Thank you for your massages...
Unfortunatly my mate on his GSX_r600 was tee boned by a myopic car type person yesterday near Keswick

and was airlifted to hospital with a crushed leg. He's out for the summer. Therefore I may be doing a trip on my lonesome. Will post where I'll be and hopefully meet some new sv type buddies on the way.
cheers
Doug
I know bikes are dangerous but it's a shame we have to expect the worse of car drivers all the time just to stay safe!!!