Here goes .... the first on the road blog.
I suppose the trip technically started on Friday, when I left Cadnam. I mean, that was the actual departure date from my house. First stop was to say goodbye to my Dad in Cheltenham, which I did over a lunch stop. The Old Fellah is 94 now, has all his faculties, and apart from walking a bit slow, is in good health ..... whatever genes he has, I hope they passed onto me.
Next visit was to a charity dance, combined with a car show in Wales. It was being held at the Hogshead Pub, which is actually an old farm that has been converted by Dale and his Dad into a pub, cum wedding venue. The weather was kind (just about) and for Julian Tod's first cars show, I think it went very well. No doubt it will now become an annual event.
The evenings entertainment was an Elvis & Roy Orbison impersonator,of which I managed to see some of the show in between bar visits.
The night was also to be a test of my tent for the inevitable camping which is necessary later on in the tour .... fail.
Took me an hour to re-pack, and the air mattress went down overnight. This requires some retraining on my part, and a stop in a camping store en-route.
I was very pleased to see all my mates from Cadnam came along for the send-off along, with my Sister and Julian Earl. Guess they just wanted to make sure I didn't change my mind.
Got on the road an hour behind schedule, panicking all the way as the GPS kept telling me I was an hour late for the ferry .... duh, finally realised as I crossed the Severn Bridge, I had it programmed all the way to the hotel in Calais. Got to Dover 2 hours early, and took an earlier ferry.
Booked myself into a Formule 1 hotel, which is supposed to be budget ... at €39, that doesn't really fit my definition, but its clean bed which was all that mattered. The hotel has better security than a prison, but with the Sangatte refugee camp just minutes away, I suppose its necessary. Slept with one eye open watching the bike all night.
 |
| Ready for the off. |
I suppose the trip technically started on Friday, when I left Cadnam. I mean, that was the actual departure date from my house. First stop was to say goodbye to my Dad in Cheltenham, which I did over a lunch stop. The Old Fellah is 94 now, has all his faculties, and apart from walking a bit slow, is in good health ..... whatever genes he has, I hope they passed onto me.Next visit was to a charity dance, combined with a car show in Wales. It was being held at the Hogshead Pub, which is actually an old farm that has been converted by Dale and his Dad into a pub, cum wedding venue. The weather was kind (just about) and for Julian Tod's first cars show, I think it went very well. No doubt it will now become an annual event.
 |
| Fonts of knowledge. |
The evenings entertainment was an Elvis & Roy Orbison impersonator,of which I managed to see some of the show in between bar visits.
 |
| The Butty-bach has taken effect ! |
The night was also to be a test of my tent for the inevitable camping which is necessary later on in the tour .... fail.
Took me an hour to re-pack, and the air mattress went down overnight. This requires some retraining on my part, and a stop in a camping store en-route.
 |
| Having a house-warming party later. |
I was very pleased to see all my mates from Cadnam came along for the send-off along, with my Sister and Julian Earl. Guess they just wanted to make sure I didn't change my mind.
Got on the road an hour behind schedule, panicking all the way as the GPS kept telling me I was an hour late for the ferry .... duh, finally realised as I crossed the Severn Bridge, I had it programmed all the way to the hotel in Calais. Got to Dover 2 hours early, and took an earlier ferry.
 |
| No turning back now. |
Booked myself into a Formule 1 hotel, which is supposed to be budget ... at €39, that doesn't really fit my definition, but its clean bed which was all that mattered. The hotel has better security than a prison, but with the Sangatte refugee camp just minutes away, I suppose its necessary. Slept with one eye open watching the bike all night.