We were quite successful in the spice market. We picked up what we needed and avoided temptation to buy what we don't need. It is mildly irritating that the shop people think they know what tourists will buy and won't listen to what we actually want. Less success with my course books. I have been offered a number of texts on learning Turkish but not the one I need. This does not entirely surprise me. We totally failed at not buying a kilim. We have bought a very nice kilim. Hasan treated us to dinner. Mostly, though, we have just been [View Full Entry]

---

---

It is hard to believe we were in work yesterday. Arrived Istanbul not much before midnight. booked into hotel. Had a couple of beers in Just Bar then back here with a few cans to enjoy the view and watch Harry Potter movie dubbed into Turkish. today we went to the local Harley dealership and bought a pin badge. We walked back to Sultanamet and met with Hassan. Then, after chatting a long while, we walked through the hippodrome which, in Ramadan, reminded us both of Marrakesh. Then dinner and back to Just Bar for drinks. The power was down and [View Full Entry]

---

---

We left Porlock this morning with a few drops of light rain but this stopped pretty soon. It was a really nice ride on the A358 through the Quantock Hills to Taunton, this a good road for bikes. Then across to the A303. Mostly we went fast on the A303, it still has a few bottlenecks, but equally some nice riding and great scenery across the Salisbury Plain. I did contemplate stopping at Stonehenge, but it was heaving with tourists. So instead of pictures, here are some links. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salisbury_Plain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge Going fast was good. [View Full Entry]

---

---

After breakfast it was raining. We were disinclined to stay in our hotel. If you ever go to Porlock, go to the Ship and not the Castle. The Ship is a fine Inn and it has Otter beer which is excellent, not to mention local. It also has a lack of Elvis impersonators and thumping cheesy disco till the early hours. Which is more than can be said for the Castle. Anyway, we took a stroll whilst deciding what to do and, very swiftly, I spotted an open top bus. We ran for it. It was going to.. Lynmouth. We got [View Full Entry]

---

---

Today we got up and I had shower. The showers at the Sun have yet to be refurbished. It was fine but you push a button to get about ten seconds of shower, then you press the button again to continue. We got an excellent cooked breakfast and chatted to our fellow guests - the place has three roms so it is friendly - then we took 0ff. Stoped briefly in the Sanctuary near Avebury then again by Silbury Hill. We decided not to wander too far fro m the bike. This would have meant semi unpackig and carrying a load [View Full Entry]

---

---

Riding to Marlborough I left work early. I was owed the tie but it was a bit awkward as my manager wanted a phone conversation “after 4” which means “I will call you at five to five and talk for at least half an hour.” I mailed back that I “was not available at that time”. Got the train to Osterley and met up with Ashley and the bike. Our planned route was A4, M4, Hungerford. We were both pleasantly surprised by how clear the roads were. There was traffic - quite a lot - but it was fluid, not a [View Full Entry]

---

---

Arrived home safely yesterday early afternoon. Over 3000 miles in total and, sad to say, the most erratic and idiotic driving was on the M25 - they beat anything the Greeks or Italians could throw at us for sheer... unpredictable, selfish lunacy. We had a flood last night - blockage somewhere in the drain from the sink. New maintenance man came out and fixed it for a very reasonable fee (considering it was after 10 on a Saturday night). Ashley has spent two days cleaning the bike. It is now shiney again. That was the last bit of travel - cleaning [View Full Entry]

---

---

Some reflections what worked and what worked less well. I must realise what sort of milage is sensible per day on a Harley. A Harley is for cruising not belting down motorways. I also should realise that taking the distance easy is better for me, more fun and less stress. Multi use items work well on the whole. A sweater is great for warmth on the bike and chilly evenings in northern Europe, a light one that packs small is perfect from when not needed, I got this right. Similarly light waterproofs work well, can still be used in the heat. [View Full Entry]

---

---

Arrived safely in St Omer. The trip was uneventful, it started pleasant enough, but slowly the weather got worse. Warm sweaters went on, then the winter bike gloves. Then waterproofs as the rain started, fortunately it was showers and we missed most. Looking forward to dinner later, for now a rest and to think about a beer. I have decided to let Hilary take me out for dinner. This is the problem with this kind of trip. UK weather creeps up on you on the way home. And people from the UK converge on the channel ports so we are hearing [View Full Entry]

---

---

Dinner in St Omer was 2 hours and four courses of gorgeousness. To be honest the food in Tournus was probably better but tonight's meal was carefully cooked and beautifully presented. The service was impeccable and all this for a 25 euro set menu. Ashley started with marinated salmon and I had goats cheese salad. Then Ashley had tornedos of duck with ginger and coriander and I had steak with a creamy sauce with local cheese. We shared a good selection of cheeses (including rebluchon which is not local to here and a chevre that might have been along with three [View Full Entry]

---

---