tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26674677452969757992012-02-16T11:18:06.396ZFollow Nick with on his solo round the world motorcycle trip aboard his Honda XR125.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04176587285062912338noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-79084853632205960342012-02-14T18:37:00.003Z2012-02-14T18:48:59.197Z

"One dollar." "For what?!" I reply. "Policia,"  "Jeez, everyone wants a dollar here!" I retort angrily pulling yet another dollar from my fairly vacant wallet. The officer at the gateway smiles a smug grin as he hands me the useless piece of paper in exchange for my dollar bill and waves me through into Nicargua, now $33.00 worse off. Alas, there's no rain and a very pleasant town

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04176587285062912338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-21130751656503711172011-12-18T19:18:00.002Z2011-12-18T23:08:37.238Z

She sits upright, pulls off her damp t-shirt and slips into a clean cotton sweater.  She walks through the villa out on to the terrace basked in sun, the terracotta tiles cold on her bare feet. I imagine the cotton sweater, crisp with cleanliness, so starchy it's rough to touch and as dry as a grain of rice.  I have to imagine it because the girl is fictitious, as is the villa and the sun, I'm

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04176587285062912338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-70920043656068206712011-12-02T17:41:00.001Z2011-12-02T17:58:46.146Z

The little cuddly howler monkey....They might look cute.....   But they scare the poo out of you in camp at night....  Not me though....I'm too tough.

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04176587285062912338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-40907017605438855462011-11-20T19:54:00.001Z2011-11-21T13:44:11.909Z

(Corresponding Photos for this blog are HERE)   After several passes of curiosity, the boy comes over to my corner of shade outside the "tienda." "Where are you from?" he asks shyly. "England." I reply, taking a thirst quenching sip from my cola. "Is that far?" "Ohhh, yes!  Very far!"  I tell him. "Is it close to Germany?" he asks. "Mmmm, more or less, yeah." "How long does it take with your

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04176587285062912338noreply@blogger.com0Lancetillo, Saquixpec, Guatemala15.59314 -90.74175315.5625515 -90.78123500000001 15.6237285 -90.702271tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-37418293855906830822011-06-08T09:00:00.012+01:002011-07-30T06:00:25.246+01:00

Click to view photos for this blog! "The Moment of Truth, Take Four" was complete and hot off the...umm, developing table, but it didn't take long for another problem to crop up and "Take Five" was soon created, leaving me feeling like an overused actor, in a worn out ongoing story line...like in the endless "Saw" movie series; I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII. In fact, I wonder if - like the movies -

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04176587285062912338noreply@blogger.com6Guatemala15.783471 -90.2307589999999813.6906225 -92.26735899999997 17.8763195 -88.19415899999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-78981806294861390422011-04-17T00:22:00.005+01:002011-07-16T04:17:24.896+01:00

The moment of truth.....take 4....does Rudolf run.... After toiling for days ad days and weeks and weeks and fighting every step against the lack of parts the lack of tools or the lack of help (which was later to come from numerous people...Julio, Raul and Luis!) without other options I had to admit defeat and hand it over the very helpful people at Yamaha Canella Central in Guatemala City. A

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04176587285062912338noreply@blogger.com0Antigua, Guatemala14.553405 -90.73525514.387252 -90.96871449999999 14.719558 -90.5017955tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-24356240693956026052011-04-14T02:03:00.003+01:002011-04-14T02:09:02.057+01:00

After a complete engine rebuild....will Rudolf breath life again....Watch and find out...

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04176587285062912338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-42506435528035278412011-03-31T18:19:00.000+01:002011-03-31T18:19:28.592+01:00

If you like reading this, also check out these pages: http://www.re-moto.com Gustavo from Argentina spent four or five years on the road on a Yamaha YBR....he also met a girl in Germany who joined him for a while.  He's now at home in Argentina.... http://www.thepostman.org.uk// Read about Nathan and his Australian postbike "Dorothy."  Imminently a book too I think...or maybe already...

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-64367629546910780192011-03-29T03:53:00.231+01:002011-10-07T22:45:11.075+01:00

Photos for this blog are here! I'm at home, in the living room sitting small and square on the couch, tucked over onto one side, wondering why it is I am here....at home.... The journey, it seems is over. My mother is here. She is cleaning and I watch her, though she pays me little attention and as such I feel like a fly on the wall, well the couch, watching, unnoticed, transported,

Nicknoreply@blogger.com4Guatemala15.783471 -90.2307589999999813.6906225 -92.26735899999997 17.8763195 -88.19415899999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-62072851623358273142011-02-16T18:43:00.003Z2011-07-16T04:11:38.386+01:00

Like the man said, "you've gotta stay for lunch!"  So I did.  Uri's kind charm and Augustine's great "ceviche," (a shrimp dish "cooked" with lemon juice) hard to resist, though this does make for a rather tardy departure of 3pm!  Not only that but the first thing I must do is find a welder to fix my rear rack!  Completed I must go to the "mercado" and stock up...and then finally, 20 miles down

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0Comitan, Chiapas, Mexico16.2436147 -92.1235424000000214.925250699999998 -93.99121840000002 17.561978699999997 -90.25586640000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-85757234683302709152011-02-16T18:22:00.000Z2011-02-16T18:22:29.459Z

  Join Nick in his latest creation; the "VLOG," as he prepares his morning coffee and gets easily distracted trying to remember what he's been upto for the past month in Mexico.

Nicknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-74658186136088965122011-01-20T20:36:00.010Z2011-10-07T22:50:14.699+01:00

It was time to leave the fabulous Colima. I loved this place, for it's complete lack of tourist garb, it's pleasant cafes, plazas and it's comfortable safety...and perhaps too for my fabulous hosts; Ernesto and Lea and other friendly people; those at Koki Moto and especially the great Sigi Pablo and his girlfriend Kaiko. But it was time to leave and, as always I find it hard to leave the

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0Oaxaca, Mexico17.0669444 -96.7202778000000217.0149709 -96.76522380000002 17.1189179 -96.67533180000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-55110106284440326052011-01-20T19:44:00.006Z2011-02-16T21:02:45.100Z

So someone asked me what to pack....and what not to pack....all the things I've learnt over the years....here's a video telling you almost none of them..... As I did many takes and each time said something quite different, here's a few things I forgot on this effort.... You probably don't need an electric pump, or a laptop, or GPS (maps are great and gets you talking to people asking

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-33856153192681491142011-01-20T12:51:00.000Z2011-10-07T22:52:28.795+01:00

  A very SPECIAL thanks to the people at Maxima Motors, Suzuki in Oaxaca, Mexico, who very kindly provided me with a tire completely free! If you ever want a helping hand please go and visit then and speak to either Miguel Angel, his wife Alaide or either Rosario and Monica! They have a website too....http://www.suzukioaxaca.com.mx and can be easily found as they are on the

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-37309578611820190532010-11-29T02:43:00.005Z2011-10-07T22:57:07.729+01:00

I approach the Mexican frontier, head swirling with anxieties fed to me each day by the people I´d met in USA - that Mexico is at war with itself and I´ll likely become a victim. I wait at the barrier, the light goes green, the barrier rises and I bumble through the thick heat into a blurry haze of dust, of taxis, of an excavated dirt road lined with a queue of people twisting endlessly around

Nicknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-32253689881810862412010-11-29T02:40:00.002Z2010-11-29T02:41:43.061Z

Read the article in Spanish...HERE Or with google translate in English HERE

Nicknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-64384419448860928192010-10-13T17:15:00.002+01:002011-10-07T23:01:53.010+01:00

Nick and his fabulous friends (James, Sara, Tawnya and Tina) will appear on the US TV show The Price is Right ....You'll have to watch and see if I or my friends were chosen as a contestent on November 23rd 2010 on CBS! Thanks to James, Sarah, Tawnya and Tina for taking me along!

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-55183006769617134892010-10-09T23:53:00.011+01:002010-10-11T00:14:32.610+01:00

I'd been thinking about that front tire since I left San Francisco, as well as the fact that the bike seemed to be a general wreck. Confidence is easy to find in comfort. I'd been eagerly looking for motorcycle tires, but in the land of the 1.3litre, 400dB Harley Davidson, 125cc parts are hard to come by and the only thing I found were new fans of the trip, in the shops, outside the shops, at

Nicknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-13499368061382559802010-09-15T03:53:00.002+01:002011-10-08T09:40:05.856+01:00

After one long year teaching English in Korea, finally - it seems - I am back on the road, and Korea fast becomes an ancient memory; like the longest layover imaginable. In Oakland, in the San Francisco bay area, I lay my eyes once again on Rudolf whilst chatting with Kat at St.Georges Warehouses, looking forward excitedly and not without anticipation; how will it be to slide into the

Nicknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-66549359446143940892010-09-09T20:22:00.003+01:002011-10-07T22:59:56.043+01:00

I was asked to have my picture of my hand taken for Amnesty International...so I did and on my hand you can just see the name of a political prisoner....one of 2200..... "There are now more than 2,200 political prisoners in Burma, more than at any other time since the mass pro-democracy uprising in 1988. This summer, we are asking you to stand in solidarity with them and join our visual

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-13558079271115580102010-07-14T08:59:00.002+01:002010-07-14T09:19:55.824+01:00

The end is in sight....only six weeks and I'll be in a new continent, riding the mighty Rudolf....this time in the Americas. Starting in .....actually, I'll keep it a secret! Numerous people have been asking, "Why don't I receive your emails?" or, "Why don't you update the site?" and, "Why are you such a selfish git?" Well, I usually update the site about once a month or so, only when I think

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-12107451748894954622010-04-03T11:48:00.004+01:002011-10-07T23:04:55.408+01:00

Go and check out the new map, it took me ages! It shows everywhere from my trip so far, exactly where I've camped, been robbed, seen animals, altitudes, that sort of thing... NEW MAP!!

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-10696626186986552562010-04-02T06:34:00.011+01:002010-06-12T04:22:38.134+01:00

Scalpel......sponge.... ...clamp....screwdriver, keys, helmet.....ohhh, just kick it?!And with one swift kick, well maybe two, but for the sake of romanticism let's say one and Rudolf regains a steady and strong sinus rhythm, of 1500rpm. I ascend the four flights of steps up to my apartment before the engine has chance to warm up, grab my helmet, take a joyous celebratory photo and then run back

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-80223714437086427082010-02-07T11:11:00.008Z2011-10-08T09:46:21.920+01:00

The train is busy, almost full as it leaves Munsan, I still find a seat all to myself and start happily divulging Paul Theroux’s Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, rather apt perhaps. At the next stop I am swamped by school girls going to Seoul, to school. Immediately they all fall asleep, except one who only half asleep does her homework. She can’t get it done though as she can’t take her eyes

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-43530765160923114332009-12-27T06:17:00.005Z2010-06-12T04:22:38.136+01:00

My story has been placed on the Yamaha website...but, as you've probably read my story on here already then it will be semi-pointless to look, but look anyway, maybe if I get lots of hits they will send me a shiny new WR250X...doubtful, but I live in hope and optimism. And it's not that I don't love Rudolf, but my bum would be grateful of some more suspension travel!GO TO YAMAHA STORY

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-49236994748922348492009-12-22T00:06:00.021Z2009-12-22T04:22:18.450Z

I don't really want anything for Christmas, Santa, except, perhaps some of my mum's Christmas pudding. But No! Despite your selfless generosity throughout the ages, I cannot and will not let you have Rudolf, even if only for one night. I don't care if the lives and hopes and dreams of all the little children of all the world depends on it....Rudolf is not leaving my apartment, unless that is; I

Nicknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-75199170600788025102009-11-18T01:55:00.008Z2010-06-12T04:25:47.144+01:00

Another big thank you must go this time to Danny at YSK - Korea's branch of Yamaha motorcyles. They are near the Bongcheon metro station in Seoul, on Line number 2 (the green line) near Seoul National University.Danny has spent a lot of time looking for parts for me, for a bike that s not sold in his store which makes his task difficult.Thanks Danny!

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-29430536450694102112009-11-08T08:38:00.017Z2009-11-09T23:51:05.889Z

No you twit, it’s just the phone...Rudolf has arrived! And is waiting at the port for collection, along with a rather hefty price tag. Huseong takes me to the port, helps me first find crowbars, then unpack the bike from its crate and then demolish the crate, which an irate Korean man keeps shouting in my face about. I assume that he assumes that I will not be taking the remnants of pallet with

Nicknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-19907350670692178492009-09-26T01:04:00.017+01:002009-10-29T07:22:29.770Z

When I board the plane in Istanbul for leg two, to Seoul the realisation hits me! I begin to feel nervous anxiety and I start to consider – for the first time – that soon I will be teaching.I really hadn’t thought this through!My recruiter Soojung and I, walk the streets of Munsan, the town I will spend the next twelve months. The first thing to hit me, is the smell! Coming from every corner,

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-38852356063694372342009-07-26T09:31:00.018+01:002009-11-10T07:09:56.910Z

I remember leaving my house, riding through Europe and trying to imagine what it would be like to arrive in South Africa, in Cape Town. Could I even do it? It just didn't seem realistic, soon I'd be riding past the pyramids, through deserts and between giraffe and zebra and wild people. However, the thought would fade quickly and leave my mind, I actually didn't think I could do it.In

Nicknoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-22752664123911247222009-06-16T12:28:00.014+01:002009-11-10T07:13:27.471Z

My basket is still empty. I've been walking the isles with a skew mouth and furrowed brow around a strangely large supermarket for over half an hour. In the end, bewildered by the vast array toilet rolls, perplexed by the multitude of biscuits and confused by another new currency, I decide to buy the same old things I've been buying for months and make a hasty and dumbstruck retreat to the bike

Nicknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-62515224335354290842009-05-25T10:40:00.011+01:002009-12-22T23:47:35.950Z

"You are very mystical!"In response to this I laugh out loud before thinking that perhaps this is not the nicest response to a stranger. "I've been called many things, but never mystical! I'm not mystical, and I'm not brave either!""No, no" replies Jaffa "you are very daring.... Would you like a soda". And so, on my first day in Zambia I met the nicest person I have yet met on my trip. What I

Nicknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-75421905994670519602009-05-24T12:00:00.007+01:002010-06-12T04:22:54.930+01:00

If it is not working, as it seems not to be, go here to view it http://www.youtube.com/v/9CDDsKpZRlw&hl=en&fs=1

Nicknoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-47274895592167423392009-05-04T11:42:00.011+01:002009-12-22T23:48:14.510Z

I wobble out of the Nairobi YMCA, with many old anxieties returned, where will I sleep, where will I find water, food, petrol and how is the bike after stripping the top end? Leaving behind the comforts of a roof, a place of my own and the company of people, like Keith who helped me with the bike and provided endless movies and episodes of House, and Mieke a Dutch girl working voluntarily - whom

Nicknoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-46308388703516009252009-03-25T10:55:00.010Z2009-12-22T23:49:57.632Z

Of course not, but eating another road ruined pulp of banana - from the rough roads - staring at another flat tire and with a big abscess, the aeroplane I could hear leaving Nairobi airport seemed a little bit tempting!At the border town of Moyale,which separates Ethiopia and Kenya; I was exhausted from Ethiopia and hoping Kenya would be better, but my hopes were dashed by fellow travelers

Nicknoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-35470890393920374092009-03-13T11:53:00.003Z2009-12-22T23:50:49.004Z

Back on my own again, I finally reached Atbara, stock up and head for the 450km stretch of desert to Kassala, following in Ted Simons’s tire marks.I fell a lot, hurt myself a bit, got lost in a sandstorm and fought against soft sand. But eventually made it, a hugely satisfying experience. It was with some reluctance that I rode to Ethiopia, such were the good times in Sudan.You can read a big

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-77644638231171530462009-03-10T11:56:00.001Z2010-06-12T04:23:12.776+01:00

I finally reached Atbara, in North East Sudan, the bike crammed with four days supply of food, eleven liters of water, a brimming petrol tank and an extra gallon, I was ready to tackle the 450km stretch of desert to Kassala on the Eritrean border, the route followed by Ted Simon in his epic adventure ‘Jupiter’s Travels’ he said;The one thing I thought would separate me from mortal men was my

Nicknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-84626273734786535012009-02-11T13:30:00.014Z2009-12-22T23:55:40.316Z

I finally rolled off the ferry to arrive in Egypt,5 hours behind schedule, I put my tent up in the port,too many people for my stress level limits to bother with the reknowned customs. I make it though customs fairly quickly despite reports to the contrary, though having to leave the control to get even more money,something it transpires the Egyptians are keen to do. I head to the beach for

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-68667027899147575082009-01-05T15:37:00.006Z2009-12-22T23:55:58.024Z

....go to Sally at Wylie and Holland Motorcycles in Wellington, Telford, Shropshire, UK...she has been replying to my gibberish email questions about servicing the bike and has provided much useful information, she has really gone out of her way for me, thanks so much!!So if you are any way close to Telford in Shropshire and want a Triumph, Yamaha, Suzuki and others no doubt, plus loads of

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-48709309373756864272009-01-05T08:39:00.011Z2009-12-22T23:56:14.247Z

Entering Jordan was like taking a big gulp of air, a sigh of relief, not least because of the lack of smog!....though I still ended up in the same position as when entering Syria, no money, no map and no clue of where to go and in need of a camp spot to close to darkness! Chased by some mad man flashing his lights and beeping his horn, waved down I stop, he wants my picture. I find a camp spot

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-48145065886716081482008-12-26T14:25:00.006Z2009-12-22T23:56:42.274Z

"Huh!" snorts the border guard as he throws the passport at me before turning away without further a word. I manage to grab the passport as it slips down the petrol tank of my trusty steed and look around for some sort of guidance can I go?. A Syrian man asks the border guard if I can go, at least I assume that's what he asks but he, too is ignored, then he shouts something else and the guard

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-91677477294937288652008-12-04T09:02:00.010Z2009-12-22T23:56:53.845Z

I had visions of wild camping in the mountains, under the pyramids or next to babbling streams, but its not really quite like that, maybe later in the trip. You are constantly aware of noises, changes in the light, though now I am less bothered, especially when I am really tired or cold or wet!I was tucked away in a corner wide open field in my tent, reading my book, as always my eyes becoming

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-6691554972940471652008-11-20T09:34:00.016Z2009-12-22T23:58:23.771Z

Basically, Greece has been one Yamaha dealer after another! Trying to obtain a new chain and sprockets before they disintegrate. I kept being optimistic thinking the next garage will have it, after-all they sell the bike here. I am currently contemplating backtracking, ordering it and taking some sort of detour, but the weather is far from great, my rucksack is as good as empty as I'm back to

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-76608974939744922682008-11-11T10:18:00.007Z2009-12-22T23:58:38.467Z

Approaching the coast of Albania on the ferry I wonder why I haven't even looked at the map, I have no idea where I am going! As we get closer I realise that it looks like any other port and maybe Albania will be just another European country. I pay the guards, 1 euro to get my passport, then see another four control points and I'm in, I'm in Albania!Lavazh are everywhere, "car washes", and

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-85441062901006219472008-11-06T11:04:00.003Z2009-12-22T23:58:52.031Z

The story from the last week or so has been that of trying to find a place to sleep, for not much money! This has led to some really late nights, but also to meeting some great people at "Agritourismos", farm houses that have beds, I guess these started off as grape picking rooms which were let out to guests during the none picking season but have since developed into their own thing, closer to

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-52653463981240636912008-10-28T21:02:00.013Z2010-06-12T04:23:38.108+01:00

.....I am quite unluckyAfter leaving the delights of Grindelwald, I wasn't sure what to do, waiting around for my carnet. I decided to head upto Berchtesgaden, in southern Germany, the home of Hitler's "Eagles Nest", his lair high in the Alps. There was a bus to the top, but this costs money so I asked about walking "ooh, it is 1.5km!" said the information lady, who it turns out has a fairly

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-71510012014735129572008-10-13T11:21:00.012+01:002008-10-13T14:23:32.778+01:00

Where does one begin? In fact I don't think I can write about it concisely without going on and on in book like fashion, like the grape story...though I wonder if there is that much to tell or if it just seems so, everything is so difficult to take in and absorb, with things changing constantly, and the Swiss scenery changing with every turn....The highlight has to have been Grindlewald, where I

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-59041484416160046862008-10-07T13:28:00.014+01:002010-06-02T07:13:57.395+01:00

Bent double over another stubborn grape vine, I cut my left hand for the sixth time that morning, Jean-Pierre the farm owner appears instantly from nowhere holding out white tape to cover the wound and he disappears as quickly back to the fray! My back in agony, exhausted and coughing with a cold, I look up to try and see the end of my row of grape vines, I can`t see it, but i estimate that it is

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-46359513108356685502008-09-21T17:33:00.003+01:002010-06-12T04:25:28.155+01:00

Hi all,Just in Munich and after the comforts of the few days at Martin's felt a bit lonely again, but luckily met a great chap called Fred from Netherlands on a push bike who fed me spicy sausage and beers and said "it's on me, it's always nice when someone buys you something if you are on a long journey!", it was but the company in the bitter cold was better, it hit -1ºC and a pair of dutch

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-37285744957223616562008-09-16T15:34:00.006+01:002010-06-12T04:25:28.158+01:00

I can't believe it's only been nine or ten days since I left home, it feels like months and not without tribulations!I really cannot describe how difficult the first few days were, I thought about throwing it all in and hit depths of loneliness that I never knew were possible, knowing each day further I travelled I'd have to travel an extra day back! I dreamt I was in my own bed and when I woke

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-47488198987261001512008-09-02T19:35:00.007+01:002010-06-12T04:24:34.574+01:00

Thanks to the following people;Tom, Alan and Sally at Wylie & Holland Motorcycles for all their help,Nurse Glenys for taking care of all my innoculations,John Powell at Austin Engineering for some parts,Chris for helping prep the bike and letting me just hang out! It was so good to see you!Pete Warren for the lugagge side spacers (and infinite patience in face of my long indecision),Trina Jones

Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-58746594605134602582008-09-02T19:21:00.007+01:002010-06-12T04:24:34.577+01:00

Well, the good news is that my license has arrived!!Yee ha.The bad news is that I suppose now I have to go!! Jeepers.So, Nick leaves Sunday. 10am. (ish!)The ugly news is I've been a victim to credit fraud (again). So now I have no debit card and no internet banking.A special thanks go out to the rectum who stole my money.I am applying to Guinness to have a world record for most unlucky person,

Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-88944815402162721142008-08-31T09:45:00.007+01:002010-06-12T04:24:34.579+01:00

The bike is packed, just about.... But, unfortunately, my riding license is seemingly lost in the post, somewhere in the royal mail network....so once resolved I will hopefully leave, I think I have just about all I need, though I'm now just eager to get moving!My first night will be spent near Stonehenge, and as I won't sleep at all through the night due to absolute terror of the imminent doom

Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-14377170467904014412008-08-07T20:34:00.011+01:002010-06-12T04:24:34.582+01:00

At last I've passed my motorcycle riding test - on the second attempt - the first attempt was the proverbial nightmare, though the DVLA tester clearly didn't like me as he asked me to do a U-turn in the waiting room...well, not really but the road was really flippin narrow! Luckily the second tester was a gent, helpful and encouraging, though I was still very nervous! All that is left to do now

Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-1014262181454422712008-06-13T18:13:00.007+01:002010-06-12T04:24:34.585+01:00

Motorbike arrives! A Yamaha YBR 125cc. Feels a darn sight better than the Chit-Un-Ma used on the CBT! But am only able to reach a pitiful 40mph whilst running the engine in! Still, this just means the quicker I rack up some miles the quicker I can go!A very special thanks go to Wylie and Holland Motorcycles who were great help and a pleasure to work with, and super patient.Time to practise

Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-24902982624132476742008-06-06T17:45:00.001+01:002010-06-12T04:24:34.588+01:00

One step closer, the theory test has been passed!

Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2667467745296975799.post-69338485912612658342008-05-31T20:30:00.015+01:002010-06-12T04:24:34.590+01:00

As Dave - our instructor for the day - reached for his thirty-second cigarette with a quivering hand, muttering “God save us”. Dudley Franks (real name; unknown) puts in his 473rd lap of the training pad, his butt crack showing, balance faltering. Rich and I were doing our motorcycle CBT’s – the most basic motorcycle training and road assessment of sorts. Eventually Dudley got it, sort of. I

Nicknoreply@blogger.com