DG

Here's a couple from a recent trip to North Africa http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/6DB694F0-F622-4868-892C-4F5569085814-541-000000713638E011.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Morocco%202012/IMG_0754.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Morocco%202012/IMG_0873.jpg Full ride report underway here http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=832291

Mmmm one day pretty soon I reckon Cheers folks

Cheers lads!

I've also been to Millau http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6652.jpg

Sweet pics T. Did you just go for the day or did you stop over?

The Ryedale Rally last week, after all the rain on Friday day and night plus more rain on the Saturday made it an extremely tough event, especially on the big Katoom! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/506979ee.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/bab5ce8f.jpg

Not really a problem at all, after 150 miles your butt and your legs would welcome the break.

Crackin' pics T!

Well done Guy! Sorry I missed you matey! We did the anti-clockwise route. we set off at 06.15 and returned the following morning at 04.50. I've got to say it's probably one of the hardest things I've done on the bike. Jack and I were pretty shot later on on the Sunday and we just had a lazy day. I can't believe how much I ache, my backside is ok it's the arms, legs and neck which aches. Pretty much rained from start to finish other than the few hours you mentioned north of Wick, we too made the ride up to John O Groats. A few snaps http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/John%20O%20Groats/DSCF6813.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/ebf01afe.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/a1cded2c.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/a1cded2c.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/c9b4633e.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/e7450b92.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/John%20O%20Groats/DSCF6822.jpg We travelled through Glen Coe when the darkness really set in and the signs for Glasgow were something like 114 miles Then the sign Carlisle was 89 miles It seemed never ending, but it was for a great cause and the sense of elation and acheivement was second to none, especially as we were applauded as we pulled into Squires car park, I was welling up http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/f2ee464b.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/421191ae.jpg Think we did it in 22.5 hours and did a total of 1111 miles, well done to everyone who took part a well deserved pat on the back is in order!

So on we go. We waited for the tour and then we entered the labrynth of the wonderful caves. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6587.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6590.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6604.jpg The stalagmites and stalagtites were thousands of years old, we were told by the guide that the stalagmites only grew 1 cm every 100 years. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6609.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6617.jpg There were plenty of weird and wonderful shapes which had been formed over time, also this is one of the very few caves that has different varying colours in the limescale. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6618.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6624.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6626.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6625.jpg We eventually came out into the sunshine and soaked up the views on offer to us overlooking the gorge. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6631.jpg Brew time. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6634.jpg The following day we went to have a good look at the amazing Millau Viaduct, the engineering which went into this bridge was a bit special. The highest stantion from bottom to top is actually higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It certainly was a spectacular sight. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6638.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6640.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6637.jpg We had a ride up to get a bit closer. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6649.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6647.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6655.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6655.jpg Personal favourite! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6652.jpg We moved onwards, I had always wanted to have a go at canoeing on the river, I had first found out about it when we were on our honeymoon, but where we were staying in Tours didn't do it. I was pretty thrilled when we saw the many signs advertising canoe hire. We rode further up the fantastic D907 and booked ourselves a canoe for a few hours. We paddled at a leisurely pace down the river for a few kilometers and then a van with a trailer picked us up along with the canoe and took us back to our starting point. Once again the peaceful trickling of the river paired with cracking blue skies made for a great afternoon. And once again the views were stunning. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6663.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6664.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6665.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6666.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6668.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6669.jpg I felt like the legendary Ray Mears at times http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6671.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6674.jpg The peace and tranquility was just amazing, lazily rowing down the river, it was just the ticket! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6676.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6678.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6675.jpg Our lazy afternoon soon passed and we were once again on the mighty KTM heading back to the campsite. We had really spoiled ourselves on wonderful food, beer and wine along the different places we had visited and for a change we decided to just buy some fresh bread, cheese and ham and make a sandwich for dinner. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6684.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6682.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6686.jpg We spotted one of the locals having a nosy at us. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6690.jpg And in a flash he was gone! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6691.jpg Catch up soon, once again the time comes for me to get ready for work!

We had a storm during the night and when we woke the next day some of our gear in the porch of the tent had got a little wet, someone had not closed the door fully! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6501.jpg We decided to move on as the weather forecast wasn’t great for Pisa, so we headed north west, we didn’t have a destination in mind, we just followed the big ball of fire in the sky. Once we got off the motorway we passed over some wonderful gorges and mountain passes, I must say thanks to the fellow bikers on the road especially the guy riding a KTM Adventure who was signalling me to slow down, then a guy on a sports bike over took us and again he slowed down and signalled me to do the same by waving his hand. A few hundred yards and a few corners later the police were in a lay by with their speed gun, don’t you just love the two wheeled world? Thanks guys whoever you are. Soon later we pulled into a campsite a stones throw from the sea in the town of Ravenna. Jack “helping” pitch our tent. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6504.jpg We didn’t really do much here other than kick back and relax, we ate out that evening and hit the sack early. The following day we shared our breakfast with this little guy. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6509.jpg We went for a stroll on the beach under grey overcast skies and when we returned to the campsite we decided to pack up and move on. Only a couple of hours on the road and the grey skies were firmly behind us as the sun warmed our backs amid a clear blue sky. We found ourselves in Bologna and we soon found a campsite and pitched the tent and went for a well earned beer or two. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6511.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6513.jpg We were joined by this curious little fellow. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6517.jpg We had some “unfinished” business to attend to in Bologna in the form of the Ducati Factory. We had visited the factory 5 years earlier on our honeymoon, but we missed the tour by a few minutes. As we were in Bologna we decided to try our luck again, but as it was an Italian Bank Holiday all businesses were closed, so once again we never made the tour, at least we have another excuse to go back! Again we packed up and moved on. We stayed the night in Portofino, all the pictures I took were on my phone, which as you now know was lost on the boat. The following day we moved on and decided to take the “scenic” route as we were in no real rush and we followed the coast road of the A1 which hugged the beaches and sea line, the views were stunning. We hit Genova and came to a standstill, the traffic was on par with riding through the centre of Rome, manic was an understatement. As soon as we were spit out of the chaos at the other side we stopped for a drink and a bite to eat then we headed for the motorway, finally crossing the border into France and we pitched our tent on a campsite in Nice. Barbeque was on the cards for evening meal! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6533.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6528.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6520.jpg Washed down with a few cold beers of course! My makeshift beer cooler. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6534.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6529.jpg We had a cracking time in each others company and we’ve both come to really love the nomadic kind of holidays you can have on two wheels chasing the sun down. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6530.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6527.jpg Mosquito bites J http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6538.jpg Breakfast the following day. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6539.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6541.jpg I had noticed oil all over the side stand and swingarm and upon a little investigation I discovered that the Scott oiler oil feed pipe had snapped in half, a quick fix was in order. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6544.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6545.jpg The sun rose high in the blue skies as we had a walk along the pebbled beach. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6546.jpg Only a lottery win away. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6549.jpg We had a walk around the marina before heading back to the campsite. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6550.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6551.jpg We headed west the following day, we had barely manoeuvred our way out of the City when the heavens opened. We quickly pulled on our waterproofs and set off again, minutes later all the dash display had disappeared, no speedo, no clock, no temperature gauge or fuel gauge. First thing I checked was the fuses and sure enough one had blown, I replaced it with a spare and we continued only for it to blow again a few minutes later. I pulled into a garage and after fuelling up I asked the guy in the garage if I could use an awning at the side of the building to use as a shelter from the rain while I looked at the bike. No he replied and pointed to a Yamaha dealers a couple of hundred yards away, I “thanked” him and moved onto the dealers where they gave me another fuse and let me use their forecourt. I wasn’t sure of the reason why the fuse was blowing, but I pulled a few wires and checked the back of the fuse box, all looked good. I put it all back together fitted the new fuse and we continued. We decided to put a good day in the saddle and head for a town recommended to me my one of my work collegues, Millau. Amongst other things it’s pretty well known for the viaduct which spans a gorge where the village of Millau is situated. Once again we soon found a campsite and pitched our tent. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6552.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6553.jpg One of our new neighbours also had a KTM Adventure, his name was Jürgen and he was from north east Germany, he was a true gent and we chatted for a while about bikes and roads etc. the following morning he brought us fresh coffee. Jürgen http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6701.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6702.jpg We noticed people in the distance throwing themselves off the top of the huge gorge, luckily they had parachutes and hang-gliders to help them down. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6556.jpg We took the panniers off the bike and decided to take Jürgens advice and have a blast down one of the roads in the deep valley of one of the surrounding three gorges, the road was the D907, if you’re ever down in Millau take this road, it’s magnificent sweeping bend after bend amongst stunning scenery will draw grins from any face! We noticed some houses built precariously on some rocks overlooking the river. I left Jack on the bike as I went to get some shots. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6558.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6559.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6560.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6564.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6565.jpg We continued and turned right over a bridge spanning the river and we climbed high on a single track road which had no safety barriers, it wasn’t for the faint hearted and Jack certainly didn’t like it! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6567.jpg We climbed higher and higher. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6569.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6571.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6575.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6568.jpg We continued on and we eventually we scaled the gorge and dropped down the other side. We followed the satnav and then the road signs as we were heading for some caves; Grotte de Dargilan just on the outskirts of Meyrueis above the Gorges de la Jonte. The Gorge was stunning. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6582-1.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6585-1.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6579.jpg Right I gotta get to work, I’ll carry on soon.

We headed south and pretty soon we crossed the border into Italy. We have both come to love Italy, the people, the culture, the history and the scenery it has to offer. We were dwarfed by snow topped mountains as we rode through the valleys, sun shining and blue skies, what more could anyone want? http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6447.jpg A quick fuel stop for the bike and a coffee each for Jack and I. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6450.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6451.jpg The mountain range in the background is where we headed for. The ribbon of tarmac which wound it's way along was like riding the worlds largest roller coaster. I laughed so much inside my helmet with joy and tears as I became overwhelmed by the stunning scenery, fantastic! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6453.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6456.jpg We were kind of "on a mission" as I mentioned earlier one of our sons was also in Italy on holiday with his girlfriend and her parents. They were staying not far from Pisa and we really wanted to hook up with them before they flew back home. We travelled further and further south through the mighty Dolomites over mountain pass after mountain pass, switchback after switchback. We were both hoping that the weather would be getting warmer the further south we travelled, at the present time we couldn't be much further from the truth! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6457.jpg We noticed snow at the side of the road!! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6458.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6461.jpg It was getting colder and colder as the snow got thicker and thicker! Pretty awesome views though. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6465.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6466.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6467.jpg The snow got thicker by the side of the road, I only had my summer riding suit and it felt like I was riding in a huge fridge! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6469.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6459.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6464.jpg As we dropped down the other side of the pass I was pleading for a bit of straight road. On we went into the darkness as we hit a small village called Belluno. We knocked on plenty of hotel doors but drew blanks every time with each hotelier suggesting we try a different one and giving us directions. I had almost resigned to camping in a field we had passed on a few occasions as we kept riding round looking for a place to stay. Finally around 22.00 we got the green light from a small bed and breakfast in the heart of the small town, we showered and changed, ate hungrily and washed it down with a couple of large glasses of red before we hit the sack shattered, it had been a long day. The view from our window in the morning. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6471.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6472.jpg We had breakfast and set off heading south, it turned out to be another long day in the saddle as we decided to make a bee line for Pisa where we could meet our son and we would spend a few days off the bike and relax a little. We found a great campsite 5 minutes away from the beautiful Tower and cathedral. We pitched the tent and got showered and changed, luckily the weather was warming up too. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6473.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6475.jpg Brew before a beer! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6474.jpg We visited Pisa once before on our honeymoon and truth be told we wouldn't have gone back if we wouldn't be meeting our son, but I honestly don't think you could ever get tired of looking at the magnificent buildings. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6478.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6480.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6481.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6484.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6485.jpg Introducing our son Robbie. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6490.jpg We went for lunch and he made light of this huge Calzone pizza. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6491.jpg * We went for a leisurely stroll after in the city. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6492.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6499.jpg A different view of the tower http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6494.jpg The very same steps we sat on when we were there on our honeymoon. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6500.jpg 2006 http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/DSCF0913.jpg We said our goodbyes and wished them a safe flight home and we went back to the campsite.

Fantastic scenery and roads up north of the border innit?

Once we were changed, we went down for a well earned beer and we had a wander round the square, there wasn't a great deal to see if I'm honest as it's quite a small village. We ate like King and Queen in a lovely Italian restaurant. Now as in previous reports I've done I love to take snaps of the mouth watering food before we consume it. I did the same thing on this trip taking many photos, but with my camera on my phone unfortunately I managed to lose my phone on the ferry returning to England. I had taken many other pictures and some video during the trip, but alas it has been lost. The following morning we made the short walk to the castle for a tour round. Feeling fit and well we declined the stairs and the 20 minute climb and opted for the cable tram on the side of the hill. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6381.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6383.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6384.jpg The backdrop was simply stunning http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6385.jpg The morning was warming up a treat, we sat taking in the sunshine as we waited for our tour of the castle. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6390.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6387.jpg The clock tower complete with the 4.5 tonne bell was over 400 years old! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6389.jpg The tour began inside the chapel. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6395.jpg We climbed higher inside the thick walls of the castle, which were up to 6 feet wide in some parts, some feat of construction! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6397.jpg Inside the prison, some of the weapons were just pure brutal, I wouldn't fancy a whack from one of these things! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6399.jpg This device would make sure you paid attention! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6400.jpg Higher we climbed http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6401.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6398.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6402.jpg The clock still ticked after all these years, I'm sure it had an upgrade at one time, but the main body was still in it's original form. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6403.jpg Inside the bell tower was the original clock face, over 400 years old along with all the original timbers, pretty amazing eh? http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6407.jpg Up again to the outside of the bell tower. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6408.jpg The views up here again were simply stunning, what a real pleasure it was to stand and soak up the vistas trying to burn the image into my mind and keep for ever. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6410.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6411.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6412.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6414.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6415.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6416.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6418.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6413.jpg This was the bell which weighed in at a staggering 4.5 tonnes, I had to ask how they managed to lift it up so high and so many years ago. There was a series of trap doors in the floors which the bell was lifted through by way of winching. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6417.jpg Looking down on the square http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6419.jpg Time to climb back down. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6420.jpg Madonnas Gate, can you see the resemblance? http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6422.jpg We went to see the falcon show, we both wasn't too bothered about seeing it, but thought why not? We were both glad we did, it was fantastic! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6428.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6426.jpg What majestic creatures these birds are! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6430.jpg The wingspans on these large eagles were huge as we could see them soaring high above us. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6440.jpg The awesome American Eagle http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6433.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6435.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6436.jpg Time to move on, couldn't resist a snap in the mirror http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6443.jpg One last look at the mountains and castle. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6444.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6445.jpg It was time to sort out the overheating problem and we found a KTM dealers 5 miles south of where we were. Long story short it turned out to be an airlock twinned with a load of gunk in the radiator fins, I thought it was a good sign as there was no parts to pay for. We did get relieved of 100€ though for the time, I was a bit pissed off as I could have sorted it out myself and really should have done it correctly before we set off on the trip. Hey ho though it was done and dusted and we headed off south. To be continued...

Oh yes http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/DSCF1735.jpg

Cheers T I don't think I've seen that one? I've just bought Where Eagles Dare though As for Bratislava, it's a pretty large city, but we didn't really stop and have a mooch round. We just found the nearest hotel on the satnav and just got our heads down for the night as we were on a mission to get into Italy to meet up with one of our sons'. We must have that brew soon n'all, I'm up in Scotland golfing next week, but when I get back we'll get it on

We left our hotel in Auschwitz the next morning and headed for Krakow, we had planned to visit the Oscar Schindler Museum and the famous Salt Mine just south of the city. I had heard prior to the trip that the Polish road users were a "bit mad" I'm happy to say that we never experienced any near misses or bad drivers while we were travelling on the roads. The main highway into Krakow was pretty much brand new, but we were keen to travel on smaller roads and see the locals. I'm not sure which road we were riding on, but we just followed the signs for Krakow and we passed through many small villages which were made up from a good variation of houses. A lot of them single storey wooden buildings painted in bright colours, others were just treated timbers. It was exactly how I imagined Poland to be, old women with scarves wrapped around their heads tending to there vegetables and gardens working away with their hoes. Another old lady must've been in (at the very least) her sixties standing on the outside of her window sill cleaning the windows at least 8 feet off the ground. I have these memories, but I really wish I would have taken the time to stop and take a few pictures. We had travelled on this road for approximately 25 miles when we came to a road block, there was a large crane on a bridge. I stopped and killed the engine as I wasn't sure how long we'd have to wait. The workmen on the bridge spotted us and began waving their arms and gesturing for us to turn around, bugger! Reluctantly we did a U turn and found our way back on the new highway and pretty soon we parked up outside the Oscar Schindler Museum. We got our tickets, but we couldn't enter for another two and a half hours so we decided to head down to the Salt mine, if we had enough time we would go back to the Museum, if not we had a good excuse to return to Poland! While we were travelling down to the salt mine the bike started over heating, the warning light flashed enthusiastically telling us to stop. I pulled over in the busy traffic to let the temperature drop and once it did we got going again trying not to stop so the air would flow freely through the radiator. We soon arrived at the Wieliczka salt mine, we paid the entrance fee, stowed our helmets and bag and started the decent into the darkness. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6271.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6273.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6276.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6279.jpg As we finally reached the bottom of the 364 steps which was 64 metres underground our guide informed us that the ceilings were supported by wooden timbers, over time the salt in the air draws out the moisture and then the timbers set like stone. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6280.jpg All the following pictures are carved from/or made from salt in the mine, pretty amazing. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6281.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6285.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6286.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6288.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6293.jpg Down we went further and further. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6294.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6299.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6300.jpg Even the huge shandeliers were made from salt crystals. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6315.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6305.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6309.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6310.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6311.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6312.jpg This is Chapel of Saint Kinga which still holds services and weddings to this day at a little over 100 metres below ground. There are other large rooms which hold concerts and theatre performances too. Even the floors are salt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqWgeGIZ ... detailpage http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6320.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6317.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6327.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6330.jpg There's even a restaurant underground. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6337.jpg This is the deepest we went before being led back up to the top in an old mine shaft. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6338.jpg The tour took two and a half hours and although it does seem a lot of time, it did pass very quickly and it's well worth a visit! More details for the mine can be found here http://kopalnia.pl/index.php?id_languag ... _change=1& We had a quick coffee and we set off on our travels again, we headed south towards the Tatra Mountains on a fantastic winding road. The Tatra Mountains as we'd just crossed the border into Slovakia http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6342.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6343.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6349.jpg We were making a bit of a bee-line to try to see one of our sons who was in Italy for the week with his girlfriend and her parents, so we made pretty rapid progress through Slovakia not really stopping anywhere or travelling on the B roads. We made it to the Capital Bratislava and got a hotel for the night and then we set off the following morning and headed into Austria. Another thing on our (read my) agenda was to visit the KTM Factory in Mattighofen and stay near a mountain range where they filmed Where Eagles Dare at the suggestion of a fellow in-mate. Taking the bike home, Mattighofen, Austria. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6350.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6354.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6355.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6359.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6358.jpg We made our way through Saltzburg and during the heavy traffic the bike started to over heat again as the fan wasn't kicking in, I thought while we were in the home of KTM we should get it sorted, I guessed it was one of three things; air-lock, thermostat or the temperature sender switch. Again I had this confrimed by trusty friend Pete back in the UK and he said if worst came to the worst I could always short the temp switch so I could have the fan on all the time. We made it through the city after a few stops to cool the engine down and headed south on the motorway to get some much needed air into the radiator and we made it to Werfen where they filmed Where Eagles Dare, the scenery was absolutely stunning. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6363.jpg I rode into the market square where all the hotels were and we tried checking into a hotel/B & B, but a lot were either closed, full or too pricey. What we usually do is this; I pull up outside the hotel and Jacks jumps off the bike to go and enquire about a room. She had been gone quite a while as she walked from one place to the other, when she returned saying she had found one, but it was €160 for the night. There was one establishment left which was right behind where I was parked, but Jack thought it would be too expensive, but she went in and enquired. She returned a few minutes later with the thumbs up and a rather muffled €54 when I asked how much it was for the night, result! The owner came out and said I could park the bike in their garage which I did and we were shown our room. We had a magnificent view once we opened the curtains and went out onto the balcony. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6360.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6361.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6365.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6373.jpg The castle which featured in the film. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6381.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6377.jpg

On we go, we passed under the great arch one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, again after seeing so many images of the small tower and archway it was so surreal to be here. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6153.jpg The ramp where "selection" took place, many of the women and children were sent straight to the gas chambers from here. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6093.jpg The ramp has now been demolished and now stands an empty cattle cart in which many of the Jews from all over Europe was transported in. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6172.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6167.jpg Entrance to one of the many sections of the camp barracks. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6173.jpg The barracks were all in different sections which housed Jews from different areas/countries etc. Also the women prisoners were separated from the men. All was surrounded by barbed wire fencing keeping the prisoners apart. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6174.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6176.jpg These watch towers were aplenty. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6177.jpg This picture is inside the main bath house where the prisoners were first taken. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6184.jpg This is what remains of the large steamers which were used to disinfect their clothes once they were removed http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6183.jpg Former prisoners http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6182.jpg Memorial to where many prisoners were burned in the open ground you can see behind the Memorial. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6186.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6191.jpg Another Memorial and one of the ponds where the human remains were dumped. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6187.jpg Remains of gas chamber and crematorium II http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6180.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6179.jpg One thing that we both struggled to come to terms with was the sheer size of the camp, it is difficult to see from the pictures, the site was massive, the three Auschwitz sites including Auschwitz I, Auschwitz-Monowitz and Birkenau covered an area of 20000 acres and the biggest was certainly Birkenau, it's difficult to compare it with anything of that size. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6191.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6188.jpg Wooden bunk house where up to 400 prisoners slept. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6192.jpg Inside http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6194.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6195.jpg Chapel, I'm not sure if this was built at the same time as the entrance tower to Birkenau, but it has the same striking resemblence. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6190.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6196.jpg More menacing wire fencing surrounding the southern section of the bunkhouses. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6198.jpg These bunkhouses were made from bricks and mortar, again the size of the place was almost unbelievable. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6201.jpg Inside http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6199.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6200.jpg These are the remains of another gas chamber and crematorium. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6205.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6206.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6208.jpg Another pond in which the ashes were disposed of. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6202.jpg Memorial http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6214.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6209.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6210.jpg Hopefully you can try and get some kind of scale on the size of the place. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6211.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6213.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6215.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6217.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6222.jpg We returned later on in the evening for one last look at the daunting building. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6244.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6250.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6240.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6231.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6248.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6256.jpg It wasn't until later on in the evening when we were talking about the day, and reflecting what had actually happened in the places we'd seen, walking where millions had walked before us. My personal feelings caught up with me, those tearful eyes of Krystyna came back to haunt me and I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear or two. The sheer size of the operation was really on an industrial scale and it was really hard to come to terms with it, just thinking about it for a few moments.... Yes it was upsetting at times and yes it was earie also and I'm not sure if it was just me, but in some places there seemed to be a cool chill in the air, but I am certainly glad I have been there to pay my respects and I would recommend it to anyone. The following day it was time to move on and we had wanted to visit the Oscar Schindler Museum in Krakow, we made our way there the next morning. We found it ok in the busy city centre and as it turned out to be a Monday the admission was free, the only problem was that it was so busy we had to wait almost three hours before we could get in. We looked at our map and punched into the satnav the street for the famous salt mine in the suburbs of Krakow and we decided to head there instead of waiting around in the heat. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6341.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6339.jpg More to come later.

It was surreal T, pretty hard to take in at times, and in places it did feel quite earie Not sure if I would go again, but definately glad I've been to see for myself.

We made the short walk over to the museum, and to be honest I didn't actually realise it was the Auschwitz, probably one of, if not the most infamous concentration camps from the holocaust, if you're interested more details can be found here http://en.auschwitz.org.pl/m/ We passed under the sign Arbeit Macht Frei ("work makes you free") and walked around from building to building viewing the exhibits within the walls. Just a warning, some of the following pictures you may find upsetting. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6075.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6150.jpg The double wire fencing surrounding the camp was electrified. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6078.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6132.jpg Prisoners who made any attempt to pass the signs were shot without question. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6148.jpg Ovens for the disposal of the dead http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6089.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6087.jpg Inside the gas chamber where the Zyclon B pellets were dropped. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6086.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6096.jpg Empty Zyclon B cans http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6095.jpg Outside the chamber http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6090.jpg This is also just behind the gas chamber where first Commandent Rudolf Hoss was hanged after his trial. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6091.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6081.jpg It was surreal to be here, having read books, seeing pictures and films regarding what happened here in Auschwitz. To actually walk on the same cobbled streets where many thousands had walked before us in very different circumstances it was very hard to take it in at times. Inside the buildings some of the exhibits were shocking and gave one some idea of the scale of the "operation" which took place here. The shoes were piled from floor to ceiling on both sides in the long rooms. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6118.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6120.jpg Suitcases with their owners names written on them. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6110.jpg Even the very young were not spared. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6113.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6112.jpg There were also rooms full of prisoners hair, quite unbeleivably this was used to make cloth. Other rooms were full of spectacles, brushes, crude artificial limbs, wash bowls and other personel possessions.On many of the walls hung pictures of former prisoners, all in identical poses. Many of them were only kids and one in particular will probably haunt me forever, it's obvious she had been crying, why? One can only wonder, and this was just one young kid of many. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6130.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6131.jpg As you can see she was 13 years old. Throughout the rest of our trip on a few occasions for no reason whatsoever, and just out of the blue the image above came into my mind and continues to do so. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6129.jpg Living/sleeping quarters, where there was up to 5 people on one level. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6136.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6137.jpg Beyond this wall between blocks 10 and 11 was the execution wall where many prisoners were shot. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6147.jpg A former inmates portrayal of the wall. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6141.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6138.jpg This is the view from the holding cell for the prisoners where they had to get undressed prior to execution. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6140.jpg Once friends had learnt that we were going to visit Auschwitz many of them said to us that no birds flew over the former camp. When we were outside we could hear birds singing, but we rarely saw any flying around Auschwitz I, but there were a few flying over Auschwitz II - Birkenau. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6146.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6144.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6162.jpg We finally left the site and made our way to Auschwitz II - Birkenau. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6168.jpg

We make the ferry port in good time with no hiccups. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6059.jpg Jack having a laugh at something? http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6056.jpg Once on the ferry it was time to relax with a beer http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/483c4334.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/311200ff.jpg First fuel stop in Germany, where we decided to hook up the iPod and intercom for the long haul. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6061.jpg Fuel for us too. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6062.jpg We were making a bee line for Poland as we knew if we went south first off we probably wouldn't make the trip to Auschwitz, we almost made it to Dresden, but we had both had enough for the first day and found a hotel in Weimar. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6063.jpg Second day we prepared to put another long day in as we headed into Poland. We passed the border and travelled on brand new motorways, my satnav hasn't been updated for a couple of years and kept informing me that we were travelling on unpaved roads and asking us to drive to the highlighted route. I thought we were mad riding all this way as the first sign we saw for Krakow was around 400 kms away, we both took deep breaths and carried on singing to the music and waving back at the kids who stared at us through their car windows. We met a few Polish bikers at a filling station who were trying to be helpful advising us which route to take, we didn't know a word of Polish and they didn't know a word of English, but we understood each other funnily enough. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6067.jpg We finally made it to the town of Auschwitz and found a hotel directly opposite Auschwitz Museum. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6223.jpg We parked up after covering 994 miles over the first 2 days on the road and checked in for a couple of nights. The people were really friendly and spoke good English, we had a lovely meal and then hit the sack, personally with mixed feelings and a little trepidation of what the following day would bring. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/European%20Adventure%202/DSCF6166.jpg

So here we go! Before we departed I wanted to make sure that the bike was in tip top condition, as many Orange family members are aware, to have the pleasure to own and ride the KTM the bike does need some good TLC and the right maintenance in return. Not all of the following is vital, but I thought while the bike was having a tear down I may as well do a few modifications while the bike was stripped down. First off was to order the parts for the full service and the water pump overhaul (the water pump seal is prone to wear and is recommended to be changed every 15k miles) Undressed http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5928.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5925.jpg Goodies! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5983.jpg Water pump kit http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5920.jpg The old seal didn't come out easily, so I had to pop it in the over to coax it out. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5945.jpg New seal and shaft fitted and ready to be bolted back onto the bike. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5956.jpg When I removed the clutch cover I noticed some decay on the cover, this was probably due to the protective casing I had fitted and over time, mud and water had accelerated the decay. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5937.jpg A new cover was ordered and fitted. Once it was bolted on I checked all was good.....It wasn't, oil leak and a water leak. Took the cover back off and found the culprit. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5985.jpg Another new gasket and O rings ordered, when they arrived they were fitted and all was good! Next up was to replace the original fuel pump (which can be prone to failure) with a facet model which are widly used amongst the KTM folk. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5974.jpg This wasn't straight forward though, I won't bore you with the details, but a lot of help from the guys in the OC and the UK KTM Forum was invaluable. Finally got it fitted. The air filter was caked, so it was time to fit the Pyndon Pre-filter. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5990.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF6004.jpg Voila http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF6006.jpg Valve clearances http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/02012009516.jpg While everything was apart I removed the secondary air system and the EPC valves as they're no longer needed if you have after market cans on. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF6003.jpg Then I encountered a problem when I tried dropping the oil, the drain plug on the oil tank stripped! I priced one up from the dealers, £330 plus VAT! Luckily one of the guys on the KTM Forum was selling one £40 delivered, result! But I still had to remove the oil tank. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5988.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF6007.jpg New oil pressure sensor switch was also fitted along with a new radiator cap. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF5991.jpg Also a new battery was fitted, thanks to my mate and mentor Pete! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/14e8a9ce.jpg Now she was dressed and ready to hit the road! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/5eccb90d.jpg The only thing we have booked is the ferry, on the last trip we did I personally wanted to visit Poland, Auschwitz in particular, I'm not entirely sure why the only reason I can think is (long story short) that a few years ago we made a trip to France to visit the war memorials and beaches etc. here and maybe to visit Auschwitz is making a full circle? Like I say I'm not 100% sure why, but I want to go and that's where we are going. Also in the city of Krakow there is an amazing salt mine which I have heard of and seen on TV which we would like to visit and while we are there we will take in the Oscar Schindler Museum. Once we have visited these places in Poland the plan is to chase the sun for the rest of the trip. We have nothing booked and nothing planned, we will be carrying our tent and camping gear on the bike. I must "fess" up we're not real wealthy folk and we have both been working two jobs to pay for this trip, every penny we have buried away in this little tin we bought just after Christmas. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF6030.jpg Twas now time to open it up http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF6033.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF6034.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bike%20Problems/DSCF6037.jpg Jack getting ready for the off http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/5762c7aa.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/aa8dc12e.jpg We're off! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/0baa0240.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/New%20Bike/DSCF6053.jpg

Can't click on the link as I'm using my phone at the mo, usually there is a bracket which bolts onto your bike and then the topbox will fasten to the bracket. Of all the ones I've seen and used the topbox has a quick release mechanism which will allow you to remove the topbox from the bike while the bracket reamains fixed to the bike. HTH

Nice pics T like you say we don't live in a bad part of the world up here, with some great places to get away. I've finally got the bike together I'll drop you a text later on and we'll go for a brewski if you want?