I think you mean Henry on the Cagiva, I agree, his trip sounded excellent and had real 'adventure' spirit. My favourite story of the weekend was Iains, who carved a passport stamp out of a potato.
Matt

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http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

Here are some wrong things which went down on the Farm.

*Glynn's Sunday T-Shirt was simply unacceptable, with its inscription "KMONSUKME". It seems that he had one offer, but Glynn turned the bloke down flat, with barely a minute's hesitation. But that T-shirt was just plain wrong, Glynn.

*Ian (GPS Guru)Bradshaw's tent was outrageous, like Chartres cathedral in Ripley. It totally blocked the view and even obscured the sun; there was talk of "Neighbours from Hell" and "get an ASBO out on him".. That tent was just plain wrong, Ian.

* There was the gang of 5 who wandered the site at will, giving trouble to all. 'ampshire accents oi think they 'ad. They had the gall to build a Beercan Stonehenge on my table and threatened to burst my festive balloons. I saw them bully one of their number, clearly the weakest of the pack, into making all of them a 6 item breakfast in 1 pan and 1 pot, while they lounged around. That was just wrong, pals.

* There was "Shock and Awe" at the number of blokes who simply let their appearance go... I refer to the grey, white, and "pepper and salt" beards on site. Gentlemen, there is a product available at good chemists everywhere, called "Just For Men". No, it's not a sex toy, but a beard dye which you simply brush on -you can remove those ugly grey hairs in minutes. C'mon chaps, you might "pull" if you smarten yourselves up a bit! If you've already scared off the women you know, then you might get more than a passing glance from UberTrailie Tiffany, the RTW traveller's pin-up girl. You'll find her picture inside their panniers, under the lid. But those grey beards are just plain wrong, chaps.......

* Then there was Austin Vince.... I bought a copy of his book, only to be subject to a torrent of abuse and had scorn poured on my accent as he trousered my dosh! Strewth, guv'nor! Austin of course delivered his diatribe in his inimitable Estuary English, not a whisker away from Ken Livingstone's dulcet tones. Talk abaat 'is accent! I larfed and larfed! And then the penny dropped about Austin's tetchiness - I had, in my nervous excitement at being so close to an Overland Overlord, addressed him as Vince Austin- well, it's not my fault he has a reversible name, like some kind of poncho! Why is reversible, anyway? I think we should be told.... ...At his excellent talk, Austen seemed very butch and in good form, as he harangued the audience, ticked off some innocent chaps in the doorway, and bellowed at some of those who timidly offered a question. And he used some "well naughty" words, as he would say. Austen redeemed himself by his first-class film on Morocco, fank Gawd!
But the scorn was wrong, pal, just plain wrong...

*Then there were Grant and Susan... it's now clear that "celebrity status" has infected Horizons. Grant and Susan rolled up and pitched their tent among the hoi-polloi - this was heartening, to see these Traveller Gods among us. But just hold on, pal, the next day the tent was gone, and G+S were installed in a luxury caravan - no, a chrome-plated Winnebago trailer, being waited on hand and foot, nails done by manicurists, breakfast in bed, room service, the works. If it were not for the universal affection in which they are rightly held, you could say -that's all wrong, pal, just plain wrong.

*and KTM bikes - I like them a lot (apart from the vomitive colour scheme), but why do so many people say they just break all the time? That's just wrong, pal...

Despite all the above, this was another top weekend - a 5 star weekend! See you in Belgium, chaps and chapesses! Thanks G+S and Glynn -this was another winner at Lumb Farm!!!!

My first meeting very enjoyable top talks good info
top people good company

when is the meet in Belgium ????? and location

Oh Dear! I see Denis has been at the bolshie pills again! I think perhaps his Bring and Buy sale didn't do too well. But I think the Clydeside Drama Queen enjoyed it as did I! In fact, coming goatee to goatee with the man himself was one of my personal highlights! (and my beard is not grey Denis:- its distinguished!!
Seriously though thanks for a cracking weekend and well done to Grant,Susan and Glynn not to mention the staff at Lumb Farm.
Cheers Derek.

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Roads are for journeys.
-Not destinations.

Here's what you want.

Regards, Mick

Ditto to everyone else. I had a great weekend and so full of encounters, talks, catching up with friends... that in the end it felt like I've been away for a full week! Marathon session with G&S was very good, if a bit long, and I took plenty of notes! :-)

It felt so good to meet with like minded people, checking the bikes, picking up tips and ideas...

Now I'm back to work, feeling miserable and depressed, counting how many months (8), weeks (36) to go before I can quit my job and make my way to my dream journey!

GAAAAHHHHH! Can't wait!!!

Maria

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Thanks to all the organisers for an excellent weekend. Had a great time amongst friends. Too much ..........or should that be not enough !?

Loved Vince's, sorry, Austin's presentation. The TV companies are fooooooooools if they don't commission you to produce a benylin fuelled A-Z frenzy from around the world.

Cheers,
Trev

Thanks Maria, glad you liked it! Question - should we shorten the presentation? What should we cut out? Or leave it long and toughen you guys up for the road?

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Grant,

Difficult to say what could go out of your presentation. The bit on how to behave/dress/interact with others abroad, I thought was too long and not really necessary.
However, I've travelled enough to know that for some people it might be worth insisting on it. I still vividly remember that young woman, many years ago, dressed in a mini-itsi micro lycra dress, wandering around a soukh in a small southern town in Egypt. I was so chocked! I couldn't stop staring, you could see everything, and she could not possibly have had any underwear under THAT dress! So, yes, maybe that bit on behaviour was a bit too long, in another hand it's worth reminding people that dressing and behaving like the locals, can be a good idea if you want respect!
Anyway overall very informative presentation. And I will certainly remember that it's worth pretending to be Australian!

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Like a few others this was a 1st HU meeting for my wife and I. It differed greatly from the bike rallies we normally go to :-)

The road kill eating in the evening was particularly enjoyable, so much that I collected a hare with my front wheel on the way home.

The talks I attended were all of a high quality, and the "men only" defence session was interesting (and maybe should be held Saturday as it is a good way to interact with new people :-) )

We will probably not make it next year, as we will be in North America putting lessons into action, but may make a US meet.

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Thoroughly enjoyed meeting like minded people, having a few s and generally talking bikes...

Cheers to Glynn, Susan and Grant for the usual high standard organisation...

The hangover is just subsiding...

jasper

It has come to my attention that Grant and Susan were not in a Winnebago luxury trailer at the weekend. It has been suggested that I was hallucinating. This is not true, but I did have drink taken. What I meant was that IF there was a Winnebago then they MIGHT have been in it with the manicurists, which Grant needs anyway after working on his beloved Beemer. But when Susan showed the pic of their lonely tent in the field, I choked a little - and so should you, you heartless lot!

*What I want to know is - WHY were G & S NOT in a silver luxury trailer? It could have been pulled into the field by sweating BMW owners...G&S deserve a bit of luxury ....that's what I say anyway.......


Good roads!

See y'all in a big castle on the German border in Sept! BE THERE!