One year, with time off for good behaviour

Since the football match, life here has been focused on winding down for the end of term. Clear up the classroom, sort out the books, learn the school song and dig out the dinner jacket for the end of year party. The mountains made a fantastic backdrop to the alfresco candle lit dining experience, with live Jazz band and clowns added into the mix.

Fifteen hours later I am sat here in Bristol, at a BBQ in Bishopston with a large selection of my most significant friends, enjoying the sun and quietude of the Bristol life which I am reminded was so hard to leave and impossible to replicate elsewhere.

It is hard to comprehend that I have done a whole academic year as a primary school teacher. Time has moved fast. 10 months hard work and now two off for good behaviour. No prizes for guessing what should be done with a long summer vacation mixed with a need to be back in Kazakhstan on the 27th August. Time for another trip of a lifetime.

I am back in the UK for a month to prepare before setting out with Jessica on a motorcycle trip through 15 countries. Beginning with breakfast in Lille (France) we will head through Europe via Slovakia, Hungary, the Carpathian mountains, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Since Iran looks volatile the preferred route from Turkey would be on to Russia by boat and ride from Sochi to Astrakhan, cross into Kazakhstan, round the top of the Caspian Sea to the Aral Sea, then Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and back to Almaty. It is probably 7000 miles and we have 7 weeks. I have just picked up a new-to-me BMW adventure bike with all the extras, ready for the travel experience I always dreamed of since Ewan McGregor inspired most of the motorcycling world with his Long Way Round program.

Next summer may afford a trip to Mongolia and the return trip is tempting, with a route back though Iran being top of the list. I am overwhelmed with the privilege and opportunities we have to do to such an adventure.

Look out for photos on Facebook!