A one pip bomban Although recipient of "Baton of Honour" when passing out of Police Training Schools, I was posted to Kowloon City police station which was not my first, or even any of my preferred postings. I was given accommodation at Ho Man Tin Single Inspectors' quarters at a cost of 7.5% of my … Continue reading Royal Hong Kong Police – The streets of Kowloon
KTM
Royal Hong Kong Police – The beginning
The goldsmith robbery getaway car came screeching into the carpark of Hung Hom ferry pier with Car 8 from Mong Kok in hot pursuit. As the Platoon Commander of Emergency Unit Kowloon West I had been following the frenetic radio commentary from the front seat of EU Car 50 and together with EU Car 1 … Continue reading Royal Hong Kong Police – The beginning
Riding around Sicily …….on a scooter
So anyway... Fanny and I spent June riding through France, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy. Fanny on her bright green Kawasaki ER6F and me on a KTM 990 SMT. But before Fanny flew out from China to join me, I decided to fly out to Sicily and hire a scooter to explore the island. I had … Continue reading Riding around Sicily …….on a scooter
Coast to Coast Hike – Lake District – Yorkshire Dales – Yorkshire Moors 2018
Hiking the Coast to Coast - May 2018
The Best and Worst Awards
Riding Around The World - The Best & Worst Awards
Offa’s Dyke Hike – May 2017
Hiking along the entire Offas Dyke in one go was unfinished business for me. I attempted it from South to North a few years back and was defeated. As they say in certain circles, proper planning prevents piss poor performance, and I had not planned properly. Poor mental preparation, poor research, and very poor kit, … Continue reading Offa’s Dyke Hike – May 2017
Featured
Chapter 1 – First Africa expedition
Southern Africa Motorcycle Adventure
Chapter 36 – USA – Utah & Colorado BDR
Rupert rides the Utah and Colorado BDR on a Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin motorcycle
Chapter 35 – Sri Lanka
Riding Honda 250 Bajas across Sri Lanka
Chapter 34 – Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin in Wales
With all our KTMs now sold, and perhaps a few expeditions on the horizon, we have been taking a serious look at the new Honda Africa Twin. https://youtu.be/VSR0NMpSrQM I briefly had a Honda Africa Twin in the early 1990s when I was in the Royal Hong Kong police, but I have to say … Continue reading Chapter 34 – Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin in Wales
Chapter 32 – The Isle of Man TT
The Isle of Man TT 2015 Trip In early summer of 2015 Fanny and I decided to join the tens of thousands of spectators at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy road race that is held every year during the last week of May and first week of June. I have followed this race for … Continue reading Chapter 32 – The Isle of Man TT
Chapter 31 – Vietnam and Cambodia
So what do two adventure bikers do for their Christmas holidays? Of course, go on another motorcycle adventure, this time to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Chapter 30 – Thailand
After our marathon big bike trip Fanny and I did a few "mini" motorcycling adventures in the Mekong Valley and around the Indo-China region. First, Thailand, a superb country to motorcycle around and very much geared up for both the adventurous or idling tourist. First, I managed to escape from Hong Kong and catch a cheap … Continue reading Chapter 30 – Thailand
Chapter 28 – The UK revisited – on a KTM 990 SMT
The Summer of 2013
The Brits dominating the world sporting scene with wins in the Tour de France, The Lion's rugby tour, Wimbledon, AND the Ashes..... and glorious weather!!
Can it last? Of course not, English sport will settle back to its usual disappointing form, and the weather is bound to change.
Chapter 27 – Back to South Africa
As the cold weather descended on Shanghai, and indeed the rest of the northern hemisphere, Fanny and I escaped our second successive winter by flying to South Africa. Last year the Arab Spring and fighting and disturbances in Libya and Syria had delayed our progress to Turkey and so we saw out the European winter … Continue reading Chapter 27 – Back to South Africa
Chapter 25 – 中国 Part 7 – Chongqing
Having been unceremoniously thrown off the Chengdu-Chongqing highway by the local rozzers we were faced with at least a days ride to Chongqing along indirect and badly maintained triple digit "G" and "S" roads (i.e. the really really bad ones). Unfortunately, my GPS had completely given up trying to calculate where we were, let alone … Continue reading Chapter 25 – 中国 Part 7 – Chongqing
Chapter 19 – 中国 Part 2
Sometimes I feel like a dog in China, and this was particularly so during our motorcycle expedition across the "middle kingdom". I got fed once a day; complete strangers would come up to me and stroke the hairs on my arms; I had to pee against trees and lampposts; certain hotels and public places wouldn't let … Continue reading Chapter 19 – 中国 Part 2
Chapter 18 – 中国 Part 1
The planning for the China leg of our expedition was solely in the hands of Fanny （方怡. I had agreed that if she managed to arrange motorcycles and sponsorship to support us then I would fly out and be her wing-man and basically do as I'm told. A tall order granted. I still had a … Continue reading Chapter 18 – 中国 Part 1
Chapter 17 – The UK – its alright for ducks
The UK produces the best soldiers in the world; is a leader in innovation, creativity, art and design; has a unique sense of self effacing humour, and most importantly it produces Marstons Pedigree bitter and Marmite (both from Burton Upon Trent I might add).
Chapter 16 – Turkey to France
The relief of getting ourselves out of Egypt was matched by our excitement about seeing Turkey and eventually crossing the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. I remained nervous that we had left our precious KTMs in the hands of Egyptian officials in a scruffy and dusty customs warehouse in Alexandria and wondered whether we'd ever see them again. … Continue reading Chapter 16 – Turkey to France
Chapter 15 – He’s not the Messiah – he’s a very naughty boy.
So... did we do Turkey for Christmas? Alas No. Syria and Libya were descending into civil war and chaos, all the ferries from Egypt had been cancelled, and Fanny was not allowed to ride or drive a vehicle in Saudi Arabia (not for being Chinese, but because she's a woman!). Also, the prospects of motorcycling in Europe during the freezing … Continue reading Chapter 15 – He’s not the Messiah – he’s a very naughty boy.
The Best and Worst Awards
The best and worst awards for our motorcycle expedition across Africa, Europe and Asia. Whilst the two of us are in agreement, we realize that many may disagree and so we welcome any comments. MOST ENJOYABLE COUNTRY AWARD AFRICA - TANZANIA Tanzania just eclipses Kenya, Namibia and South Africa as our favourite country in Africa. Good … Continue reading The Best and Worst Awards
Chapter 11 – the last rhinoceros in Africa
Rhinoceros are being killed in South Africa alone at a rate exceeding three a day (1004 were killed and their horns stolen in 2013). This rampant poaching has already wiped out the Western Black Rhino in 2011, and threatens the remaining rhinoceros species in Africa and Asia with extinction. 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 Below is a link to … Continue reading Chapter 11 – the last rhinoceros in Africa
Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 2)
As we were now stuck in Egypt we thought we should make the most of it and see the country and take in its amazing culture and history. To do that we were going to have to extend our visas and also the permits for our South African registered KTM motorcycles, and that meant we … Continue reading Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 2)
Chapter 9 – Sudan
Sudan was always intended to be just a country we had to go through to get from Ethiopia to Egypt. What I knew about the country was not much, mainly knowledge from my school days about soils, geology and the physical geography of the Nile. Of course the news at the time, and not without … Continue reading Chapter 9 – Sudan
Chapter 8 – Ethiopia
. Ethiopia is a large landlocked and very mountainous north eastern African country with a population of about 82 million people. It has an amazing history and is surrounded by what I would describe as some of the worlds most hostile, or at least, volatile places... Eritrea, Djibouti, north Kenya, North and South Sudan, and … Continue reading Chapter 8 – Ethiopia
Chapter 7 – Kenya
Kenya– Chapter 7 The first thing we noticed at the Kenyan border was an elderly couple being towed in a magnificent MGA sports car behind a Toyota pick-up. Whilst we were mingling with the crowds waiting to clear customs I remarked to the owners on what a splendid car it was and inquired why it … Continue reading Chapter 7 – Kenya
Chapter 6 – Tanzania Part 2
Tanzania– Part 2 . The trip is one of ups and downs and unexpected surprises and disappointments. One thing that is constant is bumping into interesting and generous people. We were overheard at Lake Chala by a Dutch couple who lived in Moshi (on the slopes of Kilimanjaro) discussing our next route and they invited … Continue reading Chapter 6 – Tanzania Part 2
Chapter 5 – Tanzania part 1
Tanzania - Part 1 Tanzania encapsulates many people’s ideas and impressions about Africa: the snow capped peaks of Kilimanjaro; dhows sailing on the turquoise tropical waters of the Indian Ocean; elephants and rhinos grazing in the Ngorongoro crater; the great wildebeest migration of the Serengeti grasslands; Arabic bazaars and spicy food in Zanzibar; tall Masai … Continue reading Chapter 5 – Tanzania part 1
Chapter 4 – Malawi
When we woke from our tent at Mama Rulas in Chipata we were confronted with a few options and had make a plan. We could either head to South Luangwa and ride along a truly awful stretch of road that had been ploughed up over the years by over-laden cotton trucks along the 140 kilometers … Continue reading Chapter 4 – Malawi
Chapter 3 – Zambia
The point at which Botswana meets Zambia is a quadripoint between the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, although there is technically a small no mans land in between that nobody can agree upon. To get across to Zambia from Botswana we took the Kazungula Ferry, which is actually a 70 tonne pontoon and … Continue reading Chapter 3 – Zambia
Chapter 2 – Botswana
We were now truly in Africa, so it seemed. The landscape had changed to classic bush colours and there were many signs warning of African animals that threatened to leap out onto the road. If that meant donkeys, goats, cows, dogs, human boys and yellow hornbills then that was true. We decided to stick as … Continue reading Chapter 2 – Botswana
Rupert and Fanny are on the way!
So we are off. It’s an early start as we head north on the N7, stopping just outside the Cape Town suburbs for fuel, a quick check of the bikes to ensure that everything that should be attached actually is - and a petrol station Wimpy fry-up breakfast with the truckers. It took a while … Continue reading Rupert and Fanny are on the way!
Rupert & Fanny's Big Bike Trip 