Yup. I’ve also visited his grave in Dryburgh Abbey
First solo trip
- Thread starter grantmac
- Start date
Also, the oddity of the Chinese Cemetery at Noyelles sur Mer, which is not far away.
Noyelles-Sur-Mer Chinese Cemetery | Cemetery Details | CWGC
Noyelles-Sur-Mer Chinese Cemetery | Cemetery Details | CWGC
www.cwgc.org
I’ve enjoyed my solo trip in 2019 (2 day prior) after meeting up with Arsey for the very first time and spending 3 glorious days riding together with a following 5 days into Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany including Touratwat factory shop, Luxembourg, Belgium, Calais and back home eventually. He was on his Kawasucker H2SX (if memory serves me right) and I was on then only a 9 month old (now 6.5 YO) 1290. Admittedly I have arrived to our rendezvous point in Valloire, in rain mode
, on a warm, sunny and bone dry alpine evening. He still takes the ouss pour if me for it. Knob 
I have had a great time on my own as I did in Arsey’ company. Great fun, you’ll love it Grant!
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So leg 1 of the trip compete. The Hague to Montreuil close to Calais. Weather was a bit crap on the way down. Headed inland and didn’t take the coast road as originally planned. Pissed down leaving NL. Belgium and most of France dry. Last 20km was really heavy. Hotel very nice. Logis Hotel Les Hautes de Montreuil.
They gave me my own private parking garage as I was on a bike. Parking was €10 as the hotel was in the middle of town.
Pretty decent really and safe.
Had dinner in the restaurant adjoining the small hotel. Logis “table distinguee” which is their upper class. Costs for dinner was €57 for 4 courses. Wine not included. I read here that some may scoff at that price for a dinner but I like good food and this certainly fitted the bill nicely.
Tomorrow back to NL and bike to garage on Tuesday for first service. Then it’s on for the next 5 planned trips for 2025
Finally. I hate the auto on the 1300 ASA box but the manual mode is just sublime! So I don’t use the auto any more
Garage, restaurant and hotel in order below
They gave me my own private parking garage as I was on a bike. Parking was €10 as the hotel was in the middle of town.
Pretty decent really and safe.
Had dinner in the restaurant adjoining the small hotel. Logis “table distinguee” which is their upper class. Costs for dinner was €57 for 4 courses. Wine not included. I read here that some may scoff at that price for a dinner but I like good food and this certainly fitted the bill nicely.
Tomorrow back to NL and bike to garage on Tuesday for first service. Then it’s on for the next 5 planned trips for 2025
Finally. I hate the auto on the 1300 ASA box but the manual mode is just sublime! So I don’t use the auto any more
Garage, restaurant and hotel in order below
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used to do the group thing and first long trip abroad was a week near limoges with 12 others - met them in east london and did that but then we went to millau - they went on - i went to monaco
I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to stomach a long trip completely on my own though. I know people that do/can do it, but not sure I'll love it over a certain amount of days.
first small trips were scotland or ireland or very north coast of france b sur mer berck st omer hazebrouck
been doing that bit of france 18 years
dont do groups anymore - i stop and start quite a lot but can still do the pull the trigger and fuel only and 500km in one go thing when the mood takes
but it depends on the day
and group means you cant do that
who's a big boy, now then?
can we put those pull up pants in the bin now? Just M&S Big Boy Pants from now?
Everyone has to start somewhere Wessie so don’t knock it…..
Little acorns etc. well done you.
Btw .. who would scoff at 57 euros for 4 courses? If it's home prepared and cooked , as it's almost certain to be in French France, it'll be terrific.
Thanks all. Although posted as my first solo trip it was more about sharing experience of a place within close reach of those heading from UK or back home. I often read of people looking for a stop just close to the chunnel or ferry. This is about an hour from Calais and I thought it to be worth mentioning. Accommodation is fine and if you prefer something less expensive then there are plenty of local brasseries in the village
Agree with PP, I like good French fare and this was excellent even though for some pockets a bit pricey. Thanks Pete!
There are a few places close to the tunnel / Calais now that we have experienced and I have provided links to on other related threads:
This place,
La Cour de Remi ( my absolute favourite) Bermicourt.
Hostelllerie St Louis, Bollezeele,
Chateau des Tourelles,Waas
All good locations , a bit out of the way with good parking to boot
Time to put on my big boy troos and head back home. Next weekend Eifel and then week after 6 days east France!!
Agree with PP, I like good French fare and this was excellent even though for some pockets a bit pricey. Thanks Pete!
There are a few places close to the tunnel / Calais now that we have experienced and I have provided links to on other related threads:
This place,
La Cour de Remi ( my absolute favourite) Bermicourt.
Hostelllerie St Louis, Bollezeele,
Chateau des Tourelles,Waas
All good locations , a bit out of the way with good parking to boot
Time to put on my big boy troos and head back home. Next weekend Eifel and then week after 6 days east France!!
Travelling solo is great (as are groups, but we used to break it down to pairs or 3’s as the week went on, just happened naturally)
Next week, two of us are doing the WAW and accommodation booked
Two is a good number too - plenty of flexibility and some evening company too
Next week, two of us are doing the WAW and accommodation booked
Two is a good number too - plenty of flexibility and some evening company too
now with links:
La Cour de Remi ( my absolute favourite) Bermicourt.
Hostelllerie St Louis, Bollezeele,
Chateau des Tourelles, Le Wast
been to them all
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