Young teens novel remembers Tigon
Local adventurer Tim Cope has released a young reader’s novel of his epic 10,000km trek on horseback from Mongolia to Hungary.
“Tim and Tigon” is an engaging novel which tells of adventure and friendship.
Tim’s almost three-year journey through harsh landscapes on the trail of Genghis Khan opens the reader’s eyes to a new world of nomadic life and traditions.
It tells the stories of those he meets along the way - especially his dog Tigon.
Tim, who grew up in Drouin South and is a past student of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar, is now taking his novel “Tim and Tigon” and stories of his adventures into schools.
Having been inspired by the visit of an adventurer during his school days, 40-year-old Tim is passionate about inspiring today’s youth.
“I remember what an impact it had on me, I’ve never forgotten that,” Tim said.
“The best thing for me is the inspiration I get from going into these schools and seeing the sheer curiosity and interest.
“They ask the best questions and remind me what’s important.”
After four years of writing, Tim originally released and travelled around the world promoting 2013 novel “On the Trail of Genghis Khan: An Epic Journey Through the Land of the Nomads”.
However, having dreamed of being a young adult author before his passion for travel took hold, Tim always wanted to write a young reader edition. “Tim and Tigon” is the result.
The mateship between Tim and Tigon is a feature of the novel. In fact, Tim’s initial idea was to write the book through Tigon’s eyes.
Tim met Tigon early in his epic trek and said, in true Mongolian tradition, it was a case of a dog choosing their owner.
The pair quickly bonded, and, despite many barriers, Tim brought Tigon back to Australia where he lived until his death last year.
Tim now reflects on what he learnt from Tigon, largely from his interactions and attitudes to people and his humour when the going got tough.
“Dogs like young people do not mask their feelings, their words or desires; and you can learn so much from that,” said Tim.
Tim said they met one evening as a small village held a celebration for him. Outside in the cold, suddenly a dog just leapt up on Tim before disappearing.
Aset, a guide over several weeks, brought
Tigon along the next morning despite Tim’s initial reservations.
“Aset knew something I didn’t. He could foresee the challenges I would be up against. It would be great for Tigon…and great for me,” reflects Tim.
Tim also maintains a special bond with Mongolia today, returning each year to lead nomadic tours.
His fascination began as a 20-year-old during a bike journey from Russia to China alongside a mate.
Despite considering Mongolia simply a country to pass through on the journey, Tim was totally taken aback upon his arrival.
“It inspired that childhood dream of freedom. Completely uninhabited freedom,” he said.
Now living in Melbourne but travelling regularly back to Drouin South, Tim aims to complete a children’s picture book about Tigon before his next adventure.
Tim urged any students, teachers or schools keen to have him visit and speak at their school to contact timcopejourneys.com