The boat did not come in last night. It will not be leaving today. It’s been three weeks since I arrived here. Three weeks out of the fifty-two that I have to get to every country on Earth. Should I just give up? Come home? Is there any point in going on?
I’m not going to get to the remaining 110 countries in the time I’ve got left. But I’m beyond the point of no return. I’ve got no choice but to go on. A fruitless task. Tilting at windmills. Maybe I’ll write my memoirs of this journey and call it THE EPIC FAIL. Maybe that’s what we should call the television show.
I’d make more money for WaterAid climbing into a bath of baked beans. Nobody knows what I’m doing, I couldn’t even capitalise on the fact I was arrested and the media coverage I received. These blogs probably won’t be read by anyone until July. I’m as demoralised as demoralised can be and my contact with the outside world has been shut off.
I don’t know who to trust, who can help me, who can’t. You know what? I never thought I’d say this, but I’m beginning to miss The Caribbean. When they said the boat was leaving tomorrow, it left tomorrow..
Tomorrow is an abstract concept. It just means some indeterminable time in the future. I need help, but I don’t know where to turn.
Hey Graham,
Thinks never go according to plan and the worst outcomes usually turn finally to good ones! This is what I have learnt so far.
It is a great adventure that you have begun and I sincerely wish you to enjoy EVERY MOMENT of it!
Karol
I’m impressed by the ambition of your trip. Visiting every country, without flying, within a year. Now, the “within a year” part just isn’t possible unless you’ve got a private yacht at your beck and call. It was never possible. It’s not Cape Verde’s fault. So forget about the one year thing. Just continue trying to visit every country on earth, without flying, in a single continuous trip. Has anyone else ever done that before? It’s still very impressive.
Oh the time will come up
When the winds will stop
And the breeze will cease to be breathin’.
Like the stillness in the wind
‘Fore the hurricane begins,
The hour when the ship comes in.
Oh the seas will split
And the ship will hit
And the sands on the shoreline will be shaking.
Then the tide will sound
And the wind will pound
And the morning will be breaking.
Oh the fishes will laugh
As they swim out of the path
And the seagulls they’ll be smiling.
And the rocks on the sand
Will proudly stand,
The hour that the ship comes in.
Hi
I’ve been following you since I saw one of your Youtube videos back in January. Normally, I wouldn’t comment, but you’re starting to worry me. I can’t imagine how you must feel right now, but you need to get a hold of yourself! Just think: you’ve got your own TV show, you get to travel all over the world. I would give almost anything to do either of those! This isn’t the end of The Odyssey, it’s the start of a bigger odyssey. Surely you can think of some new worthwhile challenge if you can’t salvage this one (although I think you can). Whether you’re finishing your traverse of the globe or not, I can’t wait to read about your next adventure.
Have a little one, then have a little cry. Now come on sunshine, lets be having you. Next stage is right around the corner. We need to get you moving, I cant hack another uber-rant without a break.
Hey Graham
Ive been reading your blog since you were first featured on youtube, im addicted mate. Remember you are the cultural ambasador for all of us who are stuck in our little countries wishing we could be on a great adventure like yourself. i realise things are not at the best now but if you can break through this the worst should be behind you. your doing this for a great cause and people are behind you, (its very entertaining)
good luck
Ben from NZ
Don’t give up good sir!
Alright Graham
Ive been checking your blog pretty much every day since January as Im really interested in your adventure. Cape Verde was an unexpected spanner in the works, but still to visit every country in the world without flying is quite an achievement. Eventually you will leave the Cape and continue on your journey.Keep your head up!
You will recieve so much more attention once you finally get your youtube vids back and updated regularly.
You could always have a bath in backed beans at a Mogadishu market for some extra publicity.U might make the news again!
It’ll be ok Graham. Have a little weep and then go annoy some locals.
Would a boat to another island dampen your notoriety a bit so the coastguard aren’t amusing themselves keeping you prisoner?
As for publicity, you’re screwed till everyone’s stopped talking about Michael Jackson, but I’m guessing that “filmmaker stranded in CV because of recalcitrant Coast Guard bastards who don’t give a stuff about charity” would make an interesting piece even if only for a slow news day.
We’re thinking about you from grey dreary Munich – and I think I have a contact for you in Mauritius if you need one xxx
Hang in there big fella…
G’day Graham,
We’re all here mate… rooting for you, barracking for your fanta pants… keep it going … were here.. reading your exploits every week, checking your site, facebook, tweets..
Your doing it for the right cause, not just the right record. In the immortal words of Peter Gabriel….
In this proud land we grew up strong
We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail
No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
Ive changed my face, Ive changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose
Dont give up
cos you have friends
Dont give up
Youre not beaten yet
Dont give up
I know you can make it good
Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that wed be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn
Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground
Dont give up
You still have us
Dont give up
We dont need much of anything
Dont give up
cause somewhere theres a place
Where we belong
Rest your head
You worry too much
Its going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Dont give up
Please dont give up
got to walk out of here
I cant take anymore
Going to stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That rivers flowing
That rivers flowing
Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job
, so many men
So many men no-one needs
Dont give up
cause you have friends
Dont give up
Youre not the only one
Dont give up
No reason to be ashamed
Dont give up
You still have us
Dont give up now
Were proud of who you are
Dont give up
You know its never been easy
Dont give up
cause I believe theres the a place
Theres a place where we belong
Micky
Graham
Don’t give up now.
What you are doing is a truly amazing thing.
No matter what, your story will go out to the world when planet earth shows it.
I have been glued to your journey from the beginning, it has given me many insights on the rest of the world. You have a story to tell which will be enjoyed by generations to come.
You need to publish that book!!!!!
And if you don’t want to do it for the world, do it for you. All these experiences will last a lifetime!!!!!!
Pia
Mate,
You can do it, don’t give up!!!!! Just keep moving, if you need a hand, just make the post and it will happen. Your doing great, your almost halfway there anyway.
Keep on rocking!!!!!!
Alex
Hi dude!! Dont give up!! Its sucks right now but its going to get a lot better and you are going to make it!! Good luck.
Hi there Graham. I’ve been following your travels around the globe ever since your episode got featured on Y-tube.
I realise this message sounded cheesy from the moment I typed out ‘hi’, but nevertheless, hang in there buddy. You’ve gone through a hell of a lot of already, and the only thing standing in between you and your goal is the nature of human kind, and mother earth itself. Your charming personality, curly hair and charisma should get you past the first, as for the second, try to appreciate the beauty of its powers, and work your way around it.
Should you ever need company; I’d jump on the first plane, and help complete your very own Odyssey.
Hang in there.
You have my vote to continue too. Get into as much shit as you can and be there at full strength when the media comes calling! Your planetary sympathy meter has gotta be at an all-time high when poems start appearing. 😉 Something great and wonderful is happening here! Go Odysseus!
might as well keep going considering you’ve got this far, make it a 2-year thing instead maybe? that would still be a massive accomplishment
When life gives you lemons, make the sweetest lemonade you possibly can! Everyone has said something along the lines of this and its true! Don’t give up Graham! You’ve been an inspiration to me and many other people. I have been following you since January and its been an amazing adventure! Please don’t give up! Even if people do not comment, we are still reading, and we are still being impacted by your struggling journey.
Every journey has its struggles. Life is a struggle in itself. Maybe on your next journey, you could stop along the west coast of North America.
Love from Canada.
I feel sorry for you, man…I really do, but I’ve been following you for an age now, and I STILL don’t know anything about the places you’ve been! Hell man, you’ve been in CV for 3 weeks, and I know nothing about it. Tell us MORE about these places please…not just about you. This is YOUR chance to highlight to the World, the problems, wonders, joys of every country on Earth! More please!
Ferdy.
You look so grubby in your last Youtube video, your hair and beard look disgusting. You should make yourself more presentable and cut your beard off and get a get a crew cut.
I will meet you in Auckland for a beer, feb 28th 2010.
Everybody believes in you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dude, I actually live in CV and just found out about your troubles… I am so sorry for you!Cant you hitch a ride on a boat for the Canaries?
Anyway, I hope you are able to finish the trip… you still have 200 days to go (according to the bar on top of the blog) and is under the “2 days per country” limit… Soldier on, mate! Good Luck!
GOING OUT OF MY TITTING HEAD ON THIS BLASTED ISLAND. SOMEBODY PLEASE SAVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Graham on a Twiitter 7-1-09 post
Yeah, I think Napoleon said the exact same thing during his 300 day exile on Elba…During these months, partly to pass the time and partly out of a genuine concern for the well-being of the people, he carried out a series of economic and social reforms to improve the quality of life on Elba.
so you wanna leave paradise, eh? my suggestion is to get on one of those blue and white inter-island steamers and head to cv’s second city of Mindelo on Sao Vicente. Mindelo’s harbor is full of European yachts…no doubt with a little bit of schmoozing you’ll find passage to your next adventure.
Graham,
Chin up Graham.. its only 3 weeks. This can still be done. I am sure your luck will turn around for you soon. Africa man! Nothing ever goes on time. If they say tomorrow, it actually means about a week, generally speaking. African time is something to behold.
Anyways, dont give up! Stilla worthy thing you are doing. Colleen and I are still rooting for ya’.
Mark Beck
never give up – you have the chance to join the ranks of the great british explorers!
Hello there, Ace explorers like you never and can’t stop. Keep going on your fantasmogorical odyssey. There will be other highs and lows before you finish
but…”nil illegitimi carborundum”. Bon chance mon fils. Over and out.