.... It been a while since the last post - so I thought I had better jot one down - the fact that you are reading this means that you sought it out... I have taken off the auto-notification.

Planning for the next trip is well underway and the approximate route is laid out - Calais-France-Germany-Austria-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia and end up at Dubrovnik... then the return will be via Bosnia and over the Alps and back across France.   It will be about 3000 miles this time and I do plan to ride less miles each day and will definitely be taking more photos.  I did look at taking the Rail Saver train from Holland to Alessandra but it is the wrong side of Italy and the train to Slovenia does not run until July...



Lake Bled in Slovenia taken from the camp site

 Equipment - well I will have to think about that - I will probably stick with the Khayam Bike Tent this time but the rest will be the same...  Still planning riding solo this trip and on camping all the way.




The possible Route 2013

  

Sunday 30th Sep 12

... Decided not to go to Stafford, so I made tracks to Leominster then over to Hay on Wye....

Found a great Campsite just outside town (Ashbrook Camping) - very clean with great showers ....... No pub nearby so hit the sack early after a good read while watching the sun go down.... Still cold - so much for the down 4 seasons sleeping bag. Now I know what to get for Christmas. On the road for 8.30..... A gently back-road ride to Monmouth and now having toasted tea cakes at Tintern Abbey.....

The is to go over the old Severn Bridge, along the M4 and come off at 17 then Trowbridge, Warminster, Salisbury and Home.
Adventure before Dementia !

RAF Cosford Museum

This morning rode to Telford and replaced the gas burner.... A huge shopping centre - could not wait to get out...

Then onto RAF Cosford - managed to arrive at the same time as 200 Boy Scouts !!!!!!! Apparently the Vulcan Bomber is due here at about 3pm ......

It is an excellent Museum - lots of memories - I remember roping down from a Wessex helicopter at 16 years old - flying in a C130 to Germany a few times - they event have a Brixmis vehicle - similar to one I drove whilst in Poland.

The weather has got a bit better - at least I am warm now..... Sandwich at the Museum then off to Stafford....... N
Adventure before Dementia !

Friday 28th Stafford

Hi ...... Had a gently ride to Stafford - just one wrong turn threatened to send me through the centre of Wolverhampton ...... A little green lane riding put that right....

A basic camp site but OK.... Supper was fine but burner failed this morning - no early morning tea for me.... Bugger. Mind you it was a cheap one - back to the petrol stove I think.

Turned in early - and shivered all night - got up at 3am and put on more clothes .... Heavy rain through the night.

Just listening to the wind-up radio whilst waiting for the tent to dry a little .... Then off to find Breakfast, coffee and a camping shop.

Chat later ......
Adventure before Dementia !

..... Time to pack the bike again ...   Next weekend I`m off to Staffordshire and Herefordshire - hopefully the floods will have receded by then....  If not it will be wet one.....  

Then plan may include a short visit to Stafford Motorcycles..... And RAF Cosford museum

.....more from the field ....

HUMP - the Mendip Party

Last weekend was the 3rd Annual HU Mendip Party meeting in the Mendip Hills.  I last attended this event in 2008.   Yet another excellent weekend - A great number of people to chat with - lots of great Speakers - and maybe even a few lemonades by the camp fire !

I took the old ridge tent this time - I haven't use it since probably 1984... it smelt a bit musty but was OK once aired - lots of headroom.

Maybe just one more trip out before the winter.......









... Just forgot to Blog.. and the ATFF

Well what a great weekend – down at Sherborne Dorset for the 2nd Annual UK Adventure Travel Film Festival. Hosted and organised by Austin Vince and Lois Pryce and a great team of people behind the scenes.

I arrived on Friday afternoon straight from work, having travelled down with Mike West. Having pitched the tent and cooked supper it was time for the first film – there is something very magical about watching a film in the open air, sipping a cool beer and occasionally looking out for the passing of the International Space Station overhead !!.

Saturday was a quiet start with the first film not starting at 10am – the film was Above and Beyond – a trip by a powered para-glider across Canada   http://aboveandbeyondcanada.com/   and what a excellent way to start the festival. I have no intention of listing all the fabulous films that I saw at the Festival – but honestly you should have been there…… Don’t forget to book early for next year.   http://www.adventuretravelfilmfestival.com/uk-festival/

Needless to say the site was excellent and the facilities were very good.. maybe more loos and showers next year maybe !!


Mike with "that" hat, me and Mick O'Malley


Myself and Mike O’Malley quickly found the “Tea Chest Café” and we enjoyed many a coffee and chat there – and the staff were just great.. see you all again next year…

The next event is a quick trip (not on the bike) to Berlin with Debs and then we arrive home on Friday and then I’m off to the HU Event in Cheddar for the weekend …. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/UK2012-autumn.php

Then starts to planning for next year… now let me think….. Minsk, Debrovnik, Denmark, France, Bavaria.... the world is my lobster - as long as it's within a 2 week ride and the kitchen at home is done !!!

Spain 2012 - Final

I am just going to note down points from the trip to Spain 2012. Not in any particular order – just thoughts – not for any particular reader – just for me really.

Equipment
Tent – I think that taking the Coleman Avior X3 was a good choice for the trip… it packed away small and was easy to pitch. The space inside was smaller than I am used to but I did get used to it.

Stove – I used a combination of the Multi Fuel stove and the cheap Chinese copy of a gaz unit and they both worked well – the quickness of the gas stove was appreciated. It fact I have taken it to Ripley and have left the petrol stove at home. I like the idea of one pot cooking. Forget the fancy stuff..

Packing – Packing the bike was easy at the end as I put everything that I wasn't using in the top-box and left it there. Note to self – take much less next time

Garmin – Gertie was fine all the way until the last two days when the screen gave up and started self selecting items !!! She continued to give crap directions – but thats SatNavs for you….. Best used as a guide rather than gospel. She did take us to some out of the way places though but I did try to stay off motorways.. …. But she was crap in big towns as the voice and screen changes are just not quick enough – by the time you get the message you have invariably passed the turn….

Bike – Apart from a couple of small items the bike went very well – even in the 40+ degree temperatures. One brake light bulb did need replacing. I needed oil after about 2000 miles and of course I managed to drop the bike off the centre stand (on soft grass) and broke a mirror –the right one again…

Campsites – I don't think we could fault with any of the campsites – some are better that others but they served well – ever the concrete ground at Seville was manageable – just !! And the kids at the site in the mountains could not be foreseen - I blame their handlers. Most were selected from the ACSI database. I must make use of more of the French municipal campsites: they don't offer many amenities; but they are generally inside towns, clean and are usually secure.

Overall – I did enjoy the trip – it may have been a bit far for the others; with not enough stops but I kind of like it that way. The heat had a lot to do with the days feeling very long. Would I do it again? – oh yes. I did enjoy the company too but I still have preference to travelling solo – but it I had to; I believe that ideal number would be myself plus one.

I am still at HU in Ripley and have spoken to many people here about the dynamics of group riding…. And there are just as many opinions as riders….. Every trip is different and every rider is different – so many combinations……… but I do need to slow down – ride shorter days – stop more often – and create more opportunities to meet people – I know I am not too good at that !!!!!!

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HU Ripley 2012 6.30 am

Excellent day yesterday - hot sun - good company etc...... Ended up at the Campfire until 10pm - then the skies opened and it is still chucking it done outside - A good choice if tent this time (Khyam Biker) big enough to sit in and cook in (with care)... I have a couple of leaks - ah but that camping for you!!


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HU Ripley 2012

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Horizons Unlimited 2012

Hi ...... Now attending the HU 2012 event in Ripley, Derbyshire. Rode up yesterday afternoon - no Garmin too ! Lots of rain last night but clear this morning - it' nearly 6.30am and I am on my 2nd coffee and thinking about cooking breakfast.....

The guys should be arriving at 11ish.... Lots to sort out this morning before the Event starts at 4pm

I have aready met up with Sam Manicom, Iain Harper and many others - and my old mate Mick O'Malley has now returned from South Africa......

See you later

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Sat 30th and Sun 1st– Belgium / France


The Last Supper



A second night in one place – very strange event for me asI liketo keep moving on….. we visited to Museum again – they had had a complete change of the layout – not a good as before – too much technology.. The guys took me for a meal last night in Ypres – excellent – sat in the Square watching the town – and it was raining… We then tried to find a bar for a final beer – only a few open and they appeared mostly of the “gay” variety !!! Not for me thank you… So we were unable to located a bar with a TV for the Footy…. So had just a quiet beer to round off the day.





Just thought it was a good picture...



Walked back to camp and had a reasonable nights sleep. Then an early start this – the call of nature started at 5.30 with the sound of a “bird scarer” and then the normal dash to the heads……. 200 yards this time…. Such a close call – I know – too much information – but I don’t care – it’s my blog….



Left at about 7.30am and made it to Calais without to much trouble – Gertie Garman is playing up – I think the screen is now buggered so will have to get that repaired or replaced.









We are now sat the Chunnel terminal – have bought the ‘Smellies” for ‘er-in-doors’ and had a coffee or two….. We are early but have managed to get on an early train….

I have still to write up a valedictory report on the trip – equipment (tent, mat, sleeping bag – cooker – packing – what was need and what was not – routes – thoughts on the trip etc etc….. I will have to do that from home following a long soak in a hot bath…..



The plan now is to ride the M20 – M25 – M3 or A3 home…. Parting with the guys at Clacket Lane Services…. Final mileages etc will be in the Final Report







29th June ......

Leaving the camp site in the pouring rain this morning – the temperature 20 degrees lower than it was yesterday …. Bugger…

We motored from 8am until 4.30pm…. Gertie put us on a Toll Road a couple of times… and I managed to have an argument with a petrol pump that would not speak the English…. After all if it wasn't for us they would be speaking German….. but sorted out the problem with the card being upside down !!!!!

We found the camp site in Ypres and pitched and then walked into town to watch the Ceremony at the Menin Gate and then watch a bit of a concert in the town square and as usual a couple of light beers followed by and ice cream !!!! I will have to join a gym when I get back….. or get a bigger pair of trousers….

It is now 10.30pm and we do not have to get up and ride in the morning – but the plan is to get up late (ish) visit the Flanders Field Museum and ride to a couple of the interesting places – of which there are so many…. Now raining again ----- after all it's Belgium........ Nite nite

PS I managed to drop the bike off the centre stand – it sank into the grass and fell over very sedately… and broke the Right hand mirror…. Worse things happen at sea… as they say…

28th June......

We sat in the bar are watched the Spain v Portugal match after having our supper. There was a BBQ but we did not fancy paying £13.00 a head for a meal… Had a bit of a set-to with the lady running the site as she thought we were going to attend and complained that we had cost her money as the food would be wasted!!!! Balls I thought – then she came back 20 minutes later and apologized for her misunderstanding…… Having sorted that they tried to get us to pay for the pitches twice….. ah well hey ho….

Thursday was a long day – we set off from the Camping Moto by 8am as usually…We were going to try to get as far north as we could as the more time on the road on Thur would mean less on Friday when we head for Ypres in Belgium…. We it was a long day and we road sum 400 miles or so …. Very tired we arrived at a municipal site in the town of Nogent-le-Rotrou….

We sorted out the tents and walked into town – dead dead dead – I though it must have been the Germans again…. But managed to find a small bar open – so we had a beer – Dave was feeling generous and so he paid for the round…. Bugger he thought 17 euros for two beers and a coke…. Good job we didn't have a second round…

Still in France

No not pissed - just a little tired

Somewhere in France

What a happy pair - wait til you see the bill

Wed 27th June – Camping Moto – Dordogne – France

Hi Each…. Not too bad a night – sleep ok but work at 3am…. Had a shower and shave at 6am…. And we were all packed and on the road for 7.30am…. off to the Tarn Gorge – and chilly start but it soon got very hot… We stopped for a double coffee along the gorge and I managed to misplace my sunglasses… idiot… then another great run along the gorge and left up and over the top – fabulous views down too…. I managed to get a few videos of the guys riding behind from the head cam…

Then the long haul in the heat (42 degrees) to Cahors – the road was so hot that the tarmac was nearly liquid and the chippings were coming up…. On the tyre line most of the stones were missing and we had just black tar… !!! tricky and tacky…. Stopped at an Inter-marche for another coffee break and to get supplies for lunch (and replacement sunglasses)… then rode for another hour and stopped off the main road by a church in the shade and ate lunch – very chilled.

I would be fair to say that Rui is suffering a little from the heat and the long riding days… it is not everyone cup-of-tea…. I like it and I have modified the days to suit – by adding more twisties that I would do and the days are genuinely shorter --- honest

Tomorrow is a fair days ride to somewhere north of Sumur / Le Mans…. If it proves too hot again or even too wet; then we may have to shorten the day… that for democracy

Total mileage is 2616 so far…..

26th June.doc

26th June – Tuesday…

…What a night – the temperature dropped from 44 degrees at 4pm to 4 degrees at 3am this morning… I think the mountain stream running through the camp did that….

I woke up at 3 and put on more clothes and then again at 5am…. Bugger 6am came and the early morning dash to the ablutions was done in a record speed…..

Packed up and on the road by 8am - we had meet with an English man during the evening and it turned out that he knew Gerry Gooch and was a member of the CSMA etc etc…. so we sat with him last night and had a couple of beers…..

The riding today was excellent – lots of twisty's and wigglies…. Over the mountains and out of Andorra….passed loads of big Camper vans and eager French shoppers getting the booze and fags in….. into France and a lot more bendy country roads…. And so so bloody hot…………

Finally rode over the Millau viaduct and stopped at the visitor expo briefly…. Then down to the camp site pitched the tents and walked into town for a bit of shopping and a visit to the ATM for some Euros….. (yes Debs I will give you the cash when I get home)…. David and I stopped off for a couple of beers – and returned to the camp site to cook once the sun has gon down a bit….

Rui has decided not to eat this evening – but has gone off on his bike to take more pictures of the viaduct….. buy a postcard I said ….. so Dave and I are about to tuck into some pasta and ????? whatever…. Night night

26th June.doc

26th June – Tuesday…

…What a night – the temperature dropped from 44 degrees at 4pm to 4 degrees at 3am this morning… I think the mountain stream running through the camp did that….

I woke up at 3 and put on more clothes and then again at 5am…. Bugger 6am came and the early morning dash to the ablutions was done in a record speed…..

Packed up and on the road by 8am - we had meet with an English man during the evening and it turned out that he knew Gerry Gooch and was a member of the CSMA etc etc…. so we sat with him last night and had a couple of beers…..

The riding today was excellent – lots of twisty's and wigglies…. Over the mountains and out of Andorra….passed loads of big Camper vans and eager French shoppers getting the booze and fags in….. into France and a lot more bendy country roads…. And so so bloody hot…………

Finally rode over the Millau viaduct and stopped at the visitor expo briefly…. Then down to the camp site pitched the tents and walked into town for a bit of shopping and a visit to the ATM for some Euros….. (yes Debs I will give you the cash when I get home)…. David and I stopped off for a couple of beers – and returned to the camp site to cook once the sun has gon down a bit….

Rui has decided not to eat this evening – but has gone off on his bike to take more pictures of the viaduct….. buy a postcard I said ….. so Dave and I are about to tuck into some pasta and ????? whatever…. Night night

Sun 24th June – I think.......

Sun 24th June – I think

Have lost track of time a bit….Left the site at just on 8am and rode over the top of the hill on some small roads – David had a bit of an altercation with a tractor that decided to let Rui and I passed and then pulled out on David – a good test of his ABS, bowels and heart…. !!!! I had a lighter time when hit in the face by a large black bug…. and that one did hurt – later I got hit my another large creature that bounced off the chin guard and went straight into my left nostril and did not want to come out…. I could feel him moving about but not amount of “sneezing” would dislodge it…. So up with the visor – a grab of it and pull him out ….. it did not end happy for him I fear….

We made our way around Albacete with only minor disruption from Gertie…then back on the high plains and through what must me the bread basket of Spain – with miles and miles of wheat fields…. We had a quick stop for coffee and then rode to Motilla del Palancar… and onwards to a very expensive pavement café in Teruel – and the pavements full on Harley posers…. Back onto the road and what felt like endless long roads – some of it through rocky moon-like landscapes… also Cowboy Western landscapes and very long views…

By late afternoon we rode into Caspe to get fuel and then managed to get separated within the back streets… but we all eventually arrive at the lake-side camp site…. Some what hot and bothered… The ground again very very hard and will need 6 inch nails instead of tent pegs…. Not forgetting the big hammer… note the temperature was 39.5 degrees in the park when we arrived…

Tonight will be a hot one…. But tomorrow is a much shorter day of only 140 miles to

Andorra….. bye bye Spain …………….



Mon 25th June – Spain

I don’t believe a court in the land would have convicted my if I had dumped off all the people involved – with tractors and specialist equipment – in picking or whatever the field of plums at 4.30am this morning…. A cool part of the day it may have been but I don’t care – they had their siesta in the afternoon and I didn’t ….

I am turning into Ed Reardon (Radio 4) or someone very close to him and the Grumpy Old Men…. I know – I hear you saying Nigel is already a GOM or even a Grumpy Old Bike… GOB……. I am because events and people have made me that way – you only have yourselves to blame…

3 Amigos......

We had a good start at 7.30 this morning and didn’t really get lost at all…a good hot ½ day’s riding – fought our way into Andorra past all the fag shops and dozens of petrol stations… and even managed a quick trip around the first hyper bloody market – far too much choice and stacks of booze and fags on even corner to lure the unsuspecting…. We bought bread, water and potato chips and left ………….. the last time I came to Andorra half the main town was like building site – we three years later the other half is being done….

Got the the camp site by 12.30 and we are all now chilling – Rui is doing his dhoby, David is checking and noting his maps as he managed to lose his note book somewhere en route (pardon my French) – as for me I am writing up the blog ready for up loading sometime tomorrow – maybe even at a McDonalds – I get the impression that the other two are too ‘foodie’ to enjoy the delights of a Big Mac…. I how ever am not….. they may have to just watch as I eat one with chips !!!! We are on the way the Millau tomorrow but the route is taking us over some more Twisties and even some Wiggly Wiggly’s ……. Night night dear reader….   PS the temperature today was 44 degrees - bugger

....and you think I know where we is.....

Sat 23rd June - somewhere Albacete Spain

Sat 23rd June – Somewhere near Albacete

Nigel viewing the Sierra Nevada...

After a dreadful nights sleep as the kids and their handlers were all playing hide and seek around the camp until about 3am !!!!    It was up and away by 8am… We changed the route to ride through the Sierra Nevada National Park… and the road was excellent – not much is the way of barriers or Armco but a good road.. The term ‘Twisty roads’ is an understatement and so 3 grades of “Wiggly” would be required…. Most of the time it was just plain on wiggly but on the steep parts it went as far a wiggly wiggly wiggly….

Having scared myself fartless for the best part of 5 hours today we arrived at the campsite at about 1.30pm and were met by Rui complete with new tyre and living in a Huckleberry Finn cabin with grass awning… noisy fridge, electricity and his very own internal “dunny”…. We are sat outside now using his electric and the camp WiFi…

The riding has been excellent even though very hot… but the plains are very boring and even hotter… like having a hair dryer pointed at you all the time…. Which reminds me to go and get some air in the boots and riding trousers… now that a few hours have passed !!!!



Nigel and tents - with Rui's hut in the back ground



One thing of note from yesterday we that I was so tired when we arrived that I broke to rule of no beer until the tents were up….. and so having had just one well earned beer we left the car park to find the camping ground – the lady said back up the hill and it’s on the right… I rounded the corner, saw a hill and gunned it…… then saw that I was fast approaching a paddling pool at the top onf the slope !!!! Bugger and all stop….  some very surprised looking bathers too....

Back down the hill and ride up the “other” hill…. Again I saw the target and went for it…. Rev rev go go…. Half way up the concrete stopped and the gravel started…. And the road was gone !!! Wrong again…    and had the slide back down backward with the front wheel locked and dragging – and only just managed to avoid the steep drop to the right…… “oh shit” was the technical term for it…. Next time David or Rui and do the path finding…



Night night – Tomorrow is a shorter day with all three bikes back together…..



Fri 22nd June

Fri 22nd June 2012




Good evening,

Off to a good start at 8am today and covered 325miles…. Gertie was OK but I missed a turn and we did a bit of toll motorway… to Malaga – what a aweful place – just like a very large building site going on for miles and miles…. Poor Malaga what have they done to you – I was last there in 1974 and it was small – now it is huge and dreaful….. best stay away from that…

So we rode the death road A7 to Malaga and then turned north to rejoin our original route….. and what a route is was - riding along the edge of the Sierra Navada and right to the top…. The A402 to Granada and then A348… twisty is very much an under statement…. Hell I would call it….. up and up and up and up….. by the way the camp site is at 1140m above sea level …. and full of noisy kids and not enough wardens for my liking…..

Dave lead the charge today and it’s was a good ride.. with extraordinary roads and sights and such views …… pictures just could not described them…. Fabulous ….. and all of this in 34 degrees in the shade - if anyone failed to see us - we are the two in full motorcycle gear and Hi Viz jackets..   everyone else is dressed in tee shirts jeans and trainers..... fools............... !!!!

Rui has managed to get his tyre fixed and is now at base camp 6 and apparently has booked in to one of the posh cabin for two nights !!!!! Camping not good enough huh !!!

Tomorrow we are going to try to go into the National Park de Sierra Nevada and save a few miles and then rejoin the route on the A92 going North…

It is 9.30 and we are both having a quiet beer while the brats are having their supper…. I will write this and then go back to the tents and cook our supper before turning in for the night…..

Dos Hermanas in Southern Spain




David using the local facilities



Nigel having a spot of Meditation



Rui's Desert Island Cabin



Wed & Thu - Portugal and Spain

Wed 20th June 2012…. So much for a shorter day…..




Following England’s half hearted win at footie….we left at 8.30am and before long we found some amazing roads – lots of twisty narrow lanes through the mountains – excellent bike roads…. Then Gertie Garmin through a bit of a fit and we were all over the place and doubled back on ourselves more that once - the tracks will be very interesting to see later…. Again great roads and great riding….. Rui still feeling a bits sick and so were we when we discovered that he had started the trip with a nearly bald rear tyre.. bugger we thought…. Found the camp site near the beach – it was like Skegness on a winters day…. No-one about and the town all closed up – and it started to rain too – had a very sleepless night – worrying if the tent pegs would hold in the sand…..

Thu 21st June 2012 – a long day…

This morning started with Rui riding off to Seville - the quick way to find a tyre and David and I rode the route… and with the help of Gertie – not – it was another great day….. this time it was long sweeping bends and clear roads…. The scenery was fabulous with endless rows of olive trees (no humans though). We arrived at Seville at about 6.30pm and Rui arrived about an hour later… still no new tyre – will try again tomorrow… We are now sat in the bar (which closed at 9pm). We the company of a lady called Jackie and she has been on the road in a van for 6 weeks looking for wind surfer beaches…. Rui will take off early and try to get a tyre – while David and I will again ride the route to the South…..

Spain 19th June 2012 - Day 3

Tue 19th June 2012


Yesterday was a short day. Got off the boat and rode to the first campsite – it was raining most of the way. Had a good pizza at the camp site and watched the Spain v Ukraine match with a few beers…  Then came the heavy rain for the rest of the night...    Got up late at 7.30 and cooked bredakfast...

Rui was ill over night and had been suffering all day… This morning we started late at about 9am and surprisingly it was not raining – if fact a very warm day – except for when we were riding through the clouds – that was moist and foggy. Lots and lots of miles covered today.. over fabulous roads with spectacular views. We stopped for a brief Kodak moment and then saw a sign for a “camera” opportunity and what a view that we were now way above the cloud line – fabulous… then followed some exceptional roads – twists and turns – climbing and falling… over long bridges over lakes and passes.

By the time we reached the next stop we were all very tired.  just cooked a meal and we are now sitting in the bar watching England v Croatia… with a beer.   Rui is still not well and has retired for an early night……

Tomorrow is a shorter day of just 250 miles……  into Portugal and down passed Porta to the coast..

Spain Monday night..... Day two

Spain 0 v Croatia 0 ,,,,,,,,,,, hic
Hissing with rain outside the bar....... N


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All at Sea.....

17 June 2012-06-17


0900 assembled at Ringwood for the final flap about what to pack and were it should go. Finally hit the road at 10am and headed for Plymouth – David lead for this leg – testing the power of his new Triumph 1200 Explorer. The journey OK except for the mass of “Sunday Drivers” and Caravans….. aaaarrrgggghhhhh That is something that Clarkson was right about !!

Arrived at Plymouth in good time for the Ferry… Looks like hundreds of bike getting on board… We happy watching the parade and smiling as a sports biker stopped in the queue and forgot put a foot down – what a crash (Gaffer Tape required over there)…

All at Sea.....

Now sitting on-board sipping beer and reading MCN…. Rui has gone off to find a book having entertained us with the complete blow by blow story of how machines can pluck-f**k-and cut up chickens….. very graphic….. but awesome machines just like poetry – apparently…. I am now looking forward to another beer and something to eat…. See you later..

Next morning – drinking tea just outside the Piano Bar ! We have been so lucky with the weather – the sea has been like a millpond all the way…. After a couple of pints to aid sleep with hit the sack at about 9pm and slept through until 7.30.

Not sure when I will be able to post this Blog – there is WiFi on the ship but that £5.00 per hour.. So I will be looking out for a McDonalds en route today….

..... And it's off

Hi. Tried to pack lighter but failed despite selecting a smaller tent...... too many socks I suspect...

Just looking at the planned route (a basis for change) and we actually have a day in hand - just in case - emergency - break-down - nice beach - good beer who knows.........

On Saturday I ride down to CW Motorcycles in Dorchester for a much need 32k service; then meet the guys for a last minute chat and check at 5pm; then home to pack the bike.   Sunday we meet at Ringwood then drive down to Plymouth to catch the 3pm boat to Spain.  The first day in Spain will be a short run into the Pico mountains and the adventure begins....

Poor David is rushing down from Aberdeen on the Friday to spend a frantic 48 hours getting himself and the bike ready for Sunday.  Rui probably won;t sleep much as he is so excited about the whole thing...

At present the tent decision has been made in favour of the Coleman Avior x3 but there is still time to change that !!!   Later

Lunch at the Mayfly Leckford

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... 3 weeks to go..

..With just less than 3 weeks to go.. I really ought to be thinking about packing.... and I really must scale down what I take... but how !!  I have a small sleeping bag (it should be warm in Spain so a 2 seasons bag should do), I have a smaller tent but  still looks too much.   But I still favour the Khyam Biker tent....   I read the other day that you should pack for 3 days whether your going for 3 days, 3 months or 3 years .....   I will have to think about that ???

I have decided to take the lockable top box for the security it gives..  Not a lot left to do - the bike is in for a service the day before we go... the paperwork is done .. the euro have been got.. the euro card loaded... the stove fixed (I hope).. ah well hey ho...

A sort of a Dry Run.....

The ride to Tewkesbury was good and the road clear until we got to the Air Balloon roundabout - the rain was very heavy at times. Camped at the Red Lion pub - had a meal and a few ales to assist sleep?   Slept OK until 5am - I cooked the breakfast - although Colin was determined to incinerate something in the confines of this own tent.  We were on the road by 8am - still bloody raining....

Nigel on the Sunday morning - had been awake since 5.30 !!

David with is brand new Triumph 1200 Tiger Explorer - hence the big grin..

Colin at Rhayader checking the map before heading of for a spin over the Brecons

Nigel - and yes we did have a few minutes of sunshine...

Rui packing up in the rain - but not wanting to get his knees wet !!

Rui preparing for the speed test over the hills...

Rode to Rhayader via Hereford and stopped at the Honey Cafe for a coffee and cake.   Arrived in very good time and the guys decided to go for a spin over the Brecons and Sennybridge. I am taking a break as this bloody cough is making me tired..



Off to the Eagle Pub this evening for a hot meal and another chance to put the world to rights..

The storm hit Wales at about 1am on Sunday and carried on through until the morning -  then rained all of Sunday - it was still pouring down and blowing a gale when we packed up to ride home.    Not a very comfortable ride home at all - the bike was very unstable in the high winds - lots of trees down and debris on the roads.   

Got to the Severn Bridge and we were informed that the bridge was shut to high-sided vehicles and motorcycles due to the high winds.   Hints were made by the local constabulary that a way over the bridge was the cycle path on the outside edge of the bridge so we decided to give it a go - managed to get 100 yards on to the bridge and disaster - the wind was so high that I had to stop riding - and having done so the wind hit me and over I went - bugger.  Other than a broken mirror there was no damage.   With assistance from the lads we manage to pick up the bike and re-trace our steps back off the bridge...  then travelled home via Cirencester and Marlborough.   Again a very uncomfortable ride in the high winds - the others did not appear to be as effected by the high winds but I was - it's your f***ing panniers I was advised by Colin... they are more like sails apparently.   We stopped a couple more times to have coffee and tied to thaw out our hands and feet and deposit gallons of water onto cafe floors at various locations.  Rui taking an opportunity to change his socks in a cafe..

We all went our own ways home just after Tidworth.   All in all a good but very wet weekend...  just the preparation we needed for our up and coming trip to Spain - A very strange sort of dry run......

Ace Cafe Adventure Travel Day

What an excellent day out - bloody cold but well worth it... Met with some great people and saw loads of wonderful bikes.  Had a great breakfast too.   As usual I managed to buy another book "The Long Ride Home" by Nathan Millward -    http://www.thepostman.org.uk/ Australia to UK on a 105cc Honda called Dorothy - excellent.  Such a nice chap - go buy the book - please - you will love it.

Lots of XRV750s to look at... Just got to sort out this GS.. 

My planning is still going on - having a shakedown trip to Cheltenham and the Brecons in April...  must remember to take some beer tokens.....   Still just the three of us going 17th June out and 1 July back - Spain - Portugal - Andorra - France and the chunnel home....  and I must remeber more Kodak Moments and the Blog....

Photo with the compliments of Ian Harper..




Nigel chatting to Nathan Millward





... Still planning not to plan too much

Dear Blog.....

Us Virgonians just find it so difficult to be spontaneous....   I have looked up a route for the trip and found a few camp sites from the ASCI database - I just love the planning.   It's good to know where your going - isn't it!!! 
The problem is that having only a limited holiday and not having the luxury of an open ended trip... one just has to be real about it.   I can't just get off a boat into Spain and bimble around Spain-Portugal-Andorra-France without knowing when I am going to arrive at the Chunnel to catch the train.   I certainly don't want to be in the position of having to blat across Spain and France on the motorways when I run out of time...

Met with the guys for a trip-chat last night... all very positive..  Will now have to arrange a date for a shake-down weekend and beer or two.  Still no decision of "Big Tent v Small Tent....  the war goes on..

Boat ticket is booked and return chunnel ticket booked.  Still too early to start packing !!!

The bike is booked in for work on a small oil leak in February and I will need to keep an eye of the tyres too.

I am still looking at XRV750s but can't take a loss on selling the R1200GS - so will have to live with it for a year or two.............