Following a long leave that allowed me to travel around the world, I returned to Hong Kong to start my second tour with the Royal Hong Kong Police and was unsurprised, although a tad disappointed to learn that I had been posted to three months at Headquarters' Command and Control, otherwise known as PolMil. In … Continue reading Royal Hong Kong Police – Emergency Unit, Yip Kai Foon and AK47s
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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 35 – Sri Lanka
Riding Honda 250 Bajas across Sri Lanka
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 26 – 中国 Part 8 – Hubei, Anhui and onwards to Shanghai
The point at which we actually crossed from Chongqing into Hubei province was high up in the beautiful misty mountains of Huangshui (Yellow Water) National Park. We had thought of staying there for the night, but it was late autumn, getting quite cold and the locals told us that all the bingguan and hotel owners had … Continue reading Chapter 26 – 中国 Part 8 – Hubei, Anhui and onwards to Shanghai
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 24 – 中国 Part 6 – Sichuan
As hard as one tries, it would be impossible to ride around the world on a motorcycle and completely avoid any bad weather. We had heavy rain in the Basque Country and its border with France, and later in England and Wales where it pretty much rained throughout the whole of the summer. In China … Continue reading Chapter 24 – 中国 Part 6 – Sichuan
Chapter 22 – 中国 Part 4 – Qinghai
I have often studied maps of the world and been fascinated by Earth's equivalent of Jupiter's Red Spot... The Chinese province of Qinghai (青海. It always looked like one of the most remote parts of the planet and was definitely on my "bucket list" of places to see and ride a motorcycle. We had been … Continue reading Chapter 22 – 中国 Part 4 – Qinghai
Chapter 21 – 西藏 Tibet
When we rode through Tibet (西藏) in September 2012, the People’s Republic of China was restricting access to Chinese citizens only. The only exception being that a “Tibet Travel Permit” might be granted to a foreign tour group, provided they all come from the same country, that their itinerary is organized and strictly supervised by an … Continue reading Chapter 21 – 西藏 Tibet
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
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 12 – Keeping two KTMs on the road in Egypt
Apart from very heavy down pours in Ethiopia, our KTM 990 Adventures hadn't been cleaned the entire trip and had gradually started to look a bit battle weary. They were both mechanically sound, but badly in need of a service. There was nothing really wrong with either of them, but I could tell from the … Continue reading Chapter 12 – Keeping two KTMs on the road in Egypt
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 10 – Egypt – (Part 1)
The "Night Boat" up the River Nile to Aswan was anything but luxurious, but we were very pleased that everything had gone according to plan and we were on our way to Egypt. We camped for eighteen hours on the hard deck of the ferry and our carefully chosen spot was quickly hemmed in with … Continue reading Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 1)
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 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!
Autism Research Trust
The Autism Research Trust raises funds to assist research conducted at Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre, into the causes of and interventions for autism spectrum conditions. http://www.justgiving.com/bigbiketrip Autism is a lifelong condition that affects 1 in 100 people throughout the world. Together with their families, that’s over 250 million people who are dealing with … Continue reading Autism Research Trust
Fanny’s off road training in Cape Town
Fanny has just finished an off road course with Leon and Wayne at Country Trax this weekend and Leon took us both out for an off road ride in the mountains near Paarl and Wellington to give Fanny some extra training and guidance . I can't begin to say how grateful we are to Leon … Continue reading Fanny’s off road training in Cape Town
Preparing for a Round the World Expedition – Visas,Carnes and Jabs
Fanny has now arrived in Cape Town and today at last the famous South African winter sun is out and our spirits have cheered somewhat. Fanny's has got her Namibian and Botswana visas and Mr Magibisela, Vice Consul at Botswana Consulate is arranging some send off for us and looking after our itinerary and lodgings … Continue reading Preparing for a Round the World Expedition – Visas,Carnes and Jabs
Servicing Fanny’s KTM 990 Adventure Motorcycle
Up bright and early in my overalls for a day in the workshop at KTM Cape Town. I rode in on my brand new "R" ... at under 4,000RPM as its being run in for 1st 1,000Kms which is a bit dull when you have a new bike.. but an investment in the quality of … Continue reading Servicing Fanny’s KTM 990 Adventure Motorcycle
Training to ride a big adventure bike on the dreaded sand
Huge thanks to Country Trax, especially to the highly talented Leon and Wayne who not only made the impossible seem "doable", but made it a super fun weekend. The course was held at the off-road academy centre of Klipbokkop near Worcester in Western Cape. About 20 of us attended with an assortment of outstanding bikes … Continue reading Training to ride a big adventure bike on the dreaded sand
Rupert & Fanny's Big Bike Trip 