Okay....so there are TWO words that should NEVER be combined. As a matter of fact, ANYBODY that EVER uses them in our presence is gonna' open the "whole can a whoopass". Those words are 'sport' and 'tourer'. Let me tell ya' brother. There ain't no such thing! At least not with the letters GSX attached!

Anyway, after that 'surprise'! Hey ya'll, we're in Belgium!!!!! We hit the UK after an all night flight and were met by our good friend Peter Eldridge. He took us on an overland tour of the British countryside, then on to Bournemouth to pick up the bike, (which I have now fondly nicknamed 'Torquemada'. Yeah, yeah, look it up!).

Just a quick note to all, there aren't any pics on this entry because I am using a computer that is run basically in Flemish! 'Sides I have enough trouble with an english based computer!

A word about this 'left hand drive thing'.... COME ON GUYS!!!!! I know everybody wants to feel 'special' but cut me some slack!!!.....Only a couple of wooops'ses and "I'm sorries" but we made out. Stayed at a great B&B in some place ?, ( will give them full credit for a great stay on the next entry).

Made it to Stonehenge. Nice rocks? But ran into to a bunch of nice bikers so had to visit, coffee, scones, bullshit...... you guys that know me;... know me! Got to look at a couple of the new BMW Adventurers. Tried to trade straight up with 'a little boot' but NO WAY would they jump.

One of the riders' wives told me about the left hand drive thing, about medievel times and the sword on the left side so you could draw it and fight? I told her that in the US if ya' tried that sword crap, somebody would just 'shoot yer' sword carryin' ass. Settled that one. US..1 / UK..ZIP!

Headed out next morning for Dover and darned near made it despite bucking the cross winds on the (race bike/sports/tourer) 'Torquemada'. Spent the night in a 'smelly little spot'; would mention the name buuuut..... I'll think about that one.

Left out on Sunday morning in the light mist/rain, for Dover. Had a couple of REAL hairy moments with the wind, but arrived safely. After a quickie breakfast at the port, qued up in line right behind a new friend. Fellow traveler on a Yamaha big twin, Franz Till.

Franz is a shipping manager, from Germany, and had been over to the UK for an airshow! GREAT guy! Stayed with us on the ferry, shared coffee and bike/life stories. We were still suffering from severe 'jet lag' and with the iffy weather, we were not looking forward to our next little leg (to Brugge). Franz was headed home to Cologne and offered to guide us right to our next highway exit!! Now please understand. We aren't wimps by any means, but we were exhausted from the wind and jet travel and really appreciated the company! ( Man ya' gotta' love bikers)
THANKS FRANZ!!! We made it!

We are staying with our friends Tine' and Stefan and their daughter Emma. They had a party in progress as we arrived so the local society of Jabbeke, Belgium got a taste of 'cowboy'.

For our horse friends, we are horseback riding on the North Sea coast tonight. We'll let you know how it goes or doesn't go.....Hi to all our friends and family back home!! It's going GREAT! Kelly and Toby; don't forget to pet the dawgs! (Yes, "Bandit" can sleep on the bed.)

Will post pics on our next entry....Bill and Karen

10July'06