Oct 2025 - Home at last

Well the ship arrived at Southampton, the shippers shipped the bike to Chandlers Ford and I arrived to collect it on Friday but alas it would not start.  After nearly five months in transit since I dropped the bike off at LA, the battery was totally buggered.  Despite numerous attempts to jump start it, it would not run.

A quick phone call to Carol Nash insurance and the RAC recovery were despatched.   Thanks to the nice guys at LV shippers for their help and the cups of tea.  The recovery truck arrived and we were transported to the Yamaha dealership in Verwood.   

So I purchased a new battery and it was charged up over night and I collected this afternoon.  All the kit was unpacked, washing done, tent aired and all spread out in the garage.   Now I need to repack ready for a weekend away at MotoCamp Wales next week.

It just needs a good wash and polish tomorrow.

Oct 2025 - Nearly home

 Following my trip across the USA earlier in the year, I ended up in Los Angeles.   I delivered my bike to the Shippers on the Friday 30 April and flew after the week end.   Then it was just a case of waiting for the container to be full and allocating it to a ship!!  That what I thought, but after a long wait it was ready to ship but then US Customs decided to hold the container for a customs  check and so it missed that boat.

Once this customs check was completed it was then allocated for another ship ( and an invoice issued for the check - £470 just for my bike ).   

So after a while the arrived at LA, the container was loaded and he ship sailed towards Southampton via a couple of ports and the Panama Canal.

I have been able the track the ships’ progress across the Atlantic and today it finally sailed into Southampton, and my tracker on the bike started to work again as it sailed up the Solent ( it works on the GSM network that does not work in the good old US of A ).  So nearly 5 months later I get to receive both my bike and the bill for shipping (including the charge from US Customs)

So now I just need to wait until the container is moved to the agents in Chandler Ford and I can go a recover it.  I’m assuming that it undamaged, luggage is all complete and the bike starts !?!  Fingers Crossed on that lot.

Aug 2025 - Overland Event 2025

 

July 2025 - Armchair Adventure Festival

June 2025 - ABR Festival

 

Last week I attended the Adventure Bike Rider Festival.  David and I spent two nights at the Shire Camp site at Oxhill and that was great: so peaceful and it only rained once.  We even managed to visit the local pub for a very pleasant meal and a pint.  On the Friday morning we rode over to the ABR event and met up with Jacqui Furneaux and Gordon Mays.  

This event just gets bigger and bigger every year !!  Too big really.  I think I will probably miss it next year in favour of a trip to Motocamp in Bulgaria and Romania.

The weather was very very hot and I did get burnt a bit.

I met up with a lot of old friends but other than food and drink I bought nothing.  The others had a go at off-roading on Royal Enfields; I did a lot of walking and drinking tea.

We left very earlier on Sunday morning and avoided the summer traffic all heading south to the beaches.