Motorcycle Travel in Europe
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Where Did That 19 Months Go ?
Hi everyone, its been 9 months since arriving back home, catching up with our family and friends while trying to get back to “normal” life off the bike. The “off the bike” part hasn’t worked so well, spending 3 weeks in New Zealand earlier in the year and most of that time on a Kiwi’s…
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This is not our last blog……
To say we have been having the time our lives is an absolute understatement. Every day is an adventure and it is great to wake up not always knowing where we may be at the end of the day. It adds a certain kind of excited anticipation to each day. We are regularly asked ..…
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Switzerland – The High & Mighty
Note: This is a catch-up Blog from September 2015 (We’re slack !!) After riding many Swiss Alp roads we had a change of pace and headed for a couple of Switzerland’s natural wonders high in the alps. The Matterhorn was our first destination, and as it turned out the ride to get there was an unexpected…
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A glimpse of Turkey
Turkey is such an amazing country, steeped in history and culture and with incredibly diverse scenery and landscapes. Once again we were warmly welcomed by the people and have so many stories to tell, but for now a ‘few’ pictures must suffice until we are up to date. Turkey – 21/5/16 to 8/6/16 This video…
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Where are we now????
Time for a catchup before we publish part 2 of Ukraine, where we spent an amazing 16 days. Not bad considering we had not intended to travel there! Border Guards from the Ukraine Military At the Ukraine / Moldova border were very happy to have a pic with two Oldies! Usually we can not…
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Ukraine (Part one) – via Lublin / Poland
We had not initially intended visiting the Ukraine, however a chance meeting at Fortress Boyen in the Masurian Lakes district in Northern Poland in October soon changed that! We have developed a saying, a philosophy if you will ….. ‘Chance meetings provide wonderful opportunities /experiences’ …… and from these, most special friendships develope! Such is…
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Goodbye Warsaw
It is hard to believe that our winter stay in Warsaw is over, and it is indeed with bitter sweet feelings that we leave. We have seen and done so much whilst here and have met many new and wonderful people who have welcomed us into their lives, their homes and their hearts. Two Aussies made to…
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A White Warsaw….. it’s snow time!
It was but a short period of snow in Warsaw this year, yet it was still so very beautiful…. and most enjoyable for two Aussies so far from home. We saw yet another face of Warsaw, a city we have come to love and feel so very much at home in. We did not have the white Christmas…
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The Road To Switzerland
Riding the Vstrom through this beautiful and spectacular country, crossing many mountain passes in and around the Swiss Alps Region, is a bike riders dream. Arriving at locations totally unplanned makes for a diverse and interesting trip. The only other ingredient needed was a touch of fine weather so we could fully appreciate what was around…
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Belgium – Brussels – Beezel
We would like to dedicate this blog to the people of Belgium and especially to those who so very sadly perished or have been injured both physically and mentally by the recent terrorist atrocities committed in Brussels. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Belgium is a beautiful country, the folk there so very friendly, welcoming….. a…
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Palm Sunday in Łyse – Poland
Palm Sunday in Poland is truly celebrated well. Today we travelled to Łyse, approximately 135km north of Warsaw to see the celebrations first hand. Sunday 20/3/2016 – Palm Sunday Thanks to our friend (Beata) who introduced us to a group called ‘Meetup’, we are on our way to the village of Łyse to see Palm Sunday…
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The Wolf’s Lair and Masurian Lakes – North East Poland
Another catchup blog….. This trip took us to the North East of Poland to see the beautiful Masurian Lakes District and the Wolf’s Lair where Hitler spent a great deal of his time during WWII. Monday 26/10/15 to Wednesday 28/10/15 Today we headed north east to see the Masurian Lakes District and…
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Warsaw catchup – Part 1
Friday 23/10/15 – Warsaw / Poland Insurance runs out on the bike on 8th November, so we are making the most of riding whilst we can before it is garaged for the winter. Autumn is so beautiful here, with all the wonderful colours. There are so many leaves on the ground, and we are amazed…
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Krakow – Poland
Thursday 17th to Monday 21st December As always, we crammed as much as possible into the five days we spent in and around Krakow, walking 10+ kms each day, so here we go….. hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Up early to catch the 8.20am train to Kraków Thursday morning, and rather…
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Isle Of Man TT
This blog is a tad late but better late than never……. This was our 3rd visit to the historic and beautiful Isle Of Man over the two week long TT (Tourist Trophy) Festival, others being 2011 and 2014. Arriving on 30th May and departing on 13th June it was another thrilling two weeks in motorcycle heaven.…
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December in Warsaw
Monday 14/12/15 to – Warsaw The walks through Warsaw and surrounding districts are a treat every time we go out. So much to see and experience…… the changing colours of Autumn, the beautiful old and newer buildings, the people, the food, culture, history and so the list goes on. On one such expedition, we…
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Poland – Happy Birthday Span….
Now we are in Warsaw, and have settled in, we will be doing some catch up blogs and stories, so here is the first, hope you like it. Saturday 26/09/2015 – Salzburg to Warsaw – 1070km Stayed at an ‘interesting’ Chinese restaurant / motel just over the Austrian border in Germany! Interesting name!! What a day…
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Ho Ho Ho… It’s Christmas Time !
With all our love and best wishes for a Very Merry Christmas along with a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year. Hope the joy of a cold European Christmas shines through in this collection of photo’s from Warsaw, Kraków, London and not one photo of the motorbike! Bring on 2016….
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Breaking news….
Friday 20/11/15 – Warsaw Breaking news from Warsaw is that we went to the new Foreigners Office today, and BOTH received our one year Residency cards.. Yeah!!! We are very ‘happy chappies’ indeed! John was not scheduled to collect his until Monday, however we asked the young lass if it was possible to collect his…
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Great Motorcycle Roads of Europe – A Bikes Eye View !
After six months on the bike and in excess of 31,000Km’s we have been fortunate enough to ride some of Europe’s great roads. Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones along the way, enjoying the scenery and at times feeling like we were riding on the top of the world. The bike has now…
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Germany – The Romantic Road
Monday 31/8/15 – Today we began our journey from Wurzburg to Fussen, some 400 plus km riding along the Romantic Road. It is Germany’s most well known and popular tourist route. We will be going from north to south, and anticipate this will take about three days, that is if we don’t have too many diversions.…
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Germany – The Rhine Valley
Saturday 29/8/15 – We started our journey through the romantic Rhine valley from the town of Koblenz. The Rhine river majestically and serenely meanders it’s way through the valley, all the while busily carrying barges, cruise boats and other water craft to their destinations. It has been an important trade route since prehistoric times into central…
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England…. France…. Netherlands …Belgium
Doing the blog is mighty timely because we are meeting so many wonderful people, dicky Internet, tired at the end of the day, doing diary notes, getting accommodation late in the day, sorting and editing the 3-400 pics we can take on any day, editing what we have written, then choosing pics to add to…
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Lourdes….
Wednesday 20/5/15 – Had breaky at the hotel Before we headed off to Lourdes. It was cool (12 degrees) when we left at around 9.30am but we had blue skies, so all good. It is about a 3 hour ride, or 160km to Lourdes, on more lovely twisting roads, that will take us up and…
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Quick update from the UK….
This is probably the shortest post yet, but time for another quick update!! The time in Poland, was a bit longer than planned, just over 3 weeks, yet it went by in a heart beat. Visa documents all lodged, we now have to wait at least 45 days for a determination. The Polish officials stamped…
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Spain – Part 3 – Tarragona
WARNING…. WARNING…. WARNING…. THIS blog has way too many pictures, but it was so very hard to choose!!!! On average, we can take around 300 pics per day, that Span dutifully, and sometimes teadiously, edits most nights… SO.. You are getting off lightly! Sunday 17/5/15 – Sadly we leave Barcelona today. It most certainly is a city that…
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Spain – Part 2 – Barcelona!
Saturday 16/5/15 – Up early to see as much of Barcelona as possible. Had fruit we bought yesterday for breaky (gotta do some healthy food catchup for the sake of the poor old Vstrom), then off to find the ‘Hop on-Hop off’ bus for a quick tour of the city. We find this is often…
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Spain – Part 1
When thinking of Spain, warm sunny beaches certainly come to mind, and yes, there are certainly those a plenty. Rocky mountain ranges and snow, did not come to mind, however we were to be surprised and delighted by the rugged and craggy mountains, ravines and rivers as we made our way to Barcelona. Friday 15/5/15…
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How’s the Bike and Gear Surviving you ask ?
Ok, so here it is the long awaited (not sure by who) review on how the bike and gear has preformed over the first 20,000K’s. Being on the bike and wearing riding gear everyday is very different from being at home when a weekend ride is the norm and there’s plenty of time for maintenance…
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Another quick update……. phew time goes so fast
Friday 17/7/15 – Okay.. Okay…. Okay…. yep…. yep… yep…. we are very slack bloggers!!! So another “quickie update’ so you know where we are at! We are currently in Warsaw / Poland. After almost four sensational weeks in Ireland, we headed back to see Colleen & Co in Hednesford (in the midlands north of Birmingham). Stayed…
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Andorra
Thursday 14/5/15 – From 34 degrees yesterday, we slipped back to a start of 12 degrees today.. Pretty cool indeed, after the past week or so of sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid thirties. More good roads ahead again today….. Gotta love that! Stopped for lunch at Maccas just near Troulous, to check the weather…
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France – part 2
Sunday 10/5/15 – Les Cent Cues is where we are staying near Milac in the French countryside, such a very pretty area. The home we are staying in has the original cottage and an extension that is mainly glass, so it shows the gorgeous gardens and allows so much light. It is a lovely bright and welcoming…
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A very quick update, cause we have been slack and having too much fun…
Hiya from Ireland. Apologies for the lack of blogs, but really….. We have been very busy having the time of our lives. We can blame the lack of Internet only a wee bit…… Other than that……. Well, will leave that up to your imagination!! So…… we have yet to complete part 2 of France, which…
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Francais….
Wednesday 6/5/15 – Unable to do any blogs, cause their ferry has no internet…. Now that’s annoying… Great excuse though!!!! …
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Corsica…..
Saturday 2/5/15 – Met some French bike riders on the ferry from Sardenga to Corsica, got chatting of course, and received a very kind invitation to visit from one couple, when we go to France. Will not happen this time around, but possibly next year……. People are indeed very generous and friendly. There was a seagull…
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4 days on Sardegna…..
Tuesday 28/4/15 – It was another overnight ferry to Sardegna, about 14 hours, so we opted for a cabin again in order that we would be rested for the next day’s riding. It’s also a bonus to be able to have a shower before we head off… gee we are doing it tough!!! The overnight…
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The Story of Assisi……
Monday 27/4/15 Maggie, Dave and Ray have headed to the Port at Civitavecchia, 80 km west-north-west of Rome on the Tyrrhenian Sea, where we will be catching the ferry to Sardenia. Meanwhile Span and I are making a detour to Assisi, before we hightail it there to meet them…….. hopefully in time to catch the…
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Roma……. Well almost,
Friday 24/4/15 – Left Sorrento around 5pm, and headed off to Rome to meet up with Dave n Co….. Only took one wrong road on the way, cause we missed a turn off from the autostrada. It can be tricky with so many roads, even with our trusty Tom Tom….Ahh well .. ‘thems the breaks’,…
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The Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri……..
23rd April 15 – Left Acquafredda bright and early to head to the Amalfi Coast. Dave, Maggie and Ray headed to Rome, where we will meet them there in a couple of days. We will be in contact re our digs, but Dave assures us he has it in hand. What a wonderful day, and such…
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Sicily to Italy
20th April 15 – Arrived back in Italy after the short ferry trip from Sicily, and rode the 300k to Acquafredda (it means ‘cold water’), an outlying district on the northern coast of Maratea, were Dave and Ray were staying. Must say Davey boy excelled himself with this lovely hotel. Dave’s ‘man flu’ has developed…
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Sardinia – Never Trust Your GPS !
This great section of road was “accidentally” found on the central east coast of Sardinia, I’m sure the GPS showed a 4 lane Autostrada ?
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Where we have been.. and where we will be going next….
This map shows you a rough idea of where we have been since leaving home, and where we will potentially be going up until we get to Ireland. Have changed the ferry crossing locations a couple of times, but other than that.. you get the general idea! We have travelled more than 5000km since…
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Italy ….. to Sicily
Wednesday 15/4/2015 The overnight ferry with the sleeping cabin Patras (Greece) to Bari (Italy) was just perfect. Bought a nice ‘bit of kit’ on the boat that is perfect for bike travellers. It is called a KS cube. It is a little wireless, Bluetooth speaker with a whole lot of punch. It is light weight,…
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Crete
Thursday 9/4/15 – Spent five days in all on Crete, from Thursday (9th) through to Monday (13th), when we caught the overnight ferry back to the port of Piraeus near Athens. Crete is a beautiful island and the people are full of smiles. We headed to the town of Rhethimno, where we plonked for the four…
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Bye…. Bye Athens
This will be the last post from Athens, because today we pick the bike up from the port of Piraeus to set off on our travels in ernest! The port of Piraeus, is the largest sea port in Greece, one of the largest in the Mediterranean sea basin, and one of the top ten container ports in Europe…….…
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The last few days…
It is Easter Saturday in Athens, and a cool day it is, after a lovely sunny day yesterday. Dave and Maggie, our friends and bike shippers, arrived late Thursday, along with Ray, another biker. We will all be travelling together when we leave Athens and until we get to the Isle of Mann. On Wednesday we…
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Interesting Day at the Parthenon
Day started as usual, a good breaky and off on foot to take advantage of the sunny day and put to good use the second day of our 2 day open top bus pass. Arriving at the base of the Acropolis hill we hoofed it to the entry gate to be greeted by a large…
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Getting to know Athens…
Have spent the past few days exploring Athens. We had planned a walking tour of Athens yesterday, however it was raining heavily, so went to plan B & hopped a cab to another bike shop out of town, that Span found on the net. Have pretty well decided upon the jackets we want; they are…
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First day in Athens
Forgot to mention our memorable taxi ride from the airport to the Royal Olympic Hotel. The price is fixed at €35 – the driver had two speeds 140kmph & stop, however he did get us there safely, if not somewhat a little greyer, also very Impressive was that the local police, who clearly knowing we…
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On our way at last – the adventure of a life time
We are on our way at last….. left Oz at 11.30pm on Tuesday 24th March, after fond farewells with our kids and grandkids at the airport. Had great seats on the 380 air bus, on the upper deck and at the back – heaps of room and a neat little luggage area / shelf beside…
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Bikes Loaded
6th Feb 2015 – Day started early with our good mate Bob Saunders helping get the bike to the shipping agent, having had shoulder surgery a couple of weeks earlier meant not much help could be given on the day and unable to do any riding until we unload the bikes in Athens. An exciting…
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