Bruges_

Oh Bruges, you gorgeous little town you!

By FAR my favourite small place to visit. So quaint, romantic and picturesque. I even made a note in my notebook that I should bring a girlfriend back here to propose. So girls, look out if you get an invitation to visit Bruges with me!! Hahaha.

I got lucky when I arrived as I hadn't booked anywhere to stay, but happened across Snuffel, the best Hostel in Bruges by far, though sadly - against all efforts of PJ, one of the guys working their - there was simply no beds available to stay any extra nights. That didn't stop me though, and I had an absolute ball. I met a bunch of awesome people including Rebeckah, a gorgeous, fun girl from Sweden who I met up again with in Amsterdam by coincidence... we talked the house down in both places! Check out some pictures, and make sure if you plan to visit Belgium, choose Bruges over Brussels every time!!!

The rest are here.

Today I saw my life flash before my eyes_

And here I was thinking this moment would come on my motorbike, a dodgy train to nowhere, or a dark alley in the Balkans or something... but no, the moment arrived today in a pretty park in Prague as a crazed wild beast posing as a dog came thundering toward me like a starving rabid wolf on a mission of death, gums well on display, nostrils flared, and big, healthy, hungry teeth dripping with anger.

Obviously I used my best Crocodile Dundee tricks and overpowered the beast with a flick of the wrist, a wriggle of my index and pinky fingers, and an added flare of reactionary yelling, and girly scream dance moves until it retreated to its owner.

I used to never be scared of dogs.. and I guess I'm still not... I think I am more scared of becoming the guy that does the girly scream dance... i never want to be that guy again.

Glasgow_

I had a good feeling about this place! And it absolutely paid off - I don't think it was just the IRN BRU either!!

My ride in started with this on the way out of Glencoe where I stayed for the night:

Glasgow was just a generally fun place to be, and I met some awesome people including Mel, a great fun local girl who I ended up hanging out with for most of my time there! Her puppy Drifty is so cute too! Makes me miss my Jezzy and home!

All rights of Drifty image above reserved by mel.hunter

Scottish Highlands_

Two words - IN. CREDIBLE.

The Highlands by far have been the most amazing riding and scenery of the trip.. (and as I write this, I have made it all the way to Prague and nothing comes close!!).

The hills and the lakes (and lochs or whatever they're called, sorry Mel, you'l kill me.. hehe) and changing landscape is simply breathtaking!

I got so carried away on my full day riding through there that I ended up about 100kms past a turn off I was supposed to take as I followed a group of bikers through the hills. Before that though, I was travelling so slowly as I found myself having to stop every few moments for a photo!!! Check them out below and here. They don't even come close to the real thing, not within a million miles.

My ride on the way to the highlands wasn't so nice though.. it was the day after my first night camping, and was the first real day of riding in the rain I had.. nasty!

And afterwards, I met this guy Robin, who's done something like 50,000 miles on his bike over the last 30 or so years, most of which has been touring Europe and the world!! Impressive! And I thought I had lots of stuff!!

Puck you Prague train ticket inspector_

Evidently train ticket inspectors are the same the world over (aside from Japan perhaps) - on power trips. Tonight in Prague for the first night and walked a friend to her train - I didn't even travel (!!) - and tried to leave the station only to be stopped by two dudes who claimed to be ticket inspectors and when I didn't have mine, tried to charge me an on the spot fine for 700Kc!! When they took my ID and called the Police (it sounded legit) I stopped arguing and (after calculating it to be about A$30) paid their dumb fine, got my ID back and stormed off, giving them a mouthful of Australia's finest in the process. At least I got a souvenir:

This morning I woke up with a hooker in my bed - seriously_

So, I get that I'm in Germany and all, but really? (and CBA people, it's OK, this story is relatively safe for work).

I was out for the night and ended up not heading back to my mixed dorm bed til about 6am... when I arrive, there's a girl asleep in my bed. No big deal, she obviously just jumped in the wrong bed (happens all the time in large dorms) so I got in the only spare bed and enjoy some much needed sleep.

When I stir at about 9:30, I hear the familiar sound of a cigarette lighter sparking... I lean over (I was on the top bunk) and see that the girl is up now, and literally sitting in bed (my bed) smoking! So I call her on it and she apologies and starts fussing about like she is about to leave.

I drift back off a little but hear yet another familiar sound... this one far more unique: the rustling of Nurofen pills in their jar - in MY toiletries bag!

She's going through my stuff!!

So I get up this time, and she quickly leaves, leaving her bags behind... so I know she's coming back. I let a friend in the dorm know what's going on and head down to reception to let them know what's going on. I mean, no huge deal, she hasn't actually stolen anything, but I just wanted to let them know.. they were already aware of the odd lady in room one, and said just to keep eye on her and let it ride for now.. fine.

I head back to the room and basically hover around until she leaves. At this point I see she has used my towel - it's sitting on the bed where she was sleeping.

By this stage I am completely weirded out, but laughing more than anything - no real harm has been done... until I lean over and simultaneously balance my self with my hand on the bed, and pick up my towel. It's at this point I make a startling realisation, and discover why she has used my towel....

She has wet the fucking bed!! MY fucking bed. And used MY towel to clean herself up!

I dry reach a little, pick up my towel with a plastic bag, desperate not to touch it, and head straight to the laundromat!! My face screwed (as it is again as I type) in one of disgust!!

Now, spray me with some sanitiser! In fact, just get out the petrol and set me alight, I feel.. dirty.

Seriously Germany? Now that's un heimlich.

Spokey Dokey Performance_

It has been recently brought to my attention that there has been a distinct lack of mention of the performance of my Spokey Dokeys. There has even been suggestion that I... *sharp intake of breath* forgot to put the dokeys on my spokeys.

Now, whilst I understand from where, whom and how this suggestion may have come about (and I will deliberately lay no blame), I am taking the opportunity today - in the open forum that is the interweb - to very firmly correct this misunderstanding, set things straight, and also document, in vivid detail, the performance of my Spokey Dokeys.

I did not forget to snap on my dokeys to my standard bike spokeys. Nor, as has also been suggested, did I choose other "Blog" articles to take precedence over the current subject. This misunderstanding shall we say, is borne from a simple issue of timing. There is just no point even trying to assess, let alone discuss, let alone document the performance of one's Spokey Dokeys without them having been put to the true test.

That test - one of endurance, of speed, power, pain, dexterity, soggy boots, slippery slides and brilliant colour - took place yesterday on the Autobahns of Germany...

Having snapped the entire pack of 36 bike spoke beads to my bike spokes some time ago, I awoke yesterday morning knowing that this day would be the day. The air was thick with anticipation - and rain. The ground was a murky broth of expectation - and mud. As I rolled out of the camping ground, and onto the main road, the clitter clatter of the spin and tumble of the beads sang loudly over splitter splatter of the rain on my visor - the first time I'd noticed the sound so proudly above all else. As we neared the Autobahn, it seemed there was not a single other wave of sound in range. Clitter clatter. Clitter clatter...

I could tell that the sight of all 36 dokeys on my spokeys was one to behold as I was clearly bedazzling the other motorists who - being German - beamed with happiness and delight. I felt proud to be able to bring 36 multi coloured rays of sunshine to what most would see as an otherwise dreary German day. Clitter clatter.

As I rolled onto the Autobahn entrance, and my pace increased, the clitter clatter morphed into a steady whirrr... the true performance of the spokey dokeys was about to be realised - I could feel my bike wheels come alive. Whirrrr... buzzzz..  bedazzzzzle..

Singing along at 140 now, I spotted something familiar out of the corner of my eye.. was it.. no.. could it have been? Really? A pink one? Surely it was just someone's brake light glistening in a rain drop. It couldn't have been...?

Then another, this time green. A shade of green that could mean only one thing.

The realisation took a moment to truly register... my dokeys were releasing themselves from my spokeys. One brilliant coloured bead spinning and tumbling off its perch at a time like a flock of tits taking off into the sky.

And then, amidst the glares, stares, flashing lights, and shaking fists of the German motorists, the second realisation took hold - I'm on an Autobahn, I can't just stop. My eyes darted desperately for any sign of escape... a flash of blue, it's an exit sign! No.. just another dokey... by now they're shooting off at a rapid rate. I think it's too late. Clitter clatter, whirrrr... p'chooo p'chooo!

I try slowing down, but this just irritates the motorists more. P'chooo p'chooo!! Finally, the familiar blue of an exit sign... I dart off abruptly to the right, and make my way gingerly along the exit, and toward safety.

I subconsciously wait a full ten minutes before peering down at my now naked spokeys. There is not a dokey in sight. I am devastated. I look around longingly, desperately, but no-one notices. I practice over and over in my head "Ich habe alles verloren, meine spokey dokeys." And whilst I am sure they would understand, even with my accent, they just wouldn't truly understand. "Un heimlich" they would surely say...

I am lonely.

I am lost.

I feel defeated.

But I am not embarrassed.

It was a triumphant end. Thank you Spokey Dokeys on behalf of the world, for the joy you have brought us. Your performance was impressive, and your last hurrah was dazzling!

Auf Wiedersehen Spokey Dokeys.

Thank you Amsterdam_

...for not letting me down, and living up to your reputation. I could actually smell the weed as I rode into town... bahahahaha!

Note to self_

Get organised, book ahead. This will mean you don't have to spend half a day inside in Bruges, whilst the weather is absolutely gorgeous, just so you can find a place to sleep that night... Over.

Damnit_

Stuck in a little english town near the motorbike mechanics while I wait for a new part to come in... apparently it's a bad thing if/when the front wheel bearing on a motorbike fails... ah well, making the most of it and have booked my ferry to France, and also shaved my head  somewhat randomly... it's amazing what a little boredom does to you!!

France here I come - we shall meet again on Thursday around 3pm... I can't wait.

A little change in the way I blog_

To all those reading... as of today I'm changing the way I blog. To date I've been trying to keep everything chronological and not post anything "now", before I post anything about something that had happened prior to "now". This approach isn't really working as it means I have to always upload photos and write up everything of earlier events before I can really post something short and sweet about "now". So instead, I will just post merrily as I go, and from time to time will post something a little more substantial, that will have images and stuff, and be more of a retrospective summary of my time in a city or place, or just a chunkier story about something that may have happened... I think this will work better, but am happy to hear if anyone thinks otherwise.

Road Recommendation (UK) 3_

A82, A83, A85, A835, A832, A890 all throughout the Highlands in Scotland... in particular for a good sweeping but quick blat on the bike the A85 from Oban to Crianlarich Glasgow bound... incredible.

Camping v1.0_

So.. camping huh.. who's idea was this? I FINALLY did it.. but...

When I arrived.. it was raining.

When I set up camp.. it was raining.

When I cooked dinner.. yup, you guessed it - raining.

And when I packed up camp the next morning.. uh huh - raining.

It rained the whole time aside from the few moments it took me to snap these photos when of course, it was a glorious day!!

A sadistic little part of me still enjoyed it all though.. and as much as I've enjoyed having a bed and an actual roof over my head the few nights I've slept since camping, I think I will go back to it.. it has a strange allure. I think I just need to be better prepared next time.

Camping, I think you and I will get on just fine - let's just take things slowly, k?

Edinburgh_

02/08/2010 2:00pm Had a great trip into Edinburgh. All of a sudden I figured I was in Scotland, but couldn't be certain as there was no obvious border or welcome sign!! I realised only when I filled up with petrol and couldn't understand a word the attendant spoke, that I was in fact now in Scotland!! The road up into here was amazing, the A7 from Galashiels to Edinburgh in particular, was gorgeous. The bike is going great, and I'm averaging a speed of about 40mph including stops, which I think isn't too bad given the time I have - it's a nice leisurely pace methinks - but the bloody check engine light on the bike came on again. Thankfully I bumped into a really nice local Scot at the bike parking who offered to tell me where the local Triumph service centre was... in fact, as luck would have it he was even going there right that moment so offered to show me the way which was great!

At the service centre the guys checked out the CEL and cleared it again for me, this time diagnosing a minor Air Pressure sensor switch problem, but that was fixed with a quick clean out at no charge! And while waiting, I met a couple of nice blokes who actually turned out to be Aussies, both Shire boys, and one even from Gymea Bay, where I grew up!! That was the fist taste of what I realised was a town full of Aussies! Most of the staff at the hostel were Aussies too! A popular spot obviously...

02/08/2010 8:00pm OK, so bike fixed and parked safely where it'll be for a few days... and decided I was a bit bored with my beard and thought perhaps I looked a little old with it so took it all off!! I even toyed with the idea of shaving my hair off too, but thought better of it. One change for now is enough! Frustratingly though, playing the same old game.. sitting on my own, and not really meeting anyone!!!

 

03/08/2010 7:00pm Oooh... struggling after a MASSIVE night out.. turns out I did meet some people and after a couple of beers and a few intros, we had ourselves a small posse!! This is better! Out til about 3 and absolutely hammered. Good times were had - we even danced! Today I went on a free walking tour of the city which was great. Very interesting and a good way to spend the day seeing stuff without having to think for yourself! Hung out with Dan and Paris, who I'd met the night before I think...

 

04/08/2010 5:00pm Same again last night, this time out til 4am. This is starting to hurt! Before we went out though, and really the beginning of it all, we went of a ghost tour through the dark alleys and some cemeteries of the city which was really interesting, but not exactly scary! Was a great night which was more spent hanging out and chatting than full on drinking.. and of course we decided it would be a good idea to watch Braveheart at the end of the night too! Hahaha, that didn't last long of course!

 

05/08/2010 11:00am Another late night last night, probably not really worth it, but nothing an IRN BRU (famous Scottish Energy drink) couldn't help with. It's time for me to move on from here, on the road today! I promise I'll camp tonight... Oh, have also decided it's time for me to head south for the summer. I'm going to give Ireland a miss for now (sorry Keelin and Colin!!). I just need some real sunny warm summer... It barely tops 20 here and it's SUMMER?!

 

 

Road Recommendation (UK) 2_

A7 north into Edinburgh from Galashiels, Scotland

Just get in a damn tent_

So to date.. I am yet to camp... I just can't bring myself to do it. I think it's partly the worry of being in a foreign place, in a foreign "home" all by myself... but I think more than that, there's something a little deeper bugging me. I know exactly what it is too - I'm struggling to really get in and meet people... for various reasons it's just not working as I'd hoped. Sometimes it's purely a language thing, other times it's shyness on my, or the other person's part. Whatever it is, it's really getting to me whenever I stop somewhere.

I have a million thoughts rolling through my mind of possible solutions... anyone who knows me well enough personally I am sure will get just as frustrated with me via blog as they would in person!! It's the Gemini in me... both of me.

Should I even both with camping? I mean, maybe I just dump the camping gear, and go 100% hostel accommodation? I've spent a fortune on stuff, but maybe I just sell it in time and use that money elsewhere? It seems crazy but seems to be a solution too. And surely when I camp, I'll pretty much guarantee myself to not meet anyone (I know I know, I hear all you camping ground campers out there sigh... but... I dunno... it's just, I dunno)., and assure myself of loneliness?

But then maybe if I am alone by choice, I will be OK?

But if I dumped all the gear it would be a big burden of stuff I wouldn't have to worry about anymore too... but then what if I changed my mind and wanted to camp? Or got stuck somewhere and had to camp?

Maybe I should just stick with it, and try it out a few times... at least give it a go? $%^&*() so frustrating! Argh!!

...

A walk through the hills of Windamere makes it all clear for me. And (not surprisingly in retrospect) I am back to the original plan I had all along. Camp whenever you can between big cities, stay in hostels when you want... but ultimately, JFDI... (Just Fucking Do It). STOP doubting, and just go with it. In the grand scheme, what's the worst that can happen? After all, the whole reason I am doing this is clear... Life's too short.

Windamere_

I arrived in a fun little area of the lakes District late this afternoon and stumbled upon a YHA deep in the mountains after sneaking up a little side street lane that looked like it was going up to a farmers house.. bloody cold up north though.. check it out:

More here.

Road Recommendation (UK)_

A515 Ashbourne to Manchester

Take Two_

So, although Brighton itself was fun, it was more a learning experience for me with my travels.. I had FAR too much stuff with me so decided to drop Cornwall off the list, swallow my pride, and head north back via London to dump some stuff as I passed through. Smart move.. I'm back on the road today and now feel SO much better...

In fact, I made it 300 kays north west and to Derby today.. not much here, but have travelled through some gorgeous towns. In particular Rothwell was beautiful.

No photos though as I had packed my cameras too deeply away! oops.. I'm learning lots as I go!!

It wasn't all smooth sailing this morning though nor this afternoon for that matter, I had a bloody check engine light come on the bike.. painful! I actually happened to pass a motorbike mechanic as left, so stopped and he checked it all out for me. All clear, and OK for now.. plus iI pushed on probably a little later than I should have and ended up nearly running out of petrol, and staying in a B&B which although nice, was right out of my budget!! Oops.. more learning..

Off to the Lakes District tomorrow..

More photos here.

D-Day_

I had a few fantastic days in London after getting back from Paris, just hanging out with the crew and more preparation. Then FINALLY hit the road today.. took much longer than planned to pack up the bike, and of course I have too much stuff so need to think about what to do with that! Was SO good to actually get on the road though - it's been such a long time coming and it all started at 2:27pm today, Thursday, July 29th!! I have 8,364 miles on the dial at the moment.. let's see where that ends up...

Arrived in Brighton a bit later than expected too so didn't get to do much tonight. I really wanted to, but am so exhausted physically and mentally after a 6:30am start today to try and get going by 10 - so have decided a quiet night in is a good idea...

Oh, and I'm very happy with the bike and in particular it's handling at speed with a load on. I think I need a windscreen though - I had one put on but it actually made the wind worse so had them take it off straight away. I'll see how it goes without it and figure it out when I get back to London probably, which I am aiming to do for August 28th, the day before Carnivale starts which is amazing apparently!

I'm looking forward to getting into a rhythm that works for me so I can get packed and unpacked super fast.. today it took me so long just to get the bags off the back of the  bike.. annoying and time wasting.. I'll get there though.

I think sleep is a good idea now.. night all!