I'M OFF!

No time to write much but, this is it, I'm off. The bike is outside (see photos), all ready to go and I'm itching to get going. First stop, Mike at Fourwentways services for a photoshoot, then Portsmouth. Ferry tomorrow 11.00. Next update - SPAIN!

GIMME MONEY! :O)

Three weeks to go! I leave for Portsmouth on Tues 13th April (staying overnight in a Travelodge). Next day, it's on the ferry to Santander.

PLEASE DONATE TO MY CHARITY LINKS - anytime you feel like it (see posts "fundraising" below). The "justgiving" links to the right of this page take you to my fundraising webpages - just click on "donate" & you can choose how much or how little to give. NOTE; YOUR MONEY GOES STRAIGHT TO THE CHARITY, NOT TO ME.

There are two links, one for Birdlife International and one for Harrow MS Therapy Centre (or you could do both!). I'm hoping to raise at least £1000 for one or both of these causes so please give what you can ... & I promise to keep going until I get to Lithuania, come what may. That's around 5000 miles, 15 countries and ??? species of birds (any advance on 200?)

The bike is almost ready with panniers, new screen and a full service. It's more ready than I am! I have an "advanced" rider check on Saturday with a chief assessor from the Institute of Advanced Motorists - no pressure then! Its to give me some pointers on safety and what I need to concentrate on with bike handling.

I've booked guides or stops at birding centres at key points such as The Pyrenees, Danube Delta and the Hortobagy in Hungary (see http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/bikingwithbirds/1/tpod.html for a detailed itinerary & map) but the rest, apart from a couple of early campsites in Spain will have to unfold as I go.

Until 13th April, wish me luck!

Robert

Map of Route Change of plan?

I'm almost certain to drop the Gibraltar part of my trip. There just isn't enough time to do it all justice. In some places I will need more time to stop, go out birding (sometimes with a guide) and evn just rest. I'm not top notch enough as a birder or biker to blast through the whole journey.

I still plan to return to Extramadura (as I promised myself I would) to visit Monfrague, those wonderful Azure-winged Magpies and try for Bustards on the steppes. After that, instead of Gibraltar, I'll "short cut" via Madrid to the Pyrenees. There, I plan to stop for a few days with a local bird group & have some guided days birding for Lammergeier & the rest. I'm not sure if April 19th - 23rd is too early for these upland areas. Anybody know?

Here is a rough map of the new route. For a better itinerary (showing the original route at the moment) follow this link (it takes you away from this page though); http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/bikingwithbirds/1/tpod.html

More pics to follow of bike preparation; I've got a screen & pannier racks ready to fit. Lots of bits still to buy and lots still to organise. Bye for now.

FUNDRAISING 2

After some deliberation, I've decided to split the fundraising attempt between two charities; one to recognise the importance of nature conservation and it's relevance to my trip (couldn't do it without the birds!) and one to support the MS charity that helped Anne so much while we lived in Harrow: the Harrow MS Therapy Centre. With Anne struggling without me while I'm away, I thought this was appropriate.

PLEASE DON'T DONATE YET TO EITHER CHARITY! I'd hate people to donate then something goes wrong and I don't even start the trip*. Bit negative but I'd rather know for sure that all is ok. I'll be publicising all this sometime in March ... THEN GIMME LOADSA MONEY! (please).

For now, what I'd really like is constructive criticism, suggestions, ideas on this blog and on the charity pages so please click the links to the right & have a look (click on "donate" - you won't have to give money at this stage).


* I know someone has already contributed to the MS one but that is a rather special person who is connected with the charity in a major way already - thanks Ann! (not my wife Anne, by the way)

FUNDRAISING!

Hi. I've added a widget for the fundraising aspect of the trip. Its on the left; "justgiving.com" but it's not working yet. It would be great if everyone could contribute. I'd like to add an alternative for a bird or birding charity but I need to work on that ...

Just did it! Anyone care to test the links & content for me? As before, comments/suggestions about the blog or fundraising pages very welcome.

Richard's MSR whisperlite stove

Hey Richard! Follow your whisperlite here! When it arrives, I'll update this & say hi again (& leave you perfect feedback on ebay). Cheers!

PS - stove received & all looks good. Haven't tried it yet
PPS - how do you use the foil bits?? Are they both windsheilds? Even the little circular one?

The First Step!

After months of hanging back & juggling dates but mainly care arrangemnts for Anne ... I have booked the ferry crossing for me and the bike ... YAY!

Portsmouth to Santander, Northern Spain, Weds 14th April 2010. The plan is for 6 weeks, finishing in Lithuania to see Wilma's grave (I never did say goodbye to her), home by ferries via Denmark to Folkestone, or maybe by train across N. Europe for 26th May.

It's on ... watch this space!

Rob