Phil
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Post by Phil on Jun 16, 2009 22:41:06 GMT
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Post by El Loco on Jun 17, 2009 9:26:57 GMT
Good snaps there mate and you couldn't beat that weather by the looks of things! Clearly a good time had up in Scotland although that was a shame about the big man's rear tyre. Looking forward to the next instalment of photos....... ;D M.
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Jun 17, 2009 20:53:49 GMT
So we made the Newcastle - Amsterdam ferry with 30 minutes to spare, got to our cabin, showered, changed and went in search of some food, ( my cunning plan was to have a meal before we got onto the ferry, but we didn't have enough spare time ) We found a restaurant on board and had a starter and main course, nice steak, and a beer each, got the bill and it was €90 So to console ourselves we went to the ships nightclub which had a good group and excellent magic / dance floor show ;D After imbibing in a few beers went to bed at oh my god o'clock and arrived in Amsterdam at around 10am. Set Emily (the SAT NAG) to shortest route, so that it would take us off motorways and in through towns and villages and made our way through Holland and into Belgium and stopped for the night at the Kompascamping site in Oudenaarde. A nice modern clean campsite with lots of amenities, which were not open because there wasn't many people staying on the site. Pitched the tent and went for a walk into town to buy some food and beer. ;D The first time we have put up the tent. took about 30 minutesSome of the local wildlifeHaving a cup of tea after a dinner of boiled spuds, mixed veg and hamNext day it off on a scenic route to FranceRiding some lovely quiet roads in Northern France and we came upon the first of many military cemeteries from both world wars, all beautifully maintained and respected. A first world war cemeteryBritish and Commonwealth GravesA cemetery with over 20,000 GermansThe Serre Road cemeteries, the largest British and Commonwealth war gravesWe then moved on a few miles to the Ulster TowerInside the TowerThe Thiepval MemorialThiepval ChurchWe then check the satnav to find a campsite for the night, and find a lovely little site beside a chateau in Bertangles.The tent was put up much quicker this time. After something to eat we explore this small village and find a newsagent / sweet shop / cafe and bar in one shop so we went in for a few beers and mime act with the madame ;D and increased her weekly takings considerably ;D Dinner was pasta and bolonese sauce, with baguette, washed down with some local plonk and a few beers
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Post by maineside on Jun 17, 2009 22:25:23 GMT
Cracking photos mate,
If the weather was going to be the same next year i could see myself buying a good touring bike and heading of with you next year if you are planning a similar run. I need something to take the place of the TT.
Jack
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Phil
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Posts: 1,319
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Post by Phil on Jun 17, 2009 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by El Loco on Jun 18, 2009 18:20:43 GMT
Some outstanding photos there mate. I remember my trip to the Somme many moons ago - what a place, everywhere is so well looked after and the magnitude of the loss was humbling. Particularly liked this one of the big fella: ;D ;D ;D ;D M.
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Phil
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Posts: 1,319
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Post by Phil on Jun 19, 2009 22:19:48 GMT
We now head to Le Mont San Michele, a lovely old walled city that the French have cunningly over commercialised with tacky gift shops. And this is where it started to rain and didn't relent for 2 days And so we get into our waterproofs We leave Mont San Michele in the pissing rain and travel east and stop in the town of Alencon at the Ibis hotel in the town centre. Would you believe it, the rain stopped as we booked into the hotel. As it was Sunday evening we went in search of a restaurant only to find one open in the whole town centre and an excellent meal was had. A nice old church in the centre of AlenconHaving a nightcap (or 2) in the hotel loungeThe next morning as we were about to set off again the bloody rain started again We traveled along some lovely roads and decided to stop in a small village called Montmort-Lucy. Found the Le Cheval Blanc Hotel, a lovely old hotel with an excellent restaurant and bar, with a very friendly owner who speaks good English. And the village also has a very nice chateauHaving a drink with the owner we found out that we were the only guests staying in the hotel Next morning we awoke to bright sunshine ;D ;D so we continued east towards Luxembourg and Germany, again traveling along some lovely traffic free roads. Marty decided to water the crops Traveling along a road we happened to see an old fortification on a hill so we had a look. Citadel De Montmedy was built between 1225 and 1239 and changed hands many times over the centuries. Marty with a rather large weaponWe continued our journey towards Germany and the Rhine, as we get onto the autobahn ominous black clouds are gathering ahead, then a torrential downpour which turned the motorway into a river, so we turn off in search of a hotel to dry out and came across the Landhaus Berghof near Thalfang. A new hotel with large bright well appointed rooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant serving lovely meals for €70 per night including breakfast.
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Phil
Administrator
Posts: 1,319
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Post by Phil on Jun 23, 2009 21:45:11 GMT
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Phil
Administrator
Posts: 1,319
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Post by Phil on Jun 23, 2009 22:22:34 GMT
Now on the final leg of the journey towards Aachen and then Amsterdam. The day started sunny but very soon the rain appeared and turned into a torrential downpour on the outskirts of Aachen, checked the satnav for the nearest hotel and headed for the Etap hotel to dry out Heading for Amsterdam, trying to stay off the motorway, but most of the villages in Holland are full of speed humps and chicanes, a total pain in the ass, as we were getting nowhere fast so it was onto the motorway to CAMPING ZEEBURG close to Amsterdam centre, a short tram ride away. A busy campsite with very helpful staff, complete with restaurant and bar (bar stays open until 1am) which serves breakfast, snacks and dinner Marty's feeling a bit peckish so he has a Desperate Dan Cow Pie and chipsAnd then finally it was time to go home, so it's back to the ferry terminalAnd all the excitement was just too much for the wee lamb ;D ;D Total mileage covered by me was 2850 enjoyable miles, the Transalp was comfy to ride and never missed a beat.
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Post by El Loco on Jun 24, 2009 8:57:13 GMT
What??? No pictures of Amsterdam Seriously though, that's some photo album with a lot of cracking shots. Nice one. Pretty scary to think that your mileage for the trip was more than some people do in a year ;D M.
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Post by marty on Jun 24, 2009 22:49:37 GMT
Hi Phil Good photos mate, will get my ones on soon, pretty much the same. but good times mate would highly recommend it to anyone. BUT GET A GEL SEAT FIRST Thanks for letting me tag along and putting up with my moaning ( HOW FAR TODAY) ;D ;D ;D
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