Moto France (via Belgium) 2013 - Day 1.

Our ace Moto France Guru (code name MRM4IE but we call him MF) organised a little foray into Belgium and France.

Mr MF - Moto France Guru

He invited some of his bessie mates and could get only 18 to sign up. In order to make sure that there would be no shirkers and that everyone understood the 'rules' he hosted a BBQ Briefing a few weeks prior to departure. Reiterating the rules included: 1.) Don't frighten Citroen 2CVs by suddenly appearing in their windscreens on the brow of a blind rise 2.) Handshake to all and sundry first thing in the mornings (but only one - otherwise diplomatic incident) 3.) Two kisses not three (otherwise further d.i.) 4.) Three kisses for girls 5.) DAM Double Helix DNA stagger system 6.) Second man drop-off HAB system 7.) Petrol emergency procedures etc.

Dr JK kindly invited us for tea and biccies (and scones and cream as it turned out) at his very convenient RV near to the ferry port. We arrived in dribs and quite a few drabs. The "shafties" were allocated parking next door away from the "chains" in case the former got sprayed with Scotties Oil by the latter.

 J-M D made the RV with pinpoint accuracy.

RV-ing from all points of the compass.

 This isn't Herringbone parking.

"What's he doing parked here?" "Err I think I should be over there!" 

As it was only a few hours until an 8 course P&O dinner (well 2x four courses) we stuffed ourselves on tea, biccies, scones, cream and jam. I'll try and get a picture to insert here. Maybe someone can send me a pic of scones and jam?

We left Dr JK to do the washing up and headed for the Ferry Terminal. Dr JK is fast at both washing up and motorcycling.

Leaving Dr JK's

We all arrived together in perfect formation. But they didn't want us at the Freight Terminal so we executed magnificent synchronised U-turns and headed for the Vehicle Terminal.

At this point - having just switched on our phones - we learnt that our two scouts (well one Scout and a Brownie) of the advanced recce troop had had a skirmish with the enemy. Not ideal. However, our dauntless pair were not phased and reported to base camp the next day with only a slightly bent moto. The French will be paying for this one!

We boarded the Pride of York skidding only slightly on the slippery ramp and snaking artistically on the oily deck, admiring each others helmets reflecting their brand new 3M tape stickers magnificently in the headlight beams in the suffused lighting of the car/motorcycle deck.

I believe that we can recommend P&O. The cabins are a tad small, and you have to go out into the passage (gangway?) to change or turn around - a bit inconvenient when you have been relegated to the top bunk - but otherwise the ship, the staff, the food, the bars etc, are magnificent.

My shipmate, Dr AM, went straight to the bar on boarding and came back to the cabin with four beers for the price of five. "A bargain" he said, 'especially for Russian beer!"

Click here for a link to P&O Ferry

The ship had a lot of manoeuvering to do. The gap between ship and lock was kind of small......

........ maybe 12" each side?

We made the decision to let the pilot do the navigation. We repaired to the bar hoping that Sub-Lieutenant Phillips wasn't in charge. Over a drink or three we started the bonding process with our new Yorkshire and IOM friends - Mr JA. Mrs SA and Ms J-MD. It is a pleasure to have you with us.

After a few drinks we had dinner.

This is definitely the way to travel. Mr PG I appreciate that you could not provide a pic of Dr JK's scones and jam but I could do with that picture of cones and jams, that you promised, here!!

After a non-eventful crossing, but a restless night on the top bunk wrestling my postage stamp duvet and listening to Dr AM's rythmnic breathing, we arrived at Zeebrugge docks at about 09:00 Belgium time.

Breakfast was desperately needed as rations on this vessel are pretty meagre. THIS is not my breakfast. I went for the full English.

Soon it was time to head for the car deck and get sorted for departure. Ride-on-the-right, Ride-on-the-right was going through my head. We decided to RV at the first convenient place after riding off the ferry for general adjustments before launching off towards the land of Asterix and Obelix.

Note 1: All maps and photos can be resized by clicking.

Wales 2013 - Taz Tours.

It seemed like a good idea to join Taz and Mrs Taz on one of their renowned motorcycle tours. This year the destination was Aberdovey, Wales.

The 09:00 rendezvous was not possible for me so I decided to make my own meandering way to the hotel. I calculated that the ride would take me about 4 hours. I packed my panniers and a tail bag and, after checking tyre pressures and the oil level, was ready to go.

All relevant captions below photos.

Moto ready to roll.

This is the odometer at the start of the trip.

My original idea was to record the ride by way of pubs en route. Here is the first one:

The Puss in Boots

At The Railway Inn at Cower's Lane I turned left onto the A517.

Beautiful Derbyshire countryside.

Straight ahead to Ashbourne.

I stopped briefly at Darley Moor Airfield.

The airfield reminded me of Heathrow!!

A few miles before I reached Stafford I stopped for a drink and a bite. 

The pubs of England are part of our culture. Nowhere else does pubs like ours. Long may they survive.

This is The Swan at Newport. There is a clue on the pub wall.
However, there were too many pubs and progress would have been at snail pace......

Newport is a pretty little place. I had a wander.

I pressed on through Halfway House and Welshpool. The scenery was getting more picturesque by the mile. This pic was taken at Mallwyd from the Brigands Inn.

At about 17h00 I arrived at the Penhelig Arms. The rest of the gang arrived shortly after. Some of us had not met before, so over a few drinks and dinner the pleasant getting-to-know-you process began. It was decided that the next morning we would set off for Snowdonia National Park.  

Here are most of the gang at Pen Y Glas?? Or possibly Llanberis?

This picture was taken near Machynlleth. River Dyfi?

After another enjoyable and laughter-filled evening we hit our respective sacks.  The next morning was to be a relaxed affair. It was Sunday morning after all. I'm not sure if anyone went to chapel.

After a cracking breakfast most of us went for  a stroll around Aberdovey.

Mrs Taz had her picture taken outside of the old family holiday cottage.

The Marine Drive of Aberdovey.

After our little wander around the town and the beach we decided to head off to Aberystwyth. Here is Mrs Taz again - this time with Tony the Farmer. Place: Promenade Aberystwyth.

What is it about odometers and me? My moto passed 37000 in Aberystwyth!

We took the coast road via Borth back to Aberdovey. We stopped for petrol in Machynlleth. Taz had one mile of fuel left in his tank. We stopped too soon. The next filling station was only half a mile away and was a penny cheaper!

The road from Machynlleth to Aberdovey had a few road works going on and temporary traffic lights. One of the joys of motorcycling is getting to the front of the queue. I don't believe we upset too many drivers!! Anyway, back to the hotel for a sundowner before dinner and drinks on our last night.

Sundowners on the deck. Lovely.

Dinner plus a laugh or two. It was fun.

Here is the top table. Kev the Heddlu is saying, "What's not too like?'

This is the Route Master. Well done Geoff.

Mr and Mrs Geoff plus high definition camera.

Day of departure. Beautiful sunshine.

Fairwell Penhelig Arms. Thank you for everything - especially Senorita Christina. If ever you need your refrigerator repaired I know just the person.

These pics were taken on the B4404 just north of Machynlleth.

It was such a beautiful day that I stopped every few minutes to take a pic.

Still on the B4404.  A489 ahead. 

A458

B4395

B4393 near Llanfyllin.

Wales is so beautiful. I stopped for one final photo before entering Shropshire and heading for home.

Motorbike parked at home and clicking and clacking as it cooled down. Panniers and bags off.

Final odometer reading: 37187 = 525 miles trip.

It was a lovely long weekend. Thank you Taz and Mrs Taz for organising the whole thing and for introducing me to so many lovely people too. Can I please join you next time? ATB.