We always expected the completion of our Round The World motorcycle trip to bring a rollercoaster of emotions. How will we adjust to no longer being on the road, will we miss the freedom and exhilaration of the unknown, will we miss the excitement of the road, of making our plans as we go, of discovering new places, of meeting new people? As we were nearing the end of the trip, knowing we could celebrate an achievement we would never have dreamed of before the idea of making such a trip came to us out of the blue about 2 years ago, we knew we were no longer the same people and our outlook on life had changed. We were looking forward to seeing family and friends again, looking forward to reminiscing on some aspects of the trip as we found out the areas that interested people. We did expect to feed off the high of our achievement for a while as we readjusted to a new chapter in our lives. This was not to be!!
Coming back to ‘normal’ life happened for us with a thud. It was a bit brutal to say the least. The biggest change was completely unexpected: an undiagnosed and untreated illness that started hitting Anthony 2 months before the end of the trip and continued for another 2 months. What started as an irritating itch, turned into bursting blisters appearing on his back, backside, under his arms, his fingers and eventually all over his body, except his face. His skin itches all over his body all the time. The most difficult time for him is 15′ after waking up at around 5am and continues for about 6 hours. It eventually calms down and becomes more bearable. To say that this period has been extremely stressful and distressing is no exaggeration. Whenever I think of Anthony’s state, my stomach churns and my heart cries quietly. I try not to worry about his condition too much, as I watch him scratch silently, or I lather his body throughout the day with more anti-itch or steroid cream, find new blisters and cover individual burst blisters with antiseptic ointment. His blisters range from 1cm in diameter to 5cm. Some patches of skin are red raw. His days consist of scratching or napping during the day giving his body some much needed rest… It has been all consuming for the past couple of months. The experts we saw warned us of it most likely being an auto immune disease. Anthony resigned himself to having to manage his condition for the rest of his life. At least the first biopsy determined that his condition was not contagious and we would finally be able to visit family together. Having visited a few doctors, emergency departments, 3 dermatologists, had one inconclusive biopsy done, we pinned our hopes on getting a diagnosis on 2nd November from the Saint-Louis hospital in Paris where the 2nd biopsy was done. This hospital is reputed for being one of the very best for dermatology and hematology in Europe.
We had wondered how we would cope returning to ‘normal life!?!? Ha, we have come down from any high we might have had alright!!! We were in a holding pattern until 2nd November, one month after his 2nd biopsy. The surgeon in Paris warned us that if Anthony’s skin condition worsened, there was a risk that his whole skin could peel off. Not reassuring to say the least!
We are relieved to report we have a diagnosis on Anthony’s skin problem, it is easily cured and it is not an auto immune disease. An enormous relief, which has not quite sunk in yet. But…. we are embarrassed to report that it is contagious and we have potentially passed it onto anyone we have seen and hugged over the past few months. We have scabies – la gale!!! Yes, both of us. Anthony got a bullous impetigo, staphylococcus, from scratching, and continued infecting himself. His blisters masked the original scabies problem. Because my condition only manifested itself with tiny spots or red patches here and there and itching, albeit severe especially at night, I put it down to a gluten intolerance and just put up with it. Ha!! SlowSpeeds indeed!!!!
What a come back to earth!! Our RTW trip seems like a lifetime away, as the past 8 weeks have been all consuming with itching and worry and trying desperately and in vain to get our travel insurance to help us. We finally decided to return home as soon as possible after our 2nd visit to Saint-Louis in Paris. We have left Streak and Storm in storage for now, with all our riding gear and travel equipment for ??? Not sure how long, that will depend on Anthony’s health…
Our time in Europe has not been all bad of course, because we did manage to see our immediate family a few times each. Precious, precious moments. And we were thoroughly spoilt. After a month visiting family, we did feel the need to reconnect with nature and went to Yorkshire and Scotland for a week. It reminded us that one does not have to travel the world to find beauty. It is all around us. (Unfortunately, I only had my old iPhone to capture these sights as my camera batteries decided they would no longer recharge)
Reeth, Yorkshire
Yorkshire Dales national park
Loch Iubhair
Loch Tulla, Scotland
Loch na h-Achlaise, Scotland
Scotland
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Urquhart castle on Loch Ness
Whisky & Wine store in Edinburgh
Trying 3 new single malts in the Bow Bar
Durham cathedral
Inside Durham cathedral
We have both taken our scabies treatment, are no longer contagious and are good to go (although itching will take another couple of weeks to subside as our anti bodies continue to fight). We leave Europe on Sunday 8th November, Anthony’s birthday!! We have now said our goodbyes to our family, until next time… Streak and Storm are resting in a climate controlled storage place, until next time… In a couple of days, we will be home, over 2 years since we left. How odd that after driving our hire cars for the past few weeks with my mobile recharging in it, only today, the day we said our final goodbyes before returning to Australia, does my mobile suddenly decide to play Gurrumul Yunupingu’s album – it feels like a sign, it is time, home is calling…!! I suddenly feel homesick, I miss the bush… It will be lovely to be home and catch up with friends.
While traveling around Europe for 2 months, all we had with us was one small on-board wheelie bag each. What is all this stuff that fill our cupboards back home and what were we thinking when we brought all this stuff over with us 2 years ago?! One thing we are certain of, we are no longer attached to ‘things’ and our first priority, after getting our phones and internet reconnected at home, is to declutter.
We have a busy time ahead and an exciting new stage in our lives awaits us …
– Anne
2slowspeeds 
Dear anne..
I hope ,you will have a new stage with happy & helthly .. 🙂
Good life for you ,
The good life for me ,
And ..
A good life for all in new year 2016 . . . 🙂 🙂
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Thank you Sohrab. Take care too and see you when we next visit Iran. With warmest wishes for a great year ahead.
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Poor Anthony! It must have been hell putting up with that for so long. But what a relief to know it is easily treatable. Leaves me worrying about the competence of all those medics you saw.
I hope you enjoy home as much as your adventures. And I suspect some more adventures will capture your imaginations before too long. And Anne, just throw away your camera. What you capture with your phone camera is already so superior to most landscape / portrait photography by pros.
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Yes it was hell for Anthony and pretty worrying. Thank you for your kind comments on my photos. And you are right about our next adventures – we are spoilt for choice!!! Take care!
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Thank goodness you persisted and finally received a diagnosis. Best of health to you both and many happy returns to Anthony for the 8th. Looking forward to hearing you are well rested and settling in for the time being! Also, to find out more about your wonderful trip. Love Jenny and family
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Thank goodness indeed!! Looking forward to catching up once we’re back on line. Xx
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Wow – what a painful end to the trip but at least the good news is that it is curable, it must have been hell to suffer through. Looking forward to seeing you down under, the photos of Yorkshire make me feel nostalgic.
See you soon – what a fantastic journey you have both had.
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Yes, is was hell for him and tough to see his body poisonning itself
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Oops, pressed send by mistake. Can’t wait to see you soon!!!
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Happy that you both are on the mend and able to visit with family and friends. What an amazing journey. We enjoyed meeting you in Hill City, South Dakota and thanks for taking us along with you through your blog. We wish you good luck and happiness in the new year to come and always. 🙂
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Thank you so much. How lovely to know that you have followed us since meeting you. All the best to you too.
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Chère Anne, un mauvais moment à passer pour vous deux, mais quel soulagement de savoir que cette maladie est guérissable.
Bientôt vous serez chez vous et tout va rentrer dans l’ordre OUF !
Je vous souhaite, à tous les deux, du bonheur pour votre retour.
Je T’embrasse bien fort.
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Merci Evelyne, le pire est passé maintenant. Espérons qu’on arrivera à se rencontrer la prochaine fois. Gros bisous.
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Brings a whole new meaning to the saying ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’. Now I can’t get the picture of you both writhing together and dousing each other in creams and lotions out of my head. THANKS A LOT !.
I agree with the comment about your phone being better than some professional photographers attempts and I too think you should stick with it (means less weight to carry on your next roving adventure). I’m now certain there will be more blogs as we will all be gripped by instalments such as “two slow speeds empty a cupboard…or…unpack a suitcase full of souvenirs…or…start compiling a photo album…or…BEGIN WRITING A BOOK OF THEIR JOURNEY.
The armchair has a second chance, don’t let it down. It has missed you both.
Stay safe.
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Oh Phillip, we will have to continue posting if only just for your colourful comments!!!!! We have loved knowing that you’ve enjoyed your armchair ride. And great catching up recently – just hope you don’t get called Itchy & Scratchy… Thanks for all your kind comments. Take care!
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Good to know things are on the mend healthwise! Stay happy and see you both as soon as possible in 2016.
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Thanks Nuno. Really hope we manage to catch up next year. All the best!
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We are glad to hear that the diagnosis has been made and that it sounds better than a mysterious auto-immune disease. We hope you both get better soon.
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Thank you both, we are confident all will be back to normal soon. Will see you nex time we come over. In the meantime, take care. Much love from us both.
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You’ve had a rough time these past few weeks but always kept smiling. “good on you” as I believe you say Down Under. Bon vol tomorrow + happy birthday + happy landings. The decluttering can wait; The Book deserves priority. xx
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Thank you M’my for spoiling us while we’ve been in Europe!! We will declutter but might take a little longer to do it all – could be therapeutic while working on the book too!! Look after yourself. Lolah xxx
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So pleased to hear that you have a diagnosis, a treatable one too after weeks of worry. Definitely something you could have done without after your wonderful round the world adventures. So we missed you in Scotland and now Australia! We arrived home from Oz yesterday! Have a good trip home, you will be glad to get there but we can’t wait to hear what the pair of you will be up to next! Have a good rest, regain your health, take care of yourselves and hopefully we will see you sometime next year. Big hugs from us both XX
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I know, crazy timing just missing each other here and there! A real shame 😦 We are looking forward to resting for a week once home and recovering before starting on our many plans!! I wonder where we’ll catch up with you both?! We will soon, somewhere, no doubt. Take care. Lots of love xx
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