That is a wrap for the European tour 2018

September 29, 2018

Well yesterday I washed the bike (only because it needs a bit of maintenance work), removed the panniers and bit it farewell.

In total I travelled 14,485 kms, starting on June 17th and ending September 28th. I visited Poland, The Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia.

I did not manage to follow the whole length of the Danube as planned, getting as far as Bratislava, Slovakia.

Next year I will return to the Balkans and explore it fully.

Today I fly to Hamburg and catch up with Julia again. On Thursday we are going to Intermot in Cologne, so not quite finished with bikes just yet.

Czech roads are still amazing

September 22, 2018

Back in the Czech Republic for a few days before returning to Poland. This morning we are taking our apples to a juicing plant but the q of cars is long so might be a while.

Rabbit might be on the menu tonight.

As for the roads well they are like a race track, the 351 to Trebic anyway. Smooth with beautiful corners. When they rebuild roads there they first cut out about 100 mm of surface and relay about 150 mm of new tar.

Also in Pardubice, I saw a bicycle stacker, have seen car ones but my first bicycle one.

Another great day out on the Med

September 9, 2018

Today the whole family went out on a bigger boat. The trip included a bit of wake boarding and lunch in a place similar to Brisbane with houses on man made canals.

We then paid a visit to St Tropez for a quick look at some major floating homes.

This is the house of Bridget Bardot.

Canne is all about boat envy

September 7, 2018

Spent a lovely afternoon out on the Mediterreanian off the coast of Canne. My friends had an awesome boat…

But no matter how big it was, size matters. Did not bump into anyone famous except myself and this guy, Jerome.

There was even a delivery pizza boat….what a job eh, I will gladly learn French, Italian, Spanish and German to be a pizza delivery boy out here.

Some pics of others boats etc..

In case you are wondering which one was Jerome’s, here he is getting it ready.

Napoléon would have been a motorcyclist!

September 5, 2018

Today I travelled the Route Napoléon and based on the road he would have ridden a motorbike for sure.

Not too many photos as I was having far too much fun but was a solid 450k ride today.

I’m now staying with friends about 14 k North of Canne who I met in New Zealand in 2001. This is their place in France, might do a house swap.

The rest of the pics are from today, epic ride and scenery.

Stopped in a small cafe along the way, spoke no English but the kids played Rugby so I gave them a NZ sticker.

I ended up here purely by accident.

September 4, 2018

Yesterday I spent the night in Lucerno on way to catch up with friends in Grasse, southern France.

I spent most of the day riding through the Italian Alps, towns and villages then I hit the Aosta – Turin valley and WOW is all I can say. On every hill stood an old castle which in historical days would have collected taxes from everyone passing.

I stopped in Aosta nd booked a place in Lzndry, France but did not realise it was two hours away and in order to get there I had to cross the St Bernard Pass….of dear but what a way to end the day.