EUROPE 2008
Motorcycle: Ducati ST3
Where: Remshart, Germany to Sagres, Portugal and then to Orkney, Scotland and back to Remshart
When, how long and how far: June to August 2008, approx. six weeks with a three week break in the middle and 9,200km total distance.
Comments: Made a big decision and brought a new ST3 from Stuttgart at a bargain price in the name of my old German mate Georg, who also registered and insured it in his name. Had initial electrical trouble, which led to partial replacement of some components under warranty in Annecy, France, which took a few days. This has been the only maintenance issue with the ST3 since, apart from replacing tires, the chain, the battery, and the steering shaft bearings. Stayed with or met various Ducati owner’s club members in Spain and Portugal following emails sent earlier. Had three weeks break leaving ST3 with a friend in London to do a TTMS job in Mozambique. Continued on, and met up with my wife in Tuscany near the end of trip. Left ST3 in Georg’s garage, and deregistered / insured it as per all following years. Accommodation ranged from camping, friend’s homes, B & B, hostels, and cheap hotels, as in all future trips.
Route map: Remshart / Annecy / Bilboa / Sagres / Lisbon / Paris / Amsterdam / London / Scarborough / Orkney / Birmingham / London / Alps / Greve in Chianti / Alps / Remshart |
Start: Remshart, Germany with new ST3 |
Cold weather on Alpine pass |
Plastic cow in Switzerland |
Electrical problem at Annecy, France |
Tunnel crossing Pyrenees |
Guggenheim museum in Bibao |
The symbol of Spain |
Plaza major Salamanca |
Cuidad Rodrigues, Spain |
SW tip of Portugal: lighthouse at Sagres |
Tour de France at Aurillac |
Bastille day in Orleans |
Zeider Zee dyke in Holland |
Bicycles in Amsterdam |
The esplanade at Scarborough |
Camping at Stromness, Orkney |
The standing stones, Orkney |
Stromness with the ferry |
The white cliffs of Dover |
WW1 graveyards in the Somme |
Leaning tower of Pisa |
Tunnel in the Alps |