My pilgrimage to Poland

I started on my pilgrimage on my BMW K1200S with a 200 mile run from the Midlands to the euro-tunnel. My first time under the drink, which has to be the most efficient and convenient way to cross the channel with a bike.
Destination was a Polish town called ‘Oswiecim’, renamed during the Nazi occupation to ‘Auschwitz’, but reinstated following the Liberation. Stop-overs with site-seeing along the way included Northern France, Luxembourg, Germany (Nuremberg-ring), Czech Republic (Prague).
Two days spent at Oswiecim in the excellent ‘Galicja’ hotel who garaged my bike. One of these days spent visiting the ‘harrowing’ yet now some-what ‘peaceful’ Auschwitz and Birkenau camps. Approx 3 kms apart. Free entrance with a small fee for a guide and a shuttle bus. Recommended but not essential. All I can say is ‘do it’ and go there. Support the cause and experience the atmosphere for yourself! It is an educational journey very difficult to put into words!
Refreshed I now moved up through Poland to Berlin, and visited the last monumental stretch of the Berlin Wall. Again, well worth a visit if your passing! Moving back through Osnabruck, Rotterdam and a ferry back to Harwich. Taking in the ‘left side of the road’ and a legal ride back home.
Don’t be fazed by travelling solo. You can do things at your own pace and their are plenty of people to socialize with along the way.
I pre-booked most of my accommodation before leaving, but there is loads of choice on route. A very enjoyable and memorable trip!.

My scariest moment: Near head-on with a taxi driver after leaving a quiet hotel and driving on the left…..oops, sorry!
Funniest moment: The Pope’s visit to Germany brought a closure to some motorways…..”Well sorry officer i couldn’t read the signs!” Thought it was odd i was the only motorist on there!
Naughtiest moment: Closely following cars through French toll barriers without paying!
Memorable moment: Seeing the fresh bunches of flowers, placed daily at specific points at Birkenau camp in memory to those who perished.
Next venture: Scandinavia/Northern Russia-June 07.