So, 2022. You’re almost over, gone, turning yourself into history, afterthoughts and memories. Memories you gave me a lot over the past twelve months. My year of 2022 was full of journeys, travels, discoveries, good talks, music, books and, of course, cycling.

Actually the year went similar to those before. I travelled to Switzerland, to Provence (both twice), to Italy and to Bretagne, of course. Bretagne is a place I feel very close to, and I will always go back, I’m sure. I hope.

Two things made this year different, actually it’s one only. I found home, and that is a big thing, because I haven’ had a proper home for the past four years. In February (just one day before the terrible war in Ukraine started) I bought a VW T6, almost new, and had it converted into a camper van. It’s name is Charlotte, and she is almost as curious about places as I am. She is a sturdy, comfortable vehicle, and she keeps me safe. She is my mobile office, my think tank, my living room, an explorer, and she plays good music, too. It’s now much easier to go to places, and she also holds my bicycle. Sitting inside her gives me a homely cosy feeling, and that is a good thing.

I found another home, and I am still busy moving in, so more about that another time. But all in all ‘home’ was an important topic this year. I discovered that it is nice to have a sort of home base (Hamburg!), but I can feel at home in many places. I think I am carrying the home feeling with me, and there are also people out there who make me feel at home, especially in Provence and Bretagne. I consider myself very lucky to have that, and I am grateful for it.

So that’s that.

Some random facts about my year.

Music I loved in 2022:

• Temple of the Dog w/ Miley Cyrus – Say Hello to Heaven
• Placebo – Beautiful James
• Snow Patrol – The Planets Bend Between Us 
• Taylor Swift – Exile ft. Bon Iver
• Kari Bremnes – Sangen om fyret ved Tornehamn
• Olive – Miracle
• Deichkind – In Der Natur
• Joyce Olong – Outta Town
• The National – Nobody Else Will Be There
• Bear McCreary – Moch Sa Mhadainn
• The Jezabels – A Little Piece
• Coldplay – Fix You
• Steven Wilson – Pariah 
• Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita – Kharit

… and an awful lot more.

Books I read – Many (loved “The End of Lonelyness” by Benedict Wells, and, as always “A Trip To The Stars” by Nicholas Christopher, go search those online yourselves)

Kilometers cycled – ca 7.000 (according to Strava, plus ca 42.000m in altitude, and those mountains where good ones, including the Montagne de Lure and the good old bastard Ventoux again)

Bicycles bought – Not really a bicycle but a Wahoo trainer (and this piece of technic has given me sore legs and lots of fun so far)

Meals cooked – Many (love having people at my table, it wasn’t always exactly MY table, but people sat there eating my food without complaining so I guess that counts, doesn’t it?)

Homes found – Two

Tears shed – A few

Laughed – Much more than tears shed

Apples stolen – Oh so many good ones! (I also found, not stole, an incredible amount of wild garlic and walnuts, all in Switzerland, it’s a good place for ‘collecting’ and scrumping)

Painted – A lot

Been happy – Many many times! And that is a good thing.

Some random images:

For the New Year I hope for peace in Ukraine, for keeping healthy, for all the best to the people I love and myself, and I hope to get on the road a lot. And I hope to see my Linus again.

Just that. Happy New Year, lovely people.