Destination Bristol
It took Jacqui Furneaux seven years to ride from India to Bristol, England on her beloved Enfield Bullet. Seven great years…
Where are you right now?
I’m staying with my friend in Switzerland. We backpacked together in Laos 20 years ago. After losing touch, we bumped into each other years later and have kept in touch ever since. She has organised a book-signing for me in Interlaken. I’ll be skiing, too.
So, you’ve finally got a book out. Congratulations! Tell us about the journey…
The trip happened to me – I can’t claim to have done much planning. It was a seven-year adventure (20002007), on a 500cc Enfield Bullet that took me east from India to the UK through 20 countries. The countries are listed, in correction fluid on the Enfield’s battery box and air-box (right). During a recent New Year tidy-up I found a letter from my mother, aged 93, saying she hoped I’d have a nice little holiday. Nobody, least of all me, knew how long I’d be travelling.
It has to be said, not many women in their 50s take such a plunge…
I’ve had a motorcycle licence since the hot summer of ’76 when I took to the streets of Bristol to cool off on my then husband’s Honda 90 stepthrough. That did it, I was hooked and took my test. A Dutchman was my reason for travelling on two wheels. In 1999, I’d been backpacking for almost a year and was loving it. In India I met Hendrikus touring on an Enfield. I hadn’t put my two loves of travelling and motorcycling together before so when he asked me to buy my own Enfield and travel with him I happily jumped at the chance.
What are the pros and cons of going alone and do you think it was advantageous to do such a trip later in life?
I’d been travelling mostly alone and happily as a backpacker, but it was a different matter when I found myself alone with the Enfield. I didn’t know if I could cope. During our four years together I’d learnt some bike maintenance from Hendrikus but, regardless, I was still a bit apprehensive. I’m glad to say I became more confident about the bike’s upkeep over time. Loneliness can be painful but it’s preferable to travelling with someone who doesn’t want you there. I also found vulnerability often brings out the best in people. I don’t know if my age was an advantage or not. I’ve always felt safe and able