The 08th of March & the start of the final leg of our incredible journey, we cruised home from Port Everglade in Florida to Southampton on P&O cruise ship Oriana.

  We arrived at the boat & prepared to load the bikes onto the ship, seen here discussing the logistics with Tim Holton, Staff Chief Engineer. 

  This was the fun part, Steve was the first to go riding up the gang plank into the ship.. 

  Phil next, he had to remember to duck when he got to the top!

  One onto the ship we rode the bikes up the  ‘M1′ ( the main service corridoorthat runs the full length of the ship ) to the storage cage.. 

  This was a first for the Oriana, this storage cage was converted into a motorcycle lockup, they even welded a eye onto the deck for strapping down the bikes.

  This is Phil’s cabin ( the tidy one ) nice & comfy even with the panniers between the beds!

  Our last day on the road so we decided to head back to Everglade City & to have a ride on one of the Airboats through the Mangrove Swamps.

  Good fun & these things don’t hang around, 360 turns make you hang -on, remember them Gattors in the water!! 

  One minute we were bombing along in open water & then crawling along among the Mangrove roots. 

  When we arrived back on land, Lucy found a new freind, Steve said no, she is not having one!

  That night we found a nice villa right on the river.

  Leaving the Florida Keys we headed to Fort Lauderdale where we were told the fishing would be good & the sea better, we booked the fishing then decided to spend some time on this lovely beach.. 

  If you are into boats Fort Lauderdale is the place, marinas like this around every corner.

  We went out on a charter boat for half a day, lovely sunshine & relitively calm sea’s. After about an hour Phil hooked into something. 

  This is what came up, nice one.. No that isn’t a bank robber its Mike one of the boat hands…

  Next it was Steve’s turn, what is on the end of that rod..

  Another lovely fish, a good day had by all..

  Riding through the Keys we passed over some of these fantastic bridges, one being seven miles long.

  On our way back from Key West we stopped for a coffee, we were joined by Dan & Kay, fellow motorcyclists travelling to Key West to camp, lovely couple, we chatted for a good hour before heading off in different directions. If you read this Dan & Kay, please keep in touch, use Phil’s e-mail address which is on the back of the card, let us know how your plans for the ‘big’ trip are going..   

  We checked into a motel in Islamorada in bright sunshine, ten minutes later this is what we had, perfect timing on our part but our thoughts were with Dan & Kay who we spoke to earlier & were of camping..

  We headed for Key West stopping for lunch at this small fishing marina in Islamorada.  

  Steve reckons he cought this shark, i’m not sure! he does look pretty calm though!

  Key West was full of these old style buildings, nice place but to many people, we planned to do some sea fishing but the sea was to rough, boats not going out so postponed it to another day..

  After nearly two months in the USA we made to here, the Southern most point on the continent. 

  After leaving Flamingo we headed back in land to South Miami ( Homestead ) leaving the nice countryside & quite roads behind. 

  The area around Homestead is full of agriculture, fields full of crops & citrus fruit trees.

  On our way to Flamingo we stopped at one of the many lakes, this big Alligator is sat watching the two German guys in the canoe, trying to decide on dinner or sunbathing!!

  Phil is trying to encourage it to go get some dinner!!

  This couple believe in taking the whole family away on biking holidays! two little Jake’s in the trailer.

  They look quite happy in there..

  On the radio mast above the visitors centre at Flamingo was this Bald Eagle nest with two young birds in it, this is one of them watching out for Mum or Dad to bring home dinner.. 

  On our way out of Flamingo crossing the road bridge Steve spotted these two ‘River Mermaids’  feeding on the Mangrove tree roots. 

  Heading South we travelled through the Everglades, home of the Aligators! we stopped at the roadside & spotted this big guy cruising the stream, he spotted us so we stayed clear!!

  As well as the Aligators the roadside stream was full of other wildlife like this bird looking out for his lunch..

  Not all the Aligators were big ‘man eaters’ this guy was only 18 inches long, still kept our distance though.  

  The bikes during our journey have been reliable from the start with only a few minor repairs, half way through the States Steve’s bike developed a oil leak from the rear suspension unit, after a few e-mails between Oz at BMW in the UK & these guy’s at Euro Motorcycles in Tampa the unit was changed under warranty. 

  After getting the bike repaired we headed south towards the Everglades, stopping at Bradenton on route. For a change we decided to pop to Wallmart & get a bottle of wine & some food to eat in,we were there for hours buying clothes & goodies for the boat trip home..

  We headed to Orlando, found a Best Western Motel for a few days, time to chillout, we thought about doing the theme parks etc but poolside with a book seemed the better option.

  Around the pool was quite,but come darkness the place came alive, neon lights as far as the eye could see, most advertising good healthy food!!