There had better be good bridge photos, y'know. Or I might just sulk ;)
Some bugger'll do anything to avoid the Olympics!
Have a wonderful time and keep us informed of progress.
Wow.
No advice, just bonne route et bon courage.
Have a fantastic time Deano. Only briefly met you and look forward to meeting you again on your return. God speed.
It'll be reet grand. Good luck mate, take care.
Have a great time Dean ,are you riding all that way on a fixie.?
Will you be blogging or tweeting as you go ?
Just to make the rest of us jealous ?
Might be time to re-learn the art of letter writing :)
Bring back the cool wall says I .
Maybe might want to invest in a U3 SanDisk USB stick for launching applications direct from the stick, in order to access your mail, bank accounts etc etc, minimizing risk of being compromised by whatever's on cafe/internet shop PCs?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U3
It is an alternative to carrying around interwebby thingys, which you aren't.
Am supposing that around now is a good time to be traveling down under by bike, taking into account seasons on the journey?
Frere
but - but - but . . . Rides . . . Motivation . . . CHIPS!!!!!!!!!!!
Avoid anyone who talks about 'The 1st Earth Battalion' or claims to stare at goats. Also avoid anyone who is or appears to be, American. Do not, under any circumstances, wear an orange jump suit. :hand:
Route advice. Get a plane from Turkey to India or, failing that, Singapore. ;D
PM me the number of your frame builder before you go!
SRSLY. Have the greatest time, stay safe and make sure you bring back enough stories to dine out for at least a year! Maybe you'll come for a ride out round my neighbourhood when you get back.
luv'n'stuff
John
I'm so envious! Have a great time.
Now I understand the 'explorer's beard'.
Enjoy! Lots of pictures if you can, Dean.
When yer gotta go... you gotta go. Make it the adventure of a lifetime - something to bore the grandchildren/nephews/nieces with in years to come. Best of luck Dean.
I may be able to put you in touch with floorspace in Singapore (depends how long you take to get there if you go that way - it's available until December 2012 at least), [Edit - you'll be nowhere near Singapore... doh] and something more luxurious just south of Perth WA if you need it.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Sounds like fun. Have you packed a .22 to deal with amorous foreign types ?
Hope you can keep us updated as you go along.
Have fun & come home safely.
I'll deffo come round Rochdale when I return - we'll celebrate the Random Rochdale Ride to the Pubbe with Uncle Peter.
The best thing about leaving is you'll really appreciate the place when you come back.
I'm not going all the way round the fucking world just to end up back in Darlo
Jogler: I'm not going all the way round the fucking world just to end up back in Darlo,
Well, Dean dropped the Dave Yates off, and has now gorn from Toytown, for quite some time.
If you want me, I'll be under the table. :'(
Don't worry. He'll be back. One schooner of Australia's finest and he'll be breaking the sound barrier on the way back to Yorkshire for some proper beer.FTFY ;)
I'll have to try and out-do him by riding Perth-Albany-Perth on a desert-spec Pugsley ;D !You do know those two places are joined by tarmac with narry so much as a single pothole, don't you?
I'll have to try and out-do him by riding Perth-Albany-Perth on a desert-spec Pugsley ;D !You do know those two places are joined by tarmac with narry so much as a single pothole, don't you?
It's not all crocodiles and desert out there. Just be wary of the drop bears.
Wonder if he's read PTerry's "The Last Continent" ;DI'll have to try and out-do him by riding Perth-Albany-Perth on a desert-spec Pugsley ;D !You do know those two places are joined by tarmac with narry so much as a single pothole, don't you?
It's not all crocodiles and desert out there. Just be wary of the drop bears.
Don't worry. He'll be back. One schooner of Swan Brewery's finest and he'll be breaking the sound barrier on the way back to Yorkshire for some proper beer.But he's from Co. Durham, not Yorkshire.
Next stop, Didjabringabeeralong ...
He is indeed! Along with my PBP tracking thingy:Sounds good. I don't have a mobile atm so if you've got email on that smartphone thingy of yours, could you let me know where you are when you've decided where to go?
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6133445034_77304feb48_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6133445034/)
I'll be in York at about 1-2 pm tomorrow, if anyone fancies a wee ride out towards Beverley.
If you're needing any cultural tips or local knowledge for etiquette in Oz, make sure you have the collected works of one Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson (http://www.amazon.co.uk/20-Years-of-Kev-Explicit/dp/B002IXQH4K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315606984&sr=8-1) stored on the old i-Pod :thumbsup:Honorary membership of the Crackatinni tribe beckons, I think ;D
Just make sure you're not riding whilst listening to 'The Bali Belly Song' or the exploits of 'Nigel's Walkabout' cos you won't stay upright! My best mate turned his Defender over, he was laughing so hard . . .
Plenty of room for more gear on the back of that rack! ;D Have a great time, I'm really excited for you now. Nothing stirs the emotions like a loaded tourer.
The heart strings are stirring here, hope you have a fantastic time. By the time you come back we may have advanced from dreaming about our great escape to planning it ::-)
Have one of these :-* and a big hug to go with it.
This is fantastic. We wish we could be there riding with you :)
Many many (too many) years ago I had the opportunity to do something akin to this and didn't do it. Have always regretted it. Enjoy yourself and have a safe journey. Don't forget us.I didn't want that feeling so I did do it. Deano, have a blast, see you tomorrow.
Probably fun to go up to the Kyber Pass, but I didn't have time.
I thought the tradition was to set off looking tidy & clean-shaven, and end up long haired and stubbly?
Trust Deano to do it differently! ::-)
I´m still in Antwerp after a couple of days at Sven´s. Cool city, with a marvellous cycle tunnel into it. Belgiqn keyboards are mental though. Back on the road tomorrow, down the Albertchannel to Maastricht.
having just done a spot of text relay remote googlage for the i-phoneless one i can reveal that he is having fun navigating belgium by waterway, has apparently just ridden the flattest 100 miles of his life (not that that means much) and has ridden past a positive cornucopia of bridges and industrial architecture.
kim and i have agreed that he is a git ;)
I used it last night, Alan - pretty warm and did the job. Not too heavy, either. Better than a tent in that situation.
Is that the Alpkit Hunka big?
I'll be following this thread keenly.
Deano, are you posting to a Blog somewhere as well?
I have a blurred memory of talking to you on PBP but I have no idea which control or even which day it was.
Deano's first postcard has arrived, TLD will be thrilled!Just hope he didn't get it from World of Sex in Frankfurt ;)
I can think of no other environment where people on the other side of the globe invite you to pop in for a cup of tea.I know, Sandy makes a darn good cuppa :)
I can think of no other environment where people on the other side of the globe invite you to pop in for a cup of tea.I know, Sandy makes a darn good cuppa :)
If you travel through Palmerston, Darwin, NT, Australia let me know & I will sort out some accomodation for you at my Sisters house :thumbsup:
I saw you several times on PBP & we had a chat at St Nicolas du Pelem (the muddy tent) drinking coffee out of bowls :)
...my planned route through the mountains ain't going to happen before winter.
Good to hear from you.
Good to hear from you.
Fantastic pics, glad you are enjoying your adventure. We have travel envy. :)
Oh wow. I am as green as a bowl of freshly podded peas.
The problem with those views is, how do you leave them? I'd want to just stop and stay with them a while.Whereas I'd be wanting to see if there was something even better a few miles further on ...
Wild dogs are becoming an issue - I was chased by a pair in Eastern Serbia, and these weren't your farmyard yappers (though there are plenty of those as well!) - these were circling, snarling, feral beasties of the road. There was another one at the Bulgarian side of the border which made me a bit nervous, as it tried to take a bite out of the car that went through before me. Luckily, shouting FUCK OFF! very loudly made it back down.
A McDonalds is still a welcome sight, for that reason ;D Dunno what the food's like...Well you are spoilt for choice if you go local, that is if you are not veggie. Watch out for one of their lagers as one is nearly 11%, hick!
I'm adding as many photos as I can upload to this set on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/sets/72157627889980962/with/6246093733/
Thanks, Kat :-* I'll update the titles as much as I can.
Git. Not jealous or anything........... :facepalm:
Nae rush. But the classic American car rally in Gunzenhausen was a hoot.
Thanks for the info Deano, I for one would be very interested to read a review of your kit.Ditto.
I have a couple more questions. What's in the bundle you have strapped to your handlebars?I'm going to hazard a guess at the tent, or at least some component of it.
Brilliant reviews! Thanks for those.
I agree about the Downmats. Pumping both our Exped Deluxe Downmats is officially my job (while Woolly does stuff with guylines, hunts and gathers, and other woolly pursuits). It takes about 15 minutes, including rests, and does get rather tedious, but all the hassle is forgotten when I settle down (groan) for a comfortable night's sleep.
I also bought one of these (http://www.orikaso.com/) folding bowls, which looks neat and should have a few uses (the blurb says it's great for randonnees), and a couple of tin openers, as I left mine in Germany somewhere.
So I get back to the hostel after having a day grockling around at the Museum of Archaeology, and the guy tells me he's left my parcel on my bed. Brilliant, thinks I, that'll be my tyres and maps and wotnot; I can get busy cleaning and setting up my bike for the next stage.
Except it isn't my tyres and maps and bits: it's too small. Now, you'd expect me to be disappointed, and normally I would be, except on this occasion the package contained a great slab of Marj's fruit cake and some emergency supplies of BRITISH foodstuffs. Thanks, Marj and jogler :D
And the Dahon Biologic Reecharge, which I only got cos it would directly charge my iPhone (lost in France after PBP, so even more of a waste of time). It did work, but it came with a serious flaw, compounded by a couple of secondary flaws.
Firstly, the battery had to be set to take a charge, meaning it had to be on when it was connected to the hub dynamo, or there was a chance of frying the innards at high speeds.
I can always try buying really strong alcohol for the Trangia, if all else fails. Though this mightn't be mega-successful in Iran.
At least it's useful for something (gin, I mean)I can always try buying really strong alcohol for the Trangia, if all else fails. Though this mightn't be mega-successful in Iran.
Following in the fine traditions of empire, Deano tours the world fuelled by gin ;D
And when I got back to the hostel, my bike had company - his n hers Surly LHTs in the yard. Have Woolly and Peli come to visit? ;DNope we are still in the UK maybe sometime in the future we will cross tracks.
I and my package were free! It hadn't even taken an hour.Compared to dealing with DHL, this must have seemed like a pleasant daydream.
Yeah - there's probably some poor confused soul in Darlington wondering why they've got a package addressed to someone in Istanbul ;)I and my package were free! It hadn't even taken an hour.Compared to dealing with DHL, this must have seemed like a pleasant daydream.
Yeah - there's probably some poor confused soul inI and my package were free! It hadn't even taken an hour.Compared to dealing with DHL, this must have seemed like a pleasant daydream.DarlingtonStoke -on-Trent wondering why they've got a package addressed to someone in Istanbul ;)
People are so generous.
And you sold your Honeystove..... :facepalm:
Hi Deano' hope all is still going well! I was wondering about the nasty word "Praktikaliti" regarding the money side of things.I haven't really budgeted, but I've been fairly disciplined about what I've spent. In Europe I was almost exclusively self-catering, and even here in Istanbul I've eaten out only rarely. Obviously, wild camping has kept the accommodation costs down - I stayed in a couple of hostels in Europe, and one hotel in Bulgaria on the Turkish border when the weather was so foul that I had to shelter somewhere. Even that was only 15 euros, and I'd have happily paid more on that day. Obviously while I've been here in Istanbul I've stayed at a hostel, but it's cheap at about 8 euros a night, which includes free Internet and free breakfast.
What are you doing in regards to cash etc on your travels? Cash, travellers cheques, credit card or what?
Did you plan a pre fixed estimated budget per day or what? Interested for myself as, only discharged from Bankruptcy a couple of years back, I can't have credit cards and the like.
The first proper chips I've had since England.
Yet another keyboard to get used to.
I'm ın Bolu, about to fınd my Warm Showers host (and have my fırst shower ın three days). Tomorrow, I'll head towards Cappadocia, whıch ıs a bıt of a detour, but I reckon ıt'll be wonderful. I do have to go through Ankara, whıch I'm not that bothered about, but hopefully I'll fınd a cheap hostel there for a nıght.
Last nıght was ınterestıng: fed by the local shepherd and dısturbed by the rozzers, who told me I shouldn't be campıng even though I had permissıon. They saıd it was dangerous, and when I asked why, they just wandered off.
I trust these chaps have got huge mustachioes, Deaners!!? Just imagine if you'd been in S. America … "Eh, Gringo! Eezzz no safe 'ere!"
My advise would be to acquire a decent pipe, (you don't have to be smoking it!) and pretend to be smoking, whilst at the same time, holding on to it and sagely nodding, with a few well timed "Hmmm's" and "I seeeeeeee's" or "Insightful!"
Aladdin! Classic! I hope we have a yacf panto or nativity play this year and Deano is able to take part.
As well as being spectacular, this is a very jnteresting region; the Peristrema Valley along which I rode today is lined with ancient cave dwellings where early Christians hid from persecution. It's also something to do with Star Wars. I passed one place which advertised itself as the Star Wars place and invited passers-by to seethe panorama. There was also a photo of Harrison Ford, but I don't think he was there, and I didn't recognise the scene (my knowledge of the movies is fairly limited, though).My knowledge isn't, though ;)
The longer you are away, and the more distant the location, the more alien the landscapes you describe. This is a fascinating journey you are unfolding for us Dean.And for some reason, I'm now thinking longingly of kebabs :P
Deano, two questions ...
1. How did you manage to post your last post when you're half way up a mountain?
2. Have you done the warmshowers thing yet (not in a stable)?
I am loving your accounts, notifications of them pop into my inbox without notice and they are smashing, unexpected treats.
Göleme is the world heritage site. The whole area does have a sci fi movie vibe about it. It'll have been used in some movie and likely one better than Star Wars.I hope you realise that that's fighting talk ;D
I'm online! It's been reet useful for a bit of amusement in the tent.
Aye, as LG says I'm about 600 miles from Van. I was going to visit Van, but tourists are probably the last thing they need at the moment.
I'm at a b&b in Göreme - just finishing off breakfast then I'm gonna hit the national park. Another bright sunny day. Having a bed indoors last night was a pleasant change.
Any cheese sauce/mints left?
There are some in stock here awaiting your further instructions :)
how did you drain them?
I just sporked them out. They look a bit manky cos ı put too many tatties in, so İ had to keep stirring them to get them all fried. The next batch was better but I was too hungry to faff on with the camera.
Tomorrow night I'm kipping at someone's house. Good old Warm Showers.
Can I just say how much I'm enjoying the occasional appearance of a letter i without a dot! Turksh keyboards no doubt.
Great photos Dean. :thumbsup:
I am another one of us that reads this thread with envy!
I'm addıng more photos, by the way, and not just chıps and bridges.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6332019760_f881fc009d_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6332019760/)
abandoned military installation in Serbia...again
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6332019760/)
Love that picture of that abandoned military place. Really interesting reading how you are getting on.
How much longer do you think you can keep going for untill the weather beats you, or are you going to be able to ride into hotter climates?
Vodka and milk, hmm, not sure I'm going to give that a try.
Just seen this thread, sorry. I could've possibly arranged accommodation in Budapest for you & certainly someone to show you round.
Did you pass through Mauthausen in Austria? If so, did you go to the concentration camp?
Good to hear from you,ourTLD's Istanbul postcard arrived today, thankyou very much.
And I am keeping a couple of the YACF bottles for you, they will wing their way to you with the SD card.
Have turkish beer for me, once you have drunk it you realise why they have their coffee so strong :)
Glad to see you are enjoying yourself and receiving generous hospitality. Wouldn't it be nice if the UK was like that. ::-)
Read this - it describes the UK (as seen from a touring saddle) perfectly.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/nov/08/mike-carter-britain-cycling
"This change in attitude had other positive effects. Nearly every time I stopped to check my map, or have a breather, strangers would come over and talk to me. HG Wells once wrote: "When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race", and perhaps there's wider truth in that. But whatever the reason, people would ask what I was up to and whether I ever got lonely, to which I always replied, with total honesty, never. Then they'd give me some advice, or some food and, sometimes, offer me a bed for the night. It happened so often that it ceased to surprise me. I started to assume goodwill as a default setting, and this transformed everything."
by Mike Carter :thumbsup:
Agreed... I'm in awe of what you're doing, Deano. I think my lungs would give up around Calais :).
This whole thread is so inspirational. It proves what a wonderful place YACF is.
Oh shit! I'm going to have to do some riding now, aren't I?
And camping. Don't forget the camping.
QuoteAnd camping. Don't forget the camping.
I'll have you know that I've never spent a night under canvas and fully intend to stay that way! ;)
If that means I can't do long distance touring then so be it.
You should be able to apply online an it should be free. Well that is for a now Danish* original Iranian. And that is also flying from Denmark to Theran.
*he came to DK in '84 and became a Danish citizen in '94.
The http://travellingtwo.com/resources/iran among many others that I have read who have cycled in Iran. Have all said what a stunning, wonderful, friendly place Iran is to cycle tour in. Iran is very high on my list of places to go. (Just hope that Israel and co can keep their fingers off the buttons)
If you want to see how stunning it is have a look at these http://photo.vahidrahmanian.net/
My new desktop background ... ta muchly!
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6220/6382453157_ec025dfccf_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6382453157/)
Mt Hasan, Cappadocia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6382453157/) by dean.clementson (http://www.flickr.com/people/30024450@N04/), on Flickr
I could be mistaken but I think there was an article in the CTC mag about touring in Iran and whoever wrote it had a top time. Or am I thinking of somewhere else?
The beard is actually frighteningly ginger - so I doubt it'll help me pass for one of the locals in Iran. And I am going to Iran - at least they have coughed up the visa.
My new desktop background ... ta muchly!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6388679901_aed671b432_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/)"You hum it, my son, I'll play along ..."
Nargile Cafe, Sıvas, Eastern Turkey (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/) by dean.clementson (http://www.flickr.com/people/30024450@N04/), on Flickr
that snow covered Pass looks like intrepid stuff Dean.
8)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6388679901_aed671b432_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/)"You hum it, my son, I'll play along ..."
Nargile Cafe, Sıvas, Eastern Turkey (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/) by dean.clementson (http://www.flickr.com/people/30024450@N04/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6388679901_aed671b432_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/)"You hum it, my son, I'll play along ..."
Nargile Cafe, Sıvas, Eastern Turkey (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/) by dean.clementson (http://www.flickr.com/people/30024450@N04/), on Flickr
There is an air of Eric Clapton about him, there. ;)
More Allan Ginsberg, I think!
That'll be the weed, I reckon ;)(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6388679901_aed671b432_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/)"You hum it, my son, I'll play along ..."
Nargile Cafe, Sıvas, Eastern Turkey (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/) by dean.clementson (http://www.flickr.com/people/30024450@N04/), on Flickr
There is an air of Eric Clapton about him, there. ;)
There is an air of Eric Clapton about him, there. ;)
That'll be the weed, I reckon ;)(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6388679901_aed671b432_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/)"You hum it, my son, I'll play along ..."
Nargile Cafe, Sıvas, Eastern Turkey (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6388679901/) by dean.clementson (http://www.flickr.com/people/30024450@N04/), on Flickr
I suspect we'll see a similar picture when he gets to Pakistan, but by then he'll be lying down
There is an air of Eric Clapton about him, there. ;)
Deano, are you using studded tyres to cope with all that snow?
THURSDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2099 !!!
Are you Dr. Who ?
THURSDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2099 !!!
Are you Dr. Who ?
And I've started a blog, which has been something to do in the dark hours in my tent. There are some gaps, which I will fill as I go along.Deano, this is Great Suff TM
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/
Well I haven't shaved for two or so month so I do look a bit like Deano, though he lacks the gray hair :)THURSDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2099 !!!
Are you Dr. Who ?
Not sure if he's Dr Who but he's woollier than you are Woolly! ::-)
And I've started a blog, which has been something to do in the dark hours in my tent. There are some gaps, which I will fill as I go along.
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/
And I've started a blog, which has been something to do in the dark hours in my tent. There are some gaps, which I will fill as I go along.Deano, this is Great Suff TM
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/
Journey of a lifetime - thank you for sharing it. :thumbsup:
Deano, just been reading your blog. My sister lives in Dubai with her husband and kids, she's been there a few years. If you get really stuck in Dubai let me know and I'll see if she can help you out.
PS: I've dropped her an e-mail and pointed her towards your blog. It'll be interesting to see her reaction :demon: ;D . You could be the topic of conversation at ex-pat wives' coffee mornings for decades to come!
I've just been checking out the two possible border crossings into Iran from Van. Serou is a long detour and involves four or five mountain passes. Kapiköy is my preferred crossing since it's a bit shorterHe's passing up the chance to do another four or five big climbs in order to do a shorter route? He's going soft, I tells ya! :)
I dunno what the internet will be like either, so there may be fewer updates. See you on the other side.Heavily firewalled - not quite as sophisticated as the measures in place in China, but basically if the gubmint don't like it, you don't get to see it (under normal circumstances, at any rate) - hence no Facebook, Flickr et. al.
txting to twitter?I dunno what the internet will be like either, so there may be fewer updates. See you on the other side.Heavily firewalled - not quite as sophisticated as the measures in place in China, but basically if the gubmint don't like it, you don't get to see it (under normal circumstances, at any rate) - hence no Facebook, Flickr et. al.
You might have to rely on CarrierPigeonNet for the duration ;)
You are out of sight & may soon be out of contact but you will not be out of mind.Be safe & let us know that you are asap.
Good luck
Yeah, I bet ordinary folk will be keen to show they have no ill-will.
I'm in Iran!
The border crossing was fucking fabulous. The road was amazing, unbelievably quiet. At the border I was waved through every check, past every queue. It still took ages cos everyone insisted I have tea and chat to them. My first experience of Iranian government types was sitting in a boiling soldiers' office being fed satsumas while they taught me Farsi, with assault rifles leaning under the desk.
Huge downhill to here in Khoy - unbelievably fabulous.
Damn mobile doesn't work, so I'll probably get an Iranian sim. Don't bother texting.
We need a smiley for "insanely jealous". In fact, I'd use several.
I'm in Iran!
The border crossing was fucking fabulous. The road was amazing, unbelievably quiet. At the border I was waved through every check, past every queue. It still took ages cos everyone insisted I have tea and chat to them. My first experience of Iranian government types was sitting in a boiling soldiers' office being fed satsumas while they taught me Farsi, with assault rifles leaning under the desk.
Huge downhill to here in Khoy - unbelievably fabulous.
Damn mobile doesn't work, so I'll probably get an Iranian sim. Don't bother texting.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jnuaKO7KM3w/TtevMPuhu1I/AAAAAAAABdI/Mg9lYCG2Zzc/s1024/2011-12-01%2B16.45.14.jpg)
I am not allowed any, as it might get stuck in my beard :)
TLD loves it!!! :thumbsup: one very happy little dragon :)
...
Send us some snow, you bugger
Ah well. I'm breaking the cycling anyway when I take a ferry to Dubai and fly to India, so a bus here doesn't make much difference. I do have a cunning plan to remedy the situation, though ;)
Also, more confirmation of a British tax - my visa cost 225 Euros for 30 days, an Estonian girl I was . chatting to in Esfehan paid 50 US dollars. Harrumph. And my visa renewal was three times the usual price ::-)
Deano, did you know that Emily Chappell is also heading that way (not sure where she is atm - a bit behind you, I'd say)? And that Woolly & Peli are setting off to Latin America for a long adventure, as posted elsewhere on the forum?
OD: a tripod, a 30-second timer and the camera set to take a cluster of shots. And willingness to experiment.
It's good to hear from you & know that you are safe.
Happy Christmas!
If you've missed it, have a look at this (http://janheine.wordpress.com/) while you're resting up (155MB download) to see yourself on French TV, 5 and a half minutes in, relaxing in a bar.
Anyone know what 'umbrage' is and why people take it?
Anyone know what 'umbrage' is and why people take it?
Something to do with The Archers, I thought...
Anyone know what 'umbrage' is and why people take it?
Glad to hear you're ok Deano :) I know you warned about updates getting less frequent but I'd started to wonder a bit with the break in comms.
Glad you're OK. Epic stuff. Keep going!
There's a bit of posturing going on at the moment. France has called for sanctions against Iran over the N issue and we're sending HMS Daring (the shiny new Type 46 destroyer) to Hormuz, so it might be best to get going before any umbrage is taken!
...what is there to do in Dubai, by the way?
...what is there to do in Dubai, by the way?
Shopping. It's the worlds's biggest shopping mall. Consumer heaven.
Where are you headed next. Hatta, to the East of Dubai is (or was 10 years ago) interesting
...what is there to do in Dubai, by the way?
Shopping. It's the worlds's biggest shopping mall. Consumer heaven.
Where are you headed next. Hatta, to the East of Dubai is (or was 10 years ago) interesting
- maybe one day Darlo will build a Deano mall ;)
- maybe one day Darlo will build a Deano mall ;)
Dear God, I hope not. I'd like a park, though :)
Latest blog post now available:
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/2012/01/from-iran-to-dubai-tripping-across.html
A park would be good. We could sit in it drinking uber strength French beer and have the locals point at us. ;D
Hi Deano,
Great to catch you in Delhi looking so well.
It's fantastic how much you have managed to fit into your tour so far and the stories from your trip are awe-inspring!
Well done on the cycling and enjoy your next adventures, I'm sure India will continue to amaze you, like it did me!
:thumbsup:
Uncle Peter, you might appreciate the Chuck Berry reference. Finally I've got some photos onto Flickr,so it's fully illustrated.
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.in/2012/01/too-much-monkey-business-around.html
So where do you go to get your elephant maintained, d'you think? L.E.S.? And how often do they need to be serviced?
You get a good view from the cab with that four feet drive, anyway. Even better than your average Cheyenne.
Imagine seeing one parked outside the pub.
Perhaps it's a case of might is right.A bit like a bus and a bike.
It's nice to see you posting on the forum Deano: & thanks to your literary & photography skills there's a pic of me in this months Arrivee :)
...and I'm about to spoil the atmosphere by making chip butties. At least I'm not having an egg with it. Eggs are banned here.
I may have slightly misrepresented it ;)
Alcohol, meat and[\I] eggs are banned. It's a holy place for Hindus.
Aye, it's the same for me :D
... when you put suncream on, that just gives the dirt ...I have been thinking when does dirt become sunblock ? What SPF is a days worth of dirt 20 or 30 ?
Hammond organ makes me think of Blackpool pierI saw Top Gear on Sunday and I'm not sure I'd put it like that, y'know............
Udaipur is a bit like a horribly over-developed Keswick.I now have this bizarre mental image of an Indian tourist in the Lake District writing a postcard home and describing Keswick as like 'a horribly under-developed Udaipur'
... when you put suncream on, that just gives the dirt ...I have been thinking when does dirt become sunblock ? What SPF is a days worth of dirt 20 or 30 ?
Getting away from chip butties and roast dinners whats the food been like on your travels , Persian cusine is supposed to be really nice.
Here's the video from Pushkar, which nearly conveys the volume of the event.Three things you can always count on in India: noise, fire and a festival.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6908410707/
Three things you can always count on in India: noise, fire and a festival.
... when you put suncream on, that just gives the dirt ...I have been thinking when does dirt become sunblock ? What SPF is a days worth of dirt 20 or 30 ?
Dunno. You tell me...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6908509345_8196181c64_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6908509345/)
road dirt, Rajasthan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30024450@N04/6908509345/) by dean.clementson (http://www.flickr.com/people/30024450@N04/), on Flickr
Persistent (which you have to be, though my efforts to get meths have been fruitless so far), I asked at yet-another travel agent/cyber cafe/hangout and the charming chap in there hand-drew a map for me.I asked on an Indian cycling forum I used to inhabit and someone gave this place.
If he is in north India tell him to try Adventure18 they sell this.I've never heard of the place, and this is a South Indian forum so there are probably other places too.
Their website is linked below
www.adventure18.com
Regards
Sachin
I wouldn't be seen dead in Hove. You can't get a decent pint south of the Humber anyway.
Here's something for Riggers to work with.
Here's something for Riggers to work with.
Looks like he already has.
Cheers, Phil. Don't have my burger, though. I'm off the meat, wait till the next blog post to see why.I've just read your last post and wonder if tie-dye wear will be a problem too? ::-)
You're shallow ;D
But it is a great blog.
I couldn't keep anything down (or up) for the two days I was in Kanpur
I was always told, when I lived in India, that it's best to boil water rather than treat it with chlorine or filter it. I don't know if you have enough fuel for that though.
And the ganga farmers are presumably either supplying the government monopoly or blackmarket - or both maybe!
The Finance Minister today announced that customs duty on imports of cycles
and parts would be increased from 10% to 30% on the rational of protecting
domestic cycle manufacturers which is supposed to be extremely labour
intensive.
So be prepared to shell out more for those Treks and Cannondales etc etc
cheers
Vinay Sambaragimath
off up one of the valleys. I'll see how far up it goesBe careful, parts of Nepal go very high indeed..............
I reckon I could get my bike up there. Might have to leave some stuff behind, though ;)
I reckon I could get my bike up there. Might have to leave some stuff behind, though ;)
I bet you could. It doesn't look much higher than our Mighty North Hill and we climb that all the time. I think you should give it a go Deano. You never know, there might be a pub half way up.
... the road to Darchula's Castle ...
...Now read this.
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/2012/04/in-forests-of-night.html?m=1
The title wrote itself, Wow. No need to look all innocent ;)
Just speaking to a local who works at Bardia National Park (and therefore knows his big cats), and who lives near Sukhad, about five clicks from where I camped. He scoffed at the idea of it being a tiger - there aren't any tigers round there.
He reckons it was probably a leopard.
Oh, well that's alright then ;Dhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/nepal/9071541/Leopard-kills-fifth-girl-in-Nepal.html
Hi Dean, keep on travelling, keep on writing. Love reading your updates.
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/2012/04/in-forests-of-night.html?m=1
Blimey, it's all very exciting. Stay safe.
Well, I suppose you are pardoned. :P
The title wrote itself, Wow. No need to look all innocent ;)
Just speaking to a local who works at Bardia National Park (and therefore knows his big cats), and who lives near Sukhad, about five clicks from where I camped. He scoffed at the idea of it being a tiger - there aren't any tigers round there.
He reckons it was probably a leopard.
Wondered where you'd got to.
So you're heading back West? OK, that's still allowed, I suppose. Have fun.
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/2012/04/another-fine-mess.html?m=1
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/2012/04/in-forests-of-night.html?m=1
Nice photos Dean.
What tent are you using?
it's living up to the description an Aussie gave me of Nepal when he said it was "a nation of fucking cheats".
it's living up to the description an Aussie gave me of Nepal when he said it was "a nation of fucking cheats".
An Aussie would know all about that. Takes one, etc
Does one cycle up/down/along the Annapurna trail or does one walk?
Does one cycle up/down/along the Annapurna trail or does one walk?
I'll have a bike. How much cycling I'll be doing, though...
Deano,we have mail & very very soon you will have PM
http://aroundtheworldbyaccident.blogspot.com/2012/05/crash-and-thunder-three-days-from.html?m=1
Off around Annapurna tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Off around Annapurna tomorrow. Wish me luck.
I'm curious - what places are those?
Fixed! A local welder did it for 50 rupees (about 70p).
Thing is, I'm not sure I can trust it for another 3,000 mountainous miles with a full load. But I'm pleased that I've got it working again :D
Oh, yes, he's good. Is he still wearing that Sachin Tendulkar T-shirt with the tear under the left arm?
His name's Vishwal and his shop's on State Highway 2 in Nahan, just on the left before you get to the mini roundabout outside town...
Gosh, that's quite a shock.
We need a YACF weekend in/near/nowhere near Darlo so we can admire Vishwal's handiwork.
and I'm coming back. Depending how long my passport crap takes, but I hope to be back in Darlo within a week.Oh, end of an era. It had become part of life to check on how Deano is doing on his travels.
Sad as it is that your tour is coming to an end can I be the first to say that the first pint (of Copper Dragon, natch) is on me :)
I shall now climb out from under the table and get on with life, it was a bit crowded under there :)
Deano, when you get back perhaps you could embark on a grand tour of the UK to show off your weld to as many yacfers as possible.
Fuck yeah!Sad as it is that your tour is coming to an end can I be the first to say that the first pint (of Copper Dragon, natch) is on me :)
I shall now climb out from under the table and get on with life, it was a bit crowded under there :)
First aavilable thursday, Scorton, COR, chips?
Next Thursday, then?Done. Might try and wangle the day off and ride up to Northallerton :)
Oh bugger. You'll be wanting that nice Hope light back now.
End of trip. My frame's broken - breakage on the RH chainstay, just behind the bridge.
Right then, who's got first dibs? :D
I should be back on Friday or Saturday, barring calamities.
Yay for Vishwal! I note that removing wheels, chainset and even water bottle were considered unnecessary! ;D
He was brazing - not needed for that.Yay for Vishwal! I note that removing wheels, chainset and even water bottle were considered unnecessary! ;D
And I thought protective eyeware was essential when welding - silly me ;D Vishwal is clearly a genius - top man :thumbsup: