WHEN most people think of “roughing it” in Africa their thoughts might extend to a bumpy four-wheel guided tour through a wildlife reserve, or perhaps sitting on a log by a fire sipping wine before retiring to a comfy bed in some fully catered glamping resort.
But for Gloucester locals Sonja Duncan and Richard Birdsey such a trip would be the height of luxury compared to their recent 311-day motor bike odyssey from the bottom of Africa to the top of Norway.
Since 2020 Sonja and Richard have lived on a few acres at Upper Bowman where, when not exploring other lands, they work from home.
As well as being marriage partners, Sonja and Richard are also business associates, running SD Strategies.
They advise companies on ways to be successful by aligning their activities with global sustainable development priorities that benefit both society and the economy.
The business focuses on the interaction between human rights and business and looks at the conditions under which the things we buy are made.
Sonja has qualifications in law and corporate governance, and has a passion for nature and adventure, particularly on two wheels.
She has also represented Australia in the women’s world hang-gliding championships.
Richard has a background in marine science, and qualifications in social work and public safety, working for government on environmental management and public health.
But what was their motivation for undertaking such a journey, with all its obvious, and not so obvious, risks?
“About eight years ago we rode our motor bikes from Argentina to Africa, and one night sharing a bottle of wine we thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to also ride from Cape town to Cairo,” said Sonja.
“As time went on, we decided we might as well ride all the way to the top of Norway and then back to London, which is exactly what we did.
“Our objective was mostly adventure, but we both love to learn about people, cultures, environmental issues as well as catching up with old and new friends and family along the way.”
“I think we are both naturally curious, and like to see other parts of the world, and take in other cultures,” said Richard.
“For us it’s the people, and to try and get a better understanding of how and where they live.”
Sonja and Richard began their adventure at the southernmost tip of Africa and then headed north, loaded with their camping and cooking gear, and with nothing more than a rough idea of their route.
The trip through Africa was without incident except for annoying encounters with tsetse flies.
According the Sonja the most poignant and emotional moment of the African trip was a visit to the Rwanda genocide memorial.
Because of unrest in Ethiopia and the Sudan they were unable to reach Cairo so they flew from Kenya to Greece where they resumed their bike trip north, finally ending at Nordkapp on the northern tip of Norway.
Sonja and Richard spent hundreds of nights sleeping under the stars, visited 34 countries, rode 30,000 kilometres, experienced temperatures ranging from 45 degrees to minus 6, had one bout of flu each, took 30 ferry crossings, spent $10,500 on fuel, but had zero scary or threatening encounters, and had lots of fun.
By John WATTS
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