Well it’s been 2 days since I visited the British Consulate in Istanbul. That visit was informative and concerning. Informative in the sense that I now know I am not alone in having such visa issues. Disturbing in that to legalise my status, I am going to have to pay a fine of £45 for each and every day that I have been in Turkey. As things stand, this will be a fine of £500+…working on the basis that the Ipsala border officials actually have a record of me crossing the border on 10/09/2011.
If they don’t have a record of my crossing through that border control (they didn’t scan my passport or write anything down), then I have no idea what may happen. The British Consulate were unsure of whether there is an upper ceiling upon the fine.
With these things in mind – and with no news from the Iranian visa agency – I am going to have to make a very difficult decision. Owing to my bike being so unwieldy (and un-airline friendly), I am going to have to accept that at least for the time being, my hopes of travelling to Australia and beyond will have to be put on hold. The more pressing issue for me right now is to escape from Turkey without being detained, and without having to pay a sky-high fine to legalise my status. Given this, I am going to leave tomorrow for Bulgaria – heading towards the River Danube and eventually, England…
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For all those of you that have sponsored me so far – and given me so many kind words of encouragement – I’m very sorry that I cannot continue as planned! As you may have seen from my previous blog posts, I was extremely excited about the prospect of cycling through Central Asia over the following months – but by the same token, I certainly don’t want to risk a huge fine and/or my bike and equipment getting stranded in Turkey…
But this certainly isn’t the end of the trip…
So what’s next:
If circumstances were different, I perhaps would just stay in Bulgaria for the next few weeks in order to secure onwards visas for Iran/Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan/Kyrghisztan/China. However, since I have been away, I have had news from back home that has given me great reason to return to the UK temporarily. The most concerning news I’d rather not discuss here.
In addition, my mum, founder of The Bansang Hospital Appeal, has recently had to undergo emergency surgery on her eye. This has left her dependent on everyone around her for support for at least the next 3 months – and forced her to cancel all of her charity related work. As a one person charity, this is a pretty catastrophic thing to have happened.
At such times, endeavours such as mine become rather secondary in importance. Given that I cannot continue forwards…it makes absolute sense for me to head back home in order to be around the rest of my family at this difficult time. I will also be able to continue the work of the BHA whilst my mum recovers.
The return to the UK will also give me an opportunity to switch to a conventional bike, secure my ‘Stans’ visas in the UK, and then continue the next phase of my ride when circumstance permits.
Making my way back to the UK:
With all this said, I will be using the return leg through Europe as an endurance test. I’ll be following the Danube and the Rhine as I make my way back to England, hoping to cover the 3,000km in 25 days or less. I probably won’t be updating my blog too often, but you can follow my progress on this part of the leg by checking my ‘where am I‘ page, as well as twitter.
Once again, I’m very sorry that the ride east is temporarily on hold…& thank you all again for your support to this point,
Laurence
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Am sorry to hear about the problems you’ve encountered in Turkey. But I am positive that your Mum will be delighted to see you back home for a while. It will give her a boost! And you’ll be able to keep her in check too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Safe journey home
Many thanks for all the various messages. Sorry I don’t manage to reply to them very quickly (internet is rather sporadic in these parts!).
I’m sure if the remainder of Europe is as friendly as Eastern Europe has been, my journey back to England will safe and fulfilling! Just 2,400km to go.
Hi Keep your chin up fantastic job so far. Really sorry to
hear that it has not gone according to Plan,
,but I know you will return when it is all possible to
Finsh your trip . Wish your mum a speedy recovery and
Hope everything else works out well,safe journey home ,
Take care x
It’s not going according to the original plan…but in these last few days, I’ve had some of the best experiences of the whole trip. So I guess everything happens for a reason! It’ll also give me a chance to take stock, switch to a reliable bike, help mum out with the charity, see my family, and then restart in the new year with fresh ideas and energy!
Hi Laurence, I’ve been following your journey with interest (and little envy!), sorry to read it’s ending prematurely.
Have a good journey home though, perhaps see you around Orlingbury (for a bike ride perhaps) when you arrive home.
Just to confirm…it’s only stopping temporarily! & this ride back through Eastern Europe has been great so far. Unbelievably helpful people, and I’ll soon be joining the Danube as it winds its way into no end of countries I’ve never been to (Serbia, Hungary, Germany!). So yes, lots to look forward…and a good opportunity to see family, take stock of things – and approach the whole adventure with new vigour & focus in the new year.
I shall see you upon my return (about 2,400km away now – so only about 20 days until i’m home)
So sad to read this Laurence. I was really enjoying following your progress. I really hope the storm passes soon and things get easier for you. Safe journey back, enjoy A well needed ret at home. Xxx
Aaah … Marwty Pellow! So sorry that I’m so rubbish at replying to your messages! It’s always on my to-do list…but, I seem to be getting flooded with messages at the mo…and I can’t really keep up !
The ride back through E.Europe has been great so far…and v.v.informative (the whole Balkans conflict doesn’t seem to have disappeared…the wounds still seem to be raw, and it’s definitely compelled me to learn more about it all!)
Anyways, I hope you are all good…and will no doubt catch up with you upon my return
xx
Laurence, This all makes sense. You have to be flexible and thats precisely what you are being. Turkey isn’t going anywhere, you support the people who matter most and take off again when things are right. Its a temporary setback thats all. I hope things are ok at home soon and please pass on my regards to your mum.
Andy
Many thanks Andy (& thank you for trying on my behalf to get that data connection thing!). As you say, it’s just a temporary setback – and quite fortuitous too…as my bike is showing itself to be rather too unreliable for what I was demanding of it. Time to take stock, switch bikes, and go for it again in the new year (taking with me all that I have learnt so that when the adventure begins again, i’ll be able to really utilise all of the opportunities that such a thing offers).
!
I’ll be in touch upon my return…if only to tap you for your wealth of sixties music knowledge
Anyways, I hope you are well,
Laurence
What a disaster, but with ‘charges’ of £45 per day you just cannot wait for the Iranian visa any longer. If it took a further 10 days you could be facing a bill of close to a £1,000, and of course there is no guarantee that an Iranian visa is going to be granted. So right decision to bale out and return home.
I know that every waking moment between now and your arrival back in the UK you will be plotting and planning on how you can get this ‘UK to Alsaka’ show back on the road. Well rest assured you will have our support and I am sure your many followers will echo our sentiments.
Your achievments to-date, on this ride, are quite remarkable and by the time you arrive home you will have covered some 9,000kms and cycled through 15 countries – just awesome. This on a tandem, fully loaded, that weighs 60-70kgs……..
We are are all so proud of you and what you have achieved.
Ride with care, see you soon.
The family
Hi Laurence.
Just spoken with Mum and she told me the news before I had had time to check your site.
This is I know such a disappointment for you but keep positive as I know that you will be plotting the next stage to get back on track asap.
You know everyone will still be behind you and this is only a temporary blip.
Take great care and keep pedalling. Lots of love. Glenis xx
Sorry to hear about the difficulties Laurence. You’ve made the right decision and I know you will want to get back on the trail as soon as you can. Stay strong & positive. All the best, Pete
Hi Laurence you have done fantastic job upto now and we are all very proud of you …and dont you forget it..you are an inspiration and we all love you …you will get this show back on the road as they say…ride safely home see you soon xxxx
Thanks Auntie
! Sorry I can’t make it to Jonathon’s do in Manchester…(I can’t quite cycle fast enough to make it back — though I’ll certainly give it a good try!).
I shall look forward to seeing you soon upon my return. I hope you are all well
xx
Chin up. X
I bloody love looking at my website, and seeing ‘Golden Balls’ on my comments list. (I prefered your Facebook comment though!)
See you in that place with all the dark satanic mills.
xx
Amazing stories told and many more for the future
be safe coming home 
and keep positive 
xxx
Gutted for you Lawrence but know that you will only go back at it stronger next time round. You’ve already done far more than many of us would dare to contemplate. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Keith
Keithy…are you telling me that you didn’t fancy a stint on the tandem?!! I’m dissappointed to hear that
!! Joking aside, you are right…i’ll certainly be better placed to take full advantage of all that an adventure like this offers. I’ve learnt a lot over these past few months (some v.v.tough times – and some exhilarating highs)…so yes, I’ll be working to ensure the highs vastly outnumber the lows on the next part of the adventure!
I’ll see you upon my return to the UK (I’ll no doubt show my face on the way through to Orlingbury)
Cheers for all the messages you’ve sent over the past months by the way. Oh, and your emergency fund has helped me to get my bike back on the road!!! It’s actually contributed more than 70% of the cost of a reinforced rear wheel! So yes, thank you for those $$!
L
Sorry for everthing..was following your progress…what a snag !!! .its now water under the bridge…I know U’ll be stronger and more determine to live your dream..U’ll prevail.
SPEEDY recovery to the Dynamo Lady…Keep up BHA going ,
My heart and thoughts are with BHA
Laurence. Sorry to hear of all the problems and in particular those affecting your family. Troubled times, but with the usual Smith grit and determination you will all see it through.
Well done so far, and as you say, it is a postponement and not a cancellation. Adventurers relish the challenge,or so Darren tells us. He left Turkey ( that place again! ) in April on his round the world sail and has so far encountered thirty six hour storms, near misses with hard rocks, mountainous seas,ruined sails, broken auto pilot, no fresh water AND he has only travelled as far as Monaco, where he recently arrived. Goodness knows what the rest of the world will throw at him, but like yourself he will not give up until the money runs out or he achieves his goal.
You are one of an elite few my boy.Well done.
ps. Now that we have returned to Orlingbury we will keep an eye on Mum for you.
So sorry to hear the news of the temporary suspension to you plans for the cycle. Considering all that you have said, the right decision has obviously been made. We look forward to seeing you on your return. With our very best wishes.
Hard decision to make, but needs must. Looks like a pretty demanding trip back. Hope to see you when you get to Wellingborough. A solo bike would be a lot easier next time.
Hi Laurence,
I just read your posts and realized that you are returning home. I wish you and your family well and I hope everything turns out okay. Good luck to your mom & family. If I can help with any of the charity work from here I would be happy to help. I would love to hear from you when you have time. Again, please let me know if I can help in anyway.
Best of luck,
Sophie