I’m conscious that the account of my previous journey – 5000 sort of unplanned miles across France and Spain – ended abruptly two years ago. Those who care, know: I made my way to Bilbao through harsh winds, got on the ferry to Poole and ground my way back to SE England through rain and roadworks.
Much has happened since. I am a Community Safety Volunteer with my local Fire and Rescue service and by virtue of that I have been riding with Red Knights MC. I have enjoyed helping to establish the National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial. I have continued to ride all around England, my beautiful home country. I have ridden to Ireland, France and Belgium, with a very brief visit to the Netherlands. I’ve ridden on a rented Royal Enfield whilst on holiday in Cyprus, done some offroading in Wales and visited the incredible place that is the Royal Hospital in Chelsea as part of a motorcycle delegation.
Recently I rode to a rock festival in Kent where I caught up with Paul, the wounded veteran I transported around Normandy in 2023. He was there with his partner, he’s doing incredibly well, and we both hold the journey we shared very dear. We hugged and I cried a bit, and thought back to that ride. He’s overcome many of the challenges he faced and is working towards a motorbike license. We’ll be riding together, on separate machines, soon enough, watch this space.
I continue to ride pretty much every day and I have had some adventures. But I do not have a new epic journey to tell you about, yet. I love and respect my readers, and do not wish to bore them with ordinary stories of joy and companionship which they experience each time they ride also, it’s nothing new to them. So please regard this as a check in, nothing more, noting less.
As we’ve said before, more than once, the best is yet to come.
Blac Ridere 