Ok I am goin for a short ride, need to see what Europe has to offer outside of the usual package holidays to benidorm or Mallorca. I have never been a big fan of traditional holidays, the last few I've been on have been diving in Thailand, driving to the nurburgring in the black Forrest (a must, you just have to do it once in your life! I intend on doing it as often as possible).

So after a night of watching long way round followed by reading some of jupiters travels the decision was made, two and a half weeks this year shall be dedicated to exploring Europe solo by motorbike.

After an hour scribbling on the back of a ride magazine the route is decided:

Finish work Friday afternoon then a blast to Dover (was going to do Plymouth to Santander but too pricy too long).

Stay in Calais Friday night then hit the road, blast as far through France (been there done that) to Milan through Switzerland.

From Milan to Rome where I intend to stay for a couple of days to satisfy my fascination with the Romans.

Then down to the tip of Italy where I will get the ferry to Greece to explore Athens, another couple of days there.

Next it's up through greece to albania, stay there overnight then up the coast for a while before an excursion into Kosovo, having grown up in the 80's and 90's I need to do it.

Same for Sarajevo, the next stop as I move into Bosnia, I wonder if in 20 years people will be planning trips to Iraq and afganistan on their iPhone 24's.

Croatia next, up the coast. A country I have wanted to visit for years, unspoiled by mass tourism like Cyprus was when I visited age 11.

Slovenia and Austria make up the last of the new countries on my route but after that depending on the date it will be either a quick blast home or a leisurely ride through the czech republic and the forests of Germany.

Let this be the start of Europe in black and white.