France - the Great '3 Day Bimble'

[WindyChuffer]

LD Lines & Motorbike tie down...

A mate of mine was telling me about ferries and tie downs and advised me to read the ferry operator's t's and c's. Heres an extract from LD Lines:

"Motorcycles should be lashed on board by the driver. Whilst the Carrier’s onboard staff will provide assistance Passengers must ensure that motorcycles are secured to their own satisfaction. "

Basically, if it falls over then its the riders fault. If it falls down and plays domino's, that's a big claim against the "king domino".

Full text here.

 

[oldrascal]

From an informed (?) layman's viewpoint, LDLines are providing safe carriage of the vehicles it accepts on-board. The loading of these vehicles, including motorcycles, is not done haphazardly but under the strict guidance of the LDLines loadmasters. And as they are the professionals at loading, trying the old 'just helping with no liability' scenario would be unlikely to wash in a legal action unless the rider wilfully ignored the 'help' offered. Even then....

Imagine that, inspite of requests from the loaders, you decide not to secure the bike at all on a crossing in bad weather, I don't imagine for a moment that you would be allowed to get away with it as this would be a clear breach of LDLines duty of care to safe passage of passengers and vehicles. LDLines principal business is as RoRo ferry operators after all and safety of people and goods is paramount.

Not that I am suggesting pushing a load of bikes on their sides to prove a point of course but just having Rules and Regulations does not remove the duty of care from an operator, as much as they would try and wriggle out of any claim if possible.

That said, have we any real legal beagles on this forum who will tell this barrack room lawyer that he is talking shite and is a real Tosser in all senses of the word.

 

[Harlequin]

MIght put the panniers on after all......decisions, decisions......
So whats the weather looking like OLdRascal?

 

[oldrascal]

Great minds, Strider, and all that stuff. I was being a sad old git with too much time on his hands last night and put on the Long Way Round DVD. Yeah, yeah....I know.

In one of the episodes in Wyoming or thereabouts, Ewan is rear-ended by a kid at 50 mph. The front of the kid's car was pretty badly smashed but in spite of being shunted down the road for what looked like 50 yards or so (and staying upright), the GS only suffered a bit of quickly beaten-out damage to one of the panniers. The smart money reckoned that without the panniers, the thing might have been a lot, lot worse for Ewan.

And that made me make up my mind to fit the panniers for the trip because I was getting fed up fannying around for additional carrying capacity using the top-box only and getting more and more frustrated. So they went on this evening and they are staying on. Now I have plenty of room for everything..........

OK.........weather.

Well your resident Yachtmaster is happy to post the following weather forecast for our departure. Read and rejoice because we are in business guys. France here we come.

P.S My virtually new and immaculate Arai Tour X-3 in LWD Red arrived today and pretty smart it looks too. So now to test it back to back with my recently acquired Shoei Hornet DS. The winner sits on my head next Friday and the loser will be sold on this forum.

 

[WindyChuffer]

The Metcheck Long Range forecast concurs with this. Looks like a goer at the moment....just hope it stays the same (or better) for the forecast for the w/e on Weds.

 

[Harlequin]

THats just great news, because i am SO ready for a break away for a few days........

OldRascal you made me laugh with the pannier indecision........ Me too, and seems a shame not to use them?? Alos if we stop everything is locked away and no need to worry!

 

[GreatScott]

....and you've got room to bring home some contraband

 

[oldrascal]

Contraband eh.........now I wonder if a pair of lissom blonde Swedish contortionist lassies would fit in the panniers . That said, if I landed home with that sort of luggage, I suspect Mrs. Rascal might break out the automatic from the family armoury.

By the way, if you haven't already spotted it in the 'Items for Sale' section, I'm changing tyres on Tuesday and have got a pair of reasonably low mileage Battlewings on offer at £75. I want to try out a set of Conti Trail Attacks and see how they compare.

But sod selling on the forum for a boring game and so they are free to any of this group if you can collect and provided nobody nobbles them with a PM from the 'Items for Sale' section first. A round of drinks over the weekend is all I need.

 

[oldrascal]

Crikey, that was quick.

The Battlewings have now gone to a new home. No names no packdrill of course, but if he gets them fitted for the weekend, you will recognise the culprit because his bike won't need the sidestand to stay upright.

 

[GreatScott]

Contraband eh.........now I wonder if a pair of lissom blonde Swedish contortionist lassies would fit in the panniers . That said, if I landed home with that sort of luggage, I suspect Mrs. Rascal might break out the automatic from the family armoury.

By the way, if you haven't already spotted it in the 'Items for Sale' section, I'm changing tyres on Tuesday and have got a pair of reasonably low mileage Battlewings on offer at £75. I want to try out a set of Conti Trail Attacks and see how they compare.

But sod selling on the forum for a boring game and so they are free to any of this group if you can collect and provided nobody nobbles them with a PM from the 'Items for Sale' section first. A round of drinks over the weekend is all I need.

That's very generous. Unfortunately just stuck on a new set of Avon Storms (long story). I be would interested to know how you get on with the trail attacks.

If you can get a pair of lissom blonde Swedish contortionists home in your GSA paniers I help you hide them from the misses

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
All this talk on Importing contraband might have to put my paniers on
Could do with a couple of lovely France lasses back home
Oh so looking forward to this trip Just a few day away to get some mileage under my belt

Scuba

 

[Harlequin]

reading the development of this thread, i can conclude that we are all totally up for it!

We are also looking forward to being on the motorbikes!!

 

[oldrascal]

Yup, it looks like a 100% 'goer' with settled weather and warmth to add to the pleasure. Here is a linky to Michelin's excellent website, bloody marvellous for those who are not GPS equipped. You can configure the system for pretty well anything but try plugging in St Cast on a 'touristique' setting which is a possible Saturday destination for, say, lunch. The route is mostly on Departmental roads and should be stunning but the Michelin map is worth playing with and super informative although I can't find any reference to shops selling lissom blonde Swedish gymnasts.

 

[Harlequin]

Yup, it looks like a 100% 'goer' with settled weather and warmth to add to the pleasure. Here is a linky to Michelin's excellent website, bloody marvellous for those who are not GPS equipped. You can configure the system for pretty well anything but try plugging in St Cast on a 'touristique' setting which is a possible Saturday destination for, say, lunch. The route is mostly on Departmental roads and should be stunning but the Michelin map is worth playing with and super informative although I can't find any reference to shops selling lissom blonde Swedish gymnasts.

What a fantastic website. Just printed off the route directions as a back up for the tankbag!! Thanks Old Rascal!

 

[Harlequin]

Had a nice ride in the rain today, testing out the panniers and getting a bit of wet weather practise!

Panniers are staying on. It actually looks the business with the luggage on (IMHO)

Also ordered a spare fuel pump controller.......just in case.......

This time next week, hopefully we will all be sitting down to a nice meal and a few bottles of wine!

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
Got the Adv tank on
Put top coat of lacquer on the tank this morning, it re-acted with the paint so now it looks like a bl**dy Zebra
Its now staying on!
So going for a spin down to Lomies in the morning so can make sure everything is all up together ready for the Big weekend
So you will be able to recognize me on Friday , the only Battleship Grey Zebra in the South!

 

[oldrascal]

Well, with most of us fully kitted up with panniers etc and ScubaSparky disguised as a battleship, the bastards will certainly see us coming. What's the deal with the fuel-punp controller Strider?

 

[Harlequin]

Well, with most of us fully kitted up with panniers etc and ScubaSparky disguised as a battleship, the bastards will certainly see us coming. What's the deal with the fuel-punp controller Strider?

Well I have had several ride outs lasy year/this year with mates whose controllers went, so rather than spoil the trip with extended waits for BMW Francais to arrive, I persuaded my local dealer to supply one to me on a use or return basis. ie they will credit me if not used, but i will probably keep it my left pannier where i keep all spares, oil etc.

Still confident about the weather?

 

[Harlequin]

Hi All
Got the Adv tank on
Put top coat of lacquer on the tank this morning, it re-acted with the paint so now it looks like a bl**dy Zebra
Its now staying on!
So going for a spin down to Lomies in the morning so can make sure everything is all up together ready for the Big weekend
So you will be able to recognize me on Friday , the only Battleship Grey Zebra in the South!

You mean distinctive and individual?

 

[oldrascal]

Hell yes , like today but much warmer. Read and rejoice:

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=dataTableTopRow width=70>Day</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>From</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Until</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Temp</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Feels</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>UV</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Rain</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Cloud</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Dir</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Speed</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Gust</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Weather</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Fri 3 Apr</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">1:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">3:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5b8">3 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">0 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">4:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">6:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5b8">3 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">0 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">7:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">9:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #87f562">13 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #87f562">13 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3aff72">2</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">0 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5c4">2 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5c4">2 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">10:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">12:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #abf562">16 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #abf562">16 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #68ff3a">4</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">0 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5ab">4 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">13:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">15:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #b8f562">17 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #abf562">16 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #caff3a">6</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">1 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f57a">8 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">16:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">18:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #b8f562">17 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #7af562">12 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #68ff3a">4</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">2 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f587">7 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">19:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">21:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f57a">8 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f57a">8 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">1 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5b8">3 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5ab">4 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">22:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">0:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f57a">8 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f587">7 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">1 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5ab">4 mph</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=dataTableTopRow width=70>Day</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>From</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Until</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Temp</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Feels</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>UV</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Rain</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Cloud</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Dir</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Speed</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Gust</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Weather</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Sat 4 Apr</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">1:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">3:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">3 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5b8">3 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5ab">4 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">4:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">6:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">3 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5b8">3 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5b8">3 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">7:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">9:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #87f562">13 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #7af562">12 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3aff72">2</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">7 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f587">7 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f56e">9 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">10:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">12:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #9ff562">15 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #93f562">14 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #68ff3a">4</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eeeeee">25 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #6ef562">11 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #87f562">13 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">13:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">15:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #9ff562">15 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #7af562">12 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #caff3a">6</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #efefef">12 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #7af562">12 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #9ff562">15 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">16:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">18:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #9ff562">15 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f562">10 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #9bff3a">5</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #efefef">15 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f56e">9 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f562">10 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">19:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">21:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f57a">8 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #dde6ff">0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cdcdcd">52 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f587">7 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f56e">9 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">22:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">0:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f57a">8 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f587">7 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #dde6ff">0.1 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #bcbcbc">76 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f587">7 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f57a">8 mph</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=dataTableTopRow width=70>Day</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>From</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Until</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Temp</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Feels</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>UV</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Rain</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Cloud</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Dir</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Speed</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Gust</TD><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Weather</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableTopRow>Sun 5 Apr</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">1:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">3:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f587">7 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999">100 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f593">6 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">4:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9c9c9">6:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5ab">4 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3ac0ff">0</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #bcbcbc">74 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5ab">4 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">7:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">9:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #7af562">12 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #87f562">13 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #3aff72">2</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #efefef">12 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5d0">1 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5c4">2 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">10:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">12:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #93f562">14 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #93f562">14 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #68ff3a">4</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">10 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f5ab">4 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f59f">5 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=dataTableDataRow></TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">13:00</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffa75">15:59</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #93f562">14 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #87f562">13 °c</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #caff3a">6</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow>0.0 mm</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #dedede">35 %</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">

</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f587">7 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #62f57a">8 mph</TD><TD class=dataTableDataRow align=middle>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



And a final but critical point, calm seas for the crossing.

I went out for brilliant blast this morning to test out the newly arrived AraiTour X-3 and just revelled in the thought that we will have a brilliant weekend. Having done about 15 miles with the Arai, I went home, swapped for the Shoei Hornet DS and did the same circuit.

I'm buggered if I know which I prefer (so which one to sell). The Arai has a much nicer visor action and I like the longer peak for its sun/glare blocking superiority but the Shoei's is 3-point secured as opposed to 2-point for the Arai. Both peaks seem equally resistant to being 'wind grabbed' and I did a number of life-savers in both to check at up to 90mph. No problems with either.

The Shoei is a deal lighter and more compact as a helmet and comes with an under chin removable fabric wind blocker which makes it toasty when its cold. The day was too warm for the lack of the same on the Arai to be a problem - that said, when I got home I discovered a built-in pull-down curtain beautifully incorporated into the Arai's chinguard which, if my old Quantum F is anything to go by, is quite effective.

So I am going to try the Arai again when I get the tyres fitted on Tuesday because its a good 20 mile motorway blast each way. I will carry the Shoei in the topbox and swap around for the return. That should identify the winner.