Ukraine

Made it out of Budapest and headed to Ukraine. Got to the border about 3pm and passed the first checkpoint and we thought we were through. Alas that was the Hungarian exit check. We have to produce the vehicle docs. We put them back and moved about 100 meters where we met another checkpoint with blokes dressed in military uniform. We got the docs out again but they just handed us bits of paper and we move another 100 meters where we had another checkpoint. This time we filled out the papers from the previous checkpoint and went to the booth where a scary woman shouted my name and gave me my passport. We then went 10 meters to the next checkpoint where the customs put all our details into an Atari computer. She was scary too but we made her laugh eventually. We got the stamp and moved another 100meters where we were met by our IPA colleagues and the final checkpoint bloke who spoke English.  We had to buy insurance but had no Ukrainian cash. The cops got a hold of a money changer who bought our Hungarian Forent from us and we paid the princely sum of £5 for a months insurance. We then headed for our hotel. At the hotel there was a party and we were invited to join. They ALL dance in restaurants and form a circle facing inward. They then all ‘Dad Dance’ to the latest Eurovision numbers. Every now and then someone goes into the middle to showboat a bit. Gordon managed the dad dancing well but Tom struggled being a stylish dancer.  We were then subject to numerous vodka shots and a hangover followed.

 

This morning our hosts took us on a tour of Uzhgarod which means grass snake. The town of about 100,000 inhabitants was named after its river that is shaped like a snake. We visited the castle which dates back to 14^th century. We then went to the traditional Banya or baths. This is like a sauna and plunge pool with a bar. By the way it is 60p a pint here and the Russian beer is good. (Baltica). Fuel is 50p a litre and our plush hotel room is £33 B&B. The 2 course meal in the hotel with some (quite a few) drinks came to  about £10. The tents may not see daylight in Ukraine. Onward tomorrow to ward Kiev. Attached are photos from today and of our hosts from Uzhgorod Police.

FW: Update from last day in Budapest

 

A bit of progress with the new tyres and our Russian Visas arriving safely from London and we both have Russian haircuts to go with them. Thanks to Robert at Scott’s Real Life Tours for the fantastic service with the visas. If you need a visa Robert is your man! We had a five minute rain storm today just after getting the tyres fitted. Those who know what a brand new tyre can do will appreciate that we rode back to the apartment at very slow speed. Saying that, there is not much of a choice in Budapest. Thanks to Janos Kelemen  and  B MW Wallis Motor Pest for their assistance. A good point for anyone needing a bike service en-route……book ahead! Onward to Chop in Ukraine tomorrow where we will seek WIFI to keep you all updated. Feel free to comment on the blog entries. 

Budapest Latest

We will be getting the tyres replaced tomorrow and onto Ukraine on Sat afternoon. We are being met at the border by the Ukrainian Police which is most welcome. Did the touristy thing today  in the city and heading out for a couple of beers tonight in Pest.  Attached a couple of city views. As you see the weather is hot and sunny.

A wee photo for your wall

 

Budapest

Passports were sent off yesterday. We now hold our breath for their safe return……DHL do your stuff! Very hot day here yesterday with sunny and 30 degs. A bit cooler today. Going to the BMW dealer for Tyres and service so we will update you on that. Spoke to Graeme yesterday who is over here celebrating Sarah’s birthday (40)…getting on a bit. We have so much to do here that our paths did not cross and when I heard them on the phone I think the celebrations were in full flow. Safe journey home folks!

Hungarian Hunks

We crossed into Hungary on Saturday, 23rd May and camped in a village just across the border. The following day, we had an easy ride south before camping again, this time in Szilvasvarad nestling in the hills of Bukk. As we were preparing to leave the next morning, we were approached by the proprietor, Lazlow Szepessy, who at 67, is a former European and World Weightlifting champion. Lazlow is still actively involved in the sport and when he wanted a photo taken next to the GS Adventures, we insisted that he flexed some muscles. He is still in great shape and made us look rather weedy but when it comes to feet touching the ground when seated on the bikes, we win hands down!! It was a pleasure meeting Lazlow and we wish him continued success in his sport (there's even a 80 - 84 years section so he has still got a lot of events left in him). After saying our goodbyes, we rode south-west to Budapest in 32 degrees of heat - opting to avoid the motorways and seeing a bit of scenic countryside instead.

Hard to concentrate with these views!

Our Hungarian Host

Krackin' Krakow

Met up with Chris from Horizons Unlimited in Krakow. He is a local and gave us a FAST tour of the city. We then went to a town fortification for a view of the city before meeting with the Africa Twin Club (that is a type of bike for those who do not know). We then headed for town for a couple of pints then camped overnight . In the morning met up with Jose from Valencia and had a breakfast. Jose is a representative for an Agricultural GPS Systems Company and is touring Europe on business on a bike…what a job! Went on to Zakopane where Chris arranged for us to stay with Martczyn and Kasza at their cool wooden house in Zakopane. What a work of wood craftsmanship. (See photo). We had a great night with Glenmorangie (thanks to Lindsay Wilson) and some Polish Vodka. .

Now in Budapest and will update.

Photos: Tom and Gordon above Krakow. The wooden house in Zakopane with Martczyn and Kasza. Jose and the lads. Shrek meets Tom.

BLOG UPDATE Sunday 24th May 2009

Dear All

All is well with the intrepid twosome - Tom & Gordon. They are camping near Budapest in Hungary. Good weather but no access to Wifi.

They hope to update Blog when they reach Budapest.

 

Pam

Update - Thursday, 21st May 2009

We left the Hotel Dwor Szczepanskich this morning to head for Cracow (Krakov) a distance of only 62 miles.  We arrived at the Camping Clepardia in the afternoon.

 

Our Hein Gericke Taureg suits proved their worth today. Having removed the Goretex linings and opened the zipper vents, we were kept comfortable and cool in the 28 degree heat, which was just as well because we had to thread our way through several long tailbacks on the E4 toll road.

 

We arrived at the Camping Clepardia in the afternoon.  The site has excellent facilities, including WiFi and fridges located throughout the site to keep our beer cold.  The showers and toilets are immaculate.

 

A biker contact, Chris aka Sambor (who got in contact with us via the Horizons Unlimited Hub, came along on his Honda Africa Twin to arrange a bike ride with his mates this evening.  He speaks Russian and has biked in most of the Central Asian countries.  We’ll be seeking his tips and advice about travelling through Russia and Kazakhstan over a beer tonight.

 

Posted by Gordon @ 17.45hrs, 21/05/09

 

Back to Blighty

Hi everyone. Well, John Boyle and I made it back in one piece - the first pic shows me chatting to a Hull biker at Zeebrugge (John's Volvo is the second car back). Being back in the saddle after 25 years was awesome. I have vivid memories of my two outrider cops switching from lane to lane in perfect unison (comeback Chips, all is forgiven) and John's back up Volvo shadowing me and keeping 130mph+ outside laners off my tail.

The Martin Conquest 1200R performed perfectly - a real joy to drive, even in the howling cross winds in Belgium. It is by far at its best between 50mph to 90mph, delivering a lovely throaty growl when you open the throttle. Out of interest, I got 110mph on the autobahn against a slight headwind just before a Porche squealed past me doing God knows what speed.

We had a great time all round – scorching sun, torrential downpour, lots of beer (Chinese, German, Russian, Italian, Belgian, French and even Australian (I don't know where the Fosters came from - oh, yeah, the two trays in John's boot along with his bottle of Ballantyne). I must mention the Hadrian and Border 'Newcastle Pioneer Bitter' - two cases of that also accompanied us all the way to Berlin in John's boot. Also great food sampled including the fabulous Kharcho - a Russian soup with lamb flesh, tomato, coriander and rice which we all thought a taste sensation washed down with ice cold Russian vodka shots.

Thanks to Mario and the VW Wolfsburg Police for their hospitality. What a town - 50,000 of the 120,000 population work for VW, just about every car is a VW and the factory takes up more floor space than the rest of the town. Oh, you get the best currywurst in Germany here and possibly the best waiter (Herr Under).

Berlin is a great Tourist destination - superb culture, restaurants and architecture. Memorable moments include pulling up the bikes in front of the Brandenburg Gate for the Bilt Newspaper photo and Thomas' guided Tour of the German Ministry of Finance (the former Luftwaffe HQ, complete with bullet holes everywhere which was quite a ghostly experience.

Check point Charlie and the Berlin Wall displays also moving.

I must say, an Englishman in the company of three Scots was a birth by fire but I came through it relatively unscathed. I dont know if Tom should have his own TV show or be sectioned, Gordon is a first class navigator but has a habit of dropping things (petrol filter) off his bike in the fast lane. If you need to pick out a good red wine in a restaurant, then John's your man - he does have an odd habit of leaving half an inch of whisky and coke in his last glass of the night which I haven't quite figured out.

My thoughts now are with Tom and Gordon. Keep safe guys and enjoy! To you, to fellowship and to Scotland.... TGM!

And thanks to Capability Scotland, Prima Training, Jam Marketing, Hadrian and Border Brewery, ONE North East and the Journal and Hexham Courant newspapers, the Blue Bell and the Dyvels and everyone who helped me put.... and to Janet X.

FW: Update from Poland

We are now in the south of Poland and heading towards Krakow and then Zakopane and eventually Slovakia by Friday. Poland is a great place to visit. The people are kind and helpful and do not charge you much for food and hotels etc. The roads are okay but stretches are really bad. In Wroclaw they are horrendous and combined with tram tracks (beware Edinburgh dwellers) and wet it was some experience. Got on with it, changed the underwear and back on track if you pardon the pun. I have attached a photo from outside our £25/night B&B 4 star hote and camping in Mosquito  territory the night before. You may give us a hard time over that but the night before we camped and received the monsoon treatment. We needed to dry the gear. The weather is sunny and 25 degs C.  We have some video and will utube it asap. We have an invite from the cops in Budapest for a ride around the city and a few beers afterwards so looking forward to that. That’s all for today.

Euro Team on the boat

David and John are safely on the boat back to Hull after a bit of rain today. They will be in the bar as we speak. Congrats to David for his mammoth effort and achievement and to John for his help and good company for the Euro leg. John we have finished your single malt please send more!

Leaving for Poland tomorrow

Had another couple of good days in Berlin in the home of our friend Thomas. He has had enough of us now and we hit Poland tomorrow. Visited Seelow at the German /Polish border which was the scene of the German’s last defence of Berlin in April 1945. We then went to the home of the author and poet Berthold Brecht in a lovely village called Buckow in the Maerkische Schweiz  where we were attacked by the biggest mosquitoes you have ever seen. They got more attention than the Brecht museum. At 3 Euros it takes 3 minutes to go round the museum. We also visited a Manor House at Neu Hardenberg which was rather impressive and was hosting a choir competition. The mummified heart in the local church was missed as it was closed even though it was Sunday? The weather has been much the same as home but with the addition of temperature of 25.5 C and brilliant sunshine. Tom’s nose is red but we don’t know if that is the German beer or the sun.

Update 15th May

All going well and we were in the newspapers again….this time nationwide-Germany. Did the tourist thing today and John and David are contemplating their journey home tomorrow. Gordon and Tom will start the preparations for Poland on Monday. The weather was nice again today and hopefully will continue to hold. We had an invite to the Ministry of Finance which occupies the former HQ of Herman Goering and the Luftwaffe. Very interesting tour.

 

Will update you all soon.

 

TGM Team -  Berlin

Update 13th May

We have made it to Berlin. Congratulations to David who has achieved his goal of his world tour of Europe. We were met by Bild newspaper and are headlining in Germany’s biggest daily. The bikes are doing well and no major probs. Wolfsburg was fantastic. We were met by a local Police officer and had a great night out and a few beers. Had a reception at the police HQ and were  ‘seen off the premises, by the local police chief. Weather is fantastic and we are changing to a deep red/brown colour. John has been a great help to us and David as well as being one of our sponsors (Newton Financial Services-see the website). Here is a photo of us to make you all jealous!! Update you later. TGM Team.

Update 12th May

Got off to a great start. Thanks to all who turned out for our leaving event and for all the good wishes. The run to Hull was fine with good weather. Gordon’s headlamp bulb blew but otherwise a trouble free journey. Got to Zeebrugge and the sun was shining and 20 degs. Got to the campsite at Metz just in time for a thunder storm then rain all night. Met Kenny Owen (ret) who had his pipes with him and piped us off the campsite in full regalia. Onward to Bonn in p…ing rain. Got a soaking but a good journey. John Boyle, in the back up Volvo has been a real help. David’s bike is a gas guzzler and we have been visiting all the petrol station en-route. He now has a can of petrol under the seat. Enjoying the ride and weather look okay for the Wolfsburg run. Tom’s Garmin has malfunctioned but remarkable returned to life this morning. Keep an eye on that one. That’s all for today. Will send some photos later.

The team have left the building!

The transglobemoto team left Capability HQ in Edinburgh this morning at 10:00am. With a bit of luck they should now be sitting in the bar on board the ferry which is about to leave Hull for Zeebrugge. Good luck guys!
Graeme tapping his keyboard! (So jealous he's not there with you!)

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Sorting out the kit

As D day approaches we are now getting all the gear together. As you can see by the picture there is a lot of stuff and little room....the underpants will have to go! We have the Carnets and Kazak visas and we are good to go. John Boyle has volunteered to do a back-up car to Berlin so this will help with lighter travel as far as there. Remember to bookmark the Blog and Spot Tracking pages. We are having bacon rolls and coffee at the departure from Capability Scotland Ellersly Rd Edinburgh from 9am - 10am next Saturday 9th May. All welcome. Bring your motorcycle and ride down the road for a bit. Heading to Hull.

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