29th October 2014            10-15℃           168km Dublin – Wicklow – Kilkenny

28th October 2014        10-13℃        25km by bike Trearddur Bay – Irish Sea – Dublin (Ireland) It was to be a very short ride today, down to the port at Holyhead, and onto the ferry to Dublin. On board the ferry, with the bike strapped down at three points in preparation for the crossing, I found a seat and settled in. There was a savage wind blowing force 8, and the captain made an announcement in advance of our departure, warning that it…

27th October 2014         12-15℃        327km Melbourne – Trearddur Bay I was the guest of Richard & Cathy last night, staying at their lovely family home in Melbourne.  After a good nights sleep, I headed out to Wales again, to explore Snowdonia. Snowdon national park was simply stunning, despite the lashing rain, the mist, cold, and crazy winds at 70km/h.   When there was a small break in the weather, it always revealed a stunning vista, great views across the lakes and…

26th October 2014            15’C                347km Llandielo – Melbourne (UK) I was basically making a sprint across Wales today, to get myself back, close to Birmingham, to catch up with friends, Richard & Simon. So it was a case of breaking some speed limits, and taking a few straight and boring roads to make my destination before dark. Although I started the day exploring a nearby castle and stomping through the mud to get there. I reached…

25th October 2014           12-15℃           217km Warminster – Llandeilo (Wales) After an easy start to the day with a nice breakfast at the pub, amongst the early drinkers, I packed my gear and headed towards the village of Crockerton, and the Bath Arms pub, where I caught up with good friend and supporter, Craig. Over a good cod fish lunch and a local ale, we had a great catch up. With the sun now shining, I headed out towards…

24th October 2014         15℃          210km Horley – Stonehenge – Warminster I set out from Horley along the backroads and lanes in the drizzling English rain, towards Stonehenge.   After a stop for coffee and fuel for the bike I rode the last 60km and arrived at the historic Stonehenge site. I decided that the walk would be good, so instead of taking the bus I walked the 20 minutes up the hill, of course it started to rain again once…

23rd October 2014         12-15℃         22km Redhill – Horley I got a call early in the morning, confirming that the replacement stator had arrived and was ready for me to install, so I checked out of the hotel and took a cab back over to Fins Motorcycles, where the guys welcomed me back and provided me a space in the lane beside the workshop, where I could work on the bike. I had hoped I had all the tools I would…

21st October 2014               12’C                 149km Dunkerque – Horley (England) I left Durkerque at around 9am, into absolutely foul weather, drenching rain and wild winds.  The ferry check in was due to close at 9:15am so there was no time to waste, and I powered toward Loon Plage port.  I had not realised that the port was much further out of town than I had expected, and by the time I reached the ticket…

20th October 2014           11-17℃        275km Chimay – Dunkerque (France) After a comfortable night in the tent, I woke to find everything just as wet as though it had rained. A heavy dew resting over the tent, I headed into the village to buy some bread for breakfast, hoping things would dry by the time I returned.  They didn’t. So after packing up the tent wet, I headed out on the road towards Mon. I’d ridden about 40km when I started…

19th October 2014           12-18℃         204km Bastogne – Chimay I had a great night last night, catching up with Eliza and Fabian at their apartment in Bastogne, where they so kindly hosted me.  Fabian cooked and we enjoyed a few Belgian beers and a good French Chardonnay. With a stunning blue sky beckoning, I loaded the bike and rode out through the valleys of the Ardene, passing through beautiful little villages with castles and rivers.   The road winding along with…