Saturday night at the HUBB. After the presentations and dinner, the usual Irish hospitality and entertainment kicked in and a great time was had by all. I managed to catch Dylan for a few words, to see what he thought of my bike ferry idea, to congratulate him and generally have a laugh.

He’d missed my presentation as I was first up on Friday afternoon. We got chatting about his last HUBB meeting in Virginia, and I wondered if Chip or Ken (my travelling buddies through Russia and Mongolia) were there. I know Ken’s farm is in Virginia. I was describing my journey when Dylan’s face lit up and he said “Ah, you’re the other guy!”.

It turns out that Chip and Ken were both there and presented about their journey around the world. I’d love to have seen it. Apparently they were pretty funny, I’m sure they were! From the sound of it I at least got a mention, so I guess I’m world famous now?

It’s a small world in so many ways, yet in others it’s so big! Before it got too late I asked Dylan to sign my tank. The ink will fade eventually like many quotes and signatures before it, but with a little luck the memories will live on for a good while longer.

I intend to write my adventures into a book. I’ve no disillusions about it being a best seller, I only know my mum and a few friends who would definitely buy it. I want to write it for myself though as much as anyone else.

The trouble is, it’s very hard to find time to fit that into my ‘normal’ life now. And where do you start even?

I bought Dylan’s book and I’ve read it twice already. It’s well written and if it was a novel, at times you’d find yourself struggling to believe it. But it’s not a novel. The fact it actually happened is amazing, and the fact it couldn’t happen again makes it all the more important to share the journey.

If you have the time, it’s well worth a read.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Road-Ends-Incredible-Journey/dp/3952444855

At the Horizons Unlimited meeting last week, I had the feeling I was blagging it a little. Sure, I’ve ridden half way around the world, but there are others have gone much further than me. Yet, some of the folks there were seemingly in awe of what I’d done.

The last speaker on Saturday was Dylan Samarawickrama. He’d ridden around the world and I managed to catch his presentation. Wow!

Riding around the world isn’t that hard, as I’ve always maintained. But Dylan has taken the adventure to a whole new level. Crossing the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia is impossible by land. There are no roads, only impenetrable jungle. The two neighbouring countries don’t get on, and with FARC rebels and drug Lords controlling parts of the area the situation is unlikely to change!

Most people doing the Pan American highway fly their bikes over the gap. The more adventurous ones find a fishing trawler willing to take their bike. Not Dylan. He built a raft out of oil barrels, took the rear wheel off the bike and used the prop shaft to drive a propeller. Then set sail from Panama across the Pacific.

That sounded brave enough. Then I find out its 450 nautical miles across the Pacific! I’m not a water person and this just seems so incredible to me. I won’t steal his thunder by recounting the events that unfolded, you’ll just have to read the book. (I have!).

Suffice to say that as adventures go, this makes mine seem like a walk in the park! I felt like Wayne and Garth “We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy!”

One thing about having more hammocks around is that the usable spots tend to get taken. Being a GA club most of the trees have been felled to keep the pitch clear. The goal posts were taken by Rob and I released my spot between the basketball post and the lamp post to Brendan.

I thought I’d have a go at hanging between the power pole and support wires. Ohm for the night, you’ve got to love that one! It was tricky as the wire flexed quite a bit, so even a very tight fly sagged when I got in. I was surprised at how easily I could make the power cables whip around, so I didn’t move around any more than I had to.

It was comfortable as ever though and I still love it. I could hear the hum of the transformers but it wasn’t intrusive. Next up is to try hanging across the corners of a serious transmission pylon. Talk about electric dreams!

After my presentation on hammock camping last year, I was pleased to discover that at least one person was giving it a go. Brendan on the left here was bravely swinging in the spot next to me. Good man!

To my surprise the there was another hammock convert who’d discovered it by himself. Rob on the right bought a hennessy hammock when he was looking for somewhere to stay at Swansea university. I have to say that wild camping around Swansea sounds more dangerous than parts of Russia to me!

Rob has a small holding and is self sufficient, even making his own cider. Being pitched up at the top field I didn’t get chance to check out his rig, or sample the bottle of cider I was offered. Next time Rob I promise!

How many times have I said that to myself recently? Next time. Hmm…

High time I got out on the road again, as the daily 75 mile commute doesn’t quite cut it. I got an invite to present at the Horizons Unlimited traveller’s meeting last weekend. I gladly accepted and after some very kind offers to babysit, I found myself on the ferry to Dublin again.

I like ferries. I think they’re a very sedate way to travel, leaving the world behind with your phone signal for a few hours. I like to be outside and watching the coast slowly fall behind is always a time to reflect. I’m not really a water person, not into boats or swimming, but ferries I can do.

I met up with a friend Brendan, who’d bought a hammock on the strength of my presentation last year. We rode through some almighty rain across the border into Northern Ireland. This year I’d offered to do an indoor session and was first up! We were running a little late but the next presenter Steve kindly agreed to swap.

I think it went down OK. I didn’t get pelted with rotten tomatoes so I’ll take that as a good sign!!

The weekend was great apart from the weather. The founders of Horizons Unlimited Grant and Susan had come over and I managed to get to a few other sessions. The absolute highlight of which I’ll post shortly. As usual it was over too soon and I was back on the ferry in no time.

Note to self: next year take a week off and tour round Ireland!

Just a little test here, I doubt this will work but if it does a little video will appear below

The final word on Mr. Nick. In case you’re still wondering, you can find out more about the man here: http://www.nicksanders.com

Nick Sander’s pad is a well thought out and organised base camp for his guided tours. It has been put together over some time, with obvious thought being put into every stage. The quality and decor of the tents, cabins and trailers makes them homely. They’re particularly easy to relax in after a day’s ride, and that’s important. He says it’s a woman’s touch and he’s probably right.

Caroline runs a tight kitchen and dishes up some amazing food. Gourmet yes, but nouvelle cuisine (i.e. big plates, tiny servings) it’s certainly not! There’s plenty and then some, no chance of leaving the table until you’re well stuffed. With Nick and Caroline joining us for dinner, it made for a great evening with plenty of banter and lively discussion!

Initially I thought it was a bit pricey for a long weekend at over £200. Now I’ve been I can say that was actually a bargain, as I didn’t spend another penny! Accommodation for 3 nights plus 2 restaurant quality meals (with wine) a day is good value in itself, without the guided tour and bike related settings. I probably spend more on a standard camping weekend with my mates, when you factor in 3 nights in the pub!

In summary, if you like riding bikes on scenic roads, with good company, great food and surroundings – book yourself a tour. You won’t regret it!