Observant readers (if anybody is reading this) may have noticed that this is in fact the 78th day since I first set out from London on my little bike. As detailed above, I took a break to sort out some visas and other admin in London and to take my wife on holiday (a necessary condition of being allowed to do this trip).

But it is only the 10th day of what can properly be considered part of the motorbike journey. 

At last it was time to stop fretting and start moving. Last job before leaving: get a St. Christopher medal. Superstition you may say, but there's no point taking unnecessary chances - and once a Catholic...

Despite train delays, cancellations and a diversion I made it to the airport in reasonable time - just slightly frazzled and with aching shoulders and hands from lugging a big box around stations and the airport. 

My minimalist packing solution had been torpedoed by requests from my son and his family for stuff from home. And why are luggage trolleys in Gatwick airport so rare and hard to find? There are no such problems in Casablanca! 

By coincidence, whilst I was planning and executing the first part of this project, my son Tom and his Moroccan wife both accepted 2 year work contracts at separate international schools in Casablanca. When I arrived they and their three children were just moving into their (very luxurious) long-term accommodation. 

I will take couple of days out of my schedule to hang out by the pool with their children, re-pack (for the 49th time), get an oil change and have crash bars fitted to the bike.It is going to get dropped at some point and I don't want to be trapped beneath it alone and miles from anywhere.