Well, that didn't work!

I had it all worked out. I was going to see Scotland, then ride back down through England to Spalding where a supplier had ordered in a rack to fit a topbox to the bike, so I could fit my wife and her luggage on. All was going well until I arrived there today and went to bolt it on. There was no way in a blue fit that rack was going to fit on with the standard panniers! So I had to make the call to Sandi... sorry about the luggage darling, you'll have to leave it all home! Worse still, unless I can devise something truly innovative, the black akubra may have to stay in England too - now that's a real tragedy.

Otherwise things are great. the weather is nothing short of hot, the sun is shining and all is right with the world. The man at the bike shop was most apologetic for 'spoiling my holiday' but I told him the holiday was fine and far worst things could have happened.

I camped last night out the back of a pub in Cawood called 'The castle Inn'. The lady publican had not heard of the movie either. Not a bad spot.

From here I will head down south to Surrey and pick up the rego and insurance papers for the bike before getting a run up to cross the channel into Europe proper!

Can't wait for Saturday when my lovely Wife turns up - spare a thought for her as she stores all of her things in the space that pair of gloves takes up in the photo!