Kiev

Mark woke early to assemble his bike that arrived compliments of Lufthanser at 1 :45 am Brekky then on our bikes to join the others in their city hotel. Bike and packed panniers weigh about 25 kilo's so they took a few km to get used to the weight considering my bike at home weighs 8 kg. Mark was not impressed. We all met Sergey at the train station to collect our tickets then a walking tour of Kiev . Grand, but a bit tired. So much history and so little time to see it. Tonight we train it in overnight sleepers to L'vov. That's where dad and Andy met the 1st Ukraine army. I will also visit Rita's ( my wifes) dad's birth place. More later .by the way it's 35degrees.....bloody hot. Ron

lost

Well, we arrived at Kiev airport on an uneventful flight and bumped straight into the other members of our Fatboys who were assembling their bikes in the busy airport. I spotted my bike box but poor Mark was not so lucky.......no bike, it was left in Munich. After a stressful discussion with the airline the box was finally delivered to our hotel at1.45 am, The stress is over and a good breakfast in us and we are off to meet the others in the city of Kiev. By the way poor Rachael is not with Antony as she was test riding her new bike for this trip and crashed, she cracked a rib so now there are five. Really sorry to hear that, as I was looking forward to meeting up again.
Mark was not impressed when we packed our bikes and couldn'd lift the back of it off the ground.....Day 1 is underway
Ron

Munich again

14 August,
Here we are again back at Munich airport for the second time, on our way to Kiev to begin the serious part of the ride.
Big concert on in Split last night with some called Carl Cox, would have let my hair down if I had any the town was full of younger people.
Ron helped me pack my bike box to the trip to Kiev today all fitted in Ok, we will see tomorrow if I have too much to take in the Panniers. I down to my to nothing already, so I do not know how much more I can get rid of.
We arrived this morning to 14 Degrees after 25+ and humid weather in Croatia.
Maybe the change is coming, who knows but we are looking forward to the challenge.
Regards Mark

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If you want to post a comment and I hope you do, click the word "comments" then type in the white box. Don't forget it is public viewing, so don't be naughty. Ron & Mark

On the eve

By jeep to freedom.  Well I am on the eve of the big ride. I must say I am very excited considering I have been talking about it for a long time now.  My dear father , Woolf, died on 7/11/99 while Rita and I were in New Zealand on holiday. It was most unexpected for me as I visited him the day we left three days earlier, all seemed very normal. I guess I never got to say good bye as one would if I had prior warning but  I had many opportunity to tell him how I admired & loved him  during my daily visits with him. He had dimenture for his last five years but we had the richest times together. His love, and sharp humor were always a delight. I found myself driving faster as I dropped in on him. The day after I returned with Rita for the funeral Mum gave me his army documents including the cloth insignia of his unit, V1 Highland light infantry (Scotland). The need came upon me & I did a very unusual thing for a Jewish boy, I had it replicated on my left upper arm as a tattoo. I have never since felt a loss for him as I feel him with me all the time & during the tougher things I have done I feel his presence . He was a true adventurer in every sense and I guess I love taking him with me on my trecks 'cos I know he would do them given the chance again. Riding the toughest mountains I often talk to him & touch my arm..... I always make it .   I hope you enjoy the Fatboy's ride with me as we cross 5 countries & follow a great man's journey, Unlike dad's treck, we don't expect to have people shooting at us......... I hope    Regards Ron 

A note for Dan.

Yes Dan you were right I had to couple of time to stuff my heart back into my chest. But let me say this that Ron had to stop also. I didn't win the race but did make it. Need you here to keep us going. All the best M
ark

Island of Vis 11 of August 2010

Island of Vis.Two hour ferry ride from Split to visit the island of Vis. One of the smaller islands of Croatia. We decided not to take bikes after yesterday big ride. So Easy Rider Ron, decided that motor cycle would the mode of transport for the day. Arrived at about 11.30to find out that we could not get a motor cycle till 1.00. Ron was hungry, so we had a snack beside another picturesque harbor. Each harbour is better than the last one. After eating we followed a laneway to a small shops that housed an artist who returned after the communist left. He gave Ron a glass of wine that his family had made and was selling in his shop. The motor cycle was at the bottom end of the range and had it's work cut out carrying Ron and I, possibly not my smartest move. We rode to Komiza which was another stunning harbour with beautiful little beach. We swam and had another drink. It was idealic, we then started the 14 kilometer return passing several other towns a long the coast. We stopped off for another drink before catching the two hour ferry ride back to Split. Our general opinion is that Croatian is one of the most desirable holiday destinations we have seen. We would have liked to have a sail but it just didn't work out. All the best Mark.

Island of Brac

10 of August Mark and Ronnie set off for the Island of Brac by ferry. A 45 minuite ferry ride landed us in Supetar. We hit the groud running and made for Pucisca coastal road views were bearth taking as we climbed world class roads. Pucisca was idealic and hard to leave but Bol was in our sights neext. Vitus Mt is thehighest peak in all Croatian islands, as the day the day heated to ahumid 30 we felt we were preparing ourselves well for the next Fatboys adventure. This island contribution is it's famous Brac building stone, Olive oil, wine and sour cherrys and of course fishing. A big day on the hills then bachome by ferry were Mark found the best Pizza place in Split. Signing off Ron.

Well we made it to Croatia, a very long flight.
Some how my bike box got opened and my lights an computer were removed, the world has not come to a horrible end yet. No great drama.
Ronnie is hype active as usual. We are stnned by the beauty of Split and Dubrovnik. We marvel at the biuildings and how these small towns evoled from the Roman times.
Yesterday we went for a longer ride around Split. It all started well and we rode about 20 klms in the heat , then we found a park unfortunatly for me it a hill, a shorter version of Arthurs Seat. Yes we rode up it. We came back and fell a sleep at 8 , that was the end of our day. Thats my update. all the bestt from Mark.

5/8 Well we are in Munich airport filling in time before our flight to Split Croatia. So far we have been in transit for 24 hours and will be glad to unpack our bikes and hit the road on the Dalmatian Coast.
Yarn ( my Melbourne/ Polish supporter) was at Melbourne airport to see us off and assured us he will continue to tell the world of this momentous event . Thanks Yarn. ............cheers Ron