What a trip…!
Just bad timing with the weather…
Everyone we have spoken to has been surprised by the early cold snap.
But a trip that will live long in the memory for sure.
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Morning dawned with the optimism of clear blue skies but as soon as I set off at 9 I knew it was still fecking freezing. I ended up stopping every 20 minutes or so at autobahn rest stops just to warm up for 5 minutes. By 10:30 temperature had risen to the merely uncomfortable stage and I was crossing Belgium on motorways.
At a midday fuel stop near Antwerp I bumped into a UK couple on a Thunderbird and had a little chat. By this time things had warmed to the comfortable setting, with the help of the fleece, winter gloves and over trousers I was wearing.
Finally in the Netherlands I was off busy multilane roads and in open country with a more leisurely riding following the traffic in front at the 80kph speed limit on roads that didn’t allow overtaking.
I was heading to the west coast rather than using motorways, to get a last bit of nice riding in. At my next fuel stop I also felt able to remove fleece top and waterproof over trousers, what a feeling of freedom!
I was in search of kibbeling but the random place I’d picked on Google maps didn’t seem to serve it. Rather than waste time in a further search I ate the two extra bacon rolls I made at breakfast, whilst sitting looking at the Dutch seaside.
The last 40 minutes riding got me to Rotterdam and on roads along by the port signposted England 
After about 90 minutes queue for check-in and immigration I was finally on a boat heading home!
Got my first Guinness and ended up sat next to a continental cousin on a 9RT swapping tales of Triumph woes. (He has a Daytona at home.)
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For sure, for sure. (Is that the effect of the third Guinness?)
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Hurrah. You made it. On your bike.
What would you do different, next time, more clothes?
So glad you made it onto the ferry …!
Enjoy the beer and warmth …
Home is nearly in sight …!
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Take thermal liner for jacket. Left it at last minute in favour of a light fleece.
Also new waterproof over trousers. If I can get extra long ones that cover boots.
Maybe heated socks. Extra thick socks useful even if I don’t use battery heating part.
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Or set off late June? 
Then the roads and accommodation will be even fuller of bloody tourists 
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Personally found it ok, kids are still at school.
I got over trousers from a Sea Fishermans Ship Chandler in Malliag when my old ones burst at the seams. Anyway I would defiantly recommend Fishermans Work Gear. Great quality long in the leg and last.
I think;- it doesn’t matter what standard the gear you have is, it works best with cheap waterproofs over the top.
Also, Your a braver man than me.
The thought of getting relayed home from Italy cos of some mechanical issue sends shivers down my spine.
I had you for more intrepid than that James…
What an epic adventure @BrownMouse
You deserve every one of your Guinness! Glad you are on the way safely home and thank you for an entertaining thread!
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Are you a man or a mouse?
I certainly don’t consider myself brave, I would put myself down more as naive.
Then again, nothing happened that I hadn’t considered as a possibility and it wouldn’t put me off going again.
I would have been lost without modern technology. Google maps, translate and search and the booking.com app. I did have an old phone as a spare with it’s own SIM (£10 O2 SIM good for 25GB data in Europe), and a power bank good for three full phone charges. Though didn’t rely on those except the old phone for navigation back after satnav died.
That reminds me, the other thing I would take is a waterproof phone mount for bike so if using phone as backup I can see map and make better sense of audio instructions.
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A couple of guys I work with are planning an Alpine 2 week trip next summer, ask if I wanted to go, I declined.
If I’m riding I’m happy. No need to venture all that way.IMHO
Great to complete but a pain in the arse to fail.
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Brilliant thread Tixy.
Despite the broken bike stuck in the middle of nowhere you didn’t gave up stayed the captain of your adventure.
Really enjoyed to have you there for a couple of days!
Probably see you around you area for a spicy curry sometime !
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We almost always did our Euro trips in June and never a problem. Rode the N-260 a couple of times and saw very few people. Glad you made it back. 
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Finally home!
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With help feom some shipmates!
You’re welcome anytime you’re over.
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Glad you are home mate……
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