Nepal at last - Nepal Day 2


Oh how I hate travelling on airplanes. I can't get comfortable, can't get any sleep and my back hurts….

Well that over for 10 days. No real problems with the flights, we got here and so did the luggage, what more could you ask for. I met up with Kona and Patrick at Dubai airport, and it was back onto another flight to Kathmandu.

The flight path into the Airport was wonderful, lots of hills and forests and then suddenly a plateau and thousands of houses… quite a sight.

We were met at the entrance by Steve and Major Ram of the tour company and whisked though the streets to our newly completed hotel (we are the first guests).

After unpacking, it was off for a ramble around the local area guided by Steve, change some money, get bottled water and buy a SIM card. Then into the local Black Olive Restaurant for a meal and a well earned beer.

I tried hard to remember to take more photos…

Good night from Kathmandu…

And I’m off … well nearly - Nepal Day 1

 And here I am, I caught the very early coach from Ringwood in order to avoid the reported long queue at Heathrow but the wasn’t one.  So, too early to check in my bags, so nothing for it but have a brew.

The flight to Dubai and then Kathmandu will just have to wait a few more hours…..

Overland Winter Warmer - February 2022

Having set off early on the Friday morning, just as the rain started! and by the time we got to Family Farm BP petrol station north of Oxford, we were totally soaked and very very cold.  A brief visit to Starbucks was not the best place to try and warm up (all hand driers were out of order)..

Once we arrived at the M40 the sun came out and we got to the event in Chipping Warden at about 10:30.   We pitched the tents and started to help unload the van, install the festoon lighting and help where ever we could.  

Before too long it was time for the great taste of a bowl of stew and a couple of pints…. Just what was needed as the temperature outside was dropping very quickly.  A cold night was to follow - good job I took the ex-Army Artic sleeping bag !! 

The following morning there was frost everywhere and I took advantage of the kitchen prepared hot and delicious sausage, egg and mushroom bun for breakfast.

There were some brilliant presentations during the day.  The day was only dampened by the news that a friend of 21 years had passed away over night - so sad.  We raised a glass or two to Colin Hitchcock… We had only visited him at the hospice on the previous Wednesday.

That evening the wind got stronger and the driving rain came in giving me a another restless nights sleep.  Then after assisting with some packing up of the festoon lighting etc,  we packed up our tents and hit the road home accompanied by the dreaded cross winds.

All in all a good event and it was great to meet up with some old friends

The Late Colin Hitchcock

December 2021- A bimble through the Dorset Countryside

It was a chilly morning as I set off for a bimble on the XT.  I decided to take a few turnings I have ridden past on so many occasions and wondered "where does that go..."

I then stumbled upon what is left of an old WW2 RAF Airfield at Tarrant Rushton on the way to Blandford Forum.  It only closed in the 1980s.  I then stopped for a Covid spaced cup of tea at Compton Abbas Airfield which is just outside Shaftesbury.   Having slatted my thirst, I then rode over and around Salisbury Plain and then on to Salisbury for a meeting and another cup of tea with William Shakespeare.   Finally arriving home in the dark.  

Here is a finally picture of both bikes all clean and polished.   Of course the next question to be answered is:  which one should I take to the USA next year!!!

October 2021 - Weymouth Beach Race