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…
Friday, 29 June 2012
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…
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…
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
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…..
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
…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
…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
Monday, 25 June 2012
Sun 24th June – I think.......
Sun 24th June – I think
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…
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…
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| 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
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| ....and you think I know where we is..... |
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Sat 23rd June - somewhere Albacete Spain
Sat 23rd June – Somewhere near Albacete
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 !!!!
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| 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 !!!!
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| 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…..
Friday, 22 June 2012
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…..
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…..
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…..
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Dos Hermanas in Southern Spain
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David using the local facilities  |
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| Nigel having a spot of Meditation |
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| 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…..
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…..
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
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..
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...
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..
Monday, 18 June 2012
Spain Monday night..... Day two
Hissing with rain outside the bar....... N
Sent from my BlackBerry wizzy thing
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)…
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….
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)…
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| All at Sea..... |
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….
Sunday, 17 June 2012
..... And it's off
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
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
Monday, 4 June 2012
Monday, 28 May 2012
... 3 weeks to go..
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...
Saturday, 28 April 2012
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....
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......
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| Nigel on the Sunday morning - had been awake since 5.30 !! |
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| David with is brand new Triumph 1200 Tiger Explorer - hence the big grin.. |
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| Colin at Rhayader checking the map before heading of for a spin over the Brecons |
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| Nigel - and yes we did have a few minutes of sunshine... |
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| Rui packing up in the rain - but not wanting to get his knees wet !! |
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| Rui preparing for the speed test over the hills... |
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......
Monday, 20 February 2012
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..
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..
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| Nigel chatting to Nathan Millward |
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
... 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.............
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.............
Thursday, 15 December 2011
All Sorted
Hi each - All back to normal now - the plan for 2012 to visit Spain / Portugal / Andorra / France is now a joint trip with 3 riders.. The initial plan is the travel from Plymouth to Santander and return via Andorra and France and finally the Chunnel. We are planning not to plan too much and just have a general idea of a route etc .... I will try my best to NOT plan too much but might just have a detailed look at places to visit.... biggest decision will be which tent - large or small......
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Post Whoops
Hi each......
Two weeks since I fell off - the ribs are healing slowly but surely... still can't lay down in bed - and sneezing is extremely painful..... I might try a spin out on the bike tomorrow - prior to maybe riding to the NEC on Monday for the Bike Show.
Two weeks since I fell off - the ribs are healing slowly but surely... still can't lay down in bed - and sneezing is extremely painful..... I might try a spin out on the bike tomorrow - prior to maybe riding to the NEC on Monday for the Bike Show.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
....Whooops
... It was a slow corner on a very narrow road - the last left hander - just me and a Transit Van making for the same piece of road ...... I moved left and headed for gap between the van and the hedge - rear wheel locked and slide on the leaves- the rear wheel stepped out to the right and then found grip - slow speed but it still hide-sided me into the gap..... or as a friend recently put it - "I got tossed-off by a big German" ?? The result was two broken ribs - Ooooouch................. Would loved to have put a copy of the x-ray here but...
PS - the bike is fine.............LOL
PS - the bike is fine.............LOL
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
and it's September already...
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| Nigel approaching Abbotsbury |
Not too much happening on the travel front since Ripley. Last weekend was the Annual SAM Camping trip to Dartmoor - it was a good weekend and it stayed reasonably dry during the day. 15 people altogether - a good turn out for SAM. We have a good time - good roads - good company - and visited the Adrenalin Quarry again - and thanks goes to Will for the discount price on the Zip Wire.
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| We are all Doomed... |
The meals in the evenings at Betty Cottles were great and Colin appears to have found a liking for Doom Bar ale.... and for setting fire to his food !!!
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| Stand back - nothing to see here..... |
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| Impressed are you Mike...... |
I am not sure what was happening here Jennet but Mike Barringer looks impressed !!! Looking forward to next year's trip - possible Mid Wales.... or even a week France... who knows.. Thanks to all those that ventured to Darkest Devon and Cornwall and especially to those camping virgins for giving it a go. Don't forget that Horizons Unlimited 12th Annual Meeting will be taking place in July next year and they are already taking bookings http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/UK2012.php
Thursday, 21 July 2011
So quiet ...... for July
Still not really "bonding" with the BMW GS... and was looking at another XRV750 on the www. It is very low mileage and excellent condition !
Not a lot happening at present - lots of miles being done with Observing for SAM, and also me getting to grips with my own standard of riding by receiving some additional tutoring.
Still planning for Spain/Portugal but keeping options open for other destinations..
Sent from my BlackBerry wizzything
Not a lot happening at present - lots of miles being done with Observing for SAM, and also me getting to grips with my own standard of riding by receiving some additional tutoring.
Still planning for Spain/Portugal but keeping options open for other destinations..
Sent from my BlackBerry wizzything
Friday, 1 July 2011
What a busy June...
Had some interesting insights into travel and especially planning for next year.... The options are either solo or two up to Spain / Portugal or even Italy. We did discuss the possibility of 4 bikes going to Morocco - small bikes, lightly packed - either DRZ or Tenere - will have to think about that - would have to be second hand.... So many options - ride down - drive the bikes down in a van etc etc. The whole thing sounds good but maybe a little costly - buy a bike - drive down or fly down - not camping (but rooms are meant to be cheap).... I do feel that the BMW 1200GS is not the right bike for me still - will have to see. Maybe trade it in for something else...
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| L to R - Dave Charlton - Mick O'Malley - Stewart - Carel Wall - Nigel Grace on a expidition to the Army Surplus store in Ripley !!! |
I can see why so many people go solo !! Planning is so much easier... I was looking at the option of getting a train from Holland down to Livorno in Italy and then riding around the coast line... or stick with the original plan of a boat to Bilboa and ride through Portugal and around to the Pyrenees etc...
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| Mmmmmm Should I ride Morocca with these gentlemen !!!! |
Ahhh well back to reality - bike needs a service now and new tyres... and I will need to gather some funds ready for next year... Photos to follow
Monday, 20 June 2011
Off I go again….
Set out tomorrow for the 2011 Horizons Unlimited Annual Meeting in Ripley Derbyshire…. and the weather does not look too promising …
It will be a good event – they always are… such a lot of nice people to meet and chat with… and Mick O’Mally will be there to share a few stories with and even glasses of beer….
By the time I get back the bike will be ready for it’s 6,000 service – that’s 6,500 since mid-March (average 2600 per month) bugger…… and of course that will mean new tyre too in July..
I have managed to bugger my back over the last weekend so I am struggling a bit to get on and off the bike too…
Catch you later
It will be a good event – they always are… such a lot of nice people to meet and chat with… and Mick O’Mally will be there to share a few stories with and even glasses of beer….
By the time I get back the bike will be ready for it’s 6,000 service – that’s 6,500 since mid-March (average 2600 per month) bugger…… and of course that will mean new tyre too in July..
I have managed to bugger my back over the last weekend so I am struggling a bit to get on and off the bike too…
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| Taken by David Charlton at Portsmouth - ready to depart for France May 2011 |
Monday, 6 June 2011
.. The First Adventure Travel Film Festival
.. last weekend I attended the inaugural UK Adventure Travel Film Festival held at Appledore in Devon – it was arranged by Austin Vince and Lois Pryce. Absolutely brilliant…. All the films were excellent, the location was great and the weather sunny and hot (well Friday and Saturday anyway)… A link to the event can be found over to right of this blog…
I met so many interesting and nice people - the location was perfect – and the beer was chilled.
This is going to be a must for next year – as well as the Horizons Unlimited event later this month at Ripley. Here are a few photos…
I met so many interesting and nice people - the location was perfect – and the beer was chilled.
This is going to be a must for next year – as well as the Horizons Unlimited event later this month at Ripley. Here are a few photos…
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| This is Mick - such a nice chap.... |
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| And a good night was had by all.... bring on the next film |
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| Austin Vince - doing what he does best.. |
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| It's not all about bike you know........ |
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| Viw from the river |
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