Anniversary, birthday and goodness knows what else

[Timolgra]

Before she rode onto her first ferry I'd told Ange that bikes don't go up the main ramp but board across a narrow gang plank.

I suggested she practice on a piece of scaffold plank and to make it more realistic, put a pebble under each end.

"Can I put my feet down"?

Not much point I said since the planks only wide enough for your tyre and there's a 60 ft drop into the sea.

Anyway, we arrived at the ferry with the seed of doubt planted, I took a photo of her worried face and have felt guilty for my silly prank ever since.

Three years later, I must have forgotten my guilt as we pulled up at the Euro Tunnel.

For what can only be a childish reason....I told my wife the train's on a continuous loop to France and back.

This of course means we have to ride alongside the moving train, through the doors and then try to stop before we hit the end of the carriage, then ride off at the other end

Now, I doubt she believes me but........

I turned around to take her photo and saw real fear in her eyes

Erm, I won't be playing that game again

 

[Timpo]

I hope she battered you.......

 

[Timolgra]

Fair play to her, we ridden down from North Wales to Ypres, got the tent up and all in time to see the very moving parade at the Menin Gate.

I know many of you have also been all around the WW1 sites so won't flood you with too many pictures.
Oh, just one then..

Then into town for some grub, you'll know this spot

Ange smiled lovingly when I said I just love a traditional blonde.......so ordered another

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Now that's the reason you always get small portions. It's called poetic justice.

Poor Ange

 

[Timolgra]

I took a lot of info from MikeP's excellent RR from here and also used a brilliant App on my phone to find some of the places.

So if you want detail go find Mike's report which also has a load of useful waypoints.
In the mean time...

 

[Timolgra]

Whilst we're away it's our wedding anniversary (I forget which, 2nd I think) and a couple of days later her birthday.

I know these things because I was reminded of them

With that in mind I opted for the Hilleberg tent to add that touch of luxury

Early on the morning of our anniversay, I bring her tea, half a Lidl's waffle, a card and some flowers from the hedge

She's said not to buy her a present since she knew I'd bought her something expensive for her birthday in a couple of days.

But chance is a fine thing and just as I was having a mooch around after she'd packed the tent away, I found this in the grass.

Unable to resist the chance of impressing her with new bracelet I put it in my pocket and waited for my opportunity.

I think she was well chuffed.

 

[Timolgra]

A bit more poking around

We rode down countless tracks to remote war graves and memorials.

You need to get intimate with northern France and Belgium to fully appreciate them I think.

Thousand of sites, all with a terrible story to tell.

Lovely countryside, but all attempts at amorous al fresco were thwarted by the odd passer by

 

[chad]

that woman has the patience of a saint

 

[Mr K]

She's a lucky woman.

 

[Timolgra]

We'd found a lovely campsite around 15km from Arras where the weather was perfect.

The coffee was strong

Breakfast and lunch...French.

"you don't want to eat all that sweetheart, it'll go to your hips" wasn't meant to be heard

 

[chad]

 

[Timolgra]

One of the reasons for coming down this way was to visit the grave of one of Ange's relatives.

After nearly 100 years, this would have been his first visit from home.

Ange left him a rose........

 

[Timolgra]

The countless young men who were never able to swan around with their girl and a motorcycle were everywhere.

I felt grateful for the hand life has dealt me.

The scene of perhaps false hope, did any of them see out the end of the war?

The guide books suggest this may have been Hitler's bunker in WW1 but a local old guy was walking by and got to telling us it wasn't but had been in his village nearby.

Then he said, see this field before you.
4,000 British soldiers died there one evening.

And that was the story unfolding time after time.

Hitler had been down here though, recovering....hmmm shame

We ride some more

 

[Gazzabart]

enjoying this

 

[Giles]

Now that's the reason you always get small portions......

Ummmmmm ....

I think you'll find it's Angie that has to put up with small portions ...

 

[Timolgra]

It's her birthday!

I proudly present her new watch (not the Casio)....... now what?

Hmmm I know

I'd brought a tin of sardines.

It's seems I'm taking her out to dinner though.

Into Arras for dinner it is then.
Last time I was here was the final night on my ride home from Mongolia.
It seemed a whole world away

"Look, the restaurant has my name" she says

"Yes" I say smugly and somewhat suprised by my good fortune

I had rabbit.... which I'm sure is of absolutely no interest to you

 

[Micky]

I hope there's more to come Tim

Enjoyed ... but you clearly spoil the gal to bits though

 

[Timolgra]

And that's about it, well, all I'm allowed to say

A blat up to a shitty town west of the tunnel, quickly found a campsite which resembled a Rio shanty town populated with French Jeremy Kyle contestants.
The attendant didn't bother to charge us.

We tried to buy a late lunch in the almost deserted holiday town, I say tried, this is France after all.

So bought a picnic from the local Spar and sat on the beach.

A guy with his lady comes up to us, "hey Tim, how's it going".......... feck me you can't go anywhere

An early train and we find the restaurant for breakfast

Giles, we did have time to meet up. Next time

A long slog back home and well deserved refreshments

And Jake's happy in his world once more

 

[chad]

thanks for sharing tim

 

[Giles]

Giles, we did have time to meet up. Next time

Anytime ... spare room with en suite 20 mins from the tunnel ...