Europe - wandering on a zx9r
 

India looks great, but funds should go further without the cost of hiring a bike.

The Plan - HAHA (the what?)

Go to Europe (and Maroc), we will wander, its what we do ;-)

Some pics of the trip, hope you likey

Cheers,
Zixxer & Super George beer

Day 1 - Guernsey
30th March 2012
Via Gatwick, arrival into Guernsey was sunny & calm, the Island was a little greener than I remember, despite the shroud of hanging late afternoon mist. Joing the bike and some of the kit, we could finally complete the pre-departure prep and packing (is there enough luggage capacity, 'did you bring the stove Bikey George?'). The trip was finally ON, whatever that might bring, I am not really sure. Good things and I guess some less good things, some interesting things and the journey. Yes, that is all I really expect is a (decent) journey. Family have waived us off (well not George, he has been lazing with his feet up, garaged) oh poor thing ......) and wishes of a 'safe trip, be careful'. Maybe they realise (or not) that I don't really have a clue - haha. It will all work out - these things do.
With much anticipation it was great to be rejoined to (haha with?) the bike, tho it was immediately obvious that the toll of 10 weeks 'neglect' to Bikey George had taken full effect. He was unwilling to play ball. The click, click, then silence suggested a flat battery. Despite my recent increasing optimism that it would start, it was as feared. "Come on Bikey George" we have to go to France, you like France and then into Spain and on to Morocco and oh never mind, you'll love it.
I learned today motorcycles with a dead battery will not start from cold, BUT they will try and kill you as you repeatedly push them up-hill. It was approaching 7 in the evening, so no chance to fix this tonight. Bearing in mind the trip ahead, I am leaning towards a new 'un despite the obvious cost and environmental difference. We will see. Right lad, set the alarm early (ouch that will hurt) we have jobs to do tomorrow!


Day 2 - Guernsey
31st March
35 quid later, we have a functioning super-sports-tourer with the new battery installed George runs smooth and fast. Its nice to be back on board the old bus. He should be ready for the trip as a complete service including the valve check has already been done, some petrol and he should be fit.
The last minute essentials have been acquired today, though the budget is further raped (amongst other things stoopid razor blades, no wonder Tiger Woods is minted). Checklist is checked - although we still have far too much stuff, I have tried to limit it to just the essentials. My essentials include a smallish mouthwash, laptop, vitamins for example. I could live without them, but should have room and I am not a monk. I must locate said monk to determine the essential essentials...
A practice pack reveals that, yes I have too much stuff. Some warmer clothing will be sent back home (hopefully without too much regret). Doh, the post office is closed - so no packing these bits today, hang on, a hotel being refurbed, thanks skip-man - I will borrow this cardboard box and cut it smaller to fit - job done, ready to post first thing Monday.
Have stove, will cook. We (I and Bikey George) are not the typical all kit no idea type of fellows, so we'll have tea (or dinner as if your posh) in the trangier on the beach. Well, suffice to say I forgot the matches because I met Chelsea. Who was keen to meet 2 handsome fellows (and acquire a lift home). Poor Chelsea never got to sample Bikey George, I must be on my period. I guess a girl that constantly hic-cups can only have limited attraction or were getting fussy George :)
Quick run to Cobo with the Trangier. Balls, forgot the bread. With more fuel the lamb casserole would have been hot, with less breeze the sand would have remained on the beach, but with my own hot food washed down with cold orangeboom lager and a setting sun on the beach this was enough, perfect. I feel relaxed.
Cool, txt reply from Mo-bhai, catch up and drink in town is sorted. Trey cool to catch up, nice girl, all is okies so I am happy about that. Sometimes in life tragic times happen and you just try and have to muddle through, Mo-bhai and I share this, I feel an affinity that will last eternal.
I called into a pal on the way home, good company and chit chat. Thank you for the wine Karl, merci bookoo. We all agree travel is good for you, I guess I must be in the place. Sweet, good times.
Breakfast finishes at half nine in the am, ffs another early morning (dont you people realise I am on vacation?). But no jobs tomorrow, lazy day and then an evening beer with a mate - good times.


Day 3 - Guernsey
1st April
Lazed around to work on hangover. Resolve to give up drink.
The new panniers fit nicely with a few of the straps binned, I must make sure they ride quite high or else the exhast will badly abuse them given half the chance. Downside is the rear pack cannot be velcroed to to the seat (which was quick and easy) so we will have bungee the bugger on, which is not progress. It looks pretty tidy anyway and should work fine.
Met up with me olde mucker Pete for a few sherbets, nice to catch up and I always have some craic with him. Mo-bhoi was also out and about so and so we have a good laugh. China Red in St Peter Port provided a truly excellent supper, chicken black bean sauce & bbq wings washed down with chablis and more beers, the budget is creaking and probably broken for good! Things will definately cost more than the rough jotting, how much more we have to see. No provision for contingency funds either so we might have to sing for supper, we might get hungry.

stoopid snow (when it slowed a little\0

hi George,

whattya doin ?

if Carlsberg made motorcycles they would make a Kawasaki Ninja zx9r

respect Big G,

beers

Looking nice there on the other side of the pond! Have a good journey!

desert wandering

sweet road

no moustache and the gang collectively fell in love, it was quite entoxicating and an excellent night

My Roomie John snagged this one, he thought it was funny, some talent for the ladies

The owner of this equipment was reportedly 'tapped up' when he wandered in these shorts, I never did find out what that meant, answers on a postcard you might win a prize

Portugal

Portugal

George chilling above over the drop below

you always take the weather with you, everywhere you go, you always take the.... never mind.

Some clouds, which turned into proper weather.

George was chillaxed (haha who came up with that one) I less so.

col d aubisque
 

Sweet

salut Soph :), Hola Georges ;)
 

whats up?

nice quiet place by the river
 

Hola Georges avec Nick

Burgos Cathedral
 

was stunning, 9.5/10

Avignon
 

down by the river opposite the camp

The south east French coast
 

just after Monaco

Genoa, Italy
 

a great man

Florence, Italy
 

nice work lad

Florence, Italy
 

a ceiling

Tuscany on the coast
 

no sleep so caught the sunrise

Tuscany sunset
 

was pretty sweet too

whats an internet connection? - pics to follow
 

ITALY - day 7, Monday 13th May 2012

Day off today, need to relax so what do we do? Take Georges for a run of course, even on days off we still manage to snag a ride. 287km, max speed 172 kmh (on a private road of course Officer Dibble), 4 1/2 hours riding.

I managed to break my two fossils this morning I bought in Maroc ffs, they were next to my good luck charm (which also came from there). I take it as an omen and put on the good luck charm around my neck, never been a fan of jewelry and so it feels slightly awkward but we get on with it anyways.

Not much doing around Rome on perusing the road map, so we head north on some A roads up to a massive lake, Lago Di Bracciano where we snag some lunch of tasty meatballs (opposite the Castle on the hill) and spectate the Canadian practicing his 1st dance (to Peter Gabriel tune) as a married man which hapens in 4 hours time. First taking advice from his best man Amigo from Primary School and then also lessons with his vibrant Mother when she turns up, who looks in great health and must be over 60. 'Relax and feel the moment' says she, we agree and on leaving propose he should enjoy it, relax and dont worry too much about the dancing. Seems a nice fellow and his (or Fiancees) Son of 12 or so looks suitably embarrased, though his dads dad dancing looks fine from here. Some chassis from Sri Lanka apparently, as my ears were wagging. I snag a shot of the lake and one of me infront of it for the album.

Onwards north we go to Lago Di Bolsena, its larger cousin although we don't stop as its getting on a little and I realise Georges will need some more engine oil and filter before too much longer as there is 3,000 miles on this oil already. Beside the lake, the small town of Marta sits, it seems we have just missed the local festival as there are numerous fellows on horseback and most everyone has bread, which are all identical in shape having been made into a circle (think of a halo in bread!).

We head back, finding a pot-holed road which is in the process of being dug up and re-tarmacced, near shook me teeth out.

Back at the hotel we oil Georges drive chain and fill up with fuel (again) ready for tomorrows trip. We have a rough plan for the 4 days as we need to catch the ferry to Greece. 4 easy days ride, so we can relax and find some good roads and snag some camping. I feel an increasing urge to wild camp as its free and also your not any kind of traveller if you dont wild camp at least once (the night sleeping alongside the tramp doesn't count say us).

Into town for food and to say Ciao to Rome, its been fun dear. We rumble through the streets at quite a lick, though a large scooter is impatiently hovering all over our rear, its a Yamaha 500 or 600 T max - king of Romes Streets (unless Georges is in town and feeling frisky). The street narrows and so we ease over and he pops through. A car parked on the right nearside, done or doing shopping starts reversing and bingo, knocks scooter-boy swifty on his arse and the Yamaha is over aswell with a crunch. He's quite lucky because a bus was coming the other way and it managed to brake in time or they'd both have got hit by that too. He's quite grumpy and so we leave them all to it and head off thanking our luck.

The night before a an elderly woman had been hit on a crossing (or had a stroke or otherwise) and we arrived at the same time as the ambulance. Another few days back, a silver car had pulled off without looking - right off the hard shoulder straight into our path, we were moving on (with headlights on as usual) and it was pretty bad driving say we. Georges nearly went through her boot lid, silly cow.

Food was ok in town, we get the remainder into a doggy bag and which goes to a homeless amigo across the street. We also donate a few sheckles to some homeless fellows. I cannot think these guys are making lots of bucks here and have a yacht in Monaco which we passed through. Pretty desperate fellows and so we can spare 5 euros ffs.

We head back to the bombsite that is our room. We have found a Kawasaki dealer 150km south, next to some good roads (so says green shading on said map) and so we'll try snag some oil and a filter there within 24 hours before moving on.

Good times Georges, cheers lad.
Georges update: The front indicator rubber is just about hanging on, with the help of some gaffer tape and some cane we salavaged from the beach campsite in Tuscany, it wont last much longer but then it doesn't have to.
Nick update: happier than ever.

Georges disowns owner after 'poetry incident'
 

ITALY - day 8, Tuesday 14th May 2012

We checked out of the hotel in Rome and were rolling for half eight. The traffic on the ring road around the city was lively, as much as I have seen in Italy (because like us pair) the Italians appear to warm up as the day goes on, another reason to like the country.

We head off along the motorway a 2 hour drive to Sora, which the internet confirmed has a Kawasaki dealer for Georges oil & filter.
The shop is run by a Father & Son, none of us understand each other but it soon transpires that they have no workshop, which is something of a novelty. We buy an original filter for a bargain 10 eur and set off with directions for the local mechanic, though quite why we need a mechanic to drop the oil out is anyones guess, we just need somewhere to lodge the waste oil. The Father has called ahead and sure enough a chap at the end of the road waves us in, we roll in get greeted both happy as Georges needs it and I guess they dont get many chaps falling in off the street as we do.

As the drivechain needs replacing we have been adding plenty of lube (ooh er), too much because it is splattered all over the swingarm, the wheel and I notice when the bike is on the ramp some has leaked onto the rear tyre, right on the edge where we need grip the most as we are on full lean there. Must remember to go a little easier on left handers lad and use less lube too. We can replace the chain in MKD in 1,500 or so, so it should be good for that mileage.

The garage is ran by Titiano an ex-racer and Dangrilo his spanner-man. We talk about bikes and racers and my trip and that, even with the language difficulty we all get along swell. Georges has the best oil going, which was not cheap but they dont charge any labour at all, give me coffee, let me use the john and Titano takes me for a beer when the work is done (which includes more insulating tape for our (his) drooping indicator. I draw the cash and settle up, snagging a photo and promising to email one from the IOMTT of John McGuiness in a few weeks time. Georges also gets a sticker form the garage and confirming he does indeed have race parts fitted. Chat to a fellow punter who turns out to be a classic Ducati racer, with trophies in the TDR cabinet to prove it, good lad, a 2-wheel brother indeed (though my trophies to-date are bruises, some good photos and of course Georges).

We are feeling high after the beer and countless coffee & John breaks, every time I need to pee I buy a coffee as I feel obliged and only fair, every time I take a coffee I need a pee, its an in-escapable circle.

We find some good roads, one going through a valley with green mountains either side, good views and the road is sweet too, I dont push too hard and good job too as there are some hairpin bends that arrive from nowhere and where some of the opposite carriageway has been closed off having subsided 9 inches into the ground. With a little way to go, we round a bend to find a cyclist scurrying in the near side forested verge, a car is doing a 3 point turn and the chap gestures to me half waving half saying to stop. I guess the car has got too close and ran him off the road, though he looks ok and the car stops so I guess all is well and we push on. Another bend, 3 dogs loiter across the roadway, they look menacing and start to make an attack, then realising Georges 900 motor will waste them and my 10 boots will give them a headache, they back off. Poor bloody cyclist must have had to turn around and then outgun them and was getting that stick for defence and/or attack. We follow the road, and wander south and east, 300 km in all.

Nearly camping halfway up a mountain (we need water & food, but seemingly none for miles) as it is so pretty here being next to a National park - Parco Nazionale D'Abruzzo. We plough on and find a nice small quiet campsite in the town of Pescasseroli, 15 eur later we have camp and provisions and we dine on sardines, some cheese, very tasty ham and bread washed down with some local vino rosso at two and a half euros a crack. The wine is good, helped by some spicy notes which otherwise might be rather dull without. It does the trick and we wander off to town a mile away for more plonk. Some more wine later and we head back to digs, merry and happy and comfortable in that we can at least find our way home tonight. I do have my GPS by chance and so we are good. I remembered to turn it off this time as when wandering in Rome the batteries got all used up as we were wandering the city for some time, well yes, I had an idea where I parked Georges (saved in the GPS, so I didnt pay too much attention) and after a short search I gratefully found the bugger. I can loose my hotel but not Georges.

Very cold night (no sleep, but some barking dogs, chain gang style one starts and they all get going) as we must be pretty high up here (?) and the stars were fantastic last night, too cold to gaze long and the campfire had long perished. We had burned all the wood we could find, just enjoying the heat and the fire dancing and licking, greedily consuming the wood. I dont think our poem is any good, but we felt like it and so this we just rambled on.
the fire cracks
it spits, alive
hissing wood and flames that lick
glowing embers, thrive
charcoal wood, or wood since gone
the dirty ash
spent force and done
floating, blowing all spent trash
a glowing mass, falling in
smoking heap
the heat within
reluctant force not yet released
silence falls and light susbsists
and yet once more
the flames lick
releasing energy, the heat once more

Good times, more of the same tomorrow please, less of the vino you greedy tart

Japanese art v art in Rome
 

whats up Georges?

rural Italy
 

good road for views and great corners, mind the wild dogs though

Italy in the country
 

on route to the east coast

list of things good about this campsite
 

1 Georges can escape the elements under the protection of a cabin

ciao ciao Italia until next time
 

great place, people, roads, just go (take plenty of sheckels with you)

Footnote: in Italy I managed to loose my wallet and my fancy GPS unit. Both were handed back to me untouched, not bad huh? (not the loosing part DOH). Come on Italia you rock

13,000 km, 9 countries & counting
 

Its hard not to reflect on what we have done, where have been and that the trip is starting to come to an end. We are almost at half distance (although my fagpacket sums suggested we would do 16,000 km in total) and happy to be here.

Today was a typical day, we were deposited into Greece at 5am, though satnav only recognises a total sum of 5 greek roads (no map as we cant carry the 15 or so required), we have a dark visor on, we have turned off the motorway into the city and loose our way. Its foggy and Froopin cold (a lil above zero me thinks) and starting to rain. However, we have 50 euros cash, a credit card, full of fuel and we have Georges. I relax a little, it'll be alright lad. The sight of crashed cars and mopeds abandoned hither and there add to the ambiance.

We didnt expect to come to Greece, but we wanted more time in Italy (and also were off to the IOMTT at last minute) so the ferry is quicker (than via Slovenia et al as planned) but we have no language or even the minimum 2 small pieces of internet printed translation (as we have for the other countries). Greek, is well, greek to us.

The sun comes up, the mist hangs in the valleys like a big duvet and the mountains slowly reveal themselves to us as we find our way north. The satnav stays on the same road for km on-end (despite the fact we change from narrow mountain pass, to motorway then onto another motorway). It all works out.

I was surprised to see so many young folk in the city milling around (and this was before 7am) quite what they were all doing (except the three miniskirted ones) is beyond me.

Another good ride, though landslipped rocks have been a common feature to dodge, I guess they have more important things to be doing.

Each day is a journey for the mind and body moreso than for the bike, who does everything faultlessly as I keep banging on about. We have been tested and by some miracle we are all in one piece and happier than ever, no doubt more to come but we are fit for it whatever it may bring.

We are pretty much free spirits I suppose, that is until the money runs out. Worry about that another day unless Father hits the lottery numbers (come on Sid, get your act together).

Good times Boss

- Greece, half 6 this morning

Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
 

Looking south, dark bank on the right is Albania.

Great, quiet roads up through rural Mkd - even the woofs are friendly

1 of the resovoirs in Mkd, nr E border with Alb
 

taken from the road. We also took one from the dam as the gate was open, we got told off - oops.

50km south of Skopje
 

just after we found some gravel mid-corner that damn nearly got us ;-)

cheers Georges you menace

another year older DOH - but damn the beer is el cheapo
 

we cant deny the math but we will try our best to be a better man

it's a good ethic, we try (and no doubt end up being very trying)

Georges stays in the garage, we go out to dinner with friends and I manage to end up in the nightclub until 4am.

Georges is getting a service and a few odd jobs done next week - sweet, good lad

Oh heck, I also wrote my first song, lyrics and a tune and all. haha good times

beer

Braddan Bridge, IOM TT races (practice) overcast, mild, 7pm Wed May 30th
 

man, these lads can ride. The rest of us are mere mortals, safe ride lads and lasses

Gary Johnsons CBR 1000, Ian Mackmans Norton
 

bike porn for the petrol-heads

TT 2012 - a quick taster
 

15 times TT winner Dave Molyneux passing Ballig Farm at 130 mph+

filmed on my camera - better in the flesh

some TT, some beers,
 

MACEDONIA - day 1, take 2 & ENGLAND - day 1, take 2 12th June 2012

Report from the IOM TT as follows:

Some of the closest and safest racing for a long time, sadly 5 visiting motorcyclists died on the open roads, terrible, we abhor it.
I marshall the entire time, on the main at my usual spot at Greeba Castle and also I moonlight two sessions a few miles down the road at Ballig Farm a fast 130mph sweeper, its pretty spectacular to say the least. Again, luckily we have no incidents at all other than an electric bike which comes past on us on fire and which we manage to pull in. Antonio Maeso is keen to get off it and the extinguisher comes into action for the first time I remember.

We manage to get through an adequate amount of liquor and also fit in a trip to the local casino (some TT racer was sat next to me and I got chatting and had to be introduced to as I hadnt recognised him - oops) we fall out of the place at 5am just in time to see the sun coming up.
In addition to the racing, several useful things occurred to me during this time. Firstly, we need to consider perception. Generally my trip causes surprise and some astonishment. To me, it seems quite natural, although I will occassionally question my sanity. I am told yes, people could do this, but who would? I am not certain I have an answer or even if this is the right question. The matter remains, wandering around on a large motorcycle seems quite reasonable. However I must not loose sight of the task in hand, a further dozen countries where my research and language ability will absent.

Further, I recognise how damn tired I have been. Realisation that we have been living on our wits for the past month. The best ingredients for good health (regular cardiac exercise, a good diet and plenty of sleep) have been totally absent, a combination of which is definately unsustainable.
We pine for the freedom of wandering, which provides a huge sense of freedom and some adventure too. It is a very good way to travel in my mind.

I cannot help but think of the possibilities of where and what I may end up getting myself into, it can become foreboding on the one hand whilst completing liberating on the other.

Perhaps not lastly, it has brought about a realisation that this is not the end of the trip it is only just the beginning. With several ideas being hatched for the next and subsequent wanderings, somewhat on a grander scale.

We decided yesterday that we had to visit Romania (so that means Bulgaria too). Being an organised fellow, I have printed half a map of Romania and the motorway network (which we do not want to use) and have a few cities that we should visit, so thats some kind of plan. After this, its north I suppose though I would like to go East to catch up with the pictouresque Croatia and Slovenia, though these may have to wait due a rapidly diminishing timeframe and outgoing cashflow. We can look forward to Germany et al and also the final destination of Scotland, which has been on my list to visit for several years although never finding an excuse to go.

I have my chain & sprocket kit for Georges and hopefully his bill wont be too painful in a day or two, roll on and we can get on the road again and Georges can do his stuff. Of course, I have to finish off these things and say ciao ciao to my Amigos in Macedonia first, its been a good visit, but I can never escape the pull of the road and the journey ahead.

We left Skopje under black skies, returning under a blue one and as promised it was indeed summer when I returned as the low pressure system had moved on. It was coming up to half six in the evening, the temperature was 30+ degrees c. Pleasant if a little too much, good job we are going north (east).

The Mkd motorway now has more tramlines driven into it by the trucks, perhaps the heat has softened the road, they do seem deeper, too deep for a unwary motorcycle at speed. The main road in town has a TV type of cable hanging from a tree into the road, just ripe for catching an unwary motorcyclist. The local road safety message is a little surprising, more dangerous than riding in TT week in the Isle of Man? Good question. Things in Mkd like this are difficult to understand, like the common problem of litter which seems to commonly haunt the rivers. I cant understand it, perhaps there is nowhere to put the rubbish I suggest, but seemingly not its apathy on a almost national scale. The ongoing renovation of my digs is progressing, the exterior has new insulation, plaster and paint. Some landscaping and other touches means I dont quite recognise the place. A friendly bathroom cockroach welcomes me so I feel fine. It really does look a different place.

Its good to meet my amigos again, I am relaxed and happy. We take a Serbian beer called Jelen at a local place down the road, the only public pool for miles. Its my Amigos Sons birthday and Daughter has a new tatoo of a cat, so we cant chuck them in the pool. The beer is decent, similar to a Cobra, afterwhich we have dinner in a place quaintly named 'new life'. The local type of pizza with pork meat I sample is excellent, mine is a sicilian or 'Chihuahua' as the menu seems to say and which is not half bad either. The mosquito life are fortunately only occassional visitors.

Its quite warm to sleep, though my 5am start to catch the plane helps.

Dukes stylish and cost effective rain wear
 

Dave 'crasher' tells me they sold like hot cakes last year, I'll pass thanks ...

Macedonia
 

the observatory, 30 km north (west?) of Kumanova at sunset


its several thousand years old, I took a 'seat' in the rocks and pondered about the universe

northern Macedonia
 

as above, part of the ancient observatory

how to loose friends and poker chips
 

A Macedonian poker table :)

merci beacoup Macedonia
 

friendly country, some nice landscape, clean air, Georges liked it too ;)

Keep it coming!
 

Really enjoying your unfolding story! Thanks for posting. One question, though, I think I must have missed something about how you got to Macedonia. I'm figuring you got a place to stay, left Georges and went to marshall at the IOM? Then flew back to reunite with Georges? And friends? Didn't quite catch the details. Great ride reports! bier

got to say your blog/tread has been a really entertaining read,thankyoubier

Hey Blader54,

after seeing the pre-press TT coverage, I decided I had to go to the TT, so I booked (edit: last minute) flights from Skopje Mkd to London, London to IOM. I left the bike with a chap recommended to me, as Georges needed a chain & sprockets. I flew back 10 days later to collect him :)

I write most days but dont post as it needs editing so it is understandable. when I cant post piccies you get my ramblings I am afraid....

cheers man,

Carlzrx,

too kind m8, cheers

the trip is entertaining, the words hopefully will do it justice and should make a good read for us pair when Georges and I are past it :)

Romania - Transfargargasan
 

Not the best road in the world Jeremy you prat, with that road surface, potholes, sheep, cattle, no no no

It is better coming north to South as the road gets gradually worse this way (rather than tother way round).

However, it was a decent ride, the snow just about allowed us through (the sign on the South end still said CLOSED)

The start of the road I was greeted with a dead dog in hte middle of the road, then just after a yellow motorbike/scooter (?) which was crushed and under the middle of a truck. Not sure if they are all OK, the blue lighted meat wagons (3) were leaving just as I arrived.

Romania - Transalpina
 

Now Jeremy THIS is a good road :)

not many pics as I have 9 minutes of video.

they are still fixing the road after the winter, but some great corners, mostly smooth and tight, felt a little like a squashed TT course (which is a good thing) Think of the Mountain road, add Glen Helen section and a few braddan bridges, you got it :p

Thnx Zixx, I'm up to speed now. Love the references to Clarkson......always wondered about that road...good to have a real report! Roll on, man!

ROMANIA - the exit
 

I was ready to move on from Romania, I then found this road, oh man it was sweet. Great views, sweet turns (that sounds American), love it

I just expected a quick run out of Romania, it surprised me no end

merci :)

Hungary - the entry and the exit
 

No welcome to Hungary :( here is the countryside just over the border


Here is Budapest waking up at 5/6 am (dont they get up early, the place was buzzing with peeps)

Austriaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
 

Let me start by saying I was quite grumpy, the trip home bahhhhhhhhhh

I then went to Austria.

As we know, I hadn't a clue when I arrived, I can definately report that I do not like Austria.

Nopes, never. I feckin love Austria, Georges does too beer


The roads were amazing, the people friendly, the views stunning. I didnt stay long enough but thats OK because I am going back.

We loved Italy for the roads, the feel of the place, but Austria does tip the balance as being our favourite country of the whole trip.

Well done Aus, you rock. merci beaucoup ;-)

Moody Austria
 

We met Helly on this lake, paragliding pilot and apprentice guitar player.

We took a beer as the sun went down, he played a little and we chatted.

Thats the trouble with travel, you meet so many people much cooler that you so much so that wonder why do you bother lolz

He said a really nice thing when he went. 'See you again Nick, we should meet again I think in life you should meet everyone twice'

I took this as a compliment (as I am greedy) but mostly I thought it was such a nice thing to say to a stranger.

Helly you rock and gl with the guitar man ;-)

merci beaucoup from Germany :)
 

thank you, thank you to everyone who has helped us, waved at us and supported us on the trip.

We have found that people are genuinely good, though sometimes circumstances (or the devil if you believe such things) dictate that they may not act in the best way. Of course, those bad people in the world might just be bad, you cannot have everything in this life.

we are not home yet and so I hope to keep Georges on the road and get back in one piece.

I will edit the blog thing and finish it as a momento for my old age (stop laughing at the back). Aswell as finish the second short story I am writing and also maybe add to the four songs I have already written for the debut album.

What next? Scotland for 10 days with Georges as a separate tour I booked months ago.

and then? Probably Asia back end of this year for 2 months.

and? Another trip is planned, not quite sure yet, but more wandering and Georges is likely taking a break this time.

cheers

zixx & Georges beer

Hey zixx and Georges! Thanks for a great ride report!! Really enjoyed it and picked up some good ideas for my next trip!

12,000 miles, 18 countries
 

Georges arrives home and is ready go again - what a boy :)

cheers



cheers Blader beers

:clap::clap::clap: if my own ride report next year is as half as entertaining as yours ill be thrilled.