Her Ladyship and I recently did a 3200 mile Grand Tour around Europe in 16 days, we decided to do without the butler and the ladies in waiting and left the Rolls at home. We left Redditch for Dover at midday on Friday 22nd June and arrived back home at 16:00 on Sunday 8th July. We visited or travelled through France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium and stayed in 2* hotels, b&bs and my cousin's in Tuscany We took the K1200LT and had no problems whatsoever. Here is the story in pictures of our sojourn (if I have got this photo hosting lark right ). I have broken it down into a series of legs that link our overnight stops.
1. Dover to Chauvigny (Including first stop in Wimereux).
2. Chauvigny to Florac
3. Florac to Carcassonne
4. Carcassonne to St Maxime
5. St Maxime to Florence
6. Florence to Verona
7. Verona to Kirchenzarten
8. Kirchenzarten to Ypres
9. Ypres to home
I would like to say thanks to Shenzi for his help and advice on routes, places to see and places to stay whilst in Languedoc. Cheers Bob, shame we couldn't meet up, next time eh!
Ok on with the show and let's see if I can do the technology bit and link to these piccies.
1.Dover to Chauvigny
After a soggy start in Redditch we arrived in Dover in good time and in bright sunshine. Things were looking up! Here we go then, ready to load up on the 18:00 hrs Sea France ferry; note the flag of St George which sadly we lost a couple of days later.
After an easy crossing and the most efficient disembarkation I have ever had (we docked at 20:15 and were clear of the port by 20:22) we headed south on a glorious sunny evening. 25 miles later we pulled into Wimereux, a picturesque seaside town. We went for walk along the seafront where her ladyship git a but windswept before we went looking for a pub.
We stayed at the Hotel Paul and Virginie which of course is owned by a lady called Charlotte who plays Muse CDs in the bar - nice one! We dumped our gear and went in search of a cold beer. We were able to put the bike in the courtyard which was gated at night - sorted.
We found a pub in town which interestingly was showing motorbike drag racing from Santa Pod on the big screen. I indulged in a few beers while Alena went walkabout. Total mileage for the day was about 230.
Wimereux has some interesting architecture and colour schemes; here's one for the Aston Villa or West Ham fans.
The following morning we decided to forego brekkie for an early start. So after a 7am walk to the local boulangerie for a warm fresh baguette for lunch we set off through the sleepy town. The weather was looking good.
First planned stop was Monet's Garden just 140 miles away but it took over 3 hours to get there. It was scenic but slow and I was glad to get there for a rest and to get stuck into some brekkie while Alena toured the garden. I had my first and last cup of tea on French soil here - - coffee for me from now on. As I sat and relaxed in the sun hordes of Japanese and American tourists were arriving by the coachload and my peace was shattered by the increasing noisy babble.
Ok, so I had to put at least one pic in of the lily pond and the famous bridge. Here's one of about 20 that Alena took.
Arty close up of a yellow flower (no idea what it is - Alan Titchmarsh I am not!) anyone know what it is?
As Alena returned it started to rain so on went the waterproofs which stayed on for the rest of the day. We crossed the Seine and Alena asked me to stop to take a photo of this place - I've no idea where we were
This was stuck in the middle of a traffic island outside the driveway to some grand house. I guess it was the gatehouse to the estate before this wide road was laid. I wonder if anybody lives in it?
We took the N154, then the N10 at Chartres and made good progress. We took the A10 at Tours and at Chatellerault we picked up the D749 into Chauvigny. This was a lovely scenic road and after a day of showers we were blessed with another lovely sunny evening. This is a view of the Chauvigny rooftops.
Chauvigny is a typical medieval walled town that abound in France. After dinner we walked up the hill to the castle and old town and were rewarded with some sublime views of the grandeur of our surroundings,
Atmospheric shot of the castle walls as the sun lowers in the evening sky.
Sunset and a view of ghostly ramparts.
Restaurant in the old town square.
We got up early the next morning to take look around in the early sunshine.
City entrance.
We stayed at Hotel Lion D'Or on the main street and right next to a splendid looking church. They have a private car park behind the hotel which is locked at night.
One last shot over the town before we head back to the hotel and breakfast. Today we are heading for the Cevennes region via Rocamadour. Total mileage yesterday was 358.
1. Dover to Chauvigny (Including first stop in Wimereux).
2. Chauvigny to Florac
3. Florac to Carcassonne
4. Carcassonne to St Maxime
5. St Maxime to Florence
6. Florence to Verona
7. Verona to Kirchenzarten
8. Kirchenzarten to Ypres
9. Ypres to home
I would like to say thanks to Shenzi for his help and advice on routes, places to see and places to stay whilst in Languedoc. Cheers Bob, shame we couldn't meet up, next time eh!
Ok on with the show and let's see if I can do the technology bit and link to these piccies.
1.Dover to Chauvigny
After a soggy start in Redditch we arrived in Dover in good time and in bright sunshine. Things were looking up! Here we go then, ready to load up on the 18:00 hrs Sea France ferry; note the flag of St George which sadly we lost a couple of days later.
After an easy crossing and the most efficient disembarkation I have ever had (we docked at 20:15 and were clear of the port by 20:22) we headed south on a glorious sunny evening. 25 miles later we pulled into Wimereux, a picturesque seaside town. We went for walk along the seafront where her ladyship git a but windswept before we went looking for a pub.
We stayed at the Hotel Paul and Virginie which of course is owned by a lady called Charlotte who plays Muse CDs in the bar - nice one! We dumped our gear and went in search of a cold beer. We were able to put the bike in the courtyard which was gated at night - sorted.
We found a pub in town which interestingly was showing motorbike drag racing from Santa Pod on the big screen. I indulged in a few beers while Alena went walkabout. Total mileage for the day was about 230.
Wimereux has some interesting architecture and colour schemes; here's one for the Aston Villa or West Ham fans.
The following morning we decided to forego brekkie for an early start. So after a 7am walk to the local boulangerie for a warm fresh baguette for lunch we set off through the sleepy town. The weather was looking good.
First planned stop was Monet's Garden just 140 miles away but it took over 3 hours to get there. It was scenic but slow and I was glad to get there for a rest and to get stuck into some brekkie while Alena toured the garden. I had my first and last cup of tea on French soil here - - coffee for me from now on. As I sat and relaxed in the sun hordes of Japanese and American tourists were arriving by the coachload and my peace was shattered by the increasing noisy babble.
Ok, so I had to put at least one pic in of the lily pond and the famous bridge. Here's one of about 20 that Alena took.
Arty close up of a yellow flower (no idea what it is - Alan Titchmarsh I am not!) anyone know what it is?
As Alena returned it started to rain so on went the waterproofs which stayed on for the rest of the day. We crossed the Seine and Alena asked me to stop to take a photo of this place - I've no idea where we were
This was stuck in the middle of a traffic island outside the driveway to some grand house. I guess it was the gatehouse to the estate before this wide road was laid. I wonder if anybody lives in it?
We took the N154, then the N10 at Chartres and made good progress. We took the A10 at Tours and at Chatellerault we picked up the D749 into Chauvigny. This was a lovely scenic road and after a day of showers we were blessed with another lovely sunny evening. This is a view of the Chauvigny rooftops.
Chauvigny is a typical medieval walled town that abound in France. After dinner we walked up the hill to the castle and old town and were rewarded with some sublime views of the grandeur of our surroundings,
Atmospheric shot of the castle walls as the sun lowers in the evening sky.
Sunset and a view of ghostly ramparts.
Restaurant in the old town square.
We got up early the next morning to take look around in the early sunshine.
City entrance.
We stayed at Hotel Lion D'Or on the main street and right next to a splendid looking church. They have a private car park behind the hotel which is locked at night.
One last shot over the town before we head back to the hotel and breakfast. Today we are heading for the Cevennes region via Rocamadour. Total mileage yesterday was 358.