Final Preparations for my Big Trip to India

I have my kit laid out on a bed in the spare bedroom and it does not look to bad considering where I am going and what I intend to do !
I arrive in Delhi on Sunday 3rd October, the day when the Commonwealth Games opens ? But I'm being picked up at the airport and taken to a pre-booked hotel. I have my Visa (just ! ) , passport and travel documents, kit for trekking and a motorbike trip in the Himachel Pradesh, the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, Japuir, a two day train journey south to Kerala, and the heat and humidity of Kerala. I am going from cold high altitude to low hot and humid.

I am very excited about this great adventure and very thankful to a number of people who have made this trip possible. First my wife Jane, for giving me the freedom to follow my dreams. Next the support, advice and encouragement of my two great sons, Nick and Tom. To my dear Inlaws, Alex and Susan Varghese who sowed many of the seeds for this journey, which started last year in Kerala.

To Gordon May who I met at Rufforth Park, who introduced me to the Royal Enfield and got me back on a motorbike with the advice of "Get on that big journey soon". I now own a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Sixty 5. I love the "thump, thump" of that single cylinder 500cc engine, it puts a smile on my face, turns heads and makes new friends. I am now going to follow Gordons advice, and will ride a Royal Enfield in India, including the Manali to Leh road !

Finally my grateful thanks to my friends Manjit, Naresh and Saurabh for all their help and support in putting this trip together for me.