Updating the Blogspot

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
Still playing catch up, but now that the notes seem to be sorted I can get on with things and stop all the procrastinating. So here's the one that never made it to the site last week and then the final countdown can really begin...

I've just sat and updated facebook and for a laugh reminded everyone that it is now just 18 days (or if you prefer 432hrs) until I leave on my tour of Europe. That was more than a little of a shock. The fun and laughter just went completely out the window when I realised that I was now counting down to a little over 2 weeks...

The last week has seen a number of ups and downs, not least a great day on Saturday, with a ride to Yeovil and the Piss-heads Rally, and an evening with friends at one of the clubs. There was a great spread and we sat, chatted and laughed until 3am. Shit, I haven't done that in years (3am that is).
I've put much of my stuff together now and started doing some serious sorting, serious thinking, and some serious work. Yet there seems so much still to do, and so much more to think about this year than last. That has perhaps been the biggest shock. I've done one solo trip already, which took me some 3,000 miles so why the worry this time?
I think it finally hit home, when I listened to my daughter and youngest son talking to Aly in the kitchen. No problems there you say. But, the thing is, they were speaking French and I can't speak a damned word of the language. They laughed and took the piss a little, but I think it began to sink in when they saw how frustrated I was getting. And the thought crossed my mind for the first time, 'What the hell am I doing?' The same can be said for Spanish and Italian. Good God, most of my time will be spent in countries where I have about as much knowledge of the language as an iPhone has the ability to hold charge on the battery... Zero!
So, with just days left there was nothing else to do, but forget about it. No not the trip, the language barrier. It seems strange when you think about it, but I don't have a problem with attempting to speak German (what a laugh that will be), and I spent a year (and a little bit more) learning to speak Arabic. Both of which I actually really enjoyed the challenge of learning and yet, French, Spanish and Italian, leave me cold. Will this always be the case? I hope not, and maybe this trip will change all of that. I racked my brain looking for reasons why German and Arabic did not hold the same issues. I thought that maybe it was the cultural aspect, but I can't see how that would be the case. I can't honestly say that I remember much of living in Germany when my dad was in the Army (we left Germany when I was 4 years old) and I had never been to an arabic speaking country before Egypt 4 years ago.
Still, no point worrying about it now, I'm pretty sure no other conquest was concerned with a language barrier. So, onwards dear friends, onwards...

A delayed Note

Monday 14th June 2010
It seems very strange to be planning this year knowing I am going completely the opposite direction and will see very few familiar faces.
However, this year I have a new bike... I picked her up Saturday morning and rode around 130 miles as I tried to get used to her 1586cc engine and a 6 speed, sequential gearbox.
She is 18 months old (so not really brand new, but new to me) and Aly is already worried that I'll spend more time with the bike than I am with her. Hahahahaha.

When I was very young I saw my first ever Harley Davidson (which, thinking of the styling, and my tender age, I remember as a Softail, but was either the FX, FXE, or the FXL Super Glide), and I have always said that one day I'd own one... The one in the picture is the 1972 FXL. I remember being six or seven and my parents getting me a motorcycle book for Christmas and being completely in awe of some of the bikes (some I loved, some I didn't) but whatever else came of it, when I saw my first real one, that was the bike for me.

Well they stopped making them for import to the UK in the summer of last year (so I was told by the dealership, and the last ones were shipped to England in September 2009 (so she is very rare) and it looked as though I'd never get one... until now. When I returned from my jaunt around Britain they had a blue and silver one in Dockgate 20, which was lovely and although I loved the bike, something was never quite right. I wanted black and I think it's the only appropriate colour for me. So I left it. And I regretted it, what joy I did...

We (Aly and I) sat down for a late breakfast on Saturday morning, as I looked through the paperwork and named her. I don't do it with all the bikes, but those I have a relationship with I do (you can see why Aly is a little worried).

So, hoping I have splet it correctly, I have named her Khayl Rosa. Khayl from the Arabic horse, for she shows pride and arrogance. And, Rosa, from the Germanic/Gaelic: the Protector (the war horse of legend).

Please introduce my bike, my mistress :0)
Khayl Rosa

T missus 32 days

During the past 3-4 weeks I have tried to write this second entry time and time again, but with so many ups and downs, it has seemed near impossible at times. So much has happened, so many things have confusedit (me), that it has changed direction, route, length and even duration. But as all things must there came an impass when Rob (for no fault of his own) threw his bike down he road and ended up in hospital. It was a devistating time and one which left me feeling a little jaded and alot more edgy about the whole thing. The important thing was that Rob survived (and after a fashion so did the bike), but that and a change in work circumstances has returned the journey to its original plan... A solo ride through some of the most wonderfully scenic routes in Western Europe.
I am, as I sit here at home with maps and luggage all around, feeling somewhat pleased with myself. I'm looking forward to the journey once again, even if the plans are changing as I write and the language differences are beyond daunting. I have my trusty (Ha!) iPhone and I have a number of apps which, if all goes according to plan (with an iPhone???), should go some way to helping me make sense of the world around me. I have my netbook, with which to update the world and hopefully record some fantastic days on the road. What does seem strange is that where - on every other occasion - I have been a holiday maker, a visitor, to each of these wonderful lands, in just a few short weeks, I will be more; a traveller, an explorer, an adventurer...
I have packed, unpacked, made lists and new lists, I have bags and bundles, a tent and a tool kit (not that I know what to do with it), and still I'm adding things every day. I thought after last year things would be so much simpler this year. Wrong. If you've ever thought of doing anything like this, don't! It has a tendancy to take over your life... What am I saying, go for it. I love it. I have been told I'm mad, and maybe I am - just a little, but then if this is me mad I'd hate to see sane. I am a firm believer that you are only here once and if that is the case then you have to experience it. I am lucky, I have a propencity to do stupid things and end up enjoying every minute of it (even if it does make me nervous as hell!).
I have dived 56mts (that's approximately 184ft in old money, or the size of Nelson's Column in Leicester Square) and come face-to-face with a Great Moray Eel (it's head was bigger than mine!), dived with sharks (now that was cool!). I have walked Hadrians Wall. Seen the great Pyrimids of Giza; ridden solo for 3,111mls around this great nation of ours. And, I have been there for the birth of my children... Not bad, so far.
But, as the day draws nearer I am minded of the friends and family that I will be leaving behind. When I set off I will leave three children at home with their mum, when I return there will be just two. It seems that one of the joys of growing up has finally reached Mikey and with an offer of accomodation through his employment he will be gone before I return. Aly will have graduated her degree, Corrie will be entering her last year at school and Ryan will be the only one left to remind me of youth. I love them all.
So here we are, there are now 31 days to go (yes it has just past the stroke of midnight and I am still at it). I hope that as you read these updates (he says, not having any idea if anybody will actually be reading any of it...) you have a laugh and enjoy the story as it unfolds. I set off on Saturday 10th July at (around) midday. I'd like to be a bit more precise, but inevitably if something can... it will. The plan is to ride from Portsdown Hill as part of the Cedar School Charity Ride, into Southampton and then once there, I will say my good-byes to all and set off. Everyone is welcome, so if you find yourself at a lose end and you feel the need to make sure I depart, come along...