All change!

They say that life is what happens whilst you're busy making plans. We seem to be setting out to prove it.

Our plan all along has been to get visas on the way. Other people before us have done it successfully, and it gives more freedom of timing and route.

Just before we set off for Turkey, I thought I'd have a check on a bike traveller's forum to see which visa agent we should use. What we saw ended up changing our plans completely. Pakistan and Iran visas seem in the last month to have become virtually impossible for overland travellers to get. After a day of phone calls and brainstorming we decided to head back to the UK overland and fly just one bike (to save money) to Australia. After a few months in Oz we'll then do the original journey backwards - hading up through Indonesia, Malasia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, (then fly to) Nepal and India. After that who knows? If we've got any money left, we hope to head to southern Argentina then work our way up to Northern America.

No pics I'm afraid. We said a fond goodbye to our friends in Bulgaria - Andy and Debbie, Ivo, Doug and Polina - and hit the road again. The ride from Bulgaria to the UK was around 1800 miles and a ride of 2 very differnt halves. Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary were baking hot and had 'interesting' road surfaces and driving styles so we took it easy, taking 4 days. From Austria onwards, almost exactly from the border, it was cold and wet so we upped the pace and made it back after another 2days.

It's a time of mixed emotions. We're really excited about heading off to Oz, and at the same time a little deflated to be back in the UK kicking our heels. It's great to catch up with family and friends though, and the timing's even perfect for us to go on our local bike club annual rally.

More news later when we know exactly what we're doing and when - and hopefully some pics of the rally and a very large wooden box.