Was this a road trip, I don't know, but it was one hell of a ride.
I'll do two or three days at a time and do it when I can.
It was about 4 weeks ago when we headed south on the 11, Er indoors on the back and me piloting.
First day was a haul down to Kent before passing over to France on the tunnel the following day. 420 miles of motorway including the M1, M25 and the Dartford Crossing. If anyone has ever listened to UK traffic news these are the roads to hell, Chris Rea even sung about them! It was about 6 hours of riding plus stops but a good night's kip and a good meal saw us up early to cross under the Channel to France.
It was good weather and we rode south into France and got off the Autoroute as soon as possible to enjoy some French D roads, didn't quite work out that way because French D roads don't always work out that way, but we were in Arras for lunch and then onto Martin Puich our base for 3 nights whilst visiting war graves. I have two great uncles who never came home in 1918 and this was our time to pay our respects. As far as I know no one had previously visited.
The next day saw us ride to Ploegsteert memorial in Belgium. Wow, who'd have thought it, a man I had never known, who gave his life so I could live mine reduced me to an emotional wreck. I have ridden past war graves on numerous occasions but this was different, this was personal. I haven't gone 24 hours without thinking about it since, I don't think I ever will.
Picture is of Ploegsteert, thousands still missing in the mud of France but remembered by many.
It was back to Silent Picket b and b and a cold beer was called for after some filtering nonsense on the Autoroutes.
Picture below is the b and b, and the rear garden, you dig in the Somme and this is what pops up. Literally.
I hope you're enjoying it so far and after another day visiting my other great uncle we'll head South.
Carcassonne and the Midi Pyrenees beckon.
Upt'North.
I'll do two or three days at a time and do it when I can.
It was about 4 weeks ago when we headed south on the 11, Er indoors on the back and me piloting.
First day was a haul down to Kent before passing over to France on the tunnel the following day. 420 miles of motorway including the M1, M25 and the Dartford Crossing. If anyone has ever listened to UK traffic news these are the roads to hell, Chris Rea even sung about them! It was about 6 hours of riding plus stops but a good night's kip and a good meal saw us up early to cross under the Channel to France.
It was good weather and we rode south into France and got off the Autoroute as soon as possible to enjoy some French D roads, didn't quite work out that way because French D roads don't always work out that way, but we were in Arras for lunch and then onto Martin Puich our base for 3 nights whilst visiting war graves. I have two great uncles who never came home in 1918 and this was our time to pay our respects. As far as I know no one had previously visited.
The next day saw us ride to Ploegsteert memorial in Belgium. Wow, who'd have thought it, a man I had never known, who gave his life so I could live mine reduced me to an emotional wreck. I have ridden past war graves on numerous occasions but this was different, this was personal. I haven't gone 24 hours without thinking about it since, I don't think I ever will.
Picture is of Ploegsteert, thousands still missing in the mud of France but remembered by many.
It was back to Silent Picket b and b and a cold beer was called for after some filtering nonsense on the Autoroutes.
Picture below is the b and b, and the rear garden, you dig in the Somme and this is what pops up. Literally.
I hope you're enjoying it so far and after another day visiting my other great uncle we'll head South.
Carcassonne and the Midi Pyrenees beckon.
Upt'North.