Our royal couple—Lin and Norm
Horse-riding at Lake Song-Köl in Kyrgyzstan. Norm swears he can control a horse, but Lin isn't so sure.
Lin and Norm are definitely our Royal couple on the truck. As long-term employees of Britain’s Royal Mail service, how could they be anything else? And even though they have been a couple for many years, they finally got married (for a second time) about a week before our journey began. They got married once in India too.
Originally from Rugby, Lin is full of surprises. Way back in July when we arrived in Turkey in late afternoon, we need to recruit a few taxis to haul us all to the main bus station near the border. Who knew Lin spoke Turkish? Those same language skills also came in handy in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
In his life before the Royal Mail, Norm was a social worker in Coventry, who specialised in helping those with learning disabilities. He’s active in many aspects of his beloved village, Ansty, and is even carrying a club flag that is being signed along the way. So far, he has at least one signature from every country we’ve visited. I promise to post an item about the flag.
Although Lin and Norm are both avid travellers, this is the first time they have ever done an overland trip and they are thoroughly enjoying it. They had planned to do this trip in 2012, but wanted to be at home then to experience the Olympics in London. Their next travel has already been booked—a three-month, around-the-world cruise. Guess they won’t be wearing thermals on that trip?
We’re also delighted that they’ll be coming to Canberra for a few days after the overland finishes.
NOTE: If you have access to Facebook, please feel free to share this post with others. I can’t get on Facebook in China, so it’s impossible for me to let people know I am adding to the blog now. Thanks.
Where to next? 
Hi Peggy,
I really enjoy hearing about the people with whom you’re travelling. As Oliver said, more please. Lin and Norm sound like a thoroughly nice and likeable couple so I hope everyone with whom you’re travelling is similarly civil and civilised. Perhaps you could find out for us how it was that Lin came to learn Turkish. And yes, that horse Norm is riding does seem to be going in a different direction to Lin’s. But not to worry; it’s a big plain and there don’t seem to be too many horses out there. Say ‘hello’ to them and, as always, to Poor John for me.
And I’m sorry but, as you can guess, I don’t have the technical savvy to help you out with posting things on Facebook. I’m sure someone will be doing it though.
Love
Louise
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Hi Louise
I’m Lisa, Lin’s daughter. Don’t believe what Peggy is writing about Lin & Norm they’re not nice at all…..they’ve left us without babysitters for over 6 months lol!
x
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Hi,
Yes just as interesting as your travels to many countries and things to see… the people you travel with are as interesting as well (and their life style and past adventures). And you most likely will be in touch with a few of them after your exhausting trip as well; Have you or John lost any weight?
Sy S.
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I’ll be adding items about all our travel companions. Just takes time to get the details and nice/fun pics. We have lost some weight, but I have no idea how much. I just know the belt has been tightened.
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We know how Lin knows Turkish, butt it’s a secret. hehehe
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Hi Peggy, I’ve gone back in time. You have a whole lifetime of post to see and I haven’t a lifetime left so I have decided to see what you were doing on my birthday. You were horse-riding at Lake Song-Köl in Kyrgyzstan. Please tell Poor John I want to be your Grand Pa. And I want to go to Peggisthan.
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