The plan was to get 4 days away on the bikes, touring Brecon, the Black Mountains and the West Country. And enjoy some decent food and drinks.
Friday - Camberley to Brecon
A delayed start at 11am meant a boring ride down the M4 to Swindon, then cut across to Gloucester. Lunch was at Subway in Brockworth, then into Hereford to the cider museum.
A quick run from Hereford, through Abergavenny and across the Brecons.
We arrived at The Castle Coaching Inn, Trecastle - http://www.castle-coaching-inn.co.uk/index.php at about 6pm.
Dinner was some hot bread rolls and butter, oriental prawns with sweet chilli, lamb stew with veggies
followed by cheesecake. I'll apologise now for the food photos, as I kept forgetting to take pictures before I started eating, so some of these look like a dog's dinner.
Great food, all washed down with, wait for it, gin, vodka, red wine, cider and amaretto (not at the same time)! Did I mention that we like a drink or two!
Lots of alcohol at our Hotel, and the pub over the road. A proper locals pub, one chap even fell asleep at the bar!
Saturday - Brecon to Minchinhampton, Glocs
An early start today, with the hangover from hell!
This was going to be an epic ride, we probably shouldn't have drunk so much. So, after a full English (no black pudding, so I told them that technically, this was not a "full" English.
That went down well!
) After being given directions by the landlord, which involved a wrong turn down a farm track and some green landing (fun on the 12, but my mate on his Fazer was none too impressed) we paid a visit to Touratech. This could have been expensive, but I restrained myself, and just bought a set of bar risers. They fitted them free of charge as well.
We then passed through Llandovery and up to the Llyn Brianne reservoir. Epic roads and scenery.
Then through Builth, back down into the Brecons and across to Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, before arriving at The Ragged Cot Inn, Minchinhampton -
http://www.theraggedcot.co.uk/
A quick shower, then to the bar! We tried to show some restraint tonight, but that all went wrong when some of the locals got talking about their Gumball trip from Minchinhampton to Milan next year, in cars worth less than £300, which we are now included in.
So, dinner was fantastic. Locally baked artisan bread with proper butter, fruits de mere, a HUGE cheeseburger with triple cooked chips (had a few drinks now, and forgot to take a nice picture; I won't be applying to be a food photographer any time soon)
then hot chocolate fondant
all washed down with a couple of bottles of red. When we finished, I commented on the amount of chocolate left on Mark's plate; he then proceeded to pick up his plate and lick it clean. I have some video of that, but don't think he'd appreciate me putting it on here! The waitress thought it was hilarious, but one elderly gentleman looked horrified!
Back to the bar, tonight's drinks consisted of red wine, gin, and amaretto sours. We eventually staggered off to bed at about half 12, so not too late.
Sunday - Minchinhampton to Iddesleigh, Devon
We knew it would be a good day when the Full English included black pudding! Could have been more of it though!
Out by 10, we then rode down though the Cotswolds, passing by Chipping Sodbury, then over the M4 and into Somerset, arriving at Cheddar later in the morning, after the TomTom took us through the dodgy part of Bristol.
Away after a short break and some bourbons (the biscuits, not the drink) and down into Exmoor via Minehead. We then arrived at Lynton and Lynmouth.
As we were now in Devon thought it would be rude to not have a cream tea.
Saw this on the menu, so had to try it.
These GS riders seem to like their photo taken.
Get out the way of my picture!
Then, back on the bikes, feeling rather sick after the gorge, and down to Bude, on the Atlantic Highway. There were some idiot car drivers on this road, trying to race us, but either it was that or the weather, but I wasn't as impressed with this road as I thought I would be.
Maybe we were spoilt in Wales, as I prefer the twisty nadgery roads rather than the big A roads.
A quick stop in Bude.
We discussed going to Padstow for fish n chips, but as it was 5pm, decided to get to our pub. We had a chat with an ex-GSER who recommended the A3072 to Holsworthy, and it didn't disappoint.
A 5.30pm arrival at The Duke of York Inn, Iddesleigh - http://www.dukeofyorkdevon.co.uk
This is the pub where the author of War Horse got his inspiration while sat in front of the fire. When I told Mark that we were staying in the War Horse pub, he must have written it down wrong, as he thought that we were staying in a whore house pub!
After unpacking the bike, I realised that they hadn't given me a key to the room, so popped down to the bar to ask the landlord, and was told "we don't have locks in Devon, dear boy" - this was going to be an interesting night! I asked about the covered parking, and after being taken up the path round the back of the pub, and remembering that Monday was going to be wet, decided that we'd leave the bikes in the road, as the path looked like it could be interesting in the wet.
So, a quick shower, then down for our last night, and we were determined to make it a good one!
After a few G&T's in the bar, we then moved though for dinner. We had to have the obligatory fresh hot bread and butter while looking at the menu, then on to squid in salt and pepper with a salad. Then Liver and bacon (tasted better than it looked).
We then had a break before dessert, but I had been eying up the mars bar cheesecake.
Then cheese and biscuits (it was our last night)
A few drinks later (more gin, red wine, and a whole bottle of amaretto between us) most of the locals cleared off, so we stayed up for a good old fashioned lock in with John, the landlord, and had loads of laughs.
And so to bed, the hangover had started early, as I had a thumping headache when I went to bed.
Monday - Iddesleigh to Camberley
Up until today we had been lucky with the weather, despite the forecasters predicting rain all weekend. A call from Mark's better half saying that it was torrential back home wasn't the news we wanted, but we had to get back. It had rained here, but not that badly.
Apparently before going to bed last night, we asked the chef to cook us steak and kidney pudding for breakfast, as that's what Rick Stein had when he visited. She was more than happy to come in and cook it for us, but luckily, we pulled the plug on that idea before going to bed!
So, the obligatory full English (minus the black pudding again) but good nevertheless.
Then pack quickly and roll out, back on the road.
The plan had always been to ride to Dartmoor Prison as the roads round there are fantastic, and the prison is so imposing. We had rain most of today, which wasn't a problem (until the diesel spillage roundabout - more on that in a minute), but the icing on the cake was the fog at Dartmoor. It made it more "real" with the fog rolling over top of the roof of the prison. I don't want to see the inside of that place!
The plan originally was to stop in at some of the seaside towns on the way back, as we'd decided not to do the A30 or A303, but as it was howling down and foggy decided to just ride the coastal roads in one go, only stopping a couple of times. We ended up going through the middle of Exeter, and saw a stocky chap with stubble wearing a dress, high heels and a hat! He looked deadly serious, so must dress like that all the time. Time to leave Exeter we thought.
We then rode through Dorchester, Blandford Forum, and Salisbury. One of the last roundabouts leaving Salisbury had a diesel spill on the edge, and Mark had a big moment, but managed to put his foot down to save the bike just as the front stepped out. A crash less than 50 miles from home would have ruined the whole weekend, but you cant think like that. We then stopped at the Hilltop Cafe for a quick bite to eat. One thing about the big GS in the crap weather is that with the HID's and LED aux lights, the cars get out of the way when they see you coming.
We then did a few miles up the A303 before turning off just before the M3, and having some final B roads to Odiham before arriving back in Camberley.
So, after nearly 800 miles in 4 days, riding some of the best roads the UK has to offer (apart from up North and Scotland of course), neither bike skipped a beat, and the weekend was a success. Now we need to plan the next one.
Friday - Camberley to Brecon
A delayed start at 11am meant a boring ride down the M4 to Swindon, then cut across to Gloucester. Lunch was at Subway in Brockworth, then into Hereford to the cider museum.
A quick run from Hereford, through Abergavenny and across the Brecons.
We arrived at The Castle Coaching Inn, Trecastle - http://www.castle-coaching-inn.co.uk/index.php at about 6pm.
Dinner was some hot bread rolls and butter, oriental prawns with sweet chilli, lamb stew with veggies
followed by cheesecake. I'll apologise now for the food photos, as I kept forgetting to take pictures before I started eating, so some of these look like a dog's dinner.
Great food, all washed down with, wait for it, gin, vodka, red wine, cider and amaretto (not at the same time)! Did I mention that we like a drink or two!Lots of alcohol at our Hotel, and the pub over the road. A proper locals pub, one chap even fell asleep at the bar!
Saturday - Brecon to Minchinhampton, Glocs
An early start today, with the hangover from hell!
This was going to be an epic ride, we probably shouldn't have drunk so much. So, after a full English (no black pudding, so I told them that technically, this was not a "full" English. That went down well!) After being given directions by the landlord, which involved a wrong turn down a farm track and some green landing (fun on the 12, but my mate on his Fazer was none too impressed) we paid a visit to Touratech. This could have been expensive, but I restrained myself, and just bought a set of bar risers. They fitted them free of charge as well.We then passed through Llandovery and up to the Llyn Brianne reservoir. Epic roads and scenery.
Then through Builth, back down into the Brecons and across to Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, before arriving at The Ragged Cot Inn, Minchinhampton -
http://www.theraggedcot.co.uk/
A quick shower, then to the bar!
We tried to show some restraint tonight, but that all went wrong when some of the locals got talking about their Gumball trip from Minchinhampton to Milan next year, in cars worth less than £300, which we are now included in.So, dinner was fantastic. Locally baked artisan bread with proper butter, fruits de mere, a HUGE cheeseburger with triple cooked chips (had a few drinks now, and forgot to take a nice picture; I won't be applying to be a food photographer any time soon
)
then hot chocolate fondant
all washed down with a couple of bottles of red.
When we finished, I commented on the amount of chocolate left on Mark's plate; he then proceeded to pick up his plate and lick it clean. I have some video of that, but don't think he'd appreciate me putting it on here! The waitress thought it was hilarious, but one elderly gentleman looked horrified!Back to the bar, tonight's drinks consisted of red wine, gin, and amaretto sours.
We eventually staggered off to bed at about half 12, so not too late.Sunday - Minchinhampton to Iddesleigh, Devon
We knew it would be a good day when the Full English included black pudding!
Could have been more of it though!Out by 10, we then rode down though the Cotswolds, passing by Chipping Sodbury, then over the M4 and into Somerset, arriving at Cheddar later in the morning, after the TomTom took us through the dodgy part of Bristol.
Away after a short break and some bourbons (the biscuits, not the drink
) and down into Exmoor via Minehead. We then arrived at Lynton and Lynmouth.
As we were now in Devon thought it would be rude to not have a cream tea.
Saw this on the menu, so had to try it.
These GS riders seem to like their photo taken.
Get out the way of my picture!
Then, back on the bikes, feeling rather sick after the gorge, and down to Bude, on the Atlantic Highway. There were some idiot car drivers on this road, trying to race us, but either it was that or the weather, but I wasn't as impressed with this road as I thought I would be.
Maybe we were spoilt in Wales, as I prefer the twisty nadgery roads rather than the big A roads.A quick stop in Bude.
We discussed going to Padstow for fish n chips, but as it was 5pm, decided to get to our pub. We had a chat with an ex-GSER who recommended the A3072 to Holsworthy, and it didn't disappoint.
A 5.30pm arrival at The Duke of York Inn, Iddesleigh - http://www.dukeofyorkdevon.co.uk
This is the pub where the author of War Horse got his inspiration while sat in front of the fire. When I told Mark that we were staying in the War Horse pub, he must have written it down wrong, as he thought that we were staying in a whore house pub!
After unpacking the bike, I realised that they hadn't given me a key to the room, so popped down to the bar to ask the landlord, and was told "we don't have locks in Devon, dear boy" - this was going to be an interesting night!
I asked about the covered parking, and after being taken up the path round the back of the pub, and remembering that Monday was going to be wet, decided that we'd leave the bikes in the road, as the path looked like it could be interesting in the wet.So, a quick shower, then down for our last night, and we were determined to make it a good one!
After a few G&T's in the bar, we then moved though for dinner. We had to have the obligatory fresh hot bread and butter while looking at the menu, then on to squid in salt and pepper with a salad. Then Liver and bacon (tasted better than it looked).
We then had a break before dessert, but I had been eying up the mars bar cheesecake.
Then cheese and biscuits (it was our last night
)
A few drinks later (more gin, red wine, and a whole bottle of amaretto between us) most of the locals cleared off, so we stayed up for a good old fashioned lock in with John, the landlord, and had loads of laughs.
And so to bed, the hangover had started early, as I had a thumping headache when I went to bed.
Monday - Iddesleigh to Camberley
Up until today we had been lucky with the weather, despite the forecasters predicting rain all weekend. A call from Mark's better half saying that it was torrential back home wasn't the news we wanted, but we had to get back. It had rained here, but not that badly.
Apparently before going to bed last night, we asked the chef to cook us steak and kidney pudding for breakfast
, as that's what Rick Stein had when he visited. She was more than happy to come in and cook it for us, but luckily, we pulled the plug on that idea before going to bed!So, the obligatory full English (minus the black pudding again) but good nevertheless.
Then pack quickly and roll out, back on the road.
The plan had always been to ride to Dartmoor Prison as the roads round there are fantastic, and the prison is so imposing. We had rain most of today, which wasn't a problem (until the diesel spillage roundabout - more on that in a minute), but the icing on the cake was the fog at Dartmoor. It made it more "real" with the fog rolling over top of the roof of the prison. I don't want to see the inside of that place!
The plan originally was to stop in at some of the seaside towns on the way back, as we'd decided not to do the A30 or A303, but as it was howling down and foggy decided to just ride the coastal roads in one go, only stopping a couple of times. We ended up going through the middle of Exeter, and saw a stocky chap with stubble wearing a dress, high heels and a hat!
He looked deadly serious, so must dress like that all the time. Time to leave Exeter we thought.We then rode through Dorchester, Blandford Forum, and Salisbury. One of the last roundabouts leaving Salisbury had a diesel spill on the edge, and Mark had a big moment, but managed to put his foot down to save the bike just as the front stepped out.
A crash less than 50 miles from home would have ruined the whole weekend, but you cant think like that. We then stopped at the Hilltop Cafe for a quick bite to eat. One thing about the big GS in the crap weather is that with the HID's and LED aux lights, the cars get out of the way when they see you coming.We then did a few miles up the A303 before turning off just before the M3, and having some final B roads to Odiham before arriving back in Camberley.
So, after nearly 800 miles in 4 days, riding some of the best roads the UK has to offer (apart from up North and Scotland of course), neither bike skipped a beat, and the weekend was a success. Now we need to plan the next one.
