And we’re up and away…
I had around four hours last night as I was so excited – because today I was starting on an epic adventure. In May I rode around England and Wales and then in July I rode around Scotland – but this time I’ve venturing further afield and going to Europe. It’s a first for me, so I’m really excited, which is why I didn’t sleep much.
I packed everything the night before so all I had to do was have a quick shower, have some breakfast, empty the bin and turn off all the electricity – and then load the bike. Which didn’t take long. I was on the road by 8 and trundling through the early morning Glasgow traffic before reaching the open lanes of the motorway south. I headed to Manchester first to spend a few hours with my Mum and then headed over to Hull in the afternoon to catch my ferry to Rotterdam.
My first calamity was that there was a bit of a wait at passport control with loads of German bikers before me, all on exotic classic bikes – a Norton, a few Triumphs, some Ducati’s and some glorious 1970’s and 1980’s Honda’s. Then it was time to go through and in my rush to get my helmet on I must of left my riding glasses on my top box because when I got onto the ferry and took my helmet off I realised I didn’t have my glasses on. I’d lost them. Thankfully – I have a spare pair….
With about ten minutes to go before we sailed and found a seat on the upper deck to watch us leave. And as a magnificent orange sun set over the metropolis of Hull, we left the harbour. I was so excited. It was a great day and about 400 miles on the clock, and I was regretting the decision to wear my thermals on the way down because it was 24 degrees at one point and by the time I got to Hull I was really uncomfortable. But, that’s life on two wheels.
The ferry is huge, and compared to what I was used to when I was in the RN, the en-suite cabin is quite palatial in comparison. There’s even a casino, a theatre with evening entertainment and lots of bars – plus the obligatory duty free. It was only £14 for a bottle of Bushmills – so on the way back methinks I will take them up on that offer….
Tomorrow it’s going to be a long day, going from Holland to Lubeck in northern Germany in one long ride, and hopefully some Bratwurst, or even a curry wurst, along the way…
