One of my first actions on declaring myself as 'seriously retired' was to book a training course for the full motorcycle licence. In the UK this is a relatively demanding process. Two on-line tests : one on the Rules of the Road and Motorcycle Stuff: one on hazard awareness.  Then a day to take the initial Course of Basic Training - leading to legal use of a bike under 125cc. Then a further 6 days for full freedom to ride any bike. This must be about £1500. Expensive but thorough, and it does result in a safe start from a well embedded understanding of how to ride a motorbike on the public highway.

I started the main course on Saturday 5 June, and passed the test on Friday 11 June. 2021

On Saturday  12 June I bought a 2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Tourer.

I love it.

A bike that fits a man of 6ft 5ins (1.96m) and weight of 15stone (95kg - 210lbs). 100bhp, so enough to make progress safely. Panniers. Good for roads and trails and tracks. Well comfy. Biggish fuel tank.

I now need to get some tours in. I have in mind from UK to Morocco, or down through Europe to the Black Sea , or on across Turkey to the Caspain Sea.

But right now, all that I can share are some photos of the parked Honda Africa Twin.