Arrived at Portsmouth slightly ahead of schedule and parted our separate ways. As usual English Friday traffic prevailed as Gerry Rafferty once sang "clowns to my left..jokers to the right... stuck in the middle with you" very appropriate.
Anyway we are now as far north as Crewe with the final leg to complete tomorrow. Looking forward to home comforts and giving Karen a pat on the back for being a smarty pants :-) If Niall is reading this, hope your keeping dry!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Where is Pirate Prue
After having imbibed too much the night before the team were sluggish to rise the next day. After the usual high quality breakfast the bikes departed at different times according to blood alcohol levels. Team A (John the rotational guide) went via various coastal beaches but his GPS took him into a field chased by a tractor with only 15 minutes to get to the ferry! Team B went west to St Vincente then fast back to Santander although as usual his GPS let him down (it needs binned!). Team C (The JAFFAs) went exploring along the coast. Amazingly we all turned up at the RV at the ferry then roasted in the sun as they boarded us last rather than first. Delayed departure from Santander due to “technical” issues but eventually underway. The team was a bit sluggish about rehydration but eventually recovered. Prue and Joce jibbered jabbered until 0030 whilst the rest had an early night.
Looks like this is the final set of comments from the ship. A party of 20 kids have just marched through trying to find pirate Pete I'm sure John could stand in if he got an ear pierced!
As always a great time has been had by all with too much of life's good things being consumed, just the long trip back north endure hopefully arriving at Portsmouth on schedule..
Looks like this is the final set of comments from the ship. A party of 20 kids have just marched through trying to find pirate Pete I'm sure John could stand in if he got an ear pierced!
As always a great time has been had by all with too much of life's good things being consumed, just the long trip back north endure hopefully arriving at Portsmouth on schedule..
The Squid and the Gin
Wednesday morning in the Picos dawned grey with low cloud over the hills. As we prepared to leave it started to lift and turned into a warm, sunny day. We each took different routes towards Santilla del Mar which is near the north coast in the Santander area. Wildlife was evident everywhere. Morna and Ross were held up by a belligerent bull in the road. John and Prue were ambushed by a couple of wolves!! Mark and Joce met some mountain goats (serves then right for going up mountains). There are birds of prey all over the place.
Our arrival at Santilla was reminiscent of Santiago, as once more the tourists were scattered by the big yellow beemer on the slippery cobbles. We rolled up at the door of the Parador, dead centre of the historic area of the town. This is a well preserved 15th century town but commercialised for tourists. John, the Rotational Guide ,gave 3 separate tours of the town.
Prue and Morna checked out the local cider (yuck) however they were the lucky ones! Those that decided on the squid cooked in its own ink sluiced down with some local bucketfuls of gin tended to suffer from various ailments the next day, however we finished the night in fairly disreputable fashion. The question is can Prue ever get enough tapas?
Our arrival at Santilla was reminiscent of Santiago, as once more the tourists were scattered by the big yellow beemer on the slippery cobbles. We rolled up at the door of the Parador, dead centre of the historic area of the town. This is a well preserved 15th century town but commercialised for tourists. John, the Rotational Guide ,gave 3 separate tours of the town.
Prue and Morna checked out the local cider (yuck) however they were the lucky ones! Those that decided on the squid cooked in its own ink sluiced down with some local bucketfuls of gin tended to suffer from various ailments the next day, however we finished the night in fairly disreputable fashion. The question is can Prue ever get enough tapas?
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Eee its wet oop north
Looking out the window in Leon wasn't the best sight ever... Heavy cloud, lots of water but.. the good news was we slept through the thunderstorm!
As always when we finally got under way satnav woman had been bad with the drink again and took us round Leon twice down the oddly named Antibiotic Avenue before grudgingly pointing us back towards the Picos.
The weather remained rather threatening as we headed towards Cervera de Pisuerga, however it looked a little brighter when we arrived. 5 headed off for a trip around the nearby lakes while Morna had a little rest!!! She was disturbed by a very heavy downpour and the bikers gradually reappeared in various stages of sogginess.
Dinner was taken in the Parador as it is remote from the town and alternative restaurants were not an option. We are ready now for the final day of exploring in the north before heading for the ferry in Santander.
As always when we finally got under way satnav woman had been bad with the drink again and took us round Leon twice down the oddly named Antibiotic Avenue before grudgingly pointing us back towards the Picos.
The weather remained rather threatening as we headed towards Cervera de Pisuerga, however it looked a little brighter when we arrived. 5 headed off for a trip around the nearby lakes while Morna had a little rest!!! She was disturbed by a very heavy downpour and the bikers gradually reappeared in various stages of sogginess.
Dinner was taken in the Parador as it is remote from the town and alternative restaurants were not an option. We are ready now for the final day of exploring in the north before heading for the ferry in Santander.
Monday, August 1, 2011
The Kings of Leon
A good bit cooler today with some cloud hanging about, temperatures dipped to 28!
Back in Leon and caught up with the new team members Mark and Joce.
Tomorrow takes us into the Picos area again... Aguilar de Campoos, I will report back
Back in Leon and caught up with the new team members Mark and Joce.
Tomorrow takes us into the Picos area again... Aguilar de Campoos, I will report back
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Tax dodge Baxter!!
This is my little space to write in again. There is apparently a Portuguese manhunt for someone who ran through the tolls without paying (accidentally)! Hope to cross the border tomorrow without being arrested! Today we motored from Lamego to Braganca via scenic routes of around 100 miles. Boiling hot but good scenery - Portuguese drivers are a challenge - nearly as bad as Kiwi drivers.
The inland Portuguese scenery is very arid but well populated. We passed a major forest fire which the locals seemed very laid back about putting out - several houses are at risk! We out-ran the fire to arrive in Braganca staying tonite in a Pousada (Portuguese equivalent of a Spanish Parador). Morna the Pants put her very brief and fetching bikini on and had a swim whilst Ross the FLWC had his usual kip. Prue and John stormed the city taking in the 15th century architecture. Tonite we had a massive meal at a local restaurant helped down by copious local wine. The evening airs are incredible - around 25-30 degrees - ideal for imbibing beer (but not the local Portuguese beer which is garbage). Portuguese locals are very friendly and we will be sorry to leave this fine country (and Port) to marry up with Mark and Joce tomorrow in Leon. Salud!
The inland Portuguese scenery is very arid but well populated. We passed a major forest fire which the locals seemed very laid back about putting out - several houses are at risk! We out-ran the fire to arrive in Braganca staying tonite in a Pousada (Portuguese equivalent of a Spanish Parador). Morna the Pants put her very brief and fetching bikini on and had a swim whilst Ross the FLWC had his usual kip. Prue and John stormed the city taking in the 15th century architecture. Tonite we had a massive meal at a local restaurant helped down by copious local wine. The evening airs are incredible - around 25-30 degrees - ideal for imbibing beer (but not the local Portuguese beer which is garbage). Portuguese locals are very friendly and we will be sorry to leave this fine country (and Port) to marry up with Mark and Joce tomorrow in Leon. Salud!
Porto-Cambres and lunch in a bus stop!
(We had no internet access yesterday)
To start composing the blog today, I am sitting under some trees in a vineyard near Cambres in deepest Portugal. It is hot, hot but there’s a breeze keeping me just right. I was assured we only had a short trip to do today, although John had planned in “the best biking road in Portugal.” Finding the location of the hotel which Ross had found on the Internet last night took quite a while this morning and used most of the Ibis Wifi capacity.
With the satnavs successfully programmed, we headed out of Porto. Portuguese drivers are maniacs, by the way. As we progressed it seemed that for every right turn John’s satnav requested, Ross’s requested a left. This resulted in much confusion, muttering and U turns. Lunch was taken in a broken down bus shelter with no seat, very salubrious.
The afternoon became hotter and we became separated. Ross and Morna failed to find the Wine House Hotel and were sent on several goose chases by the locals. Satnav woman tried to send us down a 1:2 gradient dirt track. Eventually a knight in shining armour appeared to lead us to the hotel. St James? No, John.
Prue has since told me that she had wondrous moment on the road to Cambres when she saw stars in front of her leading the way. (I think she and John had a clash of helmets.) Anyway we believe this could be a sign that St James himself, of Santiago fame, (or Jimmy the Crisp as he his known to his friends) will lead us now by the stars. To command full pilgrimage status we will require some relics. The remains of the satnav after it has been pulverised in a ditch could be suitable.
The scenery through the Douro valley was really spectacular with the road rising and falling through endless hairpin bends. The Douro river ran beneath us all the way and the steep hillsides had layers of terracing for the vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees.
And so what of our randomly selected accommodation? Could this be another Motor Stop Helder moment? Oh no! We are staying in a small hotel in a vineyard. It has been recently refurbished and is ultra modern but very tasteful (including the headless monk). It really is 5 star stuff and includes a nice young man, called Paul to carry your biker bags. We had the most fabulous meal and finished the day feeling very contented.
To start composing the blog today, I am sitting under some trees in a vineyard near Cambres in deepest Portugal. It is hot, hot but there’s a breeze keeping me just right. I was assured we only had a short trip to do today, although John had planned in “the best biking road in Portugal.” Finding the location of the hotel which Ross had found on the Internet last night took quite a while this morning and used most of the Ibis Wifi capacity.
With the satnavs successfully programmed, we headed out of Porto. Portuguese drivers are maniacs, by the way. As we progressed it seemed that for every right turn John’s satnav requested, Ross’s requested a left. This resulted in much confusion, muttering and U turns. Lunch was taken in a broken down bus shelter with no seat, very salubrious.
The afternoon became hotter and we became separated. Ross and Morna failed to find the Wine House Hotel and were sent on several goose chases by the locals. Satnav woman tried to send us down a 1:2 gradient dirt track. Eventually a knight in shining armour appeared to lead us to the hotel. St James? No, John.
Prue has since told me that she had wondrous moment on the road to Cambres when she saw stars in front of her leading the way. (I think she and John had a clash of helmets.) Anyway we believe this could be a sign that St James himself, of Santiago fame, (or Jimmy the Crisp as he his known to his friends) will lead us now by the stars. To command full pilgrimage status we will require some relics. The remains of the satnav after it has been pulverised in a ditch could be suitable.
The scenery through the Douro valley was really spectacular with the road rising and falling through endless hairpin bends. The Douro river ran beneath us all the way and the steep hillsides had layers of terracing for the vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees.
And so what of our randomly selected accommodation? Could this be another Motor Stop Helder moment? Oh no! We are staying in a small hotel in a vineyard. It has been recently refurbished and is ultra modern but very tasteful (including the headless monk). It really is 5 star stuff and includes a nice young man, called Paul to carry your biker bags. We had the most fabulous meal and finished the day feeling very contented.
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