We got a lovely surprise yesterday: the bike registration papers which we sent off to get corrected over a month ago and which the DVLA never received (see post of May 4th), not only didn’t get lost by the post office but were actually received and actioned and now returned to us by the DVLA!!! All that rush, over the last couple of weeks, to start the paperwork process all over again and the disappointment of having lost 4 weeks in our preparations were all for nothing!!

We’re back on track!!!

– Anne

Due to an administrative oversight, both bikes were registered in Anthony’s name, which could invalidate Anne’s motorbike insurance if not rectified. I sent the change details off to Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) on the 14th of April, express and registered post. They are not even in the system after two weeks and the changes can take four to six weeks! This may affect our departure date as we need copies of the document for both visas and the Carnet. Turns out that the Post Office lost the registered letter and it never reached DVLA! A reminder to us that we need to check each step and not assume plus we need to be flexible in our planning as this sort of thing will occur again.

We have started to complete the application for Visas. There seems to be a inordinate amount of information requested, which in relation to the trip seems excessive, such as every country visited in the last 10 years. They say only the year of visit is required, but the online form asks for date and month. Why so much information wanted on education, old jobs and other seemingly trivial data for just a tourist visa. In the days of easy global travel, it would likely to act as a deterrent to those who may wish to visit a country without a packaged tour to allow some flexibility in their travel plans. Still, we are gathering the information requested for submissions in early May so be warned and check the requirements carefully.

Easter Monday and the perfect day for a ride in the New Forest: we have our brother in law on his motorbike to guide us, a wonderful ride and we start to get that comfortable feeling that one has as the motorbike becomes more familiar. We tried for motorbike and pony pictures without success. The New Forest ponies seem to melt into the landscape when we stopped. Oh well back to Photoshop.