It doesn't seem to be a year since I started writing this blog let alone nearly 10 years since my first trip to India but it is, never has Mark Twain s immortal words been so poignant

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

In the ten years since I added this I have lost both parents several neighbours and far too many former colleagues and friends and i have grown older wiser and slightly wider. 

Plans are afoot for 2016 please have a look at that blog contact me direct  if you want more information

  

The 2016 blog

We have started planning for 2016 so anyone visiting this site that might be interested in joining us next year either have a look at 2016 blog site just change the year on this one or text me on 07746055660 

breakfast at Thekkady

Thekkady friday

We have really suffers from poor intern this year so have had a problem updating the blog however all is well one last full days ride to morrow to the house boats and tonight we are going shopping I will try and up date some photos soon 

Indian children or school crossing road sign

Munnar

we manaaged about 110 miles to day from Pallakd to munnar and started climbing into the colder area its just cold enough to require a fleace and long trousers the ride today was brillliant curve after curve with in the main fantastic road surfaces although we did have some sections which were just a bit off roadish 

Hi Travelled south to the Hill station of Ooty

would you believe it its actually cold here I am sat with my legs under the blanket  wearing a fleece
Today we travelled from Mysore to Ooty and in doing so had to negotiate some heavy city traffic open roads Tiger and nature reserves  and the infamous 36 hair pin hill climb up the Nigris plateau
some of which I had to struggle up in first gear
however all here safe and about to go off and have tea will try and get some photos uploaded soon
 

Saturday in Mysore

Our first day off the bikes was in Mysore.
Leaving the bikes with the mechanics for a check-up, we visited an old British fort - (now an Indian Ancient Monument) and a fruit and veg market where adjacent stalls were selling identical produce for the same price as their neighbour. Then it was on to a bird sanctuary where we went on a boat trip around a lake with islands where a variety of nesting birds were pointed out by our guide/oarsman.

We were dropped of by the minibus in the shopping area of the city which was "not for tourists" but included an air conditioned shopping centre in the middle of rows of tiny shops and street stalls.

Back to the hotel by tut-tut to prepare for the ride to Ooty tomorrow.

Saturday 7th February - a day off the bikes

Happy birthday Emily

some photos sorry for the delay

up date

we finally arrived in Calicut about 9:00 am after a very relaxed flight, this was to be Ades first flight and we set him up good and proper wearing an Emirates " issued' first time flyer tee shirt 

our stop over in Dubai was long enough to have a quick look around without getting board Shafi as always   dutifully   waiting at arrivals . a short drive to the hotel an hours kip and off we went shopping 

 

Mysore

we have reached mysore and after quite a battle seem to have finally been able to access the internet

First time flyer

First time flyer

Steve and Sam

Nigel and Ade

We started the journey at 6:30

We left Taunton just after 6:30 am on a freezing morning windscreen was frozen and unfortunately I must have woken the whole street as when I tried to lock or unlock the door the horn sounded sorry neighbours 

After a long wait at Cheltenham we left Steves at 9.30 and has a straight run to the airport parking cost £1:00 for ten minutes so drop off was double quick and after checking in the luggage we made our way through security to the departure lounge where we are now sat in the mermaid restaurant waiting for departure time which is about 13:30 

Birmingham airport