You know that feeling when you nestle into the sofa, with your favourite drink in one hand and a giant bowl of popcorn in easy reach of the other, ready to forget about the real world for a brief while?
And then you spend forever choosing a film because ‘somebody’ has already seen all the best ones.
The strange thing is that I’m not exactly passionate about cinema; I don’t particularly care who directed what, and can never recall actors in pub quizzes or trivia games.
I can only assume I’ve watched so many films because I’ve spent a lot of time alone (sniffle sniffle), and am partial to some casual brainwashing in the evening.
Which leads me to the title of this post.
I couldn’t tell you how many times a variation of the line “it’s just something I have to do” has dramatically featured in films, but I know it’s a lot.
What I can tell you is that I at least partially blame Hollywood for the fact that the driving force behind my latest adventure is a bit of a cliché.
Here I am, back in South America, attempting to finish what I unknowingly started 4 years ago – a very entertaining, but ultimately fairly pointless attempt to visit every country on the continent.
It’s just something I’ve got to do.
And as usual, my plans are very much last minute, roughly penciled on the mental equivalent of a ketchup-stained napkin, and usually end up taking very unexpected turns.
Right now, I’m writing from Punta Arenas – a cold and windy town in Patagonia in the very far south of Chile. All I know is that I have 4 more days to explore this inhospitably stunning region, whilst trying to work out where to go on Saturday.
Hold on a second – what happened between September and January?!
I know this post is a bit of a leap from the last time I wrote in September. 4 months have passed since I was in Argentina and a lot has happened since then, as I imagine it has for you too.
After all, a third of a year – or 120 days – is quite a lot of time. So let’s have a little catch-up before I tell you more about Patagonia.
Why the long wait?
First a word about why I took such a long break from writing. To be honest, I was toying with the idea of not continuing at all, for two reasons. Firstly, it takes a lot of time to write these articles – time I could be spending on my other website – the one which provides the income that funds my travels/permanent holiday.
Secondly, an unexpected thing happened when I went back to England and Spain: people didn’t ask me as much about my epic journey as I expected they might do. Why? Because they’d already read about it. Either that, or I’m just not as interesting as I think I am!
After much deliberation though, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s better that way – it saves me from telling the same stories over and over again. And of course, one or two people have gently persuaded me to continue writing.
So this article is dedicated to all those who’ve encouraged me to keep going.
Thanks! (I think…)
5 years all clear!
The main reason to go back to England in September was to have my annual CT scan. Every post cancer check-up is an awful roller-coaster ride of emotions, that doesn’t get much better with time – you just develop different coping mechanisms.
Mine is to drink alcohol in the days leading up to the scan, and zone out playing computer games and exposing myself to Hollywood brainwashing. It works.
I’m very happy to report though that I’ve now reached the amazing 5 years all-clear milestone.
After years of living life to the full, and trying to squeeze as much as possible into the time I have, I’m starting to wonder if I should relax a bit and spread the action out, like Peter Jackson did with the Hobbit trilogy. Ahh…I do know something about directors!
But for now, there’s still plenty of gas in the tank and I don’t have anything better to do. So I’ll just keep going. If nothing else, it helps distract from the realisation that I might actually need to start thinking about investing in a pension plan again.
England and Spain
Many people asked if I was going to write about my time in England and Spain. The answer, at least for now, is not really.
I started this blog with the intention of it being both a diary and a way to let people back home know what I’m up to. So it doesn’t make much sense to me to write about being back home.
Also, the time between September and January was a very personal time. Time spent catching up with family and friends after 9 months away, time recharging my batteries, and time spent with Laura, who came to visit me in both countries I call home.
Having said that, I finally got a new phone with an awesome camera, which I’m very excited about. So below are a few thousand words, told in photos, of my time back on the other side of the pond.
What’s next?
Having conveniently dodged writing about 4 months in Europe, what remains is to tell a tale or two about the last couple of weeks. I’ve been travelling at a relentless pace, probably due to the excessive consumption of strong Peruvian and Chilean coffee.
So over the next week or two, I’ll be publishing some shorter articles about the specific places I’ve been to.
Stay tuned!
A picture tells a thousand words
Spain
England
Wait, don’t go yet!
Please do say hello in the comments below and let me know if you enjoyed the article. It’s always nice to hear from you when I’m far away…
Photography tips are also welcome!
Jellyfish Rock 
“It’s just something I have to do” I have said this before. It is something you can’t really explain, or even want to explain, really… Because even if you try, some people just can’t understand. Keep up your traveling Malcolm, I support you!!! 🙂
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Hey Sabrina
Thanks for reading and for the comment – much appreciated! So it’s not just me in real life then…I knew it! Thanks for the support – the travelling bit was never in doubt though, just the writing part haha
Malcolm
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Hi Son, interesting as always and you’ve obviously learnt the trick of writing a trilogy..keep us in suspense for the next instalment. Photos brought back good memories of our visit to Spain to see you both as well as time back in U.K. Enjoy your time back in Argentina and wherever next. Lots of love Dad
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Hi dad
Thanks for the comment! So you do read the articles all the way through after all then? haha just kidding;-)
Yes, sorry about the suspense bit! It’s taken me ages to work out how to cover 4 months in one article while also staying in touch with the current location. I’ll try and get round to the next few articles as soon as possible though, or at least before the next season of Game of Thrones comes out. That’s my target…
And yes, happy times in both Spain and England. Next you’ll have to come and visit me out here!
love,
Malcolm
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Hi there, at last, a long awaited, always interesting and appreciated blog. It’s the best communication safe guard for me. Knowing you are having a great and safe time away. Love mum xx😊
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Hi mum
Thanks for leaving a comment. Don’t worry, I’m still safe! And having a great time as always; if my main complaint is that it’s too hot, it can’t be that bad!
Love,
Malcolm
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Wicked read again Malc, I love catching up with what you have been up to. I have been in the West Country 7 years & miss all the amazing friends I have met along the journey of life, so when I hear what you have been doing it puts a smile on my face. Keep living the dream, travel to your hearts content & love life! Hope to catch up in person sometime when you are next back in the UK. Big love & happy/safe travels xxx
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Hey Gaby!
Thanks for the comment – it’s fantastic to hear from you!
It’s amazing how time flies, isn’t it? I’ve seen your photos from time to time on FB, and often thought it would be great to catch up one day when I’m in the UK, and meet your family. I’m planning on spending the summer in the UK this year, so maybe it will happen then:-)
Thanks for the encouraging words – there’s still a lot of travelling to do before the summer!
Big hug and lots of love
Malcolm
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Hi Malcolm, Nice to read your article again. Here carnival is coming up again, you will be missed. Lost of love from the one happy island
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Hi Marcelle
Thanks for your comment, and it’s lovely to hear from you! I was thinking about the carnival just the other day, thinking it must be coming up soon. I hope it’s as fun as last year!
Lots of love
Malcolm
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Hey Malcolm. Always so good for me to see and read about your travels and adventures (and your good health too). Your words are almost as inspiring as your travel plans! Makes me just want to get up n go. As for myself I spent last year working mostly and trying to start alternative income ideas. This year I plan on more adventures and fun. Look forward to seeing your trip progress as you tick off those countries xx
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Hey Jen
Great to hear from you! Thanks for your comment and kind words. Coming from someone who’s traveled a lot too, it’s nice to hear you like the blog:-)
I think alternative income ideas are always a good idea, so I wish you all the best with your plans; maybe you’ll be able to use them to fund more adventures!
Big hug
Malcolm
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Hey Malc!
Yes please on more blog! We all like catching a ride in your pocket. 🙂 Your blog is like a long reaching umbilical cord for the traveler with in us. You feed us words and pictures and show us a bit of that amazing world out there.
“You got to do what you got to do”…Clint Eastwood would be proud of you.
…you can use cliches’s but only if you say and DO that famous 1980’s terminator line…”I’ll be back”
Nice one brother!
Lots of love
Dimitri
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Hi Dimitri,
Great to hear from you – it’s been a while now! It’s lucky I have big pockets on these extra long jeans then haha. I’m glad you’re still reading and enjoying the blog – it helps motivate me knowing seasoned travelers haven’t gotten bored of it yet!
And that’s a great quote! I’ll have to add that one to my typical speech explaining to people what I’m doing…
I hope you and the family are all well and happy, and hopefully we’ll catch up this summer.
I’ll be back!
Lots of love
Malcolm
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