Everything is organised and paid for; the flights from Gatwick, the train to Gatwick and our hotel. The bikes are serviced and have a place on the RoRo from Liverpool to Halifax, Canada, and we have started the steps for the bikes to get on a RoRo from Seattle to Vladivostok.

Everything, including visas, are sorted.

But then we wake up from our happy dreams. Just once it would be nice if all the hiccups happen after a trip started.Our cheap flight from Gatwick to Halifax,NS, has been cancelled. The airline offered to switch it to 26th May. Clearly not an option. We had to settle for a flight to Toronto instead. The only option then was to book another flight to get us to Halifax still on the 1st May.

Next while my bike was being serviced the rear shock bushes fell apart in the mechanics hands.

Not a major problem, just order some more. Unfortunately they will not arrive until after the bikes are on the RoRo in Liverpool. Jean has gamely volunteered to let me use the (one year old) ones from her bike (the Pegaso she used on the DTW trip).

The only sure thing at the moment is the 10 days we have to get from Halifax to Seattle for the next RoRo. If we miss that, it is off to Vancouver for an expensive (£2500+ per bike) flight for the bikes to South Korea.

And the visas ? Actually they really do seem to be on track, we have used an agency (Real Russia) to apply for the Russia ones (double entry business) ahead of the normal 45 days before entry rule. Last time I looked we both had Russia and Kazakhstan visas, just Uzbekistan to go.