The bikes have gone. Now we can sit and twiddle our thumbs for a few days.

We made the RoRo, despite the best efforts of my bike, it was back in Pitstop for some last minute repairs only hours before needing to be at the port. Mike's has been ready for weeks, and does not seem to shed bits or snap bolts like mine, yet.

We fumbled around for our passports to gain access to the Freeport (Liverpool, Seaforth complex), technically our first border crossing, then had our first customs search. When I say search, I mean open the pannier and close it again.

A minibus escorted us to the 'Vehicle Export Compound'. The compound was stuffed with new and old cars to be shipped out. I was a bit distracted while we were introduced to the man who would be riding the bikes on to the ship. Not because it was a rough or poor looking ship, but because it is called the 'Atlantic Conveyor' . A name I immediately associate with Exocet missiles and sinking.

No worries, Brian is a nice guy and rides a CBR600 from Chester to work, at least he knows about bikes. We ran him through the bike start procedure, we wanted to make sure he knew about the computer check over before the ignition is pressed. Magically mine started with no press much to his amusement and I had to flick the switch off. That will be the first thing I need to look at when we get time.

I also pointed out that if he was to drop my bike he should do it on the left hand side, as I always manage to do. There are still some good scars from an Argentinian roundabout, a French bend (wet) and a BMW GS1200 (twice) in Mexico.

How pristine Mike's bike looks next to mine. I'm sure we will do something about it in the next few months.

We called Jean to tell here we were getting a cab back to where she was waiting for us, she thought we were joking.

Maybe we should be taking this as a backup truck ?

Brian, the biker/cargo loader, uses it to ferry people around the site, carry loads and pull cars on to ships. It never needs MOT, Tax or insurance as it never goes on the UK roads. When it dies, he will just buy another. Perfect.