News is leaking through to me that Norman and Butch are now back with the main group in Kiev,

It would seem that there was a small but important problem with the documentation for the bike that Norman was riding. This was relating to the fact that the bike is registered to Fuchs Lubricants (UK) plc and not to Norman directly. This didnt actually matter until Norman tried to enter a country outside of Europe, the Ukraine.

This meant that Norman was not allowed to take the bike through the border without the correct documentation.

Fortunately Norman was able to call on the resources of Fuchs Lubricants and also he was fortunate enough to have a guy, Butch, a fellow rider, who selflessly stayed behind with Norman to ensure he was okay and got through. I dont know Butch or even his real name, but he is obviously a top guy and someone we would all like to know in a crisis.

So anyhow, Norman and Butch had to turn around at Ukraine border, whilst the rest went on towards Kiev.

Another piece of good luck also occurred..

Visiting Martyn Rushton at Fuchs in Hanley that day was Jacek Sztraube, Industrial MD of Fuchs Oil Co which is in Gliwice, Poland. He phoned his company back home and told them to expect two bedraggled motorbike riders. The Fuchs factory in Poland has a number of onsite suites and even a pub, so I am sure that Norman and Butch could have a very much needed drink when they reached there and would have been looked after admirably by the people there.

In the UK the documentation that Norman required was hurridly collated and Jacek, who was about to head back to Poland, very kindly offered to take it with him and hand it to Norman. So another great thanks owed to Jacek Sztraube.

So, eventually, Norman and his guardian angel, Butch (what a fantastic name for a guardian angel) made their way back to the border and breathed a sigh of relief as Norman crossed..

I have not heard directly from Norman or Butch and have only got this information from those staff at Fuchs Lubricants (UK) who helped with the process, but I am sure that Norman will fill us all in with the details when he gets a chance.

Once again thankyou to all who pulled out all the stops to keep the bike ride moving.

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