Slowlycatchymonkey

Depends what you’re photographing, if you earn a crust from weddings or school photos....

I wouldnt say never again because something might crop up eg the Overlander mag organise tours to places like Vietnam which are cheaper than you could do it yourself- tempting. Sorry this is a longun but its close to home! If you go on an organised tour then there are some important things to consider if you dont want to get caught out. From experience I can say they are not all decent scrupulous people. 1. Is the company based in your home country? Might not seem important but it really is. If something goes wrong you will have little or no recourse as the laws n rules on holidays n health and safety vary wildly from country to country, plus they know youre not going to be able to successfully tackle them from for example the UK if theyre based in India. The EU maybe but even that can be very difficult. 2. Do they offer any guarantees or refunds if things go wrong? 3. Can you meet the people involved in the organisation of the trip and how do they ensure riders reach a minimum standard required for that particular trip. You dont want to be on a difficult trip with people who cant do it. 4. What is the payment method? Do not enter into payment arrangements that involve having to use a specific currency conversion site or paying into an overseas account. 5. Research the company thoroughly. Google them- trip advisor reviews etc. Ask to speak to former clients. Research the weather conditions for the time of year youre going and the type of roads you’ll be riding on- see if that matches the trip description. 6. Its a good idea to have the minimal skills necessary to survive on your own in the place youre going. In most of Europe the majority of people courtesy of sat nav and google translate would feel reasonably comfortable if unexpectedly on their own- but in farther flung destinations maybe not so much. So get comfortable with a map n compass and make sure you have the addresses of your destination. If you're not spending a lot and are going to be in Europe then you could skip most of the above.

If your looking for something to do with your bounty the hospital volunteers are appealing for shampoo, shower gel etc cos theres limited/no visitors they arent getting the toothpaste, toothbrushes n soaps the patients need.

Glad ur ok Hows the new venture going?

Oh yes, we still refer to him occasionally when we talk about people who look guilty who aren’t, didn’t remember his name though!

Who’s Christopher Jeffries?

You flew into Bristol, lost?

Well well all the divisive bias twaddles flowing now but what do you expect from a bunch of northern monkeys

A northern word?

And there I was thinking you were lawless

Well that’ll pass the time

Yes, I have an Ortlieb version and a Lomo one and they’re both excellent, bungee one on top of the Jofama sometimes.

What are you growing in January?

I have something similar recommended by an off road riding instructor except it has a large top compartment as well as the side bags. I was dubious it would do the job but for the money thought I’d give it a go before forking out for panniers on the Himalayan. It is well worth the money. Four straps on the bike and they simply go through some small non slip ratchet style buckles on the bag so it’s easy to remove and replace the bag which also has a conveniently placed handle for carrying. Capacity wise the large bag has been more than adequate and I’ve been happy not leaving gear on the bike. I didn’t buy mine from here and the ‘Motorcycle Travel Shop’ in Paignton is shut with nothing showing in their website, hope they have survived the lockdowns! https://www.brandedbiker.co.uk/shop/jofama-luggage-roll-bag-52l-for-motorcycles/

What’s a nesh? Washing machine messing about. Need odd size tap so might go out on the bike to pick it up tomorrow

Well I assumed the “fantasy” part of the thread title has more to do with the current state of affairs. I don’t think dreaming is a waste of time at all though, you think about a lot of things you’d like to do if you let your mind wander and when you find yourself repeatedly returning to the same thoughts they crystallise into something more real and then you simply make it happen. Everything I’ve put in my post would have actually happened by now if it hadn’t of been for the obvious, I’d be happily exploring from a base in southern Spain with Morocco ticked off and the next country/countries riding mapped out. Getting jabbed according to the vaccine calculator based on current vaccination rates puts my second jab mid to end august so realistically many of these things may not happen for me til 2022. That’s ok until that time I’ll just dream about it, knowing it is going happen.

Great stuff Thankyou. I’ve copy n pasted it into my notes

Ooh I like this thread. So the ultimate fantasy is more than a couple of weeks- ride around the world but if you haven’t been thinking, reading and talking to people about it for over two years the idea of riding off for a long period without a fixed itinerary and hotels booked is gonna freak you out a bit so for that reason breaking Mr Slowly in... slowly is the aim. With that in mind as soon as lockdown allows and he’s been jabbed LEJOG, a slow coastal stop version to take in the views with mostly hotels so he can find his legs. Then a friend of mine has coincidentally been wanting us to go to Germany since before all this Covid malarkey kicked off so that’s likely to happen which will be interesting when Eiffel is in the mix. I suspect it’ll will happen immediately after. Then when Mr Slowly is comfortable with all of the above either ferry to France or Spain depending on the time available (two weeks probably won’t be enough for this one) and ride down to Andalucia, find a place to rent and when settled there and after enjoying some some empty Spanish roads ride onto Morocco. Once all that’s done riding without having fixed destinations or places to stay will be much easier for Mr Slowly and the idea of RTW in pieces can commence. I’d do it jigsaw style because I’m happy here where I am with the life I have and after speaking to many people who have done RTW a disconnect seems to occur with your ‘normal’ life that makes it hard to settle back in. I wouldn’t want to be away for more than a few months at a time max. I don’t want it to turn into a chore, I’d like like to take the time to enjoy each country rather than see them as something to get through to complete the RTW so I think a slower approach and in pieces would be the right way for me. So if anyone has any roads, destinations, ideas or opinions about the ride down through France/Spain to Andalucia or has been for a spin round Morocco your thoughts would be appreciated. @bonio well thread starter let’s hear some of yours!

Well here’s something I’m glad I didn’t know about until it’s on it’s way to being remedied. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/21/eurostar-to-get-support-from-french-and-uk-governments-to-ensure-future?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

That’s why I can’t post in ‘Plans for 2021’ I now have so many it’s completely implausible

I think Flashman after everyone’s jabbed and the pressure eases you should have yourself a wee moto trip, something to plan and look forward to now, even if it’s just a long weekend and a dap round Ireland or the Isle of Man. After all it is deserved isn’t it and planning a trip is a lovely distraction. I’ve found thinking about what I’m going to do when free has started to have the same effect as talking about winning the lottery, a bit like a film prison scene when they start talking about what they’re gonna do when they get out

A series of 3-5 minute shorts I’m sure a lot of you have already seen. Not brilliant and there are surely more interesting examples about but Dalton (White Dalton Solicitors) is worth 3 minutes. https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-unlikely-bikers

Missed this. Is there a before n after pic?

What’s it called?

Thanks again! Plusgas tin or aerosol?