Next morning that generosity and kindness continued in the shape of Ahmed Barnawi. Ahmed is a leading light in the United Bikers Team in Jeddah, and elsewhere. He came along with his trailer and took me and bike to the local Honda dealer to have a few repairs carried out. The easy way to travelContinueContinue reading “1/37 – FROM THE SEA TO THE MOUNTAINS – 05-12 Dec 2019”
Category Archives: Part 1 – Africa & Middle East
01/13 – MALAWI 2 – 04 – 06 June 2019
Tue/Wed 04-05 Jun I arrived at Mayoka Village, and yes, the tar – well concrete – does go all the way to the gate. Still the first impression was a bit of a shock. The place is perched on a steep hillside bordering Lake Malawi. It’s a well-constructed and well-established place, but camping is clearlyContinueContinue reading “01/13 – MALAWI 2 – 04 – 06 June 2019”
01/12 – MALAWI 1 – 02-04 June 2019
Sun 02 June Entering Malawi was fun! A truck was unloading outside the customs buildings and millions of people were milling about trying to identify their luggage and get it cleared. I parked my bike at the side of the crowd, in what turned out to be the middle of the road! I had toContinueContinue reading “01/12 – MALAWI 1 – 02-04 June 2019”
01/11 – MOZAMBIQUE 3 – 02 June 2019
Sun 02 June The day started well; I was informed by Nevisson (duty manager at the Villa) that I was not being charged for my stay at Villa Habsburg! Thank you Frank (and Gerry). Then an excellent breakfast before setting off at about 0830. Villa Hapsburg dining room – a definite period look and feel!ContinueContinue reading “01/11 – MOZAMBIQUE 3 – 02 June 2019”
01/10 – ON THE ROAD AGAIN! – 01 June 2019
Sat 01 June 2019At 7 o’clock on a Saturday morning, it was cold! Wrapped up and still chilly! I set off after a delay of some 4 weeks fixing and upgrading things on the bike. Some of the bits I was waiting for hadn’t arrived, but I decided they weren’t essential to the success ofContinueContinue reading “01/10 – ON THE ROAD AGAIN! – 01 June 2019”
01/09 – Mozambique 2 – 24-30 April-
Bobole – 24 April 2019 Up early and ready to go after breakfast. My plan was now to get back to Harare, get the visas I needed and get back on the road with as little delay as possible. The planned itinerary is to get to Chidenguele today, then overnight in Massinga, Vilanculos, Chiboma, MutareContinueContinue reading “01/09 – Mozambique 2 – 24-30 April-“
01/08 – Mozambique 1 – 03 May
03 May 2019 Getting out of SA and into Mozambique was easy; it took about 45 minutes altogether, which included getting a visa ($100) and a free temporary import permit (TIP). Outside, I tried to change some money as I knew that the upcoming tolls only accepted cash, but to no avail – nobody wantedContinueContinue reading “01/08 – Mozambique 1 – 03 May”
1/07 – ACROSS THE START LINE –28 April 2019
Darryl Boswell So this was it! On Sunday 19th April 2019 I had crossed the start line and the journey had really begun. Before leaving Dullstroom, however, I had a meeting with Darryl Boswell, who is a direct descendant of Richard Charles O’Neill. I had been pointed his way by the owners of Mrs Simpsons, and hadContinueContinue reading “1/07 – ACROSS THE START LINE –28 April 2019”
1/06 – Belfast, Mpumalanga, RSA – 20-22 Apr 2019
20 April 2019 Just for a change I left Dee & John’s later than planned, but I was well fuelled and raring to go. During my runaround on the Rand, the clutch had started slipping. This only happened first thing when it was cold; I couldn’t think of a logical reason for this, but itContinueContinue reading “1/06 – Belfast, Mpumalanga, RSA – 20-22 Apr 2019”
1/05 – INTERLUDE: GRADUATION DAY, 14 April 2019
03 – 09 April 2019 After a pleasant evening, and, as I didn’t manage to get any en-route, a good bottle of John’s value wine – his idea of what it’s worth spending on wine and mine differ, 🙂 but we have a good system; when I visit, he feeds me and I provide the wine that he wouldn’tContinueContinue reading “1/05 – INTERLUDE: GRADUATION DAY, 14 April 2019”
Belfast-2-Belfast-By-Bike 