Bugger and more bugger..

....Dear Blog - having not ridden the bike over most of the Christmas period and now having a chance to get out for while - off we went - then after about 2 hours...  putt putt putt the bike comes to a silent stop on the Romsey Road .... no warning just power off....   I suspect that it is the fuel pump again.. so, after a while I managed to get it started and head off for home with fingers crossed.  Bugger me it ran fine all the way home...  

I stripped out the fuel pump and installed a spare that I had on the shelf from the last time (but with a new contact set).... finally managed that fitted and tried to start it but it turned over twice and blew the 10 amp fuse - replaced the fuse and tried again - pop same thing... bugger again.  Disconnected the pump and it started fine with the residue fuel in the carbs..

I have now ordered a full replacement fuel pump at the inflated price of £180.   Thrice bugger..  I will attempted to change over the contact set from one to the other pump tomorrow and see how it goes - but running out of 10 amp fuses....  So will now have to wait until late next week for the pump....

..... Cold Cold and even Colder

.. still not too much going on at present...  I did visit the NEC for the Motorcycle show - it was good but extremely cold travelling on the bike !!!  I do believe it was -7 when I rode up on Monday morning about 05.45...

I saw the new Triumph Tiger 800XC it looks good and the proposed Honda Cross Tourer - Still not sure about that one.... and of course there were some BMW 1200 GS A's there.... I will just have to pray for a lottery win..   Met with some friends I had not seen in a while - one is off RTW in April - lucky lad...

Planning for next year is still going on - just looking along the route for places of interest and trying to miss main roads and the autostrada's in Italy.   I have hopefully equalised the riding days to something less challenging..  some days were 8+ riding hours.....  which I don't mind but I do need to slow the pace down and have many more Kodak moments... 

Quite a lot of nothing going on…..

Apart from riding in this awful weather not too much is going on… Mr Mugabe has now had its service and two new front brake discs (now 55,000 miles on the clock) – that’s 45,000 in the two and a half years that I have had him. It won’t be too long before we clock up 100,000 !!! This month I have had to put on two new tyres as the previous ones were squared off – but about 12,000 on one set is good. The BMW would only give me 7,000 at best on Bridgestone’s.

Spent a few hours last weekend putting in a new pukka fuse box – to manage the multiple items (heated grips, Autocom, aux sockets and Garmin etc).

Went to see Austin Vince and a presentation on Mondo Enduro - at Wimbourne - an excellent night - and I managed to win myself a very smart Belstaff Jacket in the raffle...

I passed a few hours last night looking over the route for next year and re-routing to avoid large cities like Milan and keep off the Auto Strada’s. Once that is sorted then I will look at each leg of the trip to see if there are places of interest nearby. I did find a brilliant looking set of roads in Southern France.. near Cognin-Les-Gorges and Malleval. That should be a interesting ride – sort of a warm up for the Stelvio Pass in Italy….. ah well onwards and upwards… Dreaming of Living the Dream…..

… That was a weekend – that was…

Started out late on Friday due to a technical hitch with Rui and his nose – but that’s another story.

We eventually left Winchester at 1240 and headed for Andover / Marlborough / Swindon / Circencester for a coffee break at Greasy Joe’s Café

The onwards and upwards to Stroud / Gloucester / Hereford and then a well deserved coffee stop at the Honey Café.    I was due to meet Graham there – as he had travelled up from Tenby (Graham was one of the guy’s I rode with in South Africa on Enduro Africa 2008).  It was so good of him to hang on for us and no sooner had we arrived; when the “fast” team arrive – they had set off from Ower at 1300 and had taken the quicker route  – must check there Garmin tracks !!

Then on to the camp site in Rhayader and pitched the tents in the dark..   All sorted and stowed away and off to the Eagles Inn for a “Planning Meeting” and debrief from the days events.  Enough is enough and it was head torches on and 10 mellow souls making their way in the dark -  back to the site.



Some view

 Following some heavy overnight rain we made an early start with a full cooked breakfast and lashings of hot coffee.   We divided into two groups – Brisk and Steady (150 miles) for a  trundle through the valleys and Full On group on some of the best reads on Mid Wales and I think they took in some roads in North and South too (300 miles)

I can only write about the Brisk and Steady ride – on which the scenery was stunning and the very small country lanes were very demanding in their own way – narrow, wet, slippery, muddy and covered in leaves – but apart from that…….  One section was extremely testing with very steep descent and slippery tarmac – this prompted Rui to comment that his arse had been “sending Morse code” for the last 20 minutes !!

Cream teas at Devil’s Bridge and then vegetable soup at a log cabin with a rather warm wood burning stove somewhere North East of Abergwesyn were very welcome.

On one lovely stretch on forest road we saw and shoot – lots of dogs on the right and the “guns” assembling on the left – all tweed and gaiters…  another 100 yards along the road we saw at least 20 pheasants sneaking across the road and hiding in the bushes; with that ‘You ain’t seen me – right’  look on their faces…

All arrived back at the Camp Site in time for a repeat of the previous evening with a slight variation on the menu.  Mark Haydock had now joined us for the evening having ridden up on his brand new BMW 1200RT.   I wonder if he had wished he had stuck with the GS after some of the lanes.

A later start back on the Sunday – again a fast group seeing how many miles they could cover before crossing the bridge – and a less progressive group seeing more of the countryside and even some more slippy lanes !! Whoops sorry..   Stopped for coffee the White Monk Café at Tintern Abby and then across the bridge and across country before yet another tea stop at Laycock Abby.   And then home…

Mid Wales in the autumn is stunning…  and I would highly recommend getting out and seeing it.

Thanks to all those that attended – good company – good biking – good food – good coffee – what more could you ask for ----- Stop that……..

Same again next year… probably…

... We are off again

... Well on Friday morning - I am off again into Mid Wales - Not enough rain last time so we are going back for more - there will be about 12 bikes there is time.  Might as well get a cold one in before the snow sets in.  Taking a long slow route up via Hereford.

Will try the new tent for the first time and see some more of the great countryside around central Wales and might even have a pint or two...

Will definitely be trying the Kangaroo and Crocodile steaks this time....

I have now given up trying to pack lighter and lighter - too much hassle that....  photos to follow...

.. A Sad Day



Godwin Calafato

 Today saw the furneral of an old friend Godwin Calafato - he died on the 6th Oct from cancer.

It was a nice service at Farley Chamberlyne near Braishfield...   

RIP old chap..  good to have known you

Just an update.....

Hi.... 
Been a while...  update is - We are off the Mid Wales again at the end of the mouth - a total of 11 bikes so far...    Last Sunday was spent at the Weymouth Beach Races - total mayhem on the sand...  Good to watch but there is now way that I would even try !!! 

Planning for next year is still progressing - destination is still Croatia and I am still travelling solo

The bike is now overdue for a service - have now covered 43,000 miles in the last 2.75 years... 

Camping Extreme

Off again - A return visit to Mid Wales in October - let's see if we get any more takers this time !!!!

Weather should be cooler and probably wetter.....   The call of Kanagroo or Crocodile steaks !!!

August's Mid Wales run..

Friday 27th August – off the Mid Wales

 … Left the office at 12.30 and enjoyed a very casual ride up to Wales via Swindon, Gloucester, Ross-on-Wye and Hereford. Arrived just in time to meet Colin at Reception on the Camp Site.. Just to two of us then…


We set up the tents and departed for the local town in search of some food… the first pub we found proved to be excellent – the beer was cold and the food varied and well cooked… http://www.eagles-inn.co.uk/ and what a menu it was..

 Including locally grown Water Buffalo, or Crocodile / Kangaroo Steaks:  Too good to miss – so I had faggots and mash with thick Gravy and Colin settled for the Pheasant !! all supplemented with ample pints… another good evening.



Saturday 28th August – off to the Dams

… Rode out of the camp site at 9am and travelled up the Elan Valley to see the dams and the lakes http://www.elanvalley.org.uk/dams-reservoirs

We travelled over some beautiful scenery, very twisty and narrow roads – just relax and enjoy the views.

The route took us North West to Devils Bridge – where we stopped for a coffee at the Hafod Hotel. A very nice chap there made us very welcome even though they were not actually open.

 Refreshed we moved on to the Coast and Aberystwyth for Lunch – a typical Bank Holiday – wet and windy on the prom. Not a lot to recommend it !!

Onwards and south to Lampeter and then back onto the narrow roads and to more lakes…. The plan was to find a view, stop and brew up.  But having left to kettle back at base camp; we quickly gave up on that and found a nice Visitor Centre in the woods – more coffee with some wonderful carrot cake. By the time we got back to camp it was 5.30p, and we had covered about 150 miles.

So a vote was taken and we cleaned up and retreated to the Eagle Inn for some more excellent wining and dining ….  Venison for Colin and Moroccan Chicken for me..

The morning brought some more rain but not for long and following yet another good breakfast cooked by yours truly; we made a good start at 8am … The route home was planned by Colin and consisted of some fine bikers roads – north to Newtown, then South to Crossgates, Crickhowell, Abergaveny and Monmouth. We stopped for coffee at the Honey Café at Bronllys near Brecon, in the foothills of Pen y Fan. An excellent tea stop.

Then across to Tintern Abbey, and over the bridge at Chepstow, and back through Bath and Warminster before going our own ways at Wilton. Brilliant roads and I know Colin enjoyed then….

All in all a brilliant weekend, even with the occasional downpours of liquid sunshine. Thanks for the company Colin.  The campsite was good, although very busy. Now to start thinking about the next trip….. mmmm where – when -----

26 Aug 2010

........... You can tell it's about to be a Bank Holiday weekend - it raining.............   Having got totally drenched yesterday - I have now managed to get everything dry ready for tomorrow's trip to Mid Wales... trying out a new tent in the rain appears appropriate somehow...   I will be travelling up via Swindon - Gloucester - Hereford and Ross-on-Wye by way of a change and on Saturday I have planned a 125 miles route around the Lakes and Dams using mostly minor roads - I must remember to take the stove and a brew kit with me...

The return trip will take me down the valleys and then to Monmouth, then south to Tintern Abby and over the bridge... 

Pray for dry weather ......

16 Aug 2010

... Time is certainly marching on - it's now mid-August - the evenings are getting darker and before you know it it will be winter again...   Not a lot happening at this time,  - although I will be taking a weekend run up to Mid-Wales - I suspect it will rain again - usually does there ...

Still planing for trip for next year - but attempting not to plan too much - the general route is done just to give me an idea of how far (about 3200 miles) and many days (16 days).... that is the problem with just having two weeks to fit in a trip...  One day it will be open ended....    Having read about a rider in Switzerland that got fined stupid money for speeding I may well plan to bypass their little country... Now looking for particular places of interest on the way and for interesting routes - like the Stelvio Pass.   I will hopefully be calling-in on friend on mine that I haven't seen for over 25 years - now living in France and will then drop into the Camping-Moto site in the Dordogne http://www.motocamp.com/motocamp.nsf/Home.htm on the way through - nice lager there ....

Have just got version 11 of Garmin Maps and this now includes coverage of Croatia - how very handy...

Later

Here I Go Again....

It's that time again - planning for next year !!  First I thought of somewhere warm like Spain and Portugal... mmmm  nothing adventurous there I thought ---so how about Croatia via France, Italy and then back through Bosnia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and France...   I could give it a go...

So out with the maps, the ACSI Campsite Guide and Garmin Mapsource - should keep me going through the winter !!   Must keep it below 3,000 miles and within 16 days...  and slow down more.... even stop a while...

Camping trip with SAM Group to Dartmoor

Saturday 17 July 2010

Good morning, it’s 8.30am and the sun has nearly risen over the tree line and started to dry out the tents after a very wet night….


We left Ower yesterday (4 bikes) and drifted down to Dartmoor, nothing too hurried or rushed but the Friday night traffic helped slow us down. Only a slight shower as we arrived at Betty Cottles Inn on the western edge of Dartmoor just south of Oakhampton. Two riders (Mark and Ron) had already arrived. We quickly set up the tents and off the bar for a lemonade or two and a good meal… Whilst trying to locate my tent on the way home I only just managed to just miss the heavy downpour that lasted most of the night….

The site is good and not too many people here – we do have two tuk-tuk type vehicle drivers travelling from the Algarve to Weston-Super-Mare for charity…. Such small engines 50cc with a top speed of 30mph…. very nice lads and a great effort – their web site is www.justgiving.com/strolling-bones-tour - if you also want to donate.

Bugger – just as I was writing this and commenting on the sun – it clouded over and is now raining… Some of the guys are hanging around waiting for the breakfast to be served.. 9.30 !!! - so late. Some of us have already cooked ours and feed the flock of ducks too….

As there is no plan – it was agreed that we should ride down to Adrenalin Quarry near Liskard and try the ride out. A gentle trip down to the Quarry www.adrenalinquarry.co.uk and a good view of the proceedings – just two brave rider stepped forward to try out the longest zip wire in the UK – Simon and I…. unfortunately due to a weigh issue we were not allowed to both ride down at the same time !!! Simon leaped off first and managed to get into a spin half way down… I was next and within 20m of leaving terra firma the rope twisted me around and I spent the rest of the ride travelling backwards. I was a brilliant ride though. Still too early to return back to camp so we rode down to the town of Looe for a visit. Then back to Betty Cottle’s and a visit to the bar - again. We were now joined by Lyndsey and David who had just arrived from Gosport.


We were also joined by a pedal cyclist riding for charity on his way to John-a-Groats from Lands End – poor bugger – no engine !!! Now unlike me he was travelling very light !!! I promise to review my packing and take less next time.

Sunday 18 July 2010


An early start again – and I ended up cooking eggs and bacon for a few of the guys !!!


On the road by 1030 and away over Dartmoor to Exeter and even managed to stop for a well received ice cream en route. The weather now having turned wonderfully sunny. Travelling east along the coast as far as Burton Bradstock for lunch – it was very crowded though – not recommended at the weekends in summer. The coast road now provided some great views over Chesil Beach. Then onwards to Dorchester-Blandford-Verwood and stopped for toasted tea cakes at Ringwood.


All in all a very good weekend with good company, some good roads, good beer and not too much rain.

Should do the another SAM trip next year to Wales maybe .,....

West Country here we come.....

Well it off camping again this weekend - a group of Bikers from Solent Advanced Motorcyclists with be heading to the West Country (Dartmoor) on Friday and returning on Sunday.

Camping in the grounds of a Pub appears to be a good idea too..    I will let you know.

I have decided to try a smaller tent and minimum kit - and that should prove interesting... 

Horizons Unlimited Event Jun 2010........

What brilliant event - high recommended to all motorcycle travellers and all wanabees...

I left home on Wednesday morning as I had volunteered to assist with the setting up – well someone has to do it – unloading chairs, setting up IT equipment and even erecting at very very large projection screen in the Marque. This is now the biggest Motorcycle Travellers event in the world but with being over-powering.

I meet with a great number of people from previous events and 10 Members of Solent Advanced Motorcyclists (SAM) also attended.

I was so good just to sit and chat to such noted travellers as Peter and Kay Forward, Austin Vince and Lois Pryce, Ted Simons, and so many more... and to meet some of the authors of the books that I have read. So my thanks go to all of them, to Grant and Sue or organising the event and to Lumb Farm for hosting it, and not forgetting all those that took the time to answer my questions and share a moment and a beer with me…

They had three camping fields available this year and plenty of room for all, and I really did not want to pack up and travel home on the Sunday. So on the return I visited the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire and then delayed it further by riding to a relatives house in deepest Gloucestershire for a coffee before taking the long way home.

Next trip is the SAM Camping weekend in July but in the meantime back to the maps and plan for next year’s trip !! Spain/Portugal or Italy/Slovenia ?? mmmm we'll see…

After the holiday.....

Mmmmmm been back from the trip nearly three weeks... bugger.  Thought I had better blog again - got to keep it going.

Now planning the next short trip which is the Horizons Unlimited Annual Meeting at Ripley in Yorkshire for 5 days and then a weekend camping trip for Solent Advanced Motorcyclists on Dartmoor.    .... and of course looking towards next years road trip - thought it would be good to good somewhere warm and dry !! but where - it has to be possible within a two week period (16 days) - which would be between 3000 and 4,000 miles.  Spain and Portugal is favorite at present - possible Italy and Slovenia !!

The bike is ready for it's service next week (having ridden 38,000 miles in just over 2 years) which will be just in time for the trip to Derbyshire,  and the heated grip problem now sorted out with a new controller and the Garmin glitch sorted with a replacement power cable.

I met with Lois Pryce on Tuesday night, when she gave a presentation to SAM on her recent trip with Austin across the USA driving a Ural motorcycle and Sidecar !!  I am so envious - not only for the adventure but for be able to go for three months !!!   Maybe if I retire at 65 !! Who knows....

Day Thirteen and last....

Dear Readers

As usual we made an early start... the riding to start was very difficult as the visibility was down to about 25 meters in places due to the fog and mist.   We rode from Ault to Boulogne on the coast road and then on the smaller country roads to Calais.   Having travelled through 12 or so border crossings in the last two weeks - if was so noticeable that the only Guards we saw were at the Calais Port when travelling into the UK!!! 

We stopped for a coffee at the Port only to find out that we only 10 minutes before they called us forward to load !! So a quick dash to get my Mem Sahib some perfume and back on the bikes.....

Now back in the UK - remembering that we now need to ride on the left and treat all vehicles with suspicion - none of this polite invitations to pass - and that getting in the way is the norm on the M25 !!   Oh God give everyone patience but I want mine NOW...............

Arrive at Loomies at 1215 for a bacon butty and a coffee.... all done and dusted...  Had a photo and we both departed for home.  Thanks again to Steve for his brilliant company - it was strange not to have you in my rear view mirror for the first time in 13 days...  A gentle spin along the 272 and the A31 and arrived home at about 2.30pm... 


Days Total:  241
Trip Total:  3531

Nite Nite until the next one.....

Day Twelve

Good evening

A cold night at Soissons France but the showers were good. Steve had problems again starting but we had bought a set a jump leads in Luxemburg and were able to get an English chap on the camp to assist with the jump start.

Left about 8am and took the gentle non-motorway route through the lanes and farm lands of Picardy… Stopped for lunch in little town of Conty – sunny and warm for a change.

Continued west to the coast at Ault and decided to do B&B for the last night. Found a simple place just South of Ault and will be having a celebratory meal this evening before heading for the Chunnel in the morning. It is now sunny and 5pm and we have had a couple of beers and Steve in sat outside in the sunshine reading his book. I will be finishing off the Blog and moving the photos about ready for up loading to Photo Bucket etc.

All in all a good trip – Steve was brilliant company and has performed wonders “in the kitchen”… and has put up with the dis-agreements that I have had with Gertie Garmin !! I am sure Brian would have enjoyed the rest of the trip once he had got used to the wet and the cold!! And of course David Charlton would have loved the trip too.. note to self – no exercise in the snow !!

The Kit:
Best bit of kit must be the Garmin SatNav and the Petrol Stove. Problem kit was Steve’s bike’s battery and my heated grips that failed when most need !! Item to add to the list for the next trip was Tracksuit to sleep in. Although the Reef Shoes were very good – they have started to fall apart – so some thought into non-riding footwear.

The Route.
Over the route was good – although I must get away from Motorways more and doing “too many miles” in the day and Chill more…. But in my defence the days that we did most miles were the days that it just did not stop raining and to sit for longer in a wet tent was a poor choice... 

The Bikes

Apart from the starting problems of Steve's Tiger both bike performed brilliantly - even my 12 year old Africa Twin did not skip a beat... although the sheepskin did get soaked !!

Nite Nite to those that have been following the trip until the next one – although I will write the last entry we I get home tomorrow!

Although I have the HU Event at Ripley to come… I will have to think about next year!!! Somewhere warm and dry I think!!! SOUTH….

Days total: 135

Trip Total: 3290

Day Eleven

Good Evening

Despite some early sunshine this morning in Vianden Luxemburg, by the time we were ready to roll at 8am it had started to rain yet again. And then Steve’s bike would not start.. so the owner of the site turned out with his sit-on lawnmower and some jump leads and got it started. Yet another cold ride until about noon then the sun came out.

I gentle 145 miles today from Vianden to Soissons via Boillion and Sedan – but managed to convince Gertie Garmin to only use the country lanes. The photos is of Nigel having a meaningful discussion with Girtie Garmin - on the lines of "Where the F*** are you taking me " !!!

A pleasant ride over and arrived at the Municipal Campsite in Soissons at 5pm... Tomorrow we are planning to ride west to the coast and then camp with stiking distance of the Channel Tunnel and arrive in the UK on Thursday – ride over to Loomies and have a well deserved Coffee.

Trip Total now 3155…. And the bikes looking forward to a good clean

Day Ten

Good evening – not such an early start today – we are well ahead of schedule and so got up late – dried the clothes in the sun shine – honest real sun shine!! By the time we had breakfast it was 11am and away to Luxemburg. We tried to travel on minor roads today but Gertie was a bit upset by this!! But we still managed to do a lot of smaller roads.

Arrive at 6pm in the rain – again… so wet we had to cook in the tent… Tasted good nevertheless… although I did manage to knock over chilli con carne but scooped it up – delicious.

Met up with two Goldwing riders who were on their way home – some 3 weeks early!! and the weather had been so crap in Europe. Ah well --- We are now sat in the Café Du Pont in Vianden Luxembourg using their Wi-Fi and planning the route for tomorrow – As we a few days in hand we are going to Bouillion and Sedan and then turn to Reims and overnight there. Then on Wednesday well will head for Rouen and Dieppe for another night and then head for Calais on Thursday. We will therefore catch the Chunnel on Thursday and be home in the afternoon after a final coffee Loomies – as that was where we started from…. Aaaahhhhhhh wait a minute -  another large beer has arrived…. Got to go

Nite Nite

PS only 242 miles today and we will pass the 3,000 miles tomorrow before breakfast!!!

Day Nine

It was a good evening – we met up with an English couple – Richard and Nikki and had a few beers – and then steered a wobbly course for the Chicken Shack… very warm and cosy. We both woke each other up with the snoring and got up early, packed the bikes and were out of the camp 6am and rode into Prague for a look around and find a hot coffee and a bite to eat. It was needed as the ride to follow was very very cold and damp.

We then motored off towards Dresden and Leipzig to visit the Colditz Castle – Gertie did her usually thing and showed us some very interesting villages en route !!! The are so many major roads works over in this part of the world !!

Arrived Colditz and had a long walk around and visited the Castle Museum. Back on the road we then road towards Leipzig then turning south towards Muchen… We arrived at the Junction of the A4 and A7 and met with a 20 miles slow moving traffic jam – we filtered for about 15 miles until it just go too narrow. Engines were getting hot so we pulled off the road and asked Gertie to find us a campsite (thank God I had loaded version 2010).. Site located within 5km.. Loverly site with great showers/washing machine and TUMBLE DRYER Yippee….

Off to the showers…. Nite Nite

PS we did 345 miles today and the trip total is now 2730 !!!! short riding day tomorrow.

Day Eight

Good Evening

We left the camp site at Nysa very early - even the reception was not open so we did a runner !!

Within an hour we were crossing into the Czech Republic - if fact we did it twice - as we had passed
through the border and forgot to change money from Polish Zloty - so we rode back into Poland - change our money and then rode into the Czech Republic again...

Then I entered the next destination into Gertie and off we went - hoping to visit the Church of Bones at Hutna Gora - but Gertie locked onto Kutna Hora 50 miles outside Prague !!! so we did not get to visit there either !!

Arrived in Prague in good time and found the camp site at the top of the hill - very pleasant - it worked

worked out that it was cheaper to stay in a "wooden tent" or what looks like a chicken shed than to pitch two small tents.. and they have heating and lights !!!

Showers were very good and hot.

Met an english couple as we arrived and also a Dutch couple who were good enough to make up a coffee and we sat in their warm caravan to drink it... They are travelling Europe for 7 weeks...

All sorted and the washing on the line trying to dry out from yesterdays drenching.. we are now sat in the
bar at 5.30pm and deciding where to go tomorrow - we are close the Dresden so will take a run up to see Colditz if we can.  Then swing down to Bitburg and on the Luxemberg etc...

We have now done 2335 miles and getting used to the riding... some of the roads are boring but there you go..  if you need to do the places - you have to do the miles... surprisingly I have not used to music very much -   just chillin' in the saddle.... the main problems have been the rain and the cold.... and the poor quality of some of the roads..., the big trucks have put big ruts in the road and it tends to take to front wheel... in some places the ruts of over  6 inch deep... they main solution is the skim the ridges to level the road - this is also a problem for the bike !!! an interesting ride !!!

Must go now - second beer on the way !!!

Nite Nite

Day Seven

Left Warsaw at sparrows fart this morning - made very good time. But once the fog had lifted it started to rain and it just got harder and harder..  Arrived at Auchwitz II and toured the main camp in the rain - so very depressing.. but a trip that I had to make - having spent 2 years in Poland but was unable to get to visit - I was determined that one day I would.    

And still it rained and rained just adding to the sheer sadness that is in everything there....

Took a ride over to Aushwitz I - and found hundreds and hundreds of coach parties - a commercial shambles - was not prepared to queue up to join a tour nor wait until 3pm to go in on ones own.

Rode off to the camp site 30km before the Czech Border - still pouring with rain and so very cold - temperature down to about 7c.   Arrived at a camp site at about 6pm in the pouring rain. Site still closed for the winter - rode to another and no staff ! - so we rode in and pitched camp next to the shower block.

We cooked Chicken "Coq-o-van" and the rain has just started again.

Lots of wet clothing with no chance to drying them. I wonder what the Czech for Tumble dryer is !!!Tomorrow is a shortish ride to Prague via the Church of Bones at Hutna Gora.

Total miles today was 271 - total for the trip is 2219 !!!!

Nite Nite

Day Six

Early start - had time to pack the bikes before breakfast... hit the road at 7.30am which is actually 7.30 Polish time so by the time we got the the border it was still on 8am

The border was again completely deserted - and the only soul around was the guy in the Exchange Kiosk.. So different from the border crossings I remember in 1979 !!

We had planned to stop over about 50 miles south of Augustow but we had made such good time that we pressed on to Treblinka.

I had also visited this Extermination Camp in 1979 - the feeling was still the same - disbelief that any man could be so inhuman to another man Very moving place... Google it and read for youself

They have made some great improvements to the site and I would recommend a visit if you are passing this way.

Left there and headed for Warsaw - and arrived at Camping 123 site at 5.30pm. Cooked a wonderful meal and got some beers from the local tennis club !!

Site is of poor quality and very expensive (being over twice as much as we paid on Leba - but that's Cities for you)
Lots of mosquitos to keep us busy - I am trying to type this with gloves on...

Now to enjoy a glass / Mug of Zywiec beer....

Day Five

Good evening


It is 5.30pm and we are in Vilnius, Lithuania.... as far East as we are going...

We left Augustow at 8am and had a very pleasant ride through some beautiful, rolling countryside. and forests.

Lots to see and even a few Kodak stops on the way. Arrived in Vilnius at about 1.30pm (it was 23c here) we eventually found the B & B - with a very charming owner. Had a very welcome shower - and I decided that asI had reach my goal of getting here - I would shaved off the beard..

We went for a stroll around the Old Town and had a very pleasant lunch and watched Vilnius promanarding..

Now we are about to meet up with Milda a work colleage of mine from the UK who lives and works here -

she is part of the Universal Telephone / 5G group. I have been working with her for 5 years over the telephone and now I get to meet her and her boyfriend. What a great day..

Now back at the room - had a great evening being shown around Vilnius by Milda and Martin -had a meal and a few beers.

Made in back to the room by 10pm and fell straight to sleep but woke at 5am.  Then tomorrow we are riding  back to Poland and then heading for Warsaw.

Nite Nite..

Day Four

Good Morning

The morning broke and we were up and away from Stallag 41 - had a good breakfast (note Compo Omellete now off the list !!) decamped and on the road for 8am..  Took a trip to find the beach.....

After a couple on attempts we rolled up on to a perfect spot... Kodak moment over and off to Sopot and Gdansk...   after a tour of the towns and a visit to the Grand Hotel that I had stayed at in 1979 !!! Now an extemely posh hotel... loads of money per night !! we just stopped for a leg break and viewed some to the local views (ask Steve - he will explain that - just say roller blades !!)

Rode out of Gdansk onto some very long roads and lots of lorry traffic which stayed with us all the way to Elk,  Then the traffic lighten up but we experienced some very major road building....   after some 200km we broke free and headed to Augustow...   arriving at about 6pm and unable to locate a camp site - we booked into a B & B / Motel...  We had an evening meal with out having to cook - which was good.  Steve managed to ring home while I sipped a cool beer and caught up on the blog....   Watched Star Wars in Polish and turned in for the night....   A long days ride today because of the roads ... started at 8am and stopped at 6pm - a total of 9 hours in the saddle....  !!!

Tomorrow's destination is Vilnius the captial of Lithuania....    Nite Nite....

Day Three

Good Evening ....

It is now the end of Day 3... Woke up this morning after quite a good nights sleep..  Brian, however, did not sleep well and has decided to return home under his own steam... a combination of our snoring, lack of sleep and  "boring roads" ah well there ya go... God speed Brain - ride carefully..

We are now two.. a valient attempt to get the laundry dry succeeded it getting it half dry before the meter ran out.. We all ate a good "compo" breakfast and then Steveand I hit the road at 9am...

The weather was grey but bright - later it was to get very grey and very wet.... After just a short hours ride we were at the Polish border - and just sailed through - then stopped for a drink in Poland. A couple of fuel stops later we cruised into a very rain soaked Leba seaside resort - but alas it is Monday and they have all gone home or are hiding.   You don't see bikers like this over here - especially without proper footwear - and neither are wearing gloves  !!!

A great hot shower and a wander around we are now preparing the evening meal - with a bottle of rad and white --- then hit the sack....  Tomorrow we ride to Gdansk / Sopot and then South and East to Augustow.... Weather tomorrow unknown.        Nite Nite...