Message to Magoo - by my reckoning the error in my calculations was less than 2%, I would be prepared to consider a similar error with regard to Dardenelles. This concession does not, of course, alter the position of the mooring of the British Fleet prior to the invasion of Dardenelles.
The Blog is Dead, Long live the Blog!!
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
The Distance
Total Distance since leaving Worcester on 30th April was 1963 miles which according to my calculations equates to 3,140 Kilometers. My original calculations obviously totally up the creek!
Monday, 18 June 2007
I've made it!!
Friday 8th June
After Thunder Storm - Calm, perfect calm! and after packing wet tent and about 20 miles stopped for the second best coffee of the trip, this one without alcohol, at Margherta di Savoia and then continued on to Bari. Just before Bari stopped and chatted to fellow touring cyclist from Ukraine who was making his way back through Venice, Vienna and Bratislava. Found the ferry and booked overnight crossing to Patras.
Saturday 9th June
Arrived Patras about 1.00pm and booked into hotel and spent the rest of the day looking around Patras which has a big fort at the top of the town, but this was locked up, and it has a fantastic Amphitheater, obviously in use for musical and drama events, but also locked!
Sunday 10th June
Had a job getting up, probably due to time change! but eventually got going along the old road to Pireaus, which runs pretty well parallel with the new one, but has very little traffic on it and is actually very lovely, running mostly on the south side of the Gulf of Corinth. Made about 40 miles and saw campsite, but decided to continue on until the next one, but didn't see another campsite or hotel for another 35+miles. Eventually found very posh hotel, which I checked into.
Monday 11 June
After incredible buffet breakfast continued on to Pireaus. The early cycling still very good and passed over the Corinth Canal, which is a pretty impressive feat of engineering. After the Corinth Canal the traffic started to build up, and continued to do so until it reached epic proportions as I was nearing the Port. I was mighty relieved to finally pedal into the docks and book overnight ticket to Mytilene. Not quite sure how I managed it but booked the most sumptuous cabin, with large double bed, two sofas, TV and view overlooking the bows of the boat; all for 80 Euros.
Tuesday 12 June
Arrived Mytilene about 8 a.m and decided to press on across the island of Lesbos before it got too hot. It felt quite strange being on familiar territory for the first time for 5 or 6 weeks. Stoppped off at Piss Pot Corner for a P! The last hill out of Kaloni was a struggle but as I arrived in Lafionas, I felt great sense of euphoria for the second time on the trip; the first being when I reached Col de Larche in the Alps. Fantastic to be here and put my feet up, enjoy a few beers with Birdy, William, Claire and Liz and apologies to those people who have been waiting for this update and who have surported me over the past 6 weeks. I did try to update 3 days ago, but as I tried to load up the entry managed to delete the entry - fed up!
It's been a great trip and a fantastic experience, I've met some lovely people. It's lived up, if not exceeded my expectations, and I will definitely be doing the return journey, hopefully within the next 2 or 3 years.
After Thunder Storm - Calm, perfect calm! and after packing wet tent and about 20 miles stopped for the second best coffee of the trip, this one without alcohol, at Margherta di Savoia and then continued on to Bari. Just before Bari stopped and chatted to fellow touring cyclist from Ukraine who was making his way back through Venice, Vienna and Bratislava. Found the ferry and booked overnight crossing to Patras.
Saturday 9th June
Arrived Patras about 1.00pm and booked into hotel and spent the rest of the day looking around Patras which has a big fort at the top of the town, but this was locked up, and it has a fantastic Amphitheater, obviously in use for musical and drama events, but also locked!
Sunday 10th June
Had a job getting up, probably due to time change! but eventually got going along the old road to Pireaus, which runs pretty well parallel with the new one, but has very little traffic on it and is actually very lovely, running mostly on the south side of the Gulf of Corinth. Made about 40 miles and saw campsite, but decided to continue on until the next one, but didn't see another campsite or hotel for another 35+miles. Eventually found very posh hotel, which I checked into.
Monday 11 June
After incredible buffet breakfast continued on to Pireaus. The early cycling still very good and passed over the Corinth Canal, which is a pretty impressive feat of engineering. After the Corinth Canal the traffic started to build up, and continued to do so until it reached epic proportions as I was nearing the Port. I was mighty relieved to finally pedal into the docks and book overnight ticket to Mytilene. Not quite sure how I managed it but booked the most sumptuous cabin, with large double bed, two sofas, TV and view overlooking the bows of the boat; all for 80 Euros.
Tuesday 12 June
Arrived Mytilene about 8 a.m and decided to press on across the island of Lesbos before it got too hot. It felt quite strange being on familiar territory for the first time for 5 or 6 weeks. Stoppped off at Piss Pot Corner for a P! The last hill out of Kaloni was a struggle but as I arrived in Lafionas, I felt great sense of euphoria for the second time on the trip; the first being when I reached Col de Larche in the Alps. Fantastic to be here and put my feet up, enjoy a few beers with Birdy, William, Claire and Liz and apologies to those people who have been waiting for this update and who have surported me over the past 6 weeks. I did try to update 3 days ago, but as I tried to load up the entry managed to delete the entry - fed up!
It's been a great trip and a fantastic experience, I've met some lovely people. It's lived up, if not exceeded my expectations, and I will definitely be doing the return journey, hopefully within the next 2 or 3 years.
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Towards Bari
Wednesday 6th June
Arrived Termoli mid afternoon and stayed in 'bed and breakfast'. Great to sleep in clean bed after 3 or 4 nights camping. Great meal with mussels in Termoli last night. Left early and had I think the worst days cycling so far, across very sparse countryside and against stiff headwind. A lot of the surrounding area seemed to be dominated by Quarrying. Eventually arrived in Ippocampo, where I managed to persuade workmen to let me camp!
On another issue I am sorry to see that the level of chat has dimished from an acceptable level since "Birdy" has entered the fray. Perhaps it's just as well that my journey is coming to an end.
Thursday 7th June
Much better days cycling, after almighty thunder storms last night. The first time that I've ever felt nervous in a thunder storm! Arrived Bari mid-afternoon and bought ticket for overnight ferry to Patras.
Arrived Termoli mid afternoon and stayed in 'bed and breakfast'. Great to sleep in clean bed after 3 or 4 nights camping. Great meal with mussels in Termoli last night. Left early and had I think the worst days cycling so far, across very sparse countryside and against stiff headwind. A lot of the surrounding area seemed to be dominated by Quarrying. Eventually arrived in Ippocampo, where I managed to persuade workmen to let me camp!
On another issue I am sorry to see that the level of chat has dimished from an acceptable level since "Birdy" has entered the fray. Perhaps it's just as well that my journey is coming to an end.
Thursday 7th June
Much better days cycling, after almighty thunder storms last night. The first time that I've ever felt nervous in a thunder storm! Arrived Bari mid-afternoon and bought ticket for overnight ferry to Patras.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
The rain is not only in Spain!
Saturday 2nd June
Pouring with rain when we woke this day of departure and parting! So accompanied Sweetheart to the airport, and kissed goodbye. By the time I had got back to Cosy House, the rain had eased so I set off, with a brisk wind which for once was behind me, so made good time, and reached the East coast just north of Rimini, at a place called Cesenatica. Found a good little hotel amongst a hoard of other holiday hotels.
Sunday 3rd June
Made my way south east through Rimini and other tourist resorts. Some very up market and some not so! Stayed the night at Fano Camp Site. Enjoyed a great coffee with a bunch of young people, Italian, Belgian, and Brazilian. Coffee consisted of two spirits mixed, black coffee and a small slice of lemon peel. Apparantly it's what the local fishermen drink. One of the best coffees I've ever tasted.
Monday 4th June
I felt very tired yesterday, but much better today. Packed up and on the road before 9 having eaten breakfast in campsite bar. The wind is still behind me, so I am taking the opportunity to get south before it gets too hot. Stayed the night in camp site in Via Violle, which sums it up, because it is vile! The atmosphere is a bit like Butlins, and at about 9.30 a group starts up, and "oldies" starting dancing.
Tuesday 5th June
Good cycling with the wind still behind me. I'm sticking to the coast road, it's too hilly back from the coast, but some of the countryside up in the hills looks really lovely. Making my way to Ortona tonight. Clocked over the 1,500 mile mark today.
Pouring with rain when we woke this day of departure and parting! So accompanied Sweetheart to the airport, and kissed goodbye. By the time I had got back to Cosy House, the rain had eased so I set off, with a brisk wind which for once was behind me, so made good time, and reached the East coast just north of Rimini, at a place called Cesenatica. Found a good little hotel amongst a hoard of other holiday hotels.
Sunday 3rd June
Made my way south east through Rimini and other tourist resorts. Some very up market and some not so! Stayed the night at Fano Camp Site. Enjoyed a great coffee with a bunch of young people, Italian, Belgian, and Brazilian. Coffee consisted of two spirits mixed, black coffee and a small slice of lemon peel. Apparantly it's what the local fishermen drink. One of the best coffees I've ever tasted.
Monday 4th June
I felt very tired yesterday, but much better today. Packed up and on the road before 9 having eaten breakfast in campsite bar. The wind is still behind me, so I am taking the opportunity to get south before it gets too hot. Stayed the night in camp site in Via Violle, which sums it up, because it is vile! The atmosphere is a bit like Butlins, and at about 9.30 a group starts up, and "oldies" starting dancing.
Tuesday 5th June
Good cycling with the wind still behind me. I'm sticking to the coast road, it's too hilly back from the coast, but some of the countryside up in the hills looks really lovely. Making my way to Ortona tonight. Clocked over the 1,500 mile mark today.
Friday, 1 June 2007
Bologna
27th May - 1st June
"sweetheart" and I have had a really great time in Bologna. We can understand why they call this place "La Grassa" - the Fat One. The food here is just fantastic and we seem to have wandered from one great Trattoria to another; each one has its own character and the food is irresistable and inexpensive.
Rachael and Sue Goodfellow joined us for a couple of nights and helped us consume, what seemed like vast amounts of great pasta etc. Great to see both girls, and we had a good time with each other.
The Knees are easing up a little but still too stiff to kneel!
Tomorrow "Sweetheart" returns to England and I will continue my travels down the east coast of Italy, to Bari where I hope to be around 12th June to catch ferry to Patras.
It will be quite strange getting on my "Saracen" again after a great six day break, where I think I have managed to replenish the few pounds that I lost whilst struggling over the Alps!
"sweetheart" and I have had a really great time in Bologna. We can understand why they call this place "La Grassa" - the Fat One. The food here is just fantastic and we seem to have wandered from one great Trattoria to another; each one has its own character and the food is irresistable and inexpensive.
Rachael and Sue Goodfellow joined us for a couple of nights and helped us consume, what seemed like vast amounts of great pasta etc. Great to see both girls, and we had a good time with each other.
The Knees are easing up a little but still too stiff to kneel!
Tomorrow "Sweetheart" returns to England and I will continue my travels down the east coast of Italy, to Bari where I hope to be around 12th June to catch ferry to Patras.
It will be quite strange getting on my "Saracen" again after a great six day break, where I think I have managed to replenish the few pounds that I lost whilst struggling over the Alps!
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