Monthly Archives: September 2023

Early in this journey I was asked, by a German guy actually – not that its relevant, if I could explain Brexit. I have thought of that question often as I have toured, especially when I have been walking round a southern European city in the evening. Watching people sit in the square at 10pm,Continue reading “Europeans”

I had not expected to be writing this – you weren’t probably expecting to be reading, it but I felt it important as a form of public service, similar to those messages that told us how to cross the road and that we shouldn’t talk to strangers (though that’s pretty much all I do atContinue reading “Going to the Toilet”

In an earlier piece, I described how this trip was inspired by Stanley Tucci. Or, to be more accurate, by his series exploring the food of the different Italian regions. Mr Tucci is a consummate communicator, witty, urbane, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He also comes from an Italian legacy, speaks the language and has the empathyContinue reading “Real Life”

That’s a question that has been rolling around in my head since I set off. It’s been long planned – like 15 years planned – though those plans have changed over time. Originally I was headed to the western third of the US. Arizona, Utah, California etc. I’ve always been fascinated with the US andContinue reading “So why this trip?”

I went to Pompeii yesterday. It was more than I thought it would be. Which begs the question, what did I think it would be? Before I go there let me just tell you about Italian parking. No, let me show you. The guy driving the jag did a 178 point turn to get inContinue reading “What did the Romans do for us?”

I’m not that impressed by Michelangelo. To be clear, I am talking of the renaissance guy not the Ninja Turtle. Leonardo Da Vinci, now he was impressive. He painted the world’s most observed picture, he designed the tank, the helicopter, the parachute and, for all I know, the IPhone, and he could do that thingContinue reading “Culture”

I have no idea why they placed the Large Hadron Collider In Switzerland. As I understand it, one of the objectives is to discover where the standard laws of Physics break down. I know where. On the A50 around Milan. In fact probably on any ring road around any major Italian city. Let me explain.Continue reading “Physics”

Sitting at the top of the Susten pass, having been overtaken by several riders you do get a bit disheartened. Having ridden for 300 years, and taken much training, you hope to be good, or at least better than this. The immediate risk is that you start thinking. You can think about how crap youContinue reading “Every days a school day”

I get there is a need to regulate speed. It would be crazy to let people hoon past a school say at 60mph – though I’m sure it’s done. And while I’m a fan of personal liberty, and detest over regulation, the level of idiocy out there means some kind of framework is required. BUTContinue reading “Speed Limits.”

This will be anathema to some riders and meaningless to many non riders. But some days are just Harley days. Today was one. It was a beautiful morning. Blue sky, warm, somehow everything looked fresh. Being early on a Saturday in France, the streets were empty. I was blessed as I was about to climbContinue reading “Some days are Harley Days”