Rouen, France

When we got to Rouen, France (into the heart of the city) we pulled off the road and backed up against a garage door on a side street. This is where I dropped my bike (Day 1 of the trip). Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of it while it was down but I did take one once it was up (imagine that)! The hotel was quaint and my third floor balcony (wow whatta work out with all the gear up those flights of stairs) overlooking our bikes for the night. Mick, our tour guide, spent that night sleeping in the support vehicle by the lake for security reasons. This is where I had my first "real" French Onion Soup. Right from the get go everyone was in good spirits laughing and joking (that Aussie humour and their sayings "fair dinkam mate"? is a whole language in itself). And as the Aussie's say, "We all got on like a house on fire". We stayed at Hotel Le Cardinale in Rouen. It was somewhat cool outside and we had an amazing dessert (two different types of apple pie with whip cream on top). I guess the weight loss part of this trip will begin in one of the Stans or Mongolia but it definitely will not be in France.

Dover, England to Calais France

We missed the ferry in Dover that we were suppose to take (reservations are required) so we grabbed at quick sandwich as we waited for the next one. Of course I'm showing off my bike (black BMW 650 GS) that we tied down in the lower area of the ferry. Jason (driving the support vehicle) spent his time on the ship charging his computer as well as loading what is much needed maps onto our GPS units. He also is our onboard mechanic that not only looks after the bikes but helps with internet issues (I have him tied up with my internet problems most of the time). When we came into Calais, France we thought we would have to show our passports. Nobody even asked. The top right pic is us waiting for Mick (fearleass leader off getting supplies for the bikes) and next one is Mick himself

Day 1: Breakfast at Infamous Ace Cafe to Rouen France

This was our start off point (5 mins away from the hotel we stayed at). Other members of Compass Expeditions came to give us an official sendoff riding alongside us taking pictures/videos as we left for the ferry in Dover.

Hi!!!!! I'M BAAAAACK!!!!!! DID YA MISS ME????

Soooo!!!! It's been awhile. So, I'm going to start here, in Salzburg, Austria where we are currently staying at the Best Western Hotel. We left London, England and crossed the English Channel at Dover (almost like our Port Dover). It was an hour and a half ferry ride and we travelled on to Rouen France the first night (very quaint hotel) where I had "the real" french onion soup. OMG!!! The scenery has been fantastic!!! As you can probably tell, we've had a real problem with being able to get our computers to hook up (at the moment I'm at an internet cafe). After leaving Rouen, France, we spent the next night in Flavigny, France (wow, what an amazing and very old small town that was). We then went to Switzerland and stayed another Swiss hotel in the Alps with breathtaking falls and I woke to seeing the locals taking their cows with cowbells ringing throughout the town (so much different than church bells).

We left Switzerland and had to do approx. 560 kms to Salzburg Austria where today is our day off (this is the first time in my life where I don't have a clue what day it is). So, enough chatting and on with the photos. In the photo the heading underneath is incorrect (can't seem to change). So from Left to Right: Mick (Tasmania), Me (Canada), Carmen and Joe (Australia), Murray (Australia), Mick (Australian Tour Guide), Jason (Canadian employee of Compass Expeditions living in UK) and Patrick and Lauren (Colorado, USA).

Hi!!!! I'M BAAAAAACK!!!!! DID YA MISS ME?????

OMG!!!!!! LOTSHAS HAPPENED SINCE I BLOGGED YA'S LAST!!!!! SO HERE'S PLAYING CATCH UP.

I'm going to introduce you to my "NEW FRIENDS" whom I'll be hanging out with for the next 100 DAYS....

First: There's Murray and his wife Kate (from Australia)
Next: There's Joe and his wife Carmen (also from Australia)

Then there's Mick from Australia (not to be confused with our

"Fearless Leader Mick" (also from Australia - I'm sure you

can tell whose wearing the Compass Expedition jacket)

Connection Difficulties Will Resume Shortly

London - AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

Final Rabies Shot Today then off sightseeing

Busy Day:

Sightseeing Everywhere

City By Double Decker Bus

On The London Eye

On The River Thames

met the entire group - 7 bikes and 9 people (2 are 2 up) plus Jason who will be driving the support vehicle (making it 10 of us in total). Everyone seems pyched for this "Expedition" as Mick, Compass Expeditions Leader calls it. So, off to bed as up at 6:00 am tomorrow for the off-road training that will be at Salisbury Plains (the place of Stonehenge). Nite.......