at you ragging an old pizza bike around.

The important and most significant thing is that we have not stopped moving, we have never really arrived. Its all part of a process that you learn to enjoy all of, despite its highs and lows.

Bon and I must now plan our return, which I am already excited about as mad as it sounds. Jamie will have to bid us goodbye on Tuesday to catch a flight. This will mean our team is one down and a friend is no longer involved in the adventure, a prospect that is quite upsetting. The journey is over but in another way its only half way through.