Last time we updated you as to our movements we were in Corsica, France. We had a great time there and rode the bike all over checking out the gorgeous beaches, mountain villages and spectacular coastal roads.

We then ferried to Nice, France and stayed with HU member Peter Hendricks. Peter was very good to us; he let us use his computer to update our HU entry, download photos, do our washing and catch up on domestic chores. In exchange we cooked up a feast for him every night. It was great to have a kitchen and cook up lots of Thai stirfrys. We even went on a motorcycle ride with his motoclub through the gorgeous French Alps.

Next we drove along the Southern French coast and saw some spectacular real estate and amazing Esplanade drives. Too expensive for us though, so we hurried back to our beloved and much cheaper Spain!! We then crossed across the middle of Spain, passing many quaint walled cities- we will never tire of them- so old and so much character and so different from anything in Australia or Canada.

Seville, Southern Spain was our destination in order to find somewhere to store our motorbike for 16 months while we go back to Australia to earn some more money!! With the help of HU member Pedro Vera Hormazabal we found a great hotel with a space in their garage that they were not using and we negotiated a deal for Euro 9/ month for storage. We left the rest of our gear at Pedros place, thanks heaps Pedro, you are a legend.

It was a great relief to get that sorted so easily, so we went off for our last final fling before leaving Europe. We cruised around Malaga area of Southern Spain and popped in to see Linda Bick, a lady who has ridden her BMW all over the world!! Linda is a real inspiration and such a small gutsy package. Linda entertained us every night and these are the words to Pats favourite song that Linda wrote and sang to us:

"Sometimes the road seems lonely and sad
And there's danger around every bend
But my troubles are halved when I hear in my heart
The voice of my faraway friends

Chorus:
Those faraway friends give me hope when I'm down
I know I can reach journeys end
There'll be laughter and light when I ride into town
And we are together again

Each place that I go I take with me their smiles
The words and the songs that they've penned
To share out the love, the hopes and the dreams
Amongst other faraway friends

Chorus

Sometimes I'm not sure where I'm headed or why
And I don't seem to follow the trend
But I know more than once I've got back on the track
With the help of a faraway friend

Chorus

For all round the world I've scattered my life
Seen sights that would make the mind bend
But each trips not complete unless I can meet
And make one more Faraway Friend"

Chorus x 2

Music and lyrics by Linda Bick
Composed in London, Ontario, Christmas 1994
Thanks Linda for letting us share your song with our faraway friends!!

Leaving our bike was a bit sad, she has been so good to us, but the temperature was dropping and European summer was definately over, so time to move on to other pastures. We left Seville and it was 21 deg C and arrived in London to 5deg Brzzzzz! John and Annette are now back in London, after travelling around the world for the last 3 years on their BMWs, so we caught up with them and celebrated in the usual manner with those two!! They have settled back into NORMAL life quite well and we even went to a motorbike show! Everything in London is super expensive, we bought 4 pieces of ham for A$25!!! We only stayed a few days and then flew to Newfoundland, Canada, then off to Halifax to visit some Peck cousins (thanks to cousin Anne and George for the great party and hospitality), then off to Louisbourg, Nova Scotia to party with more Peck cousins and Aunts and Uncles!! Next flight was to Edmonton, Canada where Pats immediate family are and here we are now preparing for a white Christmas, in fact it is snowing right now as I write.

At the end of December we will be taking Pats Mom, Colleen with us to New Zealand and buying a motorhome for 6 weeks with Kate and Johnathan as well, then back to Cairns, Australia to work March 1.

Well, heres cheers that you all have a great Christmas and New Year and hope all your families are well and all your dreams come true.