End of March

Things are moving on a pace.  The bike has been in for essential repairs to the gearbox.  This necessitated removing the engine and stripping it completely down.  The only thing found wrong was that someone had put the wrong gear selector in at some time in the past.  Engine replaced and now I've done a few 20 mile trips with no evidence of it jumping out of gear any more, so presume it's fixed.

The dates of the trip are actually booked now, working backwards, I've booked a flight back from Italy on Friday 23rd May.  Grace flies back to Italy on Wednesday 7th of May and I intend to set off on the following day (Thursday 8th.)

Luggage remains a mystery.  I have tried strapping a backpack inside the front fairing, which seems ok.  This would be large enough to get computer, and all other electrical bits and bobs in, with a bit of room left over.   I really don't want to overload the bike, so now am considering just wearing a backpack myself to take the few clothes that I will take with me.

I am hopeful of having nearly a week in Italy, so am planning on buying most of what I need when I get there from Spezia market.

These two bags can then be repacked to fit in one set of handluggage for the flight back home.