The end is in sight....only six weeks and I'll be in a new continent, riding the mighty Rudolf....this time in the Americas. Starting in .....actually, I'll keep it a secret!

Numerous people have been asking, "Why don't I receive your emails?" or, "Why don't you update the site?" and, "Why are you such a selfish git?"

Well, I usually update the site about once a month or so, only when I think there is something worth posting, I don't want to hassle people. But, there seems to be some problem with the emails getting through....I've managed to resolve the problem on hotmail and Yahoo I think. But even then, they end up in junk.

As a remedy for at least the short term...I've added feeds for Facebook, RSS, Twitter and google. You can see the buttons on the left of every page. Just click one of your choice. I'll only post small messages notifying of new material on website. No crazy posts every day, or when I'm brushing my teeth.

This is also just in time for my departure from Korea...watch this space for when the adventures recommence, September 4th!

As for being a git....

Sorry this is brief...I have no internet at home :o(

Go and check out the new map, it took me ages!

It shows everywhere from my trip so far, exactly where I've camped, been robbed, seen animals, altitudes, that sort of thing...

NEW MAP!!

Scalpel......sponge.... ...clamp....screwdriver, keys, helmet.....ohhh, just kick it?!

And with one swift kick, well maybe two, but for the sake of romanticism let's say one and Rudolf regains a steady and strong sinus rhythm, of 1500rpm.

I ascend the four flights

The train is busy, almost full as it leaves Munsan, I still find a seat all to myself and start happily divulging Paul Theroux’s Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, rather apt perhaps. At the next stop I am swamped by school girls going to Seoul, to school. Immediately they all fall asleep, except one who only half asleep does her homework. She can’t get it done though as she can’t take her eyes off my big nose,

My story has been placed on the Yamaha website...but, as you've probably read my story on here already then it will be semi-pointless to look, but look anyway, maybe if I get lots of hits they will send me a shiny new WR250X...doubtful, but I live in hope and optimism.

And it's not that I don't love Rudolf, but my bum would be grateful of some more suspension travel!

GO TO YAMAHA STORY

I don't really want anything for Christmas, Santa, except, perhaps some of my mum's Christmas pudding. But No! Despite your selfless generosity throughout the ages, I cannot and will not let you have Rudolf, even if only for one night. I don't care if the lives and hopes and dreams of all the little children of all the world depends on it....Rudolf is not leaving my apartment, unless that is; I am riding! And even that seems unlikely given the current rate of repairs.

Another big thank you must go this time to Danny at YSK - Korea's branch of Yamaha motorcyles. They are near the Bongcheon metro station in Seoul, on Line number 2 (the green line) near Seoul National University.

Danny has spent a lot of time looking for parts for me, for a bike that s not sold in his store which makes his task difficult.

Thanks Danny!

No you twit, it’s just the phone...Rudolf has arrived! And is waiting at the port for collection, along with a rather hefty price tag.

Huseong takes me to the port, helps me first find crowbars, then unpack the bike from its crate and then demolish the crate, which an irate Korean man keeps shouting in my face about. I assume that he assumes that I will not be taking the remnants of pallet with me and that I will leave it in a pile next

When I board the plane in Istanbul for leg two, to Seoul the realisation hits me! I begin to feel nervous anxiety and I start to consider – for the first time – that soon I will be teaching.

I really hadn’t thought this through!