Walter was a lot more organised in his funding and this project is his brainchild. He was thinking about for some time whereas my invite was in January. Someone asked about funding at the Touratech event and how is it possible to do a trip like this.
Personally speaking I resorted to flogging stuff on ebay. I was amazed at what people bought. Old computer games, a wind chime, bike bits, clothes. That raised about £400 for me which almost covered the petrol costs.
I also sold my car last year in order to get the bike. I'm not wealthy enough or have not been smart enough with my money to currently have a shiny new F800GS and a car. I had to change my girlfriend as the previous one didn't like bikes. I've also forgone traditional package holidays to sunny climes with the new girlfriend in order to do this trip which is why she is such a star.
Walter sold his R 1200 GS in order to fund the farkles for the G650 X challenge. I've not had my licence a year yet and this is my second big trip to Europe so I would say to anyone that a trip like this is totally possible no matter where you are in terms of readiness.
The £ versus the € is not as bad as it appears from blighty. We have lost our spending advantage but are now on a par. It certainly makes working out prices easier as we are on parity. Eastern Europe is cheaper by and large apart from the 'insurance' at the border posts of the Former Yugoslavia
Croatia - normal EU insurance is valid
Montenegro - €10
Bosnia - we didn't have to pay on the coastal strip the bisects Croatia.
Albania - They forgot to charge us for it
Macedonia - €50 (by far the worst)
Kosovo - €20
Serbia - They wouldn't let us in but I heard it's €80 (need to confirm that)
Most campsites were not open and so if travelling this early in the year be ready for the increased expense of a hotel. If travelling in 2's or 3's you can share rooms and then negate that cost. It can work out cheaper than a tent pitch for the night.
Wild camping was an option but there are a load of wild dogs about that are often feeding on rubbish by the roadside. You'll see this in Albania, Kosovo, Romania, Bulgaria and Macedonia. The dogs might be fine but all the pooch's that saw me took exception to me and the bike. I suppose from a dog's point of view something that is all in black with a loud exhaust is going to seem quite threatening.
anyway before I get really stuck into this I will sort the photos out and start from the beginning when I get home this evening