Richard Hudson, a 44-year-old chef, once lived in Scotland. Years ago, after separating from his wife, he spent five months alone in a house in the remote Scottish Highlands, during which time he was gripped by a deep midlife crisis. This led him to decide to sell his house and invest part of the cash in a bottle of whisky. However, fate had different plans. On his way to the village whisky shop, he passed a pawnshop. In the window stood a Land Rover, built in 1971, which had been recently put on sale. It was love at first sight when Hudson gazed into the round headlights of the vehicle. He didn’t have to think long. The Land Rover became Richard’s second purchase. From then on, this unlikely pair set out into the world, traveling through Africa as Richard sought to overcome his midlife crisis. The Land Rover was named “Katy” after a film that stuck in the driver’s mind. “Ice Cold in Alex” is about a group of British soldiers during World War II who make their way through the Sahara Desert with the help of an ambulance Jeep.

The commander of the troop in the film promises that if they make it to Alexandria, he’ll treat the group to the coldest beer in Africa. Richard was captivated by the romanticism of the scenes and characters in the movie, and especially by the loyal vehicle, which had the name “Katy” emblazoned on its rear. From then on, it was: “I’m Richard, and this is Katy. We’re on a journey to leave our midlife crises behind.” And it is Katy who often draws the attention of those they meet along the way.
An intimate bond has developed between these two globetrotters, with Katy now taking on the role of the woman by Richard’s side. For him, she has a soul, much like “Herbie, the Love Bug.” His trusty vehicle never let him down, always managing to roll to the next garage before finally breaking down in front of the repair shop. Although it might seem odd, this man has a relationship with his car, and so do the hundreds of people around the world who have come to know Katy and her adventures. The first leg of their journey took them 22,000 kilometers in 10 months, through 17 African countries. During this journey, Richard fulfilled his dream of playing golf in the desert. He parked Katy at the base of a dune, played some relaxing blues on his radio, and set out with golf balls to conquer the sandy mountains.
On their travels through Africa, the unlikely duo encountered a wide range of people, yet whenever they met Germans, they were always from Dresden. As the number of Dresdeners he met reached a staggering 22, and all of them insisted that Dresden was the most beautiful city in Germany, the next stop on his journey seemed all but decided. But first, they traveled from North Africa along the coast to the middle of the continent, before crossing the Sahara heading north. In the heart of the desert, they encountered people with a broken clutch. Without hesitation, they removed the clutch and used the lid of a jam jar as a replacement, which allowed the car to roll on for another 7,000 kilometers to Ghana, where it was eventually sold.
Richard revels in the simple life. It’s the romance of it all that draws him in and captivates him. It’s what allows him to venture into the vast desert with nothing but a keen sense of direction, without GPS, and to live a lifestyle reminiscent of the one Katy was built for 40 years ago. However, even in this life, some money is necessary, and when he ran out, he remembered the warm invitations from his friends in Dresden. Thus, in 2001, the blue Land Rover and its driver rolled through the streets of Dresden Neustadt. Here, Richard found a second home, with a job, a place to stay, and many new friends. Until his next journey.

Asia is the distant goal, which is first to be reached via Egypt and Turkey. Accompanying Richard on this journey will be Max, a dog from Dresden. Max had spent three years waiting in an animal shelter, hoping that something would happen in his life, that he would experience something and be picked up. Now, he is joining Richard and Katy on a grand adventure. Undoubtedly, the naming of the former tire shop at one of the most central intersections of Dresden’s trendy district was the highlight of the duo’s two-year stay in Dresden. Here too, the blue Land Rover left its mark on the people who came to know and love the team and the club.
The finale of the story, according to Richard, is planned to take place in Scotland, perhaps in 5 or 6 years. He plans to return to the pawnshop where it all began. He will park the Land Rover in front of the door, visit the landowner with a good bottle of whisky, recount the adventures he has had with Katy, and finally part ways with his faithful companion. Perhaps then, a woman will find her place in Richard’s life once again. Until that time, however, he is writing a book about the encounters, people, and stories of the past few years.
1902 Louisen Str Ecke Alaun Str