Well here we are 5 years on ready to travel on the bike again. On arriving home from our first overland motorcycle trip in 2007 we had a four year plan to travel again which blew out to 5 years but finally we are on the move again.Time dulls the memory, we had forgotten the sheer hard work it takes to pack up your life for 12 to 18 months and we could never have done it without the support of friends, family and the HU Community who have kept us inspired when we would begin to lose focus.

So once again we will start at the beginning......................

The race to leave by October really began in August when we had to have the bike crated up and be at the port by the 13th August, 2012. Once again we did this ourselves, we acquired a crate from the local Harley Dealership for a carton of beer, modified it a bit, and packed the bike and bike gear inside. Then Skill delivered it to the Port of Brisbane, hoping all is well and it will arrive in Valparaiso on the 16th October. The cost of shipping was about $AUD1150.00. There will be more fees at the Chilean end.

The last week before we leave is a total blurr, final house packing up jobs, visiting family and friends, organising last minute details, there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. We arrive in Brisbane on Friday night with good friends Liz and Al, descending on Helen and Davin who have organised a lovely farewell dinner with other good friends. Next day into the city to spend the day/night with my family before spending Sunday evening with Glenn and fellow Brisbane HU members. Then it is up at 3.00 am when Glenn delivers us safely onto the flight to Sydney. We are so grateful to Glen and Leeanne for their generosity. We really hope they are on the road soon.

Skil & 'Toplock' Glen

The connection to our LAN Air/QANTAS flight is made, it turns out to be a huge newly refurbed QANTAS plane, and we are on our way. It is a couple of hours into the flight that I suddenly make the realisation, “This is it! We are on our way again.” The adrenalin rush hits tempered with the inevitable questions of self doubt, are we doing the right thing, will we enjoy it as much as last time, we haven't travelled in a non English speaking country for 5 years, will we be able to manage..........................Blah Blah Blah. The feelings of self doubt are quashed with a couple of champagnes, lunch and a 12 hour flight.