CARDIFF to CARDIFF via 14 European Countries

Day 11, July 12th 2010

2010-08-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

Got up around 10, had a very nice breakfast on the terrace. Spent most of the day walking around the old city of Dubrovnik. I remember seeing the images of this city being bombed during the Balkan conflict. Dubrovnik was bombed day and night for 3 months in 1991. Some of the people I spoke to were still bitter. It was very hot, around 38c. I had some lunch in the old city then went for a ride. When I got back to Villa Amfora, Kristian & I had a cold drink then rode down to their family house for a quick swim in the Adriatic, great stuff.
I packed the bike up and said goodbye to Kristian and thanked him for his great hospitality, he even made me a packed lunch for the boat trip...
The boat was small and packed. I had no room or night chair. I ended up on a semi open deck for the night with 3 very noisy Italians. 1 hours sleep by the time I got to Bari.

Day 10, July 11th 2010

2010-07-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Long ride today through Croatian mountains, 375 miles.
Trip was from Zagreb to Dubrovnik where I am staying the
night at Villa Amfora.
The ride down was amazing, mountains all the way with long
sweeping bends and stunning views.
10hrs riding but well worth it, especially when hitting the coast.
Just when you think it's going to be another mountain valley, you
head through a gap between the huge hills and bang, the coast.
What a view....
A quick blast down the coast to Dubrovnik where Kristian met me
at the Dubrovnik Bridge.
Chat and a cold drink, then bedtime, knackered lol...

Day 9, July 10th 2010

2010-07-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Zagreb late afternoon. Found hospital very quick so made my
visit first. Very busy place, had to wait a while but no problem. There were
quite a few families with babies waiting to be seen and of course, they are
the priority. The Dr I met was very pleasant and happy to receive Teddy :-)
Had a good chat about trip and children's hospitals.
Went into city centre to take some pics and get a cold drink, so hot again...
Stayed at the Hotel Zagreb after meeting a guy, George Fila. He showed me
the way to hotel. had a chat with him for a while. Had a nice evening meal
while watching footie....

Day 7 & 8 July 8/9th 2010

2010-07-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

Budapest, what a beautiful city. I had no expectations about this
place but it is stunning. Had a little drive around before going to hotel.
I have 2 days here so will make the most of it. Very hot, 39c...
First night in Hotel Rila was very comfortable and the staff were great.
A big thank you to Mr Charles, very good man :-)
Went to hospital which was 5 mins from the Rila. The hospital is in old
Eastern block, always seems busy but always calm and in control. Once again
the staff were very happy to see me..
Lots to see but hot, 39c again....
Took loads of photos, too many to put on blog at the moment, will do later.
2nd night stayed at The Gellert Hotel. Luxury :-) spa, sauna, indoor/outdoor
pools etc... Very very comfortable.. Made the most of it...
Zagreb tmw...

Day 7 July 8th 2010

2010-07-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

Great shower and very big breakfast :-)
Had a fantastic reception at the hospital. This is what the trip is all
about for me. The people here were great, very genuine & so happy
that I made a visit to their hospital. I wish all people could be so kind
& thankful. Thank you for your very warm welcome :-)
Another quick spin around city and off to Budapest.
Thank you again Bratislava :-)

Day 6 : 7th july

2010-07-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

It's a 2 city day today. 1st stop Vienna then a short ride to Bratislava, about
275 miles the route I took.
1st hospital was in Vienna at the St Anna Kinderspital. Not many people around
but found a couple of Dr who accepted Teddy No5 :-) he now has a new home.
Rushed around city for a couple of pics then shot off to Bratislava to Ibis Hotel.
Hotel very good as you would expect. Showered and watching footie....
Great shower and very big breakfast :-)

Day 5 : 6th july

2010-07-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Prague around 22.30 last night. What a wonderful sight.
A small but very beautiful city, both sides of river well lit up, very pretty.
Found a cheap hostel, clean, tidy & quiet. Had garage parking for "Frenchie".
Rode into city centre, 2 mins from hostel. Got some brekky and sat by the river.
Met a very nice couple from Taunton who stayed and chatted for a while and
contributed to my breakfast, thank you Jan & Steve :-)
Had a good ride around to see the sights. Met a Cuban guy,Carlos. He is going
to tour Europe one day, so gave him my email and told him to contact me when he
does. Went to the hospital to deliver Teddy No4...
Massive storm. Good job I took bike cover, stopped everything getting soaked.
Staying the extra night and will head off for Vienna & Bratislava in morning.

Day 4 - 5th July 2010

2010-07-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Got up about 8.30ish after a very good sleep. Great shower at this place.
Rode into Berlin, arriving just after 10.00. Bought some bits for breakfast &
found a quiet place to eat. Ben from Radio Pembs called for an interview...
Weather starting to get hot, very hot lol...
Had a drive around, took some photos for blog. Remember coming here to
see Roger Waters perform The Wall in 1990, 8 months after the wall came down.
Once again, the hospital visited was very happy for my visit. They all thought I
am bonkers lol...
So after another flying visit to a capital city I'm off again. Next stop, Prague...

Day 3 - 4th July 2010

2010-07-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

Left the very comfortable & clean Hotel Admiraal in Utrecht around 10.30.
Rode the short distance to Amsterdam. Had a spin around the city, stopped
to remember some good times :-) Had a cold Fanta outside the Bulldog lol...
The ride out of the city took me to the AMC Hospital, it's huge...
Things were very quiet, not many bods about but got a young nurse to
accept a Teddy and she signed my book. Time to hit the road for Berlin.
Got as far as Magdeburg anblagged a room at a motorway services, cool.

Day 2 - 3rd July 2010.

2010-07-18T06:17:00.000-07:00

Left Annequin, Ch'ti land at around 15.00 and headed for Brussels.
Found the hospital, Reine Fabiola, it was having major works done
but one of the doctors took time to have a chat & photo. The hospital
was pleased that I stopped by & offered them a Teddy.
Took a slow ride up to Utrecht to find my nights bed, the
Admiraal Hotel. Weather looking good....

Day 1, July 2nd 2010

2010-07-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

Departed from South Quay Pembroke with a great send off by the kids from Monkton & Grove Schools.
Thank you very much to all involved.
Headed for 15.30 deadline at the Children's Hospital for Wales. As you can see by the photo it was a little
bit of an anti-climax :-)
Never mind, long journey ahead, so let's get cracking.

1 day to go...

2010-07-01T05:34:00.000-07:00

Well here we are, the day before...
2nd of July is nearly here, everything is ready, well I hope so...
A few things left to do, anything forgotten, well tough lol..
So thank you to all who have helped so far. I will be setting up a
"Thank you" page on website as soon as I can so all will get a mention.
Time for a cuppa :-)
Watch this space for trip news...

The Last Weekend...

2010-06-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

The weekend of the 26th/27th was the last before the trip starts.
I spent Saturday in the glorious sunshine at Pembrokeshire Fish Week Open Day down Milford Docks...
Sunday was the usual Carew Market day, lots of people wishing me well for the trip..
Thank you to all who came down and gave their support.

2 weeks and 1 day....

2010-06-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

Only a couple of weeks left before I depart.
Bike should be back tmw.
Really busy now emailing everywhere en route for rooms etc..

I love the people of Dubrovnik :-)

2010-06-08T02:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I had 2 very good emails in the last couple of days.
First of all I had an invite to stay at the Villa Amfora
and today I just had confirmation of my FREE crossing from
Dubrovnik to Bari... Thank you Kristian & Jenny :-)
Bike going in for service & MOT today....

Tenby RFC 4th June

2010-06-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

Some photos from gig

Friday 4th June

2010-06-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

It turned out to be a very good day....
Good takings at Tesco Pembroke Dock, so thank you to all who made donations ....
Tenby RFC was the venue for a night of live music.
Garry Garry Band, The Pennysows & Elephant Gerald provide the music and mighty fine they all were too....
An appreciative crowd drank & danced the night away. Again good takings.
To top it off, had a message saying my new exhaust for "Frenchy" had arrived...
Needless to say, I slept well :-)

Back after few days technical of problems.

2010-05-29T02:11:00.000-07:00

Had some problems with blog but back online again now...
Anyway, brakes have been done, waiting for new exhaust.
Some of the foreign language flyers are translated.
Flyers have been handed out to quite a few pubs, more to
do because there is a lot of interest in this idea.
Had a call from Ben at Radio Pembs. & Chris at the South Wales Argus.
Tesco in Pembroke Dock next Friday & gig at Tenby RFC in evening.
So it's been busy.

Garage

2010-05-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

Had a day in the garage changing fork seals, putting new discs & pads on bike...
Big Thank You to my old mate Keith & a BIG Thank You to my cousin Pauline for her time & effort in helping with fund raising for my charity event...

SUNDAY - CAR BOOT DAY

2010-05-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Well, rain today so no Carew market.
Busy on net emailing etc.
Let's hope this week will be more productive than
recent times...

New Banner

2010-05-15T04:08:00.000-07:00

Have may new banner now.
Funny how the simple things sometimes please the most..
Just need to get some tent poles to finish of the frame.

7 WEEKS TO GO....

2010-05-14T13:10:00.001-07:00

Only 7 weeks left to D-Day...
Things are very very slow.
Doing everything I can to raise funds but sometimes feels like a losing battle.
Only 1 reply from 21 schools contacted which is a bit shameful really. Never mind, keep on plodding on and see what next week brings.
Quite a few things to raffle off now so this will bring in some money.

Busy day

2010-05-12T01:38:00.000-07:00

Today will be a busy day...
Flyers to print and give out.
Boxes to deliver.
Lots of phone calls to make...

Collection Boxes

2010-05-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

Collection boxes have arrived and started be be given out.
Have also received some more gifts towards raffle.

Lonely Teddies arrived in post :-)

2010-05-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

Nearly forgot...
Received my donated teddies today.
they will all find new homes in Euroland during July...
A very BIG thank you to Gail & team at Bears4U...

2010-05-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well another Bank Holiday over with...
2 days at Carew boot sale raising cash for charity.
Not bad couple of days. Roll on next week..
Had some more tickets for raffle, that's coming along nicely...

25th April 2010

2010-04-25T01:49:00.000-07:00

Well, no market today. Raining....
Shame as last week looked promising on the collection point.
Have to wait for next week.

CARDIFFtoCARDIFF - 10 weeks to go

2010-04-24T02:37:00.000-07:00

Today is the 24th April 2010.
In just under 10 weeks I will set off on a mini adventure, a small challenge.
I intend to leave my home town, Pembroke, S/W Wales, to ride my motorbike around Europe to raise money for the NOAH'S ARK APPEAL/CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL for WALES.
During the trip I will visit 14 children's hospitals in 14 capital cities...
So please keep an eye on this blog to see how things are going.