Having found my passport I headed for Saratov on the Volga river. Coming into the city you cross a modern bridge . It's a great sight as the river is very wide.

Saratov is an old city and I headed down into the centre to find a hotel. It was rush hour making things difficult to ride and look at the same time. There was little sign of taxis but eventually I found one and asked the driver if he knew of a hotel with parking. I followed him at breakneck speed through the city and pulled up at his chosen hotel. I paid him off and went to reception only to be told it was full.

Outside I spoke to 2 men who described another hotel to me and when one realised I was not taking in the directions he hopped into his car and led me here.

The car park security guard was interested in my age and pleased to discover I was 5 years older than him.Day 46 – It was back to a familiar routine of arranging insurance this morning. I don’t think the office had done a short term motorcycle policy before but after much head scratching and computer gazing they came up with the goods costing 725 roubles (£14.40).

The hotel found the insurers for me and arranged a driver to take me there, wait and bring me back. Not only do I feel safer but I don’t have to worry about being stopped by the police. The last time I came to Russia I purchased insurance on the border and I expected the same to happen again. I was surprised when it didn’t and no-one asked whether I had insurance. I am not sure whether it is obligatory but believe so.

I then rode the 176 miles to Borisoglebesk which is an old style soviet town and am staying in the hotel of similar name. The town is rather run down and reminds me of some of the poorer communities on the outskirts of US cities.

A pleasant fact is 95 octane petrol costs 50p a litre!!

An interesting end to the day !! I was sitting alone in the hotel restaurant and had just paid my bill when 2 girls came in and sat at my table, one a tall thin blonde and the other a rather chubby dark haired girl. The blonde spoke some English and the other just smiled. It took them less than 5 minutes to suggest a romp of 3 in a bed, the blonde pointing to herself, her friend and me and saying "love, sex, bed - Da?" Their timing was immaculate. I imagine they must have got word there was a solo man who might be interested in what they had to offer. I politely replied "niet spaceba" and quickly retired to my room taking my Russian dictionary (to decipher the menu) and Kindle with today's Times for a quiet read. Oh well life is full of surprises.

Day 47 – Awoke to gentle patter of rain on windowsill. Went into breakfast and gingerly opened the door to see if the working girls were still there waiting for me. Sigh of relief to find only men present!! My original plan was to make the short trip (150 miles) to Voronez but last night I realised if I did this I would not arrive into Kiev (where there is a BMW dealer) until Friday where I want to have the oil changed in the bike. That would mean kicking my heels for 2 days over the week-end as it is unlikely they will do it until Monday.

I decided I would leave early and try to make it to Belgorod near the Ukraine border. That way I should make Kiev on Thursday with a sporting chance of getting the oil changed before the week-end. Any way, there’s no football on during the day and if I stay in Borisoglebesk I might have to encounter those girls again if they make a second attempt with me!!

I knew from France that my rain gear was waterproof and so I proceeded towards Voronez. It was a good choice as I arrived in Voronez at noon leaving several hours left in the day and by this time the rain stopped and the sun shone.

I made an error in Voronez and took a more southerly route than I wanted. By the time I realised my mistake I was 30 miles on and decided to continue. It probably meant I rode an extra 50-60 miles to get back on course. It also meant taking a cross country rural road but to my surprise it was extremely good and without a lot of traffic.

I am booked into the best hotel in town (Hotel Belgorod) costing 3100 roubles (£62) which is excellent value. When I arrived at the premises I fully expected to pay at least double.

I was pleased to see they have not removed the statue of Lenin which graces the main square just across from the hotel.

Tomorrow will see me out of Russia and into Ukraine.

What an amazing world. Here I am in south eastern European Russia and whilst I ate my dinner I was able to watch live Southampton v Manchester United on TV !! Pity they lost 3-2.