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...

Day Two

After not such a good nights sleep - cold and snoring !! We packed up and nearly started off...


Steve could not get get his bike started and we had to seek help from the camp owner..
Jump leads procured and away we nearly went...

I did managed to ride 300 yards on the wrong side of the road much to the horror of
an oncoming German!! The weather was over cast and light sunshine all day..

365 miles covered today - arrive at the site next to a lake at about 6.33pm....

Wondeful site.. but could not get onto the Wi-Fi... no password and the camp staff gone home !

During the ride Brian too managed a frantic ride on the wrong side of a junction but recovered well !!

The sun is just going down over the site and the mosquitoes are start to look for their lunch..Steve and Brian are starting to look at preparing another meal... Tomorrow it up and break for the border an into Poland then alond the coast to Slupsk..  NiteNite

Day One

An early start and yet another full english breakfast and we were off to the chunnel... Departure time 8.20 and away we went.    35 minutes later we arrived in France and so did the rain... On the road to Antwerpen and two fuel stops to ensure that we have a break.

Other than Nigel having a slight disagreement the Gertie Garmin, which resulted in a brief diversion through Eidehoven, all went to plan and we arrived at the camp site at about 4.30pm. So following a brisk walk to the local Lidl shop - what happened next was amazing... Steve bought fresh vegtables, meat and prepared Beef caserole with carrots and suet dumplings and mash potatoes !!! and a glass or two or Cabernet Sauvignon to wash it down with - So much better that Nigel's promised Army Compo rations (boil in a bag!!!) Well done Steve and Brian

The site a wonderful showers and now we are sitting around a box of biscuits and hot coffee before turning in for the night... whilst Steve and Brian discuss the menu for tomorrow night - it's like travelling with Floyd and Jamie Oliver

It is now 9.30pm    Nite Nite

Day Zero ........

All well - All went well for the first leg - M25 surprisingly clear - arrived at B&B at 6pm - visited downtown Folkstone for fish and chips. Ended up chatting to a Polish Waitress - good chance to refresh speaking minimum Polish !!!! It's 30 years since I was there - more than rusty .....

In bed by 9.15! Breakfast at 7am...... Last of the soft bedding !!!!!! Nite nite

... and we are nearly off...

Tomorrow is the big day - off to Folkestone and then Poland & Beyond...

Will pack the bike tonight and then worry all day about have I got this or that...the route... the weather... the bike... etc etc.    But we will settle down into the pace of it... quick dash across the Netherlands and Germany and then ease up a little but try to keep on a schedule - we have a day or so in hand  - just in case...  It must be so much easier without an end date... just free to travel at your own pace without the worry of having to return by a particular date..... ah well one day..

Sorted out the new tyres - amazing how much tread there is on a new set !!! or how much wasn't there on the old set !!

Much to the disgust of the family the beard is coming along a treat !!

Next blog should be from somewhere "over there"....

Exmoor and beyond – Sunday 25th April 2010....

A much warmer night and a lot of rain… Some of us slept but some did not. It was rumoured that I snore a little but that has been put in the shade by Steve… wow snoring for England – no wonder that Dee sends him out into the North Sea….  

Up at 6 ish…. Broke camp and were all Shit, showered and shaved, packed and rolling for 8am…. Yet another full breakfast and away. My waistline will not put up with drinking at night and full breakfasts in the morning….. Once on the road to Poland and beyond we just won’t be able to keep that up!! Or buy FB trousers.

The sun over Dartmoor was “interesting” – pea soup fog – visibility down to a matter of a few meters is places. Onwards to Exeter to refuel, then a quick blast up the A35 to Dorchester and a coffee stop at Burton Bradstock and then a quick visit to Poundbury (what a strange collection of buildings – not much greenery, no people – very weird place) and then onto Ringwood for toasted tea-cakes and a debrief…. Lots things to sort before the major trip, things to get and things to remove from the list. I must remember to stop more often and take more “Kodak breaks”. But I am conscious that this weekend was 350 miles over three days – we will need to do at least 250 each day and maybe more… Max speed was 81mph and moving average was 30.1mph Total Riding time was 8.51 hours.   Oh how the backside will suffer.....!!!!

Good fun and worth it….

Exmoor and all that

23rd April 10 – Exmoor

Good day – today was the start of the Shakedown run to the West County. Steve is still stuck on the rigs in the North Sea and is hoping to make it back for Saturday. Meet up at Ower and after comparing the relative size of our panniers and miscellaneous bolt on bags we set off in the4 Friday afternoon traffic for the West Country. Gertie Garmin skipped a beat around Salisbury and we ended up on a more direct route but picked up the track around Taunton. All bikes made good time, radios worked and nothing fell off en route.
  
And the beard in coming on well......


One stop for fuel – although Brian's BMW GSA has a total range of 430 miles and so won’t be refuelling until Monday week !!

Arrive at the first camp site and set up camp with no major hiccups. Cooked pasta – tasted good. The off to the pub for a few pints and quiz night…. Staggered back by the light of 3 head torches… Brian’s being so powerful that it that if could be seen from space – the rest of make do with it high lighting the road in front of us…

Bloody cold night, a very deep frost in the morning with ice on the tents and my nose…. Pack the bikes and waited for Brian to finish hoovering out his tent. And hit the road at 8.30 bound the the White Hart Hotel at Exford for a full breakfast whilst sat we sat by the river – how very civilised. Then back on the bikes again – rode to Lynton for a coffee stop – then on to Oakhampton via Barnstable. Some very twisty and almost empty roads.

Found the site without hassle and set up – then heard from Steve that he was home and would be joining us, and arrived with Dee at 6.30pm 

Visited the bar for a briefing and to prepare to Sunday's ride...

4 Weeks and Counting..........

With just over 4 weeks to go till the off...   and only a week before the "shake-down" trip to Exmoor...

The planning of the route is now on Version 17, and I have now upgraded to the latest version of Garmin software as it now has full detailed roads within Lithuania, and have re-planned that to enter and exit Lithuania via two separate border crossings.

Packing is still going to be the interesting part...I think I am going to have to be ruthless in order to cut down of both weight and bulk ...

Hey ho... must remember that it's fun..............

Nearly there............

Well, just about 7 weeks to go before the off.... We have a meeting this weekend to sort out any issues - then it's a weekend "shake-down" run to Exmoor....  

The plan as for as it goes is - leave Southampton on the Friday afternoon and ride down to Folkstone - overnight in a biker-friendly hotel and then have breakfast and a short dash to the Metal Rabbit..

After that - still trying not to plan anything - only the general direction of travel..

Now that the front brakes are sorted out - thanks to a brilliant Honda Mechanic that lives locally, its happy biking again.   I have had the 40,000 service - but it is not running too smooth at present and will be going back to the workshops on Tuesday - not sure if it's fuel, plugs or valves but it is certaily not smooth running....   I still have to change the chain and sprockets this month. Next month will be replace the tyres - there are starting to "square-off" and will have to be changed before the 3,500 trip !!! in May - whoops.   I have a few more miles to do before then.... get on trucking.....

Bugger and Brakes........

Mmmmmmm -  Not a good end to the week - the front brake calipers seized on Friday - just managed to get home.   I have now taken them off and am trying to get them refurbished by Lee at Hordle (Ex Honda Mechanic).  

Thoughts this time of year start turning towards the sunny days, the open roads and a BMW Bike !!! if only.....

Planning still proceeds - minor route changes and locating Camp sites en route..... and places of interest....

... and still planning...

Planning for the trip goes on; Travel Insurance done, Int'l Driving Permit obtained, Overnight accommadation sorted for Folkstone (prior to taking the Metal Rabbit to France), Chunnel ticket sorted.

I had purchased an aluminium box from the internet (Ex MOD) for 6 months ago but it was too tall - so I asked a friend on mind, as he is a fabricator, to had a look.  Brilliant job - cut down to size with new bottom piece welded on - now is looks the business.

Still need to find a place for the small ammo box that serve as my tool box - not that I could fix anything - but I might need them to open tins of soup etc...... 

Saw a presentation the other day from a friend that spent 7 weeks visiting 14 counties in Europe.  He had a wonderful little device called a Free Loader - which is a Solar Powered Battery charger - very neat - found one on EBay - all sorted.......

Bike in for another service and MOT in early March.   Will have to have new tyres too before the "Poland and Beyond" Trip.....

...and then there were Three

Planning is still moving on a pace.  Unfortunately one of the team has had to drop-out on account of a fall he had on ice whilst jogging !!  Not very healthy this running stuff (his words not mine).  So now we are three.

We all know each other very well and have all ridden together locally and on a few Continental Trips - never camping though (!).   We plan to have another meeting in March and a "shake down" trip to Exmoor in April.

... ah well - back to the lists and maps......

Brrrrrrrrr

Well hopefully the cold and snowy weather is now gone !!! - it was good practice for riding in Ice and Snow .... -7 degrees was not fun. Well Mugabe was due to be serviced (38,000) and I booked it in locally - on the day the shop didn't open !! falls and sickness - but some very nice people opposite at Mayor Motorcycles assisted by carrying out the serving - brilliant and such nice people http://www.mayors-motorcycles.co.uk/. I had for a long time thought they were just HD and Customising !! but not they will do all makes and models and the have a Dyna-Pro Dynamometer (!) if required.

It was certainly needed as the chain was suffering (off will come the Scott-oiler this week-end) and the front and back brake calipers we in poor nick due to so much salt !! such things happen when you ride most of the year round - bloody salt and grit everywhere. Hopefully that will now last me until April / May and I will have a big service before the "Poland & Beyond" adventure.... I suppose the tyres will need looking at too before I go !!! Bugger; got 11,000 miles out of the last pair. The Route for the next trip is coming on but I am having to shorten some of the days as the roads are not going to allow for big mileges.... Maybe a little wild camping will be required and maybe even a few B&Bs !!! Viewing stops so far include Vilnius, Treblinka, Warsaw and Auschwitz..

Poland & Beyond goes Multiple

Not sure how but the next big trip to Poland & Beyond will now have 4 bikes. I am still trying to keep the planning minimal. The only firm things at present are the dates - Out on Friday 7th and back on the 23rd May. The route is fluid but the general direction known. Stopping/overnight stops are not planned - places of interest to visit are so far very few at present - Vilnius for a hotel stop also Treblinka and Aushwitz are just two (everyone should visit - just the once).

The bike is holding up to the changes to the weather - it must be due for yet another service soon - will try the Honda dealer in Bournemouth next. The bike will need to be in good shape for the trip. I suppose that by May 2010 it will need new brake pads, new tyres - bugger.... where did that 5,000 miles go !!! See ya

That was a week that was...

What a week - first the fuel pump on the bike - then the switch for the heated grips and then the car but that's another sad tale..

Visited the Motorcycle show on Monday at the NEC Birmingham - it was OK but quieter that usual. Met with a few friends whilst wandering around, including Sam Manicom. Didn't but much this year - just a brilliant book by Dave Gurman "The Carin' Sharin' Chronicles", a set of spanners and some oil. Had a good look around and left about 2pm. The trip up was awful - heavy rain, high winds, pitch black and cold..... thank goodness for the heated gloves. The trip back was dry but the temperature dropped very quickly and had to stop to warm up just north of Winchester.

Next year - will lead a group up as good company can make a difference..

This Sunday is the HU Meeting at the High Corner Inn .... I wonder how many will brave the weather !!! I know I will.....