Around The World With Buadhai -- 1977

**buadhai** · 18-09-2006, 08:01 PM

Back in early 1977 my life had sort of fallen apart. My Nicaraguan wife ran off with my best friend (with whom she'd been having an affair since before we were married). My attempt to buy a cabin in the Mendocino redwood forest fell through and I was stuck in a boring job with the government in Ukiah, California.

Inspired by a travel article in Stewart Brand's Whole Earth Catalog, I quit my job and took the cabin purchase down payment and started off on a trip around the world. My goal was to do the entire thing overland where ever possible and to only fly over the ocean or over borders that were closed to travelers.

I started out taking the train from Los Angeles to New York and then flying to Europe via a cheap flight on Icelandic Air, which was very popular in the years before airline deregulation.

In this thread I'll use few words and lots of pictures, starting out with the big route map:

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 02:02 PM

(Those of you who are British or for whom the thought of the English countryside induces waves of nausea might consider skipping this post and waiting for the next one.)

After landing in Luxembourg I headed straight across the Channel to London where I hoped to make some onward travel arrangements. I ended up at Trailfinders in Kensington where I booked a London to Katmandu overland trip with Exodus Expeditions and bought a few essential air tickets.

Unfortunately, my desire to quickly depart for Asia was thwarted. It was mid-March and the overland trip did not leave until May. I guess I had a hankering for some clotted cream and a hike across Dartmoor so I headed out for Devon.

I ended up staying at this small guesthouse called Brock Park just on the outskirts of the town of Chagford:

Brock Park

Brock Park Gate

Run by a retired vicar and his wife. (Couple on the left.)

The old Aga kept the place nice and warm.

Chagford is a lovely old town.

The countryside is beautiful.

With some nice little homes.

I stayed for a month exchanging labor for room and board. They needed someone who could cut glass, plant lettuce and keep the place in shape.

Druid circle on Dartmoor. I finally got my hike in.

Up next: A side trip to Scottland with some skiing in the Cairngorms and a look at the Isle of Skye.

More Here

**cantona** · 19-09-2006, 02:35 PM

Nice pics Bud. Do you still look like one of the Village People?

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 02:36 PM

Fit right in, don't I? (Notice my teeth weren't so yellow back then....)

**MeMock** · 19-09-2006, 02:41 PM

1977, wow I was only 1 year old then!

Can't believe you didn't make Australia, oh well your loss

Great thread - I look forward to reading more.

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by MeMock

Can't believe you didn't make Australia, oh well your loss

My tent mate on the London to Katmandu overland leg was an Aussie from Brisbane. I've been to visit and traveled all over Oz since then. You're right. Great place.

**NickA** · 19-09-2006, 03:30 PM

I was born in '77, but I'd always assumed MeMock was quite a bit older than me, don't know why! Sorry MM

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 03:40 PM

You mean I'm hanging out here with a bunch of kids?

**MeMock** · 19-09-2006, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by NickA

I was born in '77, but I'd always assumed MeMock was quite a bit older than me, don't know why! Sorry MM

Just shows how mature I am!!!

**Thetyim** · 19-09-2006, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by buadhai

You mean I'm hanging out here with a bunch of kids?

Sit down sonny

Don't you know when you are out-aged ?

**Gerbil** · 19-09-2006, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by buadhai

Fcuk me. That looks a bit grim. Not much of a nightlife scene then?

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Gerbil

That looks a bit grim. Not much of a nightlife scene then?

This is the English countryside, not bloody Patpong. Nightlife means squatting in the quiet pub with the sign out front that says "Ring 'O Bells" or something like that. It's there on the left. Must be 400 years old. Big old beams blackened by smoke, a fireplace big enough to live in and shiny belt buckles all over the walls.

**aging one** · 19-09-2006, 05:41 PM

Let me get AO and his Asian adventures over and you step up to the plate mate. Shouldnt be too damn much longer, its downhill after release. But with a chiller thrown in.

You have the pix down as well. Thanks to Marmers I have a few.

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 06:01 PM

OK. I'll wait to post the next installment after your Asian Adventures are done.

This is project is sort of push for me. I've had these photos digitized for years now and am just now getting them up on a web site. I thought if I committed to posting one episode a week here I might keep that project going as well.

**Thetyim** · 19-09-2006, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by buadhai

and shiny belt buckles all over the walls.

Do you mean horse brasses ?

**Gerbil** · 19-09-2006, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by buadhai

Originally Posted by Gerbil

That looks a bit grim. Not much of a nightlife scene then?

This is the English countryside, not bloody Patpong. Nightlife means squatting in the quiet pub with the sign out front that says "Ring 'O Bells" or something like that. It's there on the left. Must be 400 years old. Big old beams blackened by smoke, a fireplace big enough to live in and shiny belt buckles all over the walls.

So the old trout out front didnt get many barfines then?

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Do you mean horse brasses ?

Ah, a cultural ambassador. Just what I need right now. Yes, I suppose that's what they were.

As for the "old trout" out front; I'm afraid I'm insufficiently familiar with your customs and language to suss out your exact question....

**Thetyim** · 19-09-2006, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Gerbil

That looks a bit grim. Not much of a nightlife scene then?

Just try googling up
"The Chagford Merrymakers"
An evenings entertainment well worth forgetting, in fact I would wager a penny to a pound that BH had forgotten them on purpose.
They were famous because of the number of people who died of boredom during the entertainment

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 07:16 PM

Did I ever say that my stay in Chagford was exciting?

Picturesque? Quaint? Relaxing? Colder than a witch's tit?

All of the above, but certainly not exciting. Except of course when we pulled some sheep out of Grimpen Mire....

**klongmaster** · 19-09-2006, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by buadhai

You mean I'm hanging out here with a bunch of kids?

1948...so that makes me....well about you vintage BH

**buadhai** · 19-09-2006, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by klongmaster

1948...so that makes me....well about you vintage BH

We're a bit ancient now though, aren't we?

**aging one** · 19-09-2006, 07:46 PM

thanks budhai, I am posting more now. So I am waiting for yours. I did manage to send a photo via email today, so we may be going to get lucky. Well I sent it i still dont know if it got there.

**Butterfly** · 20-09-2006, 08:40 PM

What a lovely little town indeed. I love those trips back in time.

**Old Croc** · 20-09-2006, 08:53 PM

1948! As I'm the same vintage as you BH how come you keep trying to insult me by calling me old??

**dirtydog** · 20-09-2006, 10:33 PM

Damn, aint you dead yet you stroppy old coffin dodger

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