”Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart.” – Haruki Murakami.
A year ago the KLR was ploughing through torrential rains in south-east Bavaria. Today they have the worst flooding since centuries, not decades.
A year ago I tried to pick up the KLR after dropping it in a wet town square. Without success. I had to unpack the bike. At least there were more flies covering me and my salad than spectators.
Flies flies flies!
A year ago my hair showed how little attention I paid to appearance. Long. Wet. Uncombed. Today I am bald due to the treatment.
Less than a week before the end of my 2012 tour.
Quite a big difference between 2012 and 2013.
A year ago my heart was filled with joy that I could ride to Russia and Siberia. Today my heart is filled with joy because I have so many wonderful friends who support me through the cancer months. I have even more joy in my heart because I had the chance to do all the traveling, therefore I never need to ask “God, why me?”. Why not me?
I have to share a few more photographs. They let me smile and give me hope for the next round of treatment.
Talent. Meri Kenaz from the Eastern Cape came to visit last week. She is musician, composer, photographer, traveller, philosopher. And she and her friend ride bikes as well! One of the highlights of the year.
Emil Bosch, on his Tiger while riding around South Afrika, had a much-needed break of three days in Naboomspruit. Stefaans watches what is going on. Emil suggested the title of Noord van Naboom way back during 2009.
Memories don`t need to tear one apart. Memories are the soft cushions for long evenings of “Do you remember?”
Africa, Europe, Russia / Siberia! Well done KLR! 
Hi Lodie, dis altyd ‘n ligpunt in my dag as ek iets van jou af op my e-pos ontvang! Jy is my grootste inspirasie! As ek nader was, sou ek jou lankal kom besoek het. Maar my gedagtes is altyd by jou – en ek bid jou verder sterkte en voorspoed toe met jou behandeling. Kopf hoch und nicht den Mut verlieren!!
Heidi.
So now there´s a better picture of what kind of ears you were hiding underneath that wild curly hair of yours when you passed us in Germany! Remember that big group of boyscouts walking by the house and Bernd getting them in the picture around you and your bike. They were mighty impressed and so am I with you and your life Lodie! Sending you lots of little energyrays! Patricia
Ai, Lodie! Ek het dit die dag daar by jou reeds gesê, maar ek wil dit graag herhaal: “Ek is ryk vanweë die besonderse mense wat my lewe betree.” Jy, my vriend, is een van hierdie besonderse mense. Dis terloops ook jou voorbeeld wat my genoop het om te begin droom. En my rit om Suid Afrika is só ‘n droom.
Mag wondere wat in hierdie wêreld nog gebeur ook vir jou beskore wees.
Lodie! What a nice picture of yours! I found myself smiling you and saying Hellow!
A great gift of sharing on so many levels!
Wow….its a big difference! Hosea kutako airport guys send u warm greetings! U live in their hearts Lodie! We miss u n we patiently wait 4 yo promise! We know tht the heartwarming memories that we shared here in Namibia though it were too short, will bring us closer one day! May the God who notices every detail of your life cover u with his love always! God bless, love…. Letty, Norica and Magaret
A wonderful testimony of faith in the midst of the storm… Dankie Lodie!
Lodie I’m sure you have many good memories…
One of your visitors from the Eastern Cape’s voice reminds me a lot of Shakira’s.
I really like the acoustic guitar, as I’m sure you do as well.
‘Good music sooths your soul and refreshes your spirit…’