If you're doing the N260 then you absolutely must call in to Benzinera Port Canto for a coffee. Be sure and pop into the Gents to take advantage of the large window and enjoy a spectacular "Poo with a view" PORT CANTÓ +34 973 62 02 29 https://maps.app.goo.gl/WYro1cX9VcYDZDBG6
I started my preparation for my trip today. Sorted out chain lube, engine oil, puncture repair kit, first aid kit, breathalyser kit, high viz jacket and various tools in a mini tool kit. Sorted all ticket and hotel documentation along with the bike V5, insurance and green card and travel insurance certificate. Tomorrow I will get the headlight deflector stickers. This will be the first time I will have used these when touring on the bike, but with brexit I’m not taking any chances with French and Spanish police. I got away with it on my brief trip to France, not taking any chances this time out. I will start packing my pannier bags on Tuesday, ready for the off on Wednesday.
@Wessa, @Vulpes, ], I hope the two of you have a wonderful tour of Spain. I was sorry to read that @andypandy is unable to join you. Looking forward to seeing your photos and reading reports. Stay safe!
Day 1. Left Cheshire and rode south on the A and B roads until I got down to the M3/M27 (last 25 miles). Had a couple of heavy showers in the midlands, other than this a great ride. I will post details of my route later when I’m on the ferry.
Day 1. Left Cheshire and rode south on the A and B roads until I got down to the M3/M27 (last 25 miles). Had a couple of heavy showers in the midlands, other than this a great ride. I will post details of my route later when I’m on the ferry.
Ok so my route took me down the A49 via Whitchurch, Shrewsbury and down to Ludlow where I turned east heading for Worcester and Evesham and eventually Oxford. There are some fantastic A and B roads across country and very little traffic. I eventually picked up the A34 and headed down to the M3/M27 into Portsmouth. I stopped in Portsmouth for some food and a drink before heading to the ferry. Check in was painless and I was on board and in my cabin by 1830hrs. Ship sails at 20:15 hrs so in the bar for a pint before heading for my bed. We dock at 08:15hrs leaving me loads of time to get down to La Rochelle tomorrow
I actually contemplated visiting you on the return journey, Hubert. Unfortunately you're a little bit too far off the route. I've got two days to get from (near) Carcassonne to the Eifel area, so that would add 250 kilometres to the trip...
Day 2. The ferry docked at 08:15hs so made my way down to the bike on the car deck. I quickly realised that as I was one of the first on the ferry that I would be last off. Mental note to myself, never be first on again. Anyway after waiting for 30 mins or so I rolled off the ferry and joined the queue for passport control, yes you guessed last but one in the queue lol. Bike behind me and last was an African Twin combination, something I have never seen before. Surprisingly passport control went very smoothly and after 20 mins or so I was on my way. My trip down to La Rochelle was via the N roads and rural D roads (satnav avoidances for tolls). The weather was very mixed with sunshine and showers, some of the showers were very heavy. I stopped a few times to rest and take on fuel, but forgot to get my phone out to take some photos. Anyway I did manage to get some pictures done in La Rochelle. This last picture is the bottle of beer that I got at the hotel, it was 7.2% lol. Having had a few pints and a curry in town this set me up for good nights sleep.
A curry .. in France ? I have to go to Birmingham to get some real ones I'm sure some of you are wondering who is the singer printed on the table. It is Jacques Dutronc, a singer active from the sixties and still very popular. La Rochelle is a lovely city.
Yes a surprisingly good chicken jalfrezi. And thank you for identifying the singer on the table at Les Enfant Du Rock, a loud rock bar on the harbour front. La Rochelle was buzzing considering it was a Thursday night.
