Moving On

Decided to start another blog page, haven’t yet decided what to call it, maybe Moving On or something similar?

As some of you may know we have recently sold our home of the last 13 or so years, this was a property that I totally remodelled, adding an extension and moving walls to create an individually designed property, described thus by one agent advertising it……………

“Pablo Picasso. Vincent Van Gogh. The owners of this home. The odd one out ? Well actually, there isn''t one. Starting with a blank canvas, they have all created a masterpiece. Quite simply, Reeds Rains are thrilled to advertise on behalf of our clients this stunning and thoughtfully extended/modernised four bedroom semi-detached home. With so many intricate details to note, where do we begin?”

Not a bad job, anyway we move on. We didn’t know what we were going to do once we sold the house, the children have grown and are now living independently away from home and we are again as free as we were when we were teenagers, only this time with life’s experience behind us.

That experience has taught me many things, but to stay on subject it has taught me the best place for cash is in property, so, after a great deal of thought and consideration of our options we have decided to put most of our money back into another house, and another project, (hence this bog) a record of how when and what the hell, from the beginning.

So with one house sold and awaiting completion of the sale we went looking for “another little place”. We needed to stay close to Manchester for work but with transport links reckoned we could look within a 30 mile radius. Having looked everywhere from Middlewich to Halifax and Warrington we stumbles upon a property in Newton le Willows, that I thought a first glance looked about right. From the estate agents pictures I could see it still had the original window to the front with the original stained glass, I’m estimating build date about 1928. still having original windows is usually as sign that it will need internally updating as well, so a rewire, re-plum and possibly new central heating if it actually has any, personally I’d rather it didn’t, blank canvas but again looking at the pictures there are radiators in some rooms.

We did notice from the description there wasn’t a picture of the bathroom, always a worry when they don’t show something on an advert I think.

So next thing to do is arrange a viewing, we visited the area over a weekend and sat outside considering the place and looking around at the surrounding area and property, it wasn’t as big as it looked in the pictures but that wasn’t a bad thing as we didn’t want big, just interesting. I have to admit that at this stage I think I was more interested than Julie; we went around to the agents.

Would you believe they don’t do Sunday viewings and only do during the week between 9 and 5, business must be good? Julie couldn’t get time off work to view until Thursday, when she was finishing early anyway, as we were away on our summer break Thursday evening on the bike, so we made an appointment for Thursday at 4.30 and returned home. Once back at home we chatted further re the possibilities. The agent informed us they had received an offer and it was/is being considered however they were still willing to show us around and maybe take an improved offer, I’m not into bidding wars but was prepared to go to the asking price, cash, quick sale no messin.

Monday morning I phone agent, both lines busy, all morning, property market must be picking up, decide at 11.30 to visit agent in person and see if I could view property during the day before Thursday, long one short, within 10 minutes of walking into the office I was parked outside the house officially viewing. (apparently they weren’t that busy, tattooist up stairs had cut thru phone lines)

FIRST IMPRESSION.

Yes the windows are 90 years old and need replacing, doing that sympathetically would be challenging, but I would have to retain that original leaded glass, all of which seemed to be in tact and good condition. Internally the layout was, well not what I expected but I could work with it, rooms downstairs smaller again than they appeared on the pictures, but for us they would work just fine, the kitchen was a good size and had fairly new units and reasonable appliances that would be staying, again do us for the time being. As suspected it does need a rewire, the consumer unit/fuse box is original though the fuses have been updated they were still some 20 years or so and out of date. The gas boiler had a service stamp of 2008, doesn’t mean it’s not been serviced since but does say it is getting on and again isn’t up to today’s specification, if I was to date the central heating system I would say, fitted early 70’s (boiler is newer than that) so again radiators were not the modern finned efficient types you get now, all this was expected and not a surprise at all.

Upstairs and the reason for the lack of bathroom picture was obvious, it is so small you couldn’t take a picture, I will try and post when we get in. the other rooms upstairs were, three good sized double bedroom and a box bedroom that would just about fit a single bed but that’s it no room for anything else.

So with the internal viewing over we moved outside, this is thru the “anti room”, basically boiler and toilet in a room just about large enough to house them, as we fleetingly passed thru I thought “I’ll have to do something with this waste of space”.

The garden is long and narrow, with a garage to the right side accessed thru an up and over electrically operated door. The agent informed me part of the garden was on a lease from the council but was longstanding and not an issue, note made to check when I got back home, I looked over the fences to either side at the other “leased” portions of neighbours gardens and noted they were not maintained, possibilities.

We went back into the house and I have to say I had a nice feeling about the place, it had obviously been well cared for and maintained without being overly modernised, I would guess the previous owners had lived here a considerable period of time, at a guess maybe 50 years if not longer, the garage door is a sign they didn’t scrimp when it came to replacing items, door would have been replaced when original door became rotten, also the fuse box under the stairs had had all the fuses upgraded, usually you see the ood one or two replaced with modern as most people thought it an unnecessary expense, obviously expense wasn’t considered here, no I had a nice warm feeling about the place, we sat and had a chat, I noted the original hard wood parquet floor at the sides under the rug that filled the dining room and was itching to lift all the furniture out to check and see if it was all intact, I’ll be surprised if it isn’t but not too disappointed.

I made a provisional offer subject to Julie viewing Thursday, this I believe was enough for us to secure the property for a week, Julie I’m sure will love it as much as me and am also sure she will trust me to get it to her desired condition in not too long a time.

And another adventure begins; I can just see a pair of Dragons in that garage as I type.

So, I’ll post on this regular, fewer words and maybe more pictures, wished I’d have blogged my previous projects, but never mind we’re her now, be great to have your company, stick around.

Away on holiday thru France and Italy for a couple of weeks on the bike, when I get back I’ll post that story first, don’t yet do this picture posting on the move from mobile phone thing, too busy enjoying the me time to share, sorry, but will give full story on return, and by which time we should know for sure the property situation, then this blog will move to it’s very own page, obviously Lost For Words will still be here and updated regular as well, just keeping things tidy tis all.

Now to enjoy some wind…………………see you on the road.

Oh and to all my readers across the pond, enjoy your 4^th July celebration

Mick

The roads you don’t know……………may become the ones you love the most

Decided to scout the Belonga Mick ride in “real” time this trip out, so I set off at 06.30, looking to arrive at the euro tunnel for 11.20, 276 miles and 4 ½ hrs, I’d booked the 12.20 train just in case but would hope to be able to get the 11.20 in October, gives us more time France side to push further south before we have to stop for the night.

Also you may remember from my last trip I’ve been suffering with my knees and wrist so wanted to make sure I could “go the distance”

I just made the tunnel in time to get the 11.20 but to air on the side of caution, think I’ll set off ½ hour earlier in October.

From Calais I was heading down the toll road and towards one of France’s “prettiest villages” France has a little competition and awards winning town with the pretty village mark (in fairness some aren’t so pretty anymore but the Marie must have influence)

Gerberoy

From there to Dreux and my hotel for the night, at £17 I wasn’t expecting much but it was clean and close to a Campanile for dinner, again had it scheduled for 18.30 arrival and got there just before six,, I took my time and enjoyed some nice roads. In October we’ll be meeting with some French riders around the Gerberoy mark and riding with them, this will add time to the trip, shaking hands to say hello and farewell when there’s twenty or so can take time but heck we’re in France what’s half an hour?

Got my usual 9 o’clock call from meJulie, this was not the usual chit chat about our day, this time she had some important news. We put our house on the market a few weeks ago and a couple had come back for a second viewing the day before I left, anyway long one short they put an offer in, 3 actually, until meJulie finally said yes” that’s the figure we’re looking for, we had only chatted the day before about what that figure would be and what it would entail re items left, we were happy to accept.

However, while yes we wanted to sell the house we didn’t expect it to be so quick (within 4 weeks), I had some decisions to make as I took a leisurely ride thru France tomorrow.

When I got up and went out to load the bike I had to do a double take……………..

Hadn’t drunk anything over dinner last night so it couldn’t be the after effects of a good night.

It had been recommended I travel “thru” rather than around some of the towns on my way down, it was just short of two hundred miles, I took my time and did just that, Octobers going to be a great sight seeing tour, beautiful tis all I can say, my fellow Valkers that will be coming down with me then are in for a treat, and you my friends, oh I won’t forget you, I’ll post pics and more then but don’t want to spoil it by doing that before the main event

Passing Blois I was reminded of my last trip and a story I didn’t tell, briefly I filled the tanks in Blois last trip and must have got some bad gas in there as for the next 400 miles the dragon would only run on full choke, problems stated about 5 miles out of Blois and continued, kept topping the tank every 100 and each time it got slightly better, then before I left for home I put about 4 gals in and she once again ran sweat, had me worried I’ll tell you, but that was then, funny how we forget life’s little hiccups, always remember the good time.

Valkyrie 400 mile range

I can now confirm that my Dragon will go 400 miles before I have to put gas in the tank(s). Yes got belly tank and it’s a standard with an interstate tank, but 400 miles and counting is a big ask of a six cylinder being fed by 6 individual carbs.

Way back in 07 I visited Mario moto down in Italy, this guy was modifying the standard gearbox and effectively making fifth gear into an overdrive, short and long, forth gear goes on forever, then whenever you like knock it into fifth and watch them revs drop. I cruise at 70 / 80 and turn 2500 rpm easily achieving over 40 to the gallon, (were talking UK miles and UK gallons so I think 1 UK = 1.2 US GAL).

Admittedly to get the best mileage and when I’m touring I usually meander along at the 60/65 mark, comfortable and economical.

There are a few bikes out there with this mod, some I’ll bet don’t even know they are riding it, maybe they are second owners, it does have it’s down sides and takes time to get used to, sometimes I wish I didn’t have it, especially on the twistyies but as soon as I stop to refuel I’m glad I do.

So you say you’d like a bike with a sixth gear or long fifth, it’s been done, might still be available, maybe someone from Italy could advise, is Mario still working his magic?

Been analyzing why I ride and had a thought was reading on FB or someplace people saying what they’d do if they won the lotto, me I’d ride.

Just ride, not to go anyplace not to see anything just ride, I had a choice this year, (lucky man) I could schedule my season anyway I wanted, rallies meets or just ride, I chose to just ride.

Why not rallies with fiends, they have ride outs, don’t they? Yes sure they do but it’s usually a short blast or parade some place and 2 hrs of sitting telling lies then another ride back to base camp, me? I’d sooner spend the lying time riding. Does that make me a funny bugger? Maybe, I just want to ride.

So if I won the lottery what would I do? Ride, safe in the knowledge that when I got hungry I could eat, when I got tiered I could sleep and when I needed gas I could fill the tanks, all without having to look for a cheap diner, a cheap gas station and a flee pit of a motel, that’s all I want to do, ride.

Was just thinking that’s all, different stroke for different folks, me I like to ride.

So that was my trip south to Belonga Mick, arrived to grass that was ready to cut and weather that was going to allow me to cut it, so I spent a leisurely evening cutting grass and grilling on the BBQ.

Next day it was decision time, I had booked to stay 14 days but now with the house sale I couldn’t afford to be away that long so had to return to the UK and start house hunting, we literally didn’t know what we were going to do, another adventure meJulie calls it, but we’ll still need a base.

I spent the next couple of days finishing the plastering in the end house and not a bad job it was when finished, then a quick visit to Paul and Rose to collect the van and I returned to the UK less than 6 days after going out to France, a flying visit.

Now where we at,

This weekend is East meets West, hope the rain stays off for that, got some friends staying at ours and will be picking some riders up along the way, be nice if we could see the 20 valk mark at a northern meeting reached. We only started organising local events three years ago, from a usual 2 of us on a meet at the barn, we can now sometimes get into double figures, important to know your fellow enthusiast, especially when the bikes are getting old, we can poll knowledge and resources should we ever have a problem, with continuing support the northern arm of the VRCC-UK will go from strength to strength.

First week of July it’s our annual holiday and although again we have cut it short we will still be touring thru France and northern Italy,

More to come, aint life interesting, been thinking about facebook as well lately, (too much time in the saddle), I think it will be the death of social groups, too many people across to many groups, spreads it all a bit thin, maybe I’ll explain more another time, but for now from a VRCC perspective I think the main boards, US and UK need our support, along with others more permanent sites such as VOAI, http://valkyrie-owners.com/SMFORUM/index.php

 And wolf clan,  http://www.timbrwolf.websitetoolbox.com/

 but I’ll save all that for another day, sure I’ve bored you enough for now, check back soon, you never know when I might have something else to share.

And remember

The roads you don’t know……………may become the ones you love the most

Just an update June 2013

Been neglecting me story telling so I’ve been told, so I thought I’d catch up.

So the year so far, as everyone knows the winter just dragged on and not just for me and my fellow island inhibiters here in the UK, it was just as slow to start stateside so I hear, but that’s behind us now and summer has finally shown its hand and it’s looking good.

My riding started if you remember back in March in the snow scouting the northern meet up in the Lake District and very successful meet it was, every year it gets bigger,

I got out to Belonga Mick in April on the bike, it was itching to get some good wind and I found it.

We had a VRCC event in London, guided ride around our capital by no other than our very own DaveMac, his day job is a London cabbie, you want to see London? They’re the best guides. We’d stayed the night before at a hotel just north of the capital with some of the guys before setting off on the Saturday on the tour

By about 12 ish it was time for me to drop meJulie off at Euston station for her train home, me I was off to France, after I’d had a quick ride back to the guys at the Ace café, was hoping to grab a bite to eat and chill for an hour before I had to go to the tunnel and the train to France.

But no, about a mile after dropping meJulie off the GPS went off, stopped, checked power, none, popped seat, melted wires, shoot, middle of London, no map, oh well lets see how we do. I headed off in the direction I was travelling prior to loss of GPS. Traffic was building up by this time and I made slow progress, I’d love to say I was guided by my navigational skill and sun position but, well put simply I don’t know how but I found my way to the Ace  and met up with the guys. With a little help we got power to the GPS and system working again, just in time for me to leave and head for the train south.

With temps in the low 60’s, steady ride south to the tunnel and a very enjoyable crossing, I found one of the quickest crossings I’ve had due to another fellow rider and the stories we exchanged. Arrived Calais and temps down to 50 F and I’m looking at a night of riding thru France.

I intended to part scout the ride for this years VRCC Belonga Mick ride in October, I got as far as Amiens and had to accept that at 53 though not old, with the punishment I’ve given my body over the years it wasn’t going to make it thru the night, already my left knee was aching and my right wrist was starting to burn, checked the temp gauge on the bars and it was now below the 50 and sure to get lower, I booked into a flee pit and got my head down for the night, sure tomorrow will be warmer and the ride more enjoyable.

Is that a big deal? Yes suppose it is for me, not that I’ve been beat or even that I have to admit defeat, it’s not a battle riding a bike, for me it was/still is the feeling of oneness, man and machine chopping thru the night, watching the sunrise, smelling the morning after a night ride is an experience,,,,,,,,,,, well it’s like the dog sticking it’s head out of the car window, if you don’t ride you wouldn’t understand, I hope you do.

I like to think/hope my discomfort was as much temperature related, maybe I was over tired, after all we had spent the morning touring London, whatever, I made the call and stopped.

The next morning I was up and back on the road by 7.30 and although the temperature was now only 38 F I knew it would be getting warmer as I headed south. Sure enough I arrived at the house mid afternoon, wall to wall sunshine and grass that wasn’t too long.

I had taken the opportunity to ride part of the planned October route and thoroughly enjoyed it, beautiful French country side and historic villages and no other better way of seeing them than from a bike.

I’d only been out 3 weeks earlier in the van to deliver some materials so had given it its first trim of the year then. Now that trip was another story I should have told you, stuck in a snow drift just north of Paris, cold? Boy it was so cold my camping gas froze, another lesson learnt. Will be sorting snow chains and other essentials for the van before next winter, cuda died.

I was hoping on this trip to get the plastering done in the new house, but I had managed to bring finish over last trip instead of basecoat plaster, so that was a non starter, however I did build the fire base up ready for the stove to be installed later this year. Also I picked up Neil (master chief and stone mason) who apart from his many other skills is a very good random stone pointer, he spent a day pointing the stone work either side of the fireplace and an excellent job he did.

Pic after

Pic (will get one next visit and post)

Can’t remember what else I did that trip, general tidy and ride, I did discuss with Paul the options for the new door in the end house, old opening is very small and a standard door wouldn’t fit, I could get one made but at over £1000 ($1540) I felt it a bit expensive. Paul suggested we make the opening fit a standard door, assured me it was a cheaper option and would work ????????? I had my doubts; you have to remember these cottages are over 2 to 300 years old if not older, and built from random stone held together with nothing more that mud, walls 3 ft thick and in filled with rubble and all sorts. No he insisted it would be fine, Paul is one of the few builders I would trust. I again put my trust in him and we ordered a standard door from suppliers and made arrangements for Paul (and Neil) to call on our next visit and do the deed, that was going to be in May, when I’d be accompanied by meJulie, her first trip out since Christmas.

I had to cut my trip short by a couple of days and return to the UK, decided to split the trip into two and stop at Abbeville, maybe when the weather warms I’ll be able to spend more time in the saddle before stopping, but in the damp and cold no, just not worth it.

I picked up a new GPS for this year TOMTOM Pro Euro, I like my TomTom, had experience of other systems and find TomTom the most reliable and this new system had a new feature “winding roads” oh yes, set your destination, then set the degree of “bendy roads” you want and set off, I did this a s I left Abbeville that morning heading to Calais, travelled some great roads, just have to put your trust in the GPS and go, I seem to remember it rained some of the way but when you’re enjoying the ride as much as I was that don’t matter, I’m glad I updated the system, (even more so when the next time I used the old one in the car back home it stopped working and hasn’t worked since) that was it for April.

Loaded the van again in May for another trip out, this time with the right plaster and well loads of stuff, every time I take the van out it’s fully loaded, in fact I’d say over loaded, back axle nearly on the floor, my old trafic has had some punishment and it just keeps on going.

This trip the weather was…bad….rain and cold and this was May, like I said winter dragged on this year, just when we thought it was all over it returned with a vengeance. We made the most of our time out there, me plastering and Julie cleaning, we did manage to spark up the BBQ a couple of time and had some exceptionally nice sirloin I’d bought back home, nice strip I cut myself, gave me 20 pieces of steak, not huge but boy were they tender, that’s what we’ll be putting on the menu in October.

Friday and Paul arrives to “make the opening fit the door”, he sent us off to collect the new door from Limoges, didn’t think my heart would cope with the stress, these things can and sometimes do go wrong, random stone is unpredictable, Julie and me, we enjoyed the drive south for the door, stopped off for lunch and made a trip out of it. When we got back they were just putting the finishing touches to the inner skin of stonework, and a very nice job they had done of it, they packed up about 6 and went on there way, now all I had to do was fit the door and light the BBQ.

Fitting doors in France isn’t a hard job, they come pre mounted in a frame, as long as the opening is square and the right size you can’t go wrong, and opening was bang on, raised door up ½ inch to allow for new floor clearance and I had it fitted and sealed within the hour, BBQ smoking we ate more steak at 7.30, life’s good.

Couple of days gardening and tidying and we were on our way home, via Paul’s new park and fly service, we'd decided to fly back and Paul was allowing us to park the van at his place, and Paul’s wife Rose would take us to the airport and we would fly back to Liverpool.

2 reasons, well maybe three for leaving the van in France, first it’s cheaper to fly than drive, flight tickets £28 each, with train ticket this end (UK) for £6.50, so 35 as near as dammit, where as to drive, train is £35 plus diesel at about£80. next reason we didn’t want the van on the drive at home as we have the house on the market so want it looking it’s best and although I love old faithful it’s not everyone’s cup of tea parked on the drive, can make the place look untidy.

And third, was there a third? Oh maybe yes next trip over I’m on the bike and have decided to bring it back in the van as I need to bring some other stuff back so makes sense that way, wrong I know, only time a bike should move is when it’s wheels are in contact with the road, but sure the Dragon will forgive me this once.

So that’s where we’re at, away again on the 13 June, I’ll be stopping at Dreux  scouting accommodation for Belonga Mick in October (someone has to do it) then scouting the ride proper, with coffee stops and site seeing down to the house, where I’ll be spending a week plastering, gardening and riding, oh yes plenty of enjoying that warm French wind.

Got to get back for the midsummer gathering another of our VRCC events up north,

just a days riding with friends, nothing much, no life doesn’t get much better than that, really.

This years road trip, July, we are off (that’s me and meJulie) to France then down to Italy and around to Nice, then along the coast to Spain and back into France, we will be avoiding tolls and using old mountain passes, pictures and story promised, keep watching.

I know I’ve said it before but I’ll do my best to post an update when I get back end of June, till then, this is where I am, can’t think of a better place, hope you’re in the right place also, enjoy

Mick

If you’ve got this far and found a link that isn’t working, let me know, thanks.

VRCC-UK 3rd Great Northern Meet

Was going to tell you the story off our VRCC 3rd Great Northern Meet, up in the English Lake District. Happened weekend of the 5th to the 7th of April, about 18 bikes braved the last of winter’s revenge and joined us, in a sleepy town called Slyne, where we woke it up with our riding and eating and drinking and partying and…… well you’ll just have to come to the next one to find out. So I’ll chat no more and leave you with this video, I was ride captain up front leading, film was made by Bob, rear gunner picking up stragglers. Enjoy, we did. Loads of trips planned for this summer, sure to be plenty of stories, so keep watching and visit often. Click to watch video,

I was “involved” in a road accident the other day.

There are Facts, Statistics, and Damn lies.................... No statistics here but an illustration of how things can get twisted and blown out of proportion, this actually happened in “real” life not on the internet, I was driving my car along a street and a young lad, about 13 years old I’d guess, was riding ahead of me on his pushbike, and in front of him were two other riders. They all kept looking back, the first two bikes crossed to the other side of the road and mounted the footpath, the third bike looked back at me and decided to make a dash for the other side of the road, I had slowed and stayed way back, after watching his two mates I’d anticipated the move and left space. The road was dry but we had had a dusting of snow, some still lay on the footpath. Unfortunately as he went to jump up the kerb onto the footpath he misjudged it and fell off his bike and landed heavily, I of course stopped to see if he was OK. Another car approached and stopped and said to the lad, without addressing me first “did he knock you off?” the lad was a little groggy, not knocked out but a bit dazed he didn’t reply, I phoned an ambulance to be on the safe side as he didn’t seem to know where he was. A few more people arrived, followed several minutes later by a police car, the officers spoke to a few people then came over and spoke to me, asked what speed I was doing when I “collided” with the cyclist, I told them I did not hit him and my ”version” of events. They said that a “witness” has “seen” the “accident” and told them I hit the bike. I explained there was no one else on the road at the time apart from the other two bikes I’d assumed were with the, now more conscious injured bike rider. As I was telling them this the other two bikes appeared looking for there mate. The police officers asked me to wait by their car. The injured lad spoke with the police soon after the ambulance arrived, then an officer came over to me and said they had spoken to him and his mates and “now have a clearer picture” and I was free to go, (I hadn’t until this point realised I wasn’t “free to go”). A little shook up I left, not from seeing the lad take a fall but from the treatment I’d received from the “mob” that gathered after the event, from the first “witnesses” question “did he knock you off?” it turned into I did hit him and was nearly arrested for causing an accident. Hope I’ve got this across in a way ya’ll can understand, now get on the internet and you see the same thing daily, in fact every minute people are reading (or usually not reading) something and putting there twist on it, re-posting it with there twist until eventually it has become something completely different and indeed could be considered in some cases dangerous, Be careful out there, they walk amongst us (and surf), and some tell lies, maybe it’s time to get a dash cam.

It’s official

Street signage went up over Christmas; we’re now on the map

and one from ride to Mick’s for Fi.

You really don’t want them wild hogs running out in front off you.

Ride to Belonga Mick’s

Roads are twice as long in the rain……………….

Worked hard on the links, if you want to follow this trip click on highlighted words orange or blue and it will link to map, ifen they work that is. Enjoy.

Set off Wednesday to visit friends in Wales with the idea of riding down Thursday to Folkestone and the train for the long awaited VRCC ride to Mick’s, when I checked the map and realised how long it would take we decided to set off south the night before and stay in a Days Inn on the M1, I was owed a discounted stay anyway from a previous visit so called that in and got an upgrade to executive room at 50% off standard rate so bed and breakfast for the two of us for £30, I was happy with that.

We set off for Folkestone at about 10.am with no sign of rain and having checked the weather for France feeling confident we were in for a pleasant trip. I pulled into the services at the Dartford crossing our usual refreshment stop, as I was coming out of the toilets I heard the cry “meJulie” in that unmistakable accent that is Fiona’s, Harry’s wife and sure enough there they were Fiona and Lynnette (Jimis’ wife) John was also with them, so by fortune we had bumped into some of our fellow travellers, after a quick coffee we rode together down to Folkestone and the train.

Arriving at the station we met up with the rest of the group that would be riding with us down to Mick’s, Geoff and Jane, Russell, Dave and Nora, all fellow Dragon riders.

So we are now 7 bikes, 6 valks and a Kawasaki (Harry and Fee), manageable number for the 350 plus miles that faced us.

The train ride was the ideal opportunity to get re acquainted and set the agenda for the trip, we left the train and headed around to the underground fuel station to fill our tanks, petrol is slightly cheaper in France so I always try to arrive empty. After filling we all started our engines apart from Dave Mac who for some reason had a flat (discharged) battery, he said maybe if he’d got issues he should just head back to the train and home not wanting to spoil our trip, I assured him we could get it sorted, worst case scenario is his alternators shot, no worries I have a spare in my pannier, also have a spare battery at cottage so if we can get him there we’ll sort it, Geoff pulls out a pair of jump leads and we get him started, bike seemed to be running fine so we set off for our first stop at the RELAIS DE L' EUROPE hotel in Abbeville 

Reminded me a lot of the American motels, that’s why I chose it but it also had a restaurant on site and bar so really all a group of hairy bikers require, rooms were basic and dated but service was second to non, food excellent and beer cold, we retired for the night happy.

Saturday we woke to rain but I assured everyone that it was because we were so close to the coast and it would be clear by the time we turned south out of Rouen about 65 miles. I’d had a message that a French VRCC member would like to join us on the ride so had arranged to meet him at the Avia, filling station. Kickstands Up at 9.30 and away, 10.30 we arrived at the appointed rendezvous and met with Denis (normandybiker) he spoke no English and as our French is limited we had a very broken conversation but as is usual when discussing bikes and valks in particular the language difference diminish into insignificance as Dragon speak is Esperanto.

We set off again in the rain and had a steady ride for another 50 miles at which point Denis indicated he would be leaving us so we stopped to say farewell, till next time. We checked the sky and decided maybe the rain had stopped and I was right south of Rouen it would dry up, we removed our wet suits and got astride our bikes only another 5 miles then we refuel at Nonancourt

the next stint is 90 miles to our lunch stop at yep McDonalds Châteaudun,  should have been a restaurant but it had closed for refurbishment a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t have time to locate an alternative.

We took the opportunity to refuel before we set off again on the last 110 or so miles at about the 60 mile mark I pulled over and found a tabac in Saint-Aignan where we had coffee and a rest. This is the nicest part of this ride once south of Blois you pick up the Bis road to Limoges, French tourist route, takes you the “pretty” way down.

Again we set off for the last stretch to La Blanc and our final refuelling stop, this is about 10 miles from the house but I wanted to ensure we all had full tanks for the ride out tomorrow, while Julie and the ladies went into the supermarket to buy salads and have a looksee at a French supermarket, everybody satisfied we fired up the beasts and 20 minutes later turned into the drive at the cottage.

Belonga Mick’s

Now I knew the French crew would arrive early and had arranged for Paul from Archie’s http://www.archies-bethines.com/

the local B and B where some were staying, to open the house and get the steaks out of the freezer but no one was more surprised that me when we turned the corner to see the tables made, the BBQ smoking and long legged firepit burning, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I got off my bike and shook hands with Fifi and his wife Flo and Mau77 (apologies for not remembering names) French VRCC members and then there was Paul and Rose and not forgetting Neil who had volunteered to be our chef for the weekend in exchange for a ride on the back of one of the bikes. They had even managed to put up the sails to keep the rain off, yes it was raining but I don’t think anyone noticed, all we had to do was show everyone where there rooms were and get the beers out, yes I had finished, nearly, the end cottage it now has a living room with foldaway bed, bed room and working bathroom.

On the menu was rump steak, sausages and cowboy beans along with a selection of side salads, Paul from Archie’s did the honours and sorted out lifts for those staying there so they could have a drink knowing they didn’t have to ride back, not sure but I think me and meJulie finally went to bed just after 12, the mark of a good night.

Next morning Geoff told us he had received a message there was a problem at home and he needed to return to the UK so would not be joining us on the ride, shame but unavoidable, Geoff and Jane left for the UK we left for the square in Bethines to meet our other riders and continue our tour

On the road to St Savin, we saw two bikes approaching with headlight aglow but unmistakably valks, more French crew, we waited for them to u turn and follow and continued on to St Savin

We now had 9 valks and a valk trike unfortunately Harry couldn’t come on the ride with his Kawasaki as he was suffering an old injury picked up in combat and was struggling to get his leg over the bike still 10 bikes was a good group to manage and to view in your mirror, what a sight.

I guide us round to St Savin, just in case there was anyone else to pick up then rode on to

Angles-sur-l'anglin

One of the prettiest villages in France.

Then via

Pleumartin 

To

Chauvigny

Where we stopped for a coffee

We circled Chauvigny to allow everyone to see the old town the kept west of the river down to

LUSSAC-LES-CHATEAUX

from there it was on to
Harry’s Bar

http://www.route66hotel.com/

and Route 66,

ex pat English making a go of running a bar and hotel in France with a difference, he served up burgers and chips with a side salad tea and coffee with beer at the bar if you want, nice place, everyone took loads of photos and soaked up the atmosphere.

We then rode around for a final group photo

And said farewell to Fifi and Flo, they had to be back for work early Monday so couldn’t join us on the afternoon ride.

The weather hadn’t been kind and although not cold it was drizzling at times so I decided one more stop in Montmorillon to see the sights and have a coffee

then refuel and return to the cottage for another evening by the BBQ same as last night with the addition of my smoked shredded pork and chicken wings and thighs, again prepared by Neil.

Sunday night finished earlier than Saturday but was considered just as successful all the same, with thanks and farewells to the rest of the French crew and Rose, Paul and master chief Neil, we retired for the night.

Woke Monday to a low mist but a sun that we all agreed might break thru, all is except Russell, he said the weather was forecasting rain, he wasn’t wrong.

We lock up the cottage and left everywhere as tidy as we could, (I’ll be back next week to clean) and again headed for the highway.

I took my preferred route north thru yesterdays first village

Angles-sur-l'anglin

where we stopped this time for a coffee,

took the opportunity to put my waterproof pants on but still confident it wouldn’t rain much not my full wet suite.

We stopped to refuel at

Saint-Aignan

then rode round into town and again stopped at the tabac  I was going to  try and stop ever 50 or so miles to give Harry a break and allow him to stretch his legs as he said his knee still wasn’t right.

Suitably rested we set off again in the rain, next stop was the lunch stop, this was the same location as on the way down but all agreed we should try the Buffalo Grill over the road from McDonalds, we parked the bikes in the rain removed our soggy clothes and found a seat inside,

Food was as I expected, yes it was better than mcd’s but for the money not much better, we saddled up in the rain and continued our way north, as we were travelling north it was getting colder and our hearts were getting heavier, think we all wanted just one more day in Bethines at belonga Mick’s.

We pushed north to Abbeville and the hotel for the night, wet and weary we booked in and agreed to meet in the reception area in an hour to go and eat.

This being a cheep Ibis with no facilities on site other than basic breakfast and vending machine drinks.

We walked around to a very nice restaurant called, for the life of me I can’t remember, but it was good, fairly new place across the road from Buffalo Grill but a heck of a lot better, all agreed the best meal in a long time, good wine good food good company.

I knew we would not be disappointed having tried their fare some weeks before when I took a dry trip on the bike to Nice and the Mediterranean coast.

We ate, the beer and wine flowed and we all agreed we’d had a fantastic weekend and will do it again next year, but maybe earlier when the sun might be shining, but for longer than 3 days, that just isn’t enough time.

We walked back to the hotel found our way to our rooms and went to bed, all that is except John………………………………………

For some reason his pin code wouldn’t open his door and this hotel is unmanned after 11 pm with an automated check in service, now if I told you of the events that followed we’d be here all night as that’s how long it took John to sort his difficulties, he eventually used the auto service and booked another room, but then remembered he had left the heating on and all his clothes next to the heater drying, no you couldn’t make this up, so he went back down, phones along with others I believe the police before he retried his room pass code, yep it worked…………………for those that want more on this story, message John…………………………

We all slept oblivious of this and woke refreshed and ready for the final ride home, bikes loaded and ready for the off at 9 am.

All the bikes started except Jimi’s, battery dead, did a swap and nearly  ran but cut out just as we switched batteries back, ran without battery but cut out when he connected his battery back on, strange. So we went around to a Yamaha dealer and purchased a new battery, finally on the road for 10 am.

We headed toward Calais via

Azincourt

They had assured me at the museum they would be fully open today but unfortunately it seems only part was open and the guys didn’t get the full tour, I saw it on my recky ride and well worth 7 euro it was, while they were not getting the tour me and meJulie were enjoying a coffee in the local tabac.

We left there for a relatively dry ride up to Calais via Boulogne sur mar, another route that although not direct was far more scenic and well worth the extra miles, by now the rain had eased and we enjoyed our final few miles in France.

On the train we said our goodbyes to Dave and Nora and Russell as they were going their own way while Jimi, Harry, John and me were heading towards the M25 and a fry up, we stopped at…Maidstone J8 M20 for an all day breakfast then headed out as we approached the M25 exit, Jimi leading, I’m thinking does he know another way as he didn’t make any attempt to move left into the exit lane from the M20, I did just before the hatched lines Harry did, Jimi cut across, John sailed straight past, think he might be still circling London trying to get out as I type.

A few miles on and we go thru the Dartford tunnel and on the other side toot horns and wave farewells till next time, me and meJulie travel alone north onto the M1 then the M6, stopped for a coffee I don’t remember where, I do remember thinking “roads are twice as long in the rain” we arrived home at 8.30, ran a bath had a pizza and retired to sleep like babes.

Now next year I was thinking,,,,,,,,,,, ride to Belonga Mick’s we could………………………….