I have just walked through my front door back in London. 6 weeks now to sort out visas, customs documentation, insurances etc. Then 3 weeks holiday in Japan, before I press on with Stage 2 of this bike trip in mid-August. 

Please watch this space. It will be a big comfort when things get tough to know that people are taking an interest and thinking about me. 

Morocco is sometimes described as “Africa Lite” so,  as well as being a lot longer, Stage 2 seems bound to be more challenging - but hopefully also exciting and interesting.  

Someone recently asked if I am scared about it all. Honestly I could probably wet myself if I gave in to my anxieties. However: I was singled out for terrorisation by the school bully at my Catholic public school in the 60s. Nothing since has scared me quite as much. Maybe my father was right. I was a weedy awkward kid, but perhaps boarding school did toughen me up. The thing that I fear more than anything is not completing the trip, or at least not giving it my best shot. I would find that hard to live with in my declining years. 

I have had my “three-score years and ten” and I have passed on my genes. What have I got to lose? 

For the last couple of months I have been communicating with a man from Northampton (originally from South Africa).  I didn’t know his name then and I had not met him.  But he set out from home on 20th March heading down the West Coast of Africa by motorbike with a friend. It was his second attempt.  He was posting regular updates here on HUBB Ride Tales, using the pseudonym Posttree: "Motorcycle Overland 2023 UK to South Africa. West Coast Route"

Soon after I got to Casa he sent me this message from the Southern tip of Africa: 

“Just done it. Will post details later. Have the photos 👍👍 “

So it can be done!