23rd May 2009

The rain managed to stay away yesterday evening and I enjoyed a warm sunshine and a couple of beers before retiring for the night. Was on the road by 8.30 and it didn’t start to rain until 12 noon. The roads were a bit boring on the way north, or was it the fact that I was now heading home to end the trip. I missed a junction or two near Caen and spent a happy 20 mins travelling through the centre of town before escaping to the Port. Arriving in good time to change my ticket for a earlier boat – a whole day early – I am out riding again on Monday so a day at home on Sunday will be worth while.

I had a good cool drink at the port and joined the queue for the boat – eventually other bikers arrived to join me. Talked awhile about the weather etc (after all they were Brits) and one of the riders looked at the bike, and asked if I had been “Around the World” - would it have been great to say “Oh Yes !!” Maybe one day !!!



Days Mileage 230 miles
Trip Total 1785 miles

These things usually end with “thanks to…..” etc etc
I would certainly like to thank all those camp sites were I stayed – especially the Camping Moto in the Dordogne, and the Refuge pour Motards for their generosity and help. Thanks to Mr Mugabe (aka Honda XRV 750 – my Big Black African) for chugging along without incident and to Mr McDonald for the use of his WiFi

22nd May 2009

After pitching the tent at Camping-Moto I wandered down to the bar for a well deserved beer and sort out the route. I did glance at my e-mail – should not have done that as my mind if full of the answers to the e-mails.. Dined on steak and chips and hit the sack about 10pm. Slept reasonably well although it was very humid.

Managed to pack most of the kit on the bike this morning before breakfast and set off at 8.30. Gertie started with miles are forest tracks and then settled down onto some fast D-roads towards Limoges, Poitiers and finally to the Tours area. Found a camp site and am now all sorted, showered and sitting by a pool in hot sunny weather typing this one-handed as I have a large ice cream in the other (honest – too early for larger).

I did stop off at a large Abby town for a break – all the roads in the town were shut and people were wandering the streets in their droves !!! so unusual – the Germans must have spared this one.

Tomorrow is a straight run to Caen – for those keeping track of the dates – yes I am a day early – so let’s see what Brittany Ferries can do.,

Days Mileage 239 miles
Trip Total 1555 miles

21st May 2009

Well the early night promised did not happen the German hosts had invited people to the evening meal 3 French and one Englishman – the food was good and the German beer was too !! – finally got to bed at 11pm – they were still drinking at 1am !!! Sorted the bike before breakfast at 8.30 and was on the road for 9am. I can highly recommend this for accommodation in the Millau area http://www.refuge-pour-motards.de/

A 25 minute ride down the road and over the bridge – a brilliant sight – then to the viewing area underneath. A short break and off to the Tarn Gorge – a great ride – even though it can get a bit tight with the cars and camper vans !! Some bikers were just going for it – not a wise move – especially on a French bank-holiday – when the French all take their camper vans for a run !! and every lay-by is full of families having picnics.

Rode the Gorge for about a hour then up and over the top heading for Rodez, Figeac and Gourdon. Arrive at the Camping-Moto at 5pm http://www.motocamp.com/

I was have to look at the route for tomorrow and decide how far I want to ride and how close the Caen I need to be….

Steak tonight – a la Dutch…



Days Total 227 Miles
Trip Total 1317 Miles

20th May 2009

Well another brilliant day although it did start badly – I managed to lock both sets of bike keys in the panniers while packing the bike this morning – to 30 minutes to sort but not rush !!

Left the camp site and was immediately climbing high in the Pyrenees well above the snow line again and then down through customs and back into France. Had a stop near Limoux and managed to send the last entry from McDonalds. Then I thought that I would be arriving at the camp site at about 1pm and whilst that would be enough riding – killing time in the afternoon is boring – so I decided to roll two days into one and arrive at Millau a day early. So 250 miles covered on some varied roads – fast dual carriageways and narrow country lanes and of course lots and loss of very sharp bends whilst climbing and descending the mountains.

The mid section was all very narrow and very twisty through the forest – the next time Gertie Garmin says “off route – Recalculate ?” I will say no and do a U-Turn… I missed the main road and went over the hills through the forests – very much like the roads in the Ardennes – knackering!!

Finally arriving at the “Refuge Pour Motards” at about 5.30pm. Excellent accommodation and a fabulous bathroom. Tonight we eat at 8.30 and then off to a bed for a change. It will be good not to have to pack the tent away in the morning. The route tomorrow will take me over the Millau Bridge and then up the Tarn Gorge to Le Marlene and then cross country to the Camp Moto – another 200 miles day..

Days Mileage 240
Trip Mileage 1089

19TH May 2009

Having gone to bed at about 7pm I still slept through until 7am this morning. I would make a note for the record – I ventured into the Army K Rations last night and had the Lamb Curry and Rice – Excellent – beats that civi stuff hands down. The valley was full of mist but I could see the sun starting to burn it off as it rose over the mountains. All packed and ready to go by 8am. Before I even settled in the ride I was through the border and into Spain… and not long before I was climbing up a extremely twisty roads further into the Pyrenees and up to the snow line – and yes there is still snow up there very cold too. Odd feeling riding around amongst the ski lifts !!

The I started the descent and I was determined that the group of peddle cyclists were not going to overtake me on the way down !! I won – just !!

At the bottom I meet the first traffic jam of the trip – queuing to get through the customs at Andorra – everything going very slow but no-one checking anything !! The I did battle with Andorra de Vella. A very prosperous looking town but full of petrol stations and everywhere new buildings or new roads – finally escaping into the hills and the campsite at Xirella. A very good site and the sun is shining, the washing is drying – it was very quiet about 10 minutes ago but the mower man has appeared!! Arrived about 2pm si I am counting this as a half day / rest day.

I had the site to myself until about 5 minutes ago – and now two Germans – both riding well-travelled XRV 750 Africa Twins have arrived – and strangely enough have parked on the far side on the park – such a friendly lot Herman the German.

I have yet to decide about tomorrow – I might ride all the way to Millau and arrive a day early and break up the following day into two ! Off the find some Andorran Beer and a WiFi connection!! Found a WiFi at McDonalds near Carcasone

Days Mileage 121
Trip Total Mileage 835

18th May 2009

Following an excellent supper with 10 others around a table at the Camping Moto, and a couple of well earned lagers it was another early night. By the way I cannot recommend this site enough – I do believe I found it on the http://www.horizons-unlimited.com/ site – I will be stopping there again on the way back (Friday). Started today with a great coffee and hit the road by 9am. Gertie Garmin was playing fast and loose with the country lanes but eventually we got sorted and made good progress throughout the day. Managed to totally loose the plot around Auch after leaving Condom (some places just have to be visited !!) and spent a worrying 20mins in narrowing lanes – at one point the grass on the banks was touching BOTH panniers !! and it was slippy and wet – a real bum-clencher.

After refuelling I took a break a looked at the route again – a change of plan was needed – so cancel to destination of Tarbes / Lourdes and replaced it with Fos which is with striking distance of the Spanish border. A good run put me and Mr Mugabe well and truly in the Pyrenees and we finally stopped at St Beat.

Pitched camp – with a demonstration by the Camp Commandant on what to do if the site flooded !!! we are next to a very swollen river and it’s running very fast. Had a walk into town and besides 4 Policemen on a corner I think the Germans have been here again! I did find one newsagents open and paid 4.25 Euros for a newspaper !! I won’t be doing that again.

Nite


Days total 214
Trip Total Mileage 714

17th May 2009

So much for heading for the sun - last night it rained hard from 7pm until about 7 this morning. After a couple of medicinal largers I was absolutely knackered so an early night was called for. Started the day at 7 am - So Shit, Shower and a Shave and on the road by 8am and it was still raining some. Gertie Garmin was very good at finding petrol stations but the french are very poor at opening them !! So I resorted to filling up every 100 miles when I did find one open.



Past through some very pretty villiages and towns, most of which looked like the Waffen SS had just left - not a soul about - every eerie. The roads have gradually changed from the straight and boring to twisty and interesting - at one point Gertie had be down to single tracked farm road with my panniers touching the grass on both sides !!! Bizarre.... Finally arrived at the "Camping Moto" site in the Dordogne - highly recommended - bikers very welcome and the showers are great. http://www.motocamp.com/ at St Aubin de Nabirat.



The last 30 miles have been great - lots of sweeping curves and the start of the hills and loads of Castles etc. Tent pitched and and now linked via the site Wi-Fi and on a second small glass of cold larger and it's still only 5 in the afternoon. The site has a bar - which looks like a hell's angel's club-house. Lots of bike bits over the walls and ceiling and some great music. Will now have something to eat and join the throng at the bar (all 4 of them !). Will try for a early start in the morning - heading for the Lourdes Region and wil try to find a campsite.

Days Mileage - 240
Trip Total Mileage - 521

16th May 2009

Hi there

Well the boat trip was fine - very calm and very quite. Not sure why people pay for the reclining seats - most of them slept on the floor... me to. I hate to say it but Pat in the office was right; upgrade to a cabin!

The boat landed on time at 6.30 French time (that's 5.30 UK time) so it was an early start !! After a quick loop of Caen and then Gertie Garmin settled down and we were heading south along with so many faster bikes in a hurry.

Steady run down and the only problem I encountered was finding a Petrol station that was open on the back roads... Oh yes - MAJOR disaster - have swapped mobile handset for an old Blackberry because it was easier to use sending text back home --- the bloody thing won't work in France - bugger!

Found the camp site and am sitting in the bar writing this. I did some cooking - the boil in the bag stuff - well - I will give it one more try tomorrow - tasted aweful.. Thats the expensive dry travel stuff - if the Army K stuff tastes like that then it will all go in the bin. I tried the Ration Pack Instant tea - OMG dreadful.... Now sipping a large glass of 1664 larger.,, Nite Nite

Days Mileage 281
Trip Mileage 281

15th May 2009 - PM

So far so good. Made it to Portsmouth and the Port. Now sitting on the boat eating a Yorkie bar! The bike is all secure downstairs and we sail in 30 mins. The rain has held off so far but I suspect tomorrow will be very wet. Loads of bikes on this boat mostly lightly packed and heading for Le Mans ! Some race I believe. Mr Mugabe (my Big Black African twin) was, as expected quite heavy but cruised along quite happily. Nite Nite .. more tomorrow ...

15th May 2009

Ahhh - well the day has finally arrived for the off the Europe..

Tried to get home early last night to pack but... I had double booked and ended up given a IAM Observed ride from 6 until 8pm - then on the way home I found a broken down Scooter rider - and having escorted him off the main road I loaded his scooter onto my old trailer and drove him and scooter to Poole. Finally manage to get home about 10pm and started to load up the bike and finished at 11.15pm. All is now set !! I hope

Will leave home at 8.30pm and head to Portsmouth.. France here I come .... more ramblings and witterings later

11th May 2009

Had to start some serious packing tonight - It all appears to fit - just need to adjust what is going where - is it needed urgently - do I need it on the boat etc etc....... Found this picture on the inter-web..... I hope to be lighter than this .....

It still feels pretty heavy - and I will need one waterproof bag for the tent, air-mat and small tarp and another for the sleeping bag !! Should ride like a whale when I'm finished....

8th May 2009

Good and bad day today – had to take the day off sick – just needed to be nearer to a bathroom….. didn’t feel well yesterday evening and this morning yukkk. Got up about 11am and pottered about. Manage a quick trip to town to get oil for the bike. Organised some of the kit for the trip and adapted some brackets on the panniers to carry a water container. I have borrowed an Orange ICON 225 device to enable me to connect to the internet if I can’t find a free Wi Fi point. Testing it with this entry onto the blog.. One week to go now.

5th Mar 2009

Hi - This weekend I spent some time on looking at the Garmin Route and tweeking it a little. I am trying not to plan too much but have yet to master the "free spirit" approach to this type of travel I have read about so often - typical Virgo I suppose !! I have also started to throw a few items in the pile ready - tent, sleeping bag, mat, some Army K Rations just in case. During the week I will put some clothing aside - remembering the Asda Bag technique mentioned by Kevin and Julie Sanders.

The bike is in J2 Honda as I type having new front disc put on. !!! Bugger

Next decision is leather trousers or Gortex !! The sensible thing would be Gortex but I prefer to ride in my leathers !!! - both is out of the question.

More ramblings later...