09:33am, Thursday 28th May 2015.

One day late, but better late than never. After a couple of hours stuffing things into bags and strapping them onto the bike, I was off. Aided by Marc Broughton who kindly pointed his camera at my mug (whilst I managed to look in the opposite direction) and set up a solitary firework out of a pair of my old handlebars to mark the beginning of this trip, how poignant.

The firework to mark the beginning, and irritate neighbours.

You only get one shot at this kind of photo. I bollocksed it up and looked at something else.

In the couple of days down to London I managed to get sunburnt (despite everyone telling me I’d need suncream), get hailed on, be in a thunderstorm and lose three hours hiding from piss-it down rain in Northampton. Lovely stuff. At least at the end of it I had a weekend to see London based family and friends to continue the week long farewell tour I’d managed to drag out. The tendency (for me) is to drink a lot more with people when you don’t know when you’re next going to see them, it was a boozey do.

Cheesy grins on London Bridge on the way out

The UK weather wasn’t done with me though, I got a licking of sideways rain on the way to Dover. It was at this point I realised waterproof bags were a good decision.

Thanks English weather. Love you too. xx