Sitting on the cabin porch at 3am, watching the sunbeams dance on the frozen lake, it was hard to take in, what had gone on before. The last two weeks had tested me to the max. Now, everything was tranquil and quiet. This was day 15 of 33. What else lay in store on this "lonely" ride?
Having left Clatterbridge with mixed emotions, I was shadowed by a great old friend Kenny on his gleaming Harley Davidson. We must have looked quite a spectacle, one fully laden overlander with a highly polished escort. We rode steadily for a couple of hour, and after a quick coffee and toilet stop we parted and I continued south alone. Dover tonight with pre booked hostel, ready for early ferry to Dunkirk.
I felt now the journey had begun. From now on all decisions and planning was down to me. Self discipline was important with nobody to lean on! I started to sing... a Neil Diamond number, but a combination of limited knowledge of the lyrics and heavy rain soon put a stop to that . I continued through the midlands traffic, feeling good and wondering what adventures lay ahead.
I expected to arrive in Dover late afternoon, so when I eventually rolled up to the hostel at 7.30pm I was tired and a bit pissed off with myself. First day of the trip and I got lost in ENGLAND. What chance have I got in Arctic Norway?
However, having checked in and secured the bike I turned in at about 11pm. I was sharing a dormitory with two American soldiers, Lucas and Justin and a young lady from Bolton, Rachel. "Get used to it that's what hostel life is all about", I said to myself.
To donate to Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital please click here, visit Julian's JustGiving page or contact him on 0151 632 6241
