I concur with the above sentiment. If you have a dog that can't behave (particularly that nasty white mutt), please leave it at home. I don't think I was the only one who thought it might have ended on the road kill cookout.
cheers
Chris

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Brighty's website: TheBrightStuffDotCom

CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Had a fantastic time, excellent meeting all you pleasant people, good puting faces to names!

Thanks Paul Gowen for clarifying the carnet once and for all.

Excellent seeing two of the presentations about small bikes doing what people think can only be done by big bikes

Key Lessons learnt: If you haven't used it for 2 weeks then dump it.

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If there's a will there's a way so I will anyway!
http://www.buyaikhaya.blogspot.com

Except your tools and spares.

I heard a funny story of a guy who took a large battery power drill with him... HAHAHAHA !

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I would also like to express my thanks to all those that made the UK meeting such a success. It was my first meeting and I gleaned a great deal of useful information, was entertained by listening to people recounting their travels and met the man responsible for showing me in the 1970s that a motorcycle was capable of so much more than a means of getting to and from work, Ted Simon, for which I am forever in his debt.

It was also gratifying to hear Grant stating that HU was for any individual undertaking a motorcycle journey, not just those going around the world. I may never get the opportunity to venture too far afield being constrained, in the best possible way, by a wonderful nine year old daughter. Although I do not ride the de rigueur litre plus off road brutes from the Fatherland, I get a great deal of enjoyment from my motorcycling journeys.

Another great meeting, good to renew friendships from previous ones, and make some new friends.

One good thing about the car park though Becs, we didn't have to put up with yapping dogs, just the constant shuffling of cars. Your dog has perfect manners and was a delight to see. I suspect most of the others were too, shame one seems to have spoiled it for the rest.

The Saunders have got a hit TV show on their hands from what I saw, the video will enthral the general public. Spin off for us will be that the over emphasised difficulties (necessary for the tv audience I know) will make all of us shine a bit brighter. Getting the bikes across a rail bridge with the train coming on relentlessly was a bit scary though. A show not to be missed when it hits the screens this Autumn, unless you are out actually doing it for real of course.

Lois made up for the lack of photos with an amusing and colourful description of her journey across Africa, an irrepressible young woman, full of fun, and a sell out presentation with standing room only. (good job we all brought the earplugs though

The presentation from our German colleages on their trip to NZ was full of beautiful pictures on the other hand, (gives my own trip through NZ added impetuous) but was a little dry for me. This is probably due to cultural differences in humour etc. and, as I have observed in other German presentations, a leaning towards facts and figures rather than spontanious emotional input. Nevertheless a well crafted travelog.

I sat in Colin and Dee's presentation by mistake, got the wrong room -duh brain , but was glad I did. I wonder if Colin is a teacher, because the structure and content was spot on. Like most HU members they had no problem saying 'we got this bit wrong - don't you do the same!!' Invaluable for when you to meet the same situation, or perhaps I should say, invaluable so you don't meet the same situation. Needed more time though, I bet there was at least another 15mins worth of questions left in the audience when we had to leave. Thanks Colin and Dee.

I missed most of the others because I was too busy talking.

And now with only 10 days to the off, I gotta whole house with 40 years of accumulated junk to get rid of, I think it's gonna end up with just me and a skip if I'm not careful.

I'm thinking of changing my motto to...Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home

Thanks again Susan, Grant and everyone else who made this happen.

See you out there.......maybe Nelson or Creel if I can time it right.

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Happy Trails

Stagbeetle

It is not the Journey nor yet the Destination, that is the Prize; it is the people you meet on the way.

Blog on http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fairless/

thanks Jane!

Dogs are BANNED completely for next year - advance warning to all! And an apology to those whose dogs were not a problem - sorry - I know the "good" dogs were in the majority but don't know what else to do - other than talk to the roadkill chef...!

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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

And thanks to all for the wonderful comments, your feedback is much appreciated! Putting on the meet is hard work, but more than made up for by the fun everyone has and all the great feedback we get!

thanks again, and see you next year!

Grant, Susan, Glynn, and all the volunteers who made it such a success with their hard work - and our personal special thanks to all of them, they were awesome!

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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

It's your meeting and therefore your decision, but I wouldn't ban ALL dogs. I think you simply need to ban the owner of the dog which barked all morning. They didn't seem to care what noise it made. I doubt the dog is to blame. I don't bring a dog but I noticed that most dogs were not causing any problem. Maybe some people can't come without their dog, it would be a shame if they were unable to attend as a result of other peoples mistakes.
OK banning the person might be a bit strong, but maybe a word in their ear as it were?
Anyway back on topic. It was a great meeting and I can't wait for next year, so I'll just have to get down to Portugal in August. It must SURELY be dry

Im no dog owner nor do I know much about them.

I didnt have a problem with any dogs there but then again I was at the top of the field.

Do muzzels stop dogs from barking ?? Are they cruel ?? I dont know !

I can see sense in banning dogs though as some kids are scared of them, they like to poop and pee on tents and bikes and of course they bark.

Still, im too laid back to mind really

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Grant you don't need to ban all dogs surely. Our dog was well behaved as were Glynns, Sams etc.

Unfortunately we would be unable to attend the next meeting if the dogs are banned as we'll be living in our 4x4 roof tent ready to leave next summer. We really would hate to miss next years meeting (especially as we have been for the last 4 years).

I hope I never catch up with the unruley dog owner who ruined so many peoples weekend (and pehaps next meet too).

Its a big shame as there was 6 dogs there and 1 caused a problem.

Becky

I would just like to add my thanks to all the team for all their hard work this was my first meeting and it won’t be the last

Tim’s talk on Morocco had an effect on me as I have just booked my ferry and a flight for my wife so its Morocco here we come (God Willing)

The high point for me was Ted’s talk and as the man said lets all be nice to each other



See you all next year

P.S.
Don’t ban dogs just the ones that are a pain
If one of the Germans had played up you wouldn’t ban them all would you

Stick the dogs head under water for 5 mins -that'll help. Ban 'em all. And why are you moaning about Germans? I find that really outdated and rude.

The thing is, it's nigh on impossible to police at the event and asking someone to leave because of a noisy dog is equally only going to generate more ill-feeling.

At the end of the day though it's Grant's toy box and what he says goes. It is much easier to have a single, agreed rule publicised well in advance. And yup, I'm a dog-owner but he wouldn't be coming on any tour - bike or 4wd - so wouldn't be interested in the talks.

<Mr Grumpy>
Now if you want to eject people, how about those late-night revellers who chose to return from the fire-pit continuing their conversations at the top of their voices?
</Mr Grumpy>


First HU. Loved the format. Loved the speakers. Loved Austin's idea of a 'group photo'. Got many of my bookcase favorites autographed. Have been switched on to Morocco as a destination. However I seem to be alone in thinking that whilst the Lumb Farm hosts's hearts were very definitely in the right place and they tried really hard, the meeting - at it's current size or better - has possibly outgrown the venue and its facilities.

Yep. a BIG thank you to all involved.
Very much enjoyed!

I found a pair of goggles on my way out so if anyone knows who they belong to tell them to contact me and I'll gladly post em on.
They are jolly nice, just like Biggles used to wear!
I think they belong to a fellow who was on a triumph as they were down by where his tent was!
djorob@aol.com

Thanks all!
David.

All we ever hear nowdays is 'Ban this ban that' I am not a great dog lover but is banning really the answer? Perhaps if anyone has an unruly dog, child any anything else thats being 'a pain' give them 1 warning and then ask them to leave...........not a 'blanket' ban. I am still trying to prepare myself for the forthcoming Smoking ban!

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'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.