Poverty and deprivation

The last ten days have been spent touring some of the most beautiful yet damaged places in south eastern Europe – it is a real dichotomy to me that despite extreme poverty and environmental damage individual personality, hope and passion still shine through in the smiles of children, the café culture and dusty village squares.Proof that...

I’ll take the rain over snow

So over the last 1870 miles and four countries, today has been the first dry day since the 21st June. In truth I don’t mind the rain, its just about having the right gear and getting the mindset right. Focus is on drying over suits, boots and gloves and then checking the bike – that takes precedent in the evenings and thankfully the land of very cheap overnight accommodation beckons. I am paying less now per night in each miserly selected venue than I have paid for camping spots in Scandinavia, though in truth I am missing the sea already. I journeyed into Frankfurt today, my new German friends said I must see the “Eurotower”, and there’s me thinking it was a monument to unification striving for peace and understanding across the E.C. when in actuality it is a shrine to a struggling currency.

Eurofolly

Fauno Bar

An ice cold beer and a bowel of green and black olives would refresh most travellers. Over the last weeks I have spent many happy evenings in Fauno Bar, simply watching other travellers cascade past or admiring classic motorcycles as their effortlessly cool owners stop for engaging conversations and socialisation.