Europe

Time to say good bye to Moscow and start our journey through Europe.

Leaving Moscow.

We crossed the border into Latvia and rode through beautiful countryside to Vilnius in Lithuania where we spent a couple of great days exploring the sites.

Lindsay had scheduled to have maintenance done on the bike at the KTM dealer.  The steering head bearings needed adjusted and an oil and filter change were required.

Mindaugas,  the shop manager.

We had arrived in Vilnius on their ‘Nation’s Day” celebrations which included a huge show case of local foods and crafts at an outdoor market.

Wandering through town.

After Vilnius we over nighted in Wyszkow, Poland on our way to Budapest.

At the hotel we realized all our sd cards had been left behind at the hotel Tilto in Vilnius.  We were devastated….. fortunately we had backed up our photographs and could redo all the gps maps via open street maps.

We were also faced with the fact that the leaking rear shock was now totally out of fluid and we had not had any feedback from KTM  regarding  finding a dealer that might have the replacement part which was widely unavailable until the 20th of October.  We continued riding as the roads were in good condition and being heavily loaded helped to reduce the bouncing affect.

Our ride to Budapest took us through and past many great villages with their impressive churches and meticulous countryside.

And then Budapest.

where we found a good room in the center of the food and shopping district and walking distance to all the tourist sites……and more importantly……secure parking!

After spending a few days in Budapest we rode to the Rimini Riviera on the east coast of Italy.

The weather shifted, telling us it was time to move on.

From Rimini it was off to Sienna with a stop for coffee in Valentino Rossi’s home town,  Tuvullia.

The view from the patio of Rossi’s bar.  We can only imagine the great victory celebrations that have taken place here in such beautiful surroundings,

In Sienna we found our B&B, Il Glicine, located just outside the gates of the old city.

The gate by our B&B.

Inside the gates, wares for sale.

Piazza del Campo

From Sienna we made our way via the walled city of San Gimignano

and Pisa

to overnight in Forte dei Marme before riding to Grasse in Southern France.

Hotel La Bellaudiere.

After an overnight in Grasse we traveled back to the south coast via small country roads.

and made our way to Monaco.

The roads were incredibly busy, and this seemed the most sensible way to travel!

Monte Carlo

From Monte Carlo we rode to Antibes,  where we were staying on the South Coast.

Hotel Le Ponteil.

Our hosts.

Enjoying the Mediterranean.

Exploring the old city

Visited the Picasso museum.

And then it was time to start our journey North to catch the ferry from Calais to Dover.

On the way, a visit to Carcassonne,

We took D roads.

Finally getting on to an Autoroute to make time to Calais.

We over nighted in Calais and caught a morning ferry to Dover.

Tied in.

And England awaits.