5 Continents to cross, 29 Countries to navigate and I'm not sure how I got here. Yes I am actually, it was that train journey to Avignon in December 2005.
5 Continents to cross, 29 Countries to navigate and I'm not sure how I got here. Yes I am actually; it was that train journey to Avignon in December 2005.
Which bike? One of the most vexed questions for newbie travellers, which bike?Which bike? One of the most vexed questions for newbie travellers, which bike?
All types and sizes at HU meeting, Ripley, 2006
Camping equipment appears to me very much a matter of 50% personal choice and 50% common sense.Camping equipment appears to me very much a matter of 50% personal choice and 50% common sense. Obviously if Im going down to Wales on the Spring Bank Holiday for a weekend and my tent blows away, Im gonna be pissed off, but I seriously doubt if my life will be in danger. On the other hand if it happens in late Autumn on the Russian Steppes, hmm, I think we can all figure that one out.
What sort of lip gloss should I pack?Riding Gear
Me in the Hein Gericke gear with Christine
'Then it beginsa, I get those needles and pinsa'
The Searchers: 60's Hit RecordInnoculations
Not the sort of injection I'm looking for....
There is a wealth of information regarding diseases and prevention on the HU website but my doctor required me to go to the website www.masta.org for a printout of the recommendations listed for my journey. They charge about £4.00 for a list of 10 countries, so I needed 3 pages to list my journey.
Details of The Proposed Route: Trans-Canada; USA, Central America; South America; Australasia, Asia, Eastern Europe, Scandanavia, Western Europe.The Route Overall
North America
Canada (no Visa required)
USA (Visa Waiver Programme)
Mexico (Tourist Card) 6 months
Seems that due to my inexperience with the software, I held back a couple of episodes, instead of releasing them. So here you go........more stuff about pain.First Aid Kit
Another essential, there is only so much you can do to treat yourself, but remember you may be in a situation where the skill is available, but they do not have the equipment. Having said that, a motorcycle paramedic I aint, nor do I wish to become one.
The Route; Part 1; Stage 2; Trans-Canada.
Crossing the ContinentThe Route; Part 1; Stage 2; Trans-Canada.
Quebec Province contd
From Baie Comeau I follow the coast down to the River Saguenay (a) and head across Quebec, Camping at Lac Opemisca nr Chapais (b); Lac Quevillion (c) ; passing through Val dOr to Rouyn (d).
Ontario
The Route; Part 1; Stage 3; From The Artic Circle to The US Border
The Route; Part 1; Stage 3; South to the USA
So Far I would have travelled about 5000 miles, 750 around Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and 4250 across Canada to Inuvik. Now I have to travel south to the USA.
Well for better or Wurtz, I cannot cross the boarder where I planned.The Route; Part 1; Stage 4; The Great Divide
With only 70 days left before departure I need to concentrate on the 'show stoppers' now and the 'wish list' later. I spent a very pleasant day saying farewell to all my friends at work, having allowed a generouse 2 hours to complete this task, I was suprised to find that 7 hours later I had not got to see everyone. the interest in my trip and well wishes are uplifting. Living with the planning everyday, one forgets how uncommon the notion of travelling around the world on a motorcycle is. It's magic.
Take 2....I need to check that my new (2nd hand) pannier system plus all the other stuff, works ok. So what better than a 2000km round trip to Germany for the weekend?Thursday 4th May 2007
Well today I have been getting ready for my trip to Germany and the meeting of Los Amigos
The booking-in clerk at Heathrow asked me to place both of my bags on the conveyor. I knew they were overweight and fished for my wallet. He looked at me and asked me to take one case off, printed a label, wrapped it around the handle, gave it a shove to make it disappear into the Heathrow Machine.Due to the higher definition and larger size of some of these photos please click on the bold type to see photos
CANADA
Finally get to ride on the first leg of my journeyFriday 13th July 2007
Newfoundland greets me and spits me out!!
Sorry no photos this time.
Leaving Newfoundland for the perils of Nova Scotia
Still no photos, but stay with me they are yet to come.Sitting in the beautiful Rotunda at St. Anthonys hospital, with its black and gold ceramic sculptured walls, I was thinking How ironic, I was told to come and see this, but had decided not to, now here I am looking at the work of art that is dedicated to a NFLD doctor who pioneered the medical services to these northern folk.
Can I really continue with a broken collarbone, or are my doubts going win? Do I have enough guts to travel on after this second crash, and what if another major obstacle crops up/As I lay in the treatment room at Baddeck I once more faced the fact that my trip could be over, at least by motorcycle. Dr Chang and the A& E nurse put me in a halter (my cupless bra) to hold my shoulder in place while it knitted back together.
How long before this comes off? I asked.
At least three weeks. He replied.
The nurse rang a local motel and came back smiling.
Having crashed in Newfoundland, and again in Nova Scotia, I now stood in South Porcupine, Ontario; beside my bike looking at the wrecked rear wheel axleHaving crashed in Newfoundland, and again in Nova Scotia, I now stood in South Porcupine, Ontario; beside my bike looking at the wrecked rear wheel axle that undoubtedly is the result of these two previous accidents. I am talking to the owner of the motel, and waiting for Rick to pass by. He said he would check that I was ok at the Bon Aire Motel in Timmins, but like I said, I never made it that far.
From Timmins to JasperWest to The Rocky Mountains
Leaving Timmins I returned to the main highway and headed west once more in fine weather. Stopping first at Vermillion then Lake Nippingon on Lake Superior
Sunset from a prairie motel
Ok, so I'm really in Belize at the moment, but here is part of my journey when I crossed into USA. At this rate I'll be home long before I finish this blog!!!!
Anyway Merry Christmas to all my readers, I'm sorry that the lack of comms in the last few weeks has meant I could not reply to all your emails, most of which I have just received.
Tomorrow I start for Guatemala, but hope to be online again in the New Year, don't hold your breath though!From Friends at Red Deer to the US Border