Thoughts so far and arrival in Patras

Thoughts so far:

Some random thoughts on the trip so far.

The high (good) points.
The Alps, climbing out of the rain into glorious sunshine, and the run to Mt Blanc. The Valle De Aosta and stopping in Pont St Michael.
Eating in Bourg En Bresse, regional French food of great quality.
The hotel had antique bikes, They let me sit on a pre-war Guzzi.

The low (bad) points
The rain in France, learning that my boots leak. Being able to to wring out leather. Being wet.

The ugly.
The rain from Dijon to Bourg en Bresse, the spray. An hour and a half of the most atrocious riding conditions and done after a few hours of less bad but not pleasant, It really was terrible. Dark, low visibility, surface water, and vehicles at high speed.
The motorway from Parma to Bologna. This motorway is crazy even by Italian standards. Four lanes each way of nose to tail high speed lunacy.

On the trip
We have lost some days due to weather. Not only could we not do the miles each day due to weather, after the Dijon to Bourg En Bresse ride I needed a rest. So we are behind on the schedule. What this must not become in an “Istanbul or bust” trip. Hopefully we will make it, but I am not going to push it. Safety comes first and is closely followed by comfort.


On the ferry:

Now on a ferry from Ancona to Patras. I'll leave Hilary to comment on some bits like getting on-line and general ferry stuff. Getting the tickets was, as expected, no problem. The ferry eventually arrived, but as said this is for Hilary to comment upon.

I did not get to do much riding the Harley today, from the hotel to the ferry terminal. Then onto the ferry. It was raining a bit, the steel ferry ramps were slippery, then they wanted me to take the Harley up to the upper deck. Scary stuff. All sorted though not exactly a fun experience.

On to Patras:

Sat up late last night watching distant thunderstorms arcing over Italy and the sea. This morning we slept through Igoumenitsa. I dug Ashley up for breakfast then up on the back deck we saw Greece all around us. Not quite sure what time we will get into Patras but 'before lunch' seems likely. Hoping t0 make Delphi for tonight.

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Part of trip: 2008 Harley trip to Northern Greece

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