Skye in Winter

Call me crazy, but I love to ride my bike.

Melinda is just over 12 months old and I've covered more than 19,000km so far.

The BMW mechanic was surprised that I'd done so much, the closest other bike has just 3,000miles (5,000 km).  I've already gone through one set of rear pads (brakes) and a set of tyres.

The new tyres seem to be much better than the OEM, time will tell.

I know that it can get a bit chilly in Winter.

But up until now winter has hidden it's ugly, chilly face.

Actually that's not quite true, it was up until I took my Winter ride.

There is no such thing as the wrong weather, just inappropriate clothes to ride in.

Despite my clothing being "waterproof" I did end up getting wet.

Guess they're not designed for swimming.

Riding in the UK will always present certain challenges: rain, cold, wildlife, UK road network.  

It's all part of riding here and I must admit, the UK is probably my least favourite European country to ride in. 

In saying that, ANY ride is a good ride.

No it's not. Any ride is an AWESOME ride!

I had 7 days off, unfortunately the ferry is now on it's winter timetable and the times were unfavourable. 

It meant staying with some friends (Henning and Ronan) in Plymouth before and after the ride North.

The actual ride was about 1,050 km and about 12.5 hours each way.  

I saw plenty of Deer from Glencoe to Skye, on the way north.  At night, on a bike that can be a bit of a challenge. I'd hate to hit one. 

So, when a local overtook me, I stuck to him like a dag to a sheep. 

With his local knowledge and my fearless riding we came through unscathed. 

On the way back the only thing I encountered was rain and the winds blowing off a snow-capped Ben Nevis. 

When I eventually arrived in Skye, I was greeted by a cheery Lorraine and some of the locals.

Next day we had a tour of the area and up to Portree (Skye's capital). In the evening we headed to the local. 

A trip away wouldn't be complete without a medical emergency and none of the locals wanted to oblige so it was up to a woman who lived in Portree to challenge us that evening. 

I shan't go into details but lets just say that heads and tiled floors should never meet.

As far as I know, she's ok.  Let's hope that she learns to stay on her feet in future.

Next day we joined Lorraine's father for a bit of fishing. It was awesome, not that I'm very good at picking up the crabs, worried they're going to nip me. I'll never be a successful fisherman.

All-in-all, it was an awesome trip: 2,575 km, Visited a few places I'd never been, caught up with a few mates, kept someone alive, killed a few beers and whisky's.  I think I'll do it again next summer. 

Warm and sunny will be a change.

Now Melinda has been washed, rinsed off, covered and parked up for the winter. 

I hope it's a short one!

From the "tropics" to Skye

Portree

Fishing with Lorraine's Father

Aird

The rugged landscape was so beautiful

Picture-postcard!

Winter is coming!

The weather has been extremely mild of late.

With that in Mind, I asked my boss for a week off. 

Our holiday policy seems to be : Use 'em or Lose 'em.

The day after I had my time-off approved, the temperature dropped about 5 degrees UK-wide.

I've come to expect the unexpected and the weather here can be reliably, unreliable.

At least I've got some time off.

I could jump on a plane and jet off to Tenerife, Or Morocco, somewhere hot. 

That would be just too easy.

Instead I'm off to visit a mate of mine in Sunny, Warm, tropical Scotland.

As long as there's no Ice, I don't mind.

I've never been to the Isle of Skye and am quite looking forward to it.

At least there's no snow, yet.

But Seriously, Who the hell goes on holidays in November, in the UK?

I received an email from an Australian government department yesterday, my import application has been approved.  Yay!

This means that I'm free to Import Melinda to Australia. 

How awesome is that.

One less thing that I need to deal with later on.

I'm super happy about that and one step closer to getting home.

Oh, did I mention I'm back on the Island?

Just spent the past week and 1/2 in London.

Got my daily dose of indoor climbing and cinema.

I think that they are the two things I like most about London.

With not drinking or smoking at the moment, there's not a lot to catch my attention.

No drinks for 26 days and no smokes for 39 days.

Although, to tell you the truth, I notice very little difference.

Shouldn't I feel better, stronger, healthier, cleaner? 

Think I'll celebrate by having a few drinks on my time off.

The perfect touring machine?

Unless it's custom built or made to order, no bike will do exactly what you want direct from the factory.

At least that's what I've found. 

I've attempted to build the perfect bike, for me!

When I bought Melinda, I thought she was a pretty good bike. Even being voted "Bike of the Year - 2013" by Bike magazine.
And she was great. My first trip, 4,500 miles took us across France, Germany, England, Scotland and Wales.

Although the first thing I did when I got to Germany was to get some luggage. 

You can't tour without luggage.

Nearly one year later, I managed to get some time off for my second trip. 

A little longer at 5,500 miles. Again across France (beginning in the Channel Islands, this is unavoidable) then Germany, Austria (50km), Denmark, Sweden and Norway. 

By this time I'd added a few more creature comforts - Extended hand guards, crash bars, (cylinder) head protectors, Driving lights and guards, headlight guard, Extended nose piece, motorline stripes (B&W), rear luggage rack, alloy frame plugs, lower frame protectors, driveshaft protectors, rear hugger, crud catcher, intake and radiator guards, Side-stand foot (for soft ground), brake-pedal extender (the original tends to hide away in moments of anger).

After this trip I realised there were still a few items on my "wish-list".  

Firstly, was a taller, wider and darker screen. Not that the original screen was bad, turbulence around the helmet was a minimum but noise was an issue.  A week after attempting my last IBA ride (FHB-48) I could still hear the rushing of the wind in my ears. Recently I've also developed neck and back pain so am hoping that by installing the larger screen these problems will be reduced.  

As for the dark tint, it makes the whole thing look more bad-arse!

I've had her one year service done, no cake was offered but we were 6,000 km overdue.  

New tyres fitted, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the factory fitted ones, I managed to travel only 16,000km.  These new ones are now the next generation of my favourites that I ran on Nicole, on 3 consecutive pairs I managed to travel 25,000km each.  

Better the devil we know, right?  

Lastly, I replaced the rear brake pads myself, they were down to the backing plates after only 16,000 kms. 

Go figure?

All-in-all I think she is now the perfect bike for the type of touring I plan to do in the next 12 months and beyond.

The thermal playground and desolation known as Iceland, the remoteness of Lapland, down to the rocky outcrop that is Gibraltar, the Isle of Skye and all that lies in-between. 

After all that European-ness I guess we'll have to have a look and see just how long it takes to ride from Bris-vegas to Perth. 

Bigger and better than the original (Photo by Charl) 

Rear rack, countries visited, tank pads and Motorline stripes

Crash bars, Driving lights, intake and radiator guards, Cardan protector

Bigger Screen, Hand guards, Nose, Headlight grill

Stoptober...

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've been on here.
My how time flies when you're having fun.  Am I having fun?
I guess I am.
It's been a busy couple of weeks since I got back from my short European Tour.

I dropped Melinda off for some new Tyres and Have had her 10K service done (only 16,000km)
Last week I visited Guernsey, Picked her up from BMW and replaced the rear brake pads.
Super quick and easy, took about 15 minutes.
There were down to their backing plates, can't remember previous ones going so quickly.
I always forget that I've owned her for more than a year now.

When I bought her, I didn't plan to buy the bike of the year but it seems that I did.
And I continue to improve on the German excellence (if possible) and make Melinda even better.
Hey, due to the fact that Germans over-engineer everything, I now have a bike that will comfortably travel at over 180km/h, fully loaded, along German Autobahns, in Cruise-control.
I challenge anyone to try doing that on a Harley, Husqvarna or Ducati.

Deutche ordnung is Awesome!

There's probably one more thing that I want to get done before 2015.
I need to replace the original screen for a larger touring one.
Thinking back to my latest trip and the wind wasn't too bad, the helmet wasn't bashed about like on other bikes but there was still noise, A whole lot of noise.
There will always be noise when riding a motorcycle. It doesn't matter what you do and I have done everything I can to reduce it. I have bought one of the quietest helmets on the market, I wear a balaclava and neck scarf, but the noise is there. It's inevitable that when you do long distances for many hours at high speeds that you will be affected by noise.

Why is it a problem?  It can affect my concentration and eventually reduce my hearing.

What's the solution?  I've decided that next trip I shall wear noise reducing ear-plugs but also I'm upgrading my screen. By mounting a larger screen it will further reduce wind and rain to my upper body and helmet and reduce the noise.  Thus, making the ride more comfortable and even more Awesome.

As I get older I am becoming boring, focusing more on health and safety, being cautious.
But not too cautious, I plan to ride around Iceland (volcanoes permitting) and from Nordkapp to Gibraltar in 2015.

I haven't just done bike stuff.

Recently, I spent 2 weeks in London. It may sound strange but living at the Ritz can be tiresome.
Everyone monitoring what you're doing and noticing every little thing.
I'm sure it'd be lovely to be there for a weekend as a guest. (I wouldn't want to do that)

I did get to go Climbing (bouldering) and spent many hours in the cinema, catching up on everything and anything they were showing.

Surprisingly, the highlight was catching up with Danielle, Laurence and Oskar. Friends of mine from when I lived in Kassel and Berlin. Due to work opportunities they've moved to London now. It was as if no time had passed and we were able to catch up on the years in between. I can't believe it's about 7 years or so. I guess that happens to us all as we get older.

The week ahead looks like it'll be a busy one.  Currently Tim and I are on the search for my replacement.  It took quite some time and proved to be more difficult than expected to find me for the position and we don't want those problems this time.  CV's have been coming in, although many are unsuitable.  I'm sure that we will find someone sooner or later, preferably before I have to leave.

Next week, I expect to find myself back in London...Just because.
For now I'll make the most of having my own space and get some study done, passed assignment 7.
And while I'm here, I've decided not to drink and I'm too lazy to get my tobacco so I've stopped smoking, once again.
They say it takes 3 weeks to break a habit, it'll be that long on Tuesday.  Well done me.

Planning

I've been sitting here, reflecting on my latest trip and wondering what 2015 will hold in store for me.
In a way, I have already begun to prepare for it.
It will begin the moment my visa expires, I shall have 3 months to do all and see all that I want.

Melinda is currently having her first 10,000 km service (6,000 km overdue, oops!)
She was fitted with new tyres last week.
The originals were Metzlers and we only got 10,036 miles (16,000 km).  I'm used to getting a consistent 25,000 km from Michelin Pilot Road 3s. I've fitted her with Michelin Pilot Road 4 Trail and am expecting much better performance. We shall see!

Sure, she'll sit around for around 9 months or so, but better to prepare her now than try and source everything last minute.  I shall fit new rear brake pads, as soon as the parts arrive and I get the time to pop over. That shouldn't take very long at all.

It's all the other stuff that will be easy.  For a 3 month trip, I'll need basically the same as I took for a 2 week trip. I think that I'll also throw in my cooking and eating utensils, should make the whole thing easier and cheaper.

Of course the GPS etc. will be the same, but I don't think their coverage of Iceland or Northern Norway and Sweden will be very good. Think I'll take some road maps just incase.
I plan to travel the whole of the 3 months and that will take me till the end of Summer.

I hope to be in Iceland in the beginning of July, for about one week, then the Faroe Islands for two nights. After that up to Nordkapp, Norway. and then South to Gibraltar.
I'll spend most of July and August in and around mainland Europe.
Visiting friends and riding Awesome distances in minuscule amounts of time.
I shall apply what I learned from this trip.

Looking at what I achieved this trip, 3 months should be a doddle.   It's what I'll do after that. I guess I could always ride from Brisvegas to Perth!

Fucking, Hell and Bach

What an Amazing 2 weeks I've had.

On around the 17th of August my boss informed me that I could take some time off, Starting the 18th. 

Without wasting any time, I packed my stuff and was ready to go in a few hours. 

Like a kid the night before christmas.

Monday came and I managed to escape Alcatraz (A.K.A. Brecqhou) on the mid-day boat.

I had various parts, accessories and things to mount on/attach to Melinda.

By evening she was ready.

But due to the Ferry times I couldn't leave until after lunch, arriving on the continent around 1630.

I managed to get 400 kms under my belt that day.  The ride proper didn't start till the Wednesday, that morning I rode about 360 kms to my start point - Bach.

In retrospect, this was one of the contributing factors in my failure to achieve the FHB-48. 

Despite this, my ride across France, into Germany and onto Austria was uneventful. Eventually arriving in Fucking, Austria.

From Fucking, I then rode back into Germany and basically in a Northerly direction. 

I reached my friends, Michi and Heike,  in Northern Germany (Schwaförden) by 1600 Thursday. 

We worked out that I could afford 2 hours break and I went straight to bed and slept like a log. 

After eating with them I Continued north into Denmark, over the Öresundbron and into Sweden. 

About 1-2 hours after leaving Michi & Heike, I encountered extremely heavy rain. Counting on it staying dry I didn't wear my wet-weather gear. This was my second Mistake. 

I became absolutely soaked.  Causing shivering, inability to concentrate, stiff sore limbs. I was a mess. 

Eventually, at 0400, I decided that it would be safer to stop and continue after a sleep. 

I would not achieve the FHB-48 but I would eventually ride onto Hell.

Being Scandinavia, I was unsure if I was in Sweden or Norway, I was basically able to camp wherever I wanted and did just that.  I found a little green patch, off the road, hidden away. I pulled out my tiny tent, sleeping bag and slept for about 5 hours or so. 

I got up mid-morning, packed away my gear and continued on my quest.

By mid-afternoon I reached my goal, Hell.

Once in Hell, I rode out to Trondheim and a campsite on it's outskirts. 

Trondheim, Norway’s original capital, is Norway’s third-largest city after Oslo and Bergen.

I had done it, Ridden to Fucking Hell and Bach.

No major incidents, no near missed (well, only one), no drama, and NO FHB-48.

I didn't achieve my goal because:

• I didn't start fresh, but rode nearly 400 kms on the day of the ride
• I allowed myself to get wet and quickly fatigued
• I didn't recognise the distance, I thought it was several hundred kilometres shorter
• from Oslo - Trondheim I took the wrong route

Poor Prior Planning Precedes Piss-Poor Performance.

But I did learn a massive amount:

• Melinda is awesome an built for exactly this type of ride
• Norwegians love old american cars
• they also have an affinity for the Tesla Model S
• cold and wet drains energy quicker than I gave credit for
• this type of challenge must commence in Scandinavia rather than finish there, one is unable to make up time on these roads and the environment is less forgiving than in the south. 
• The speed limits are generally much lower in the Northern countries.

That evening, after arriving at the Camping ground I got talking with a Norwegian who also rode bikes and he proceeded to point out that my bike had one major problem. This got my interest so asked him to explain. and he elaborated that the problem with my Melinda was that she was just TOO PERFECT. We both had a bit of a laugh but he really is correct. the bike is completely forgiving and will make up for the shortcomings of the rider.  It will not only make a good rider look awesome but make a bad one look good.  He had a point!

After a couple of days rest, making friends and recuperating and exploring Trondheim, I decided it was time to make a move and I pointed Melinda in the direction of Bergen. We rode on and on, what an awesome, relaxing ride. Around Fjords, across fjords on Ferries, through ice capped peaks at more than 1400m, temperatures dropping to 5.5. We made it as far as Voss. It seems Voss is a centre for extreme sports, trendy cafes and cool people.  My type of place.

The next day on to Bergen and then on to Oslo.  After Oslo onto Malmö, the home of one of my favourite buildings and the beginning of the Brön.

Malmö campsite was just what I needed, but signified the beginning of the end of this adventure.

The next couple of days I visited Michi & Heike again, met up with plenty of old friends and made some new ones. Then onto visit Nathan, Monika and Emma. And finally across France and back to Guernsey.

In just under 2 weeks, I rode more than 8,600 kms (over 5,137 miles), achieving around 50mpg and an average speed of 55.9 mph (around 90 km/h). Not bad.

Today Melinda is getting new tyres, 10,034 miles (16,000 kms) is disappointing. I'm used to getting over 25,000 kms on Nicole. 

She's also going to BMW for a service, only 2,500 miles overdue.

So, all that's left is my plans for 2015...what an adventure that will be.

I'm excited already!

Bach and the beginning

Yes, it is a real place

My final destination

Trondheim

Somewhere in Norway. 1400 metres and 5.5 degrees

Voss

Riding in Norway

Malmö

Öresundbrön

Goodbye Sweden, Hello Denmark

NO BOAT FOR YOU!

Phew!
Looks like I've made it.
Off the Boat.
Since Sardinia, We have spent our time between St Tropez and Monaco.

I always enjoy being in and around St Tropez.
The old town is quite quaint, it's nothing like the hustle and bustle of Monaco.
Walks along the coast are usually the highlight of my day.
I also get the chance to catch up with Katharina and her family.
Last week I did just that.
There were Shenanigans and mucking around in the pool and on the Trambampoline.
But you know, tragedy can strike at any moment.
Three little people and one big one on the Trambampoline...
Let's just say that my nursing skills came in handy, and a little person has an awesome story to tell about Skippy the Kangaroo.

Back in Monaco now
This week was one of the few times that I've been out with many of the Crew members.
It was a good couple of nights and I think everyone needed to relax a bit and blow off some steam.
Much fun was had!

I'm Staying in the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel, very different to the Ritz.
But hey, I'm not complaining.
after 3 months on the boat, it's good to be ashore.
Hopefully, if all goes to plan, we will only be here for one week and then back to Alcatraz, oops I mean Brecqhou!
And if everyone (by that I mean the boss) stays healthy, I'll be able to take some time off.

Melinda and I are looking forward to it.

The view from my room

To Celebrate our return to Monaco!

Park Life

Sardinia,

We've been here for the past week.

But before our departure, I managed to visit a couple of parks and get some shots for my assignment.

I was pretty happy with the results, not over the moon but I did achieve a pass.  You'll find the final results below, last 5 shots.

I digress, back to Sardinia.

It's hot and sunny, During the day there's not a cloud in the sky.

Great weather for lying on the beach, relaxing, swimming. 

And that's exactly what I've been doing most days.

Today it's windy and overcast. a great day to stay inside, lucky thing because there's no tenders and we're stuck on-board.  Mainly because we've moved to another anchorage. 

Think I'll write some postcards and chill with a cuppa. 

The staff have been keeping me busy, a couple of days ago one of them managed to get stung on the face by a jellyfish. someone did offer to pee on the affected area. I thought perhaps it wasn't necessary. But hey, it was an option!

Looks like we'll be in Sardinia for another 2 weeks or so, I am quite looking froward to moving out of this cabin and off the boat.

Self-portrait

Bubbles 

Beach time

Boule

Butterfly

Männer

Baby

Woman

Preparation for a long journey?

Back in Monaco, for now.
Nearly every day there are rumours. "We might be leaving today or tomorrow" no-one knows, not even the Boss.  It's all very unsettling but that's just the way it is.
Despite this, it looks like we'll be heading off on the weekend.
Probably back to Italy and then Sardinia.
I'm looking forward to the trip, a little closer to when the season finishes.

This morning I saw the Boss, he asked me how much longer my visa will last (one year next week) and what I intend to do after.  He acknowledged that if I wanted to stay "it would be a fight" to get a new visa.  I think he loves that sort of thing, fighting for what he wants and eventually winning. That's why we (on Brecqhou) don't have to pay tax.  But, I planted a seed.  I let him know that it is probably time for me to go home.
I'm sure that he understood and we will have to start searching for my replacement. Tell the truth, I think I've found the perfect person already.
Just remains to be seen if he thinks he can work with a South African nurse. I'm pretty sure he can as he has employed more than one in the past.

Enough work talk.
I got up early the other morning, wanted to catch the sunrise. It was a bit too cloudy and the shots weren't exactly what I was looking for.  I've not done any work on them yet, Sure I can improve them a little. After the sunrise, I went for a walk in the park.  You'll see from the photos.
There weren't many people about at that time of the day, a nice change for Monaco.