Wales ~ England ~ France (Calais)


As the trip unfolds, up-dates will be posted here from each country visited en-route.


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Our general Email address:  info@awarewales.co.uk

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THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~ THE TRIP ~~~

DAY ~ 1  :  2nd October  :  286 miles (286 total miles)

Home

If you're coming to see me off.  The start point will be 12:00hrs noon at The Big Bike Shop, Aberdare, where there will be a live (bikers) band, BBQ, on-site tattooist and of course, the use of the shop facilities (café, lounge and toilets).


The weather looks 'fair' for the day and so do I, well not fair because I'm bald, ha, ha.  So why not make it a family event - and I'll see you there.  Remember to bring a clean hanky to wave me off.


John

--m(^0^)m--

Saturday started off really well (picture).  Many thanks to those who turned-up to my ride-out at 12:00hrs from The Big Bike Shop, Aberdare (picture).  A good ride and great weather all the way until the M50, London, and then rain !!!


The Gods didn't let it stop there.  M50, again, and very slow traffic.  After refuelling, I noticed that I'd lost the lower revs; she tended to splutter and 'cut-out', but ok after three thousand revs, maybe its fuel, I'll keep the revs up and see if I can 'clean her out'. 


And yet again the Gods gave me a right kicking.  Just before Dover, dense fog - down to 20mph in some places, not good because she's still wanting to cut out.  Now, due to the delays etc, I missed the proverbial boat (ferry) to Calais - well my allotted sailing time anyway.  So the next ferry was at 19:00hrs, dim problemo, just an hour to wait (picture)... I'm beginning to think that someone doesn't want me to do this trip!


After a fairly calm crossing, I arrived at Calais at 21:30hrs (20:30hrs UK time), but now with a light rain to greet me, what the hell after all that I've been through!

 

Rode for about 20 to 30mins through the French countryside - very narrow roads with cannel type streams.  Found the campsite (La Belle Peche) ok, I love sat-nav, and set-up camp... in the 'light' rain - wasn't that bad really, quite a warm evening, even built-up a bit of a sweat.  Then would you believe it, in the camp clubhouse about 100m away from my tent, they were playing BINGO, d'oh.


Covered Ethel and piled my wet kit in a corner - only gloves, jeans, boots and socks really.  Off loaded the saddlebags and cruiser bag into the outer part or the tent and went to sleep just after 23:00hrs.

day two