Mother and son
Caroline (60, housewife) and Tom (21, handyman)
BBC
- Amy Raphael
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Whose idea was it to sign up?
Caroline Mine! I’m a country girl who gave up a career to be a mother. I wanted to feel alive again.
Tom I didn’t think we’d get through, but I wanted to support Mum.
What were you most apprehensive about?
Caroline Failing in front of Thomas.
Tom Letting Mum down. Mum getting bored of me. And handing my phone in...
Did you agree to prioritise racing or sightseeing?
Tom We thought we had time to prepare, but before we knew it, we were standing on the Great Wall of China without a game plan. I was keener than Mum to sightsee.
Caroline I thought I just wanted to race, but that quickly changed. I wanted to open my mind to China, this incredible country we were travelling through.
Did you ever come close to quitting?
Caroline I had serious doubts early on, but we are both steely.
Tom At the start, in Beijing. We were struggling to communicate with anyone, and all the trains were full. I felt useless.
Was there a luxury you wish you’d had?
Caroline A beautiful clean pillow – we stayed in some pretty filthy places.
Tom I had a luxury, an MP3 player loaded with great music.
What did you learn about each other?
Tom That Mum would never give up, which in turn motivated me.
Caroline He has amazing empathy and anticipated my needs.
Would you two go on another adventure?
Caroline Yes, it changed my life.
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Tom Mum and I already have plans to go. But with our phones and the option to relax!
Authors
Amy Raphael
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