How does one explain it?

Early days on the tour, somewhere in Poland.

It is so good to be back home again. But I miss the open road as well.

I enjoy my own bed and bathroom. But I miss the adrenaline surge of not knowing where I am going to sleep.

I enjoy cycling to my office every day. But I miss the packing and starting of the KLR every morning.

I enjoy the company of my friends now more than ever before. And I am glad that so many people who I met on the tour keep in touch with me.

Next Saturday the 1st of September is our big dinner at Erfdeel, south of Johannesburg. There are more coming than what I’ve expected. It is the final fundraiser for Operation Smile but I have even more to celebrate, All you ladies and gents that are coming, we are going to celebrate the wonder of travel and discover, and even more I am going to celebrate friendship, especially the camaraderie between bikers out on the roads of this planet.

I think never before are so many people, who had such a great influence on my life, gathered in one place . Next Saturday I will introduce those people to you. And then we are going to celebrate!

I am quite excited about one lady that may be at our dinner. The reason being, if she attends, she will have the first copy of Kate in her bag. If she is not there that would mean the proof wasn’t printed in time. I saw a miniature version of the cover page yesterday and I am excited. I am going to be one of the bidders for that first book!

I look forward to seeing many of you at the dinner! We will post some photographs so that the readers in the far corners of our country and globe can share in the excitement of the evening.

Two lovely bike rides are on the calendar. The KLR ladies and gents are going to meet  for a camping weekend close to Clarens the long weekend end of September. That is going to be a great weekend, organized by our friend Dick. And then again a visit to Kubu Island on the Makgadigadi Pans in Botswana during October. It is going to be a hot weekend of sand riding, falling, pushing, and no washing. Just what big boys and girls need!

Enjoy your weekend!