Having not ridden a motorbike since last June, Easter 2024 will probably be the first opportunity I get. ChasMill (and wife) has kindly taken me up on my offer to join me on a couple of days away in the Pas de Calais region. The route is a slightly shortened version of one that I use to run in motorcycles over two days. For an area which people tell us, “All the roads are crap, mate”, I think it does a pretty reasonable job.
The places we’ll stay are;
1. First night and third night, a cafe in Cap Gris Nez. I first discovered the cafe, I’d guess 35 years ago and it then taking me perhaps five years to realise that they had rooms upstairs. Let’s be clear, if anyone is looking for five star luxury this is not it; shared bathroom and WC, no great use of English etc. But I (and my chums now) have got to know the owner (now on the second generation) well. It just suits me and us. If though you don’t want to stay, I can quite understand but do just drop in for a coffee, a beer or an ice cream or something to eat, on your way back to Calais.
2. A new hotel, for me at least, down at St Valery sur Somme, on the coast, where the river Somme estuary enters the sea. I had seen the hotel several times before but have never stayed there; this trip is an excuse to try it out.
www.baiedesomme.fr
You can ride the full two day route in a day but we have opted to break it into two. Similarly, staying in Cap Gris Nez on the first and last night, simply so we can go across to Calais on a mid-afternoon train and come back mid-morning.
The places we’ll stay are;
1. First night and third night, a cafe in Cap Gris Nez. I first discovered the cafe, I’d guess 35 years ago and it then taking me perhaps five years to realise that they had rooms upstairs. Let’s be clear, if anyone is looking for five star luxury this is not it; shared bathroom and WC, no great use of English etc. But I (and my chums now) have got to know the owner (now on the second generation) well. It just suits me and us. If though you don’t want to stay, I can quite understand but do just drop in for a coffee, a beer or an ice cream or something to eat, on your way back to Calais.
2. A new hotel, for me at least, down at St Valery sur Somme, on the coast, where the river Somme estuary enters the sea. I had seen the hotel several times before but have never stayed there; this trip is an excuse to try it out.
Cap Hornu Hôtel*** & Restaurant
Bienvenue sur le site officiel de l'Hôtel*** Restaurant du Cap Hornu. Situé à Saint-Valery-sur-Somme dans un parc de 15 hectares avec une vue imprenable sur la Baie de Somme, l'hôtel et restaurant du Cap Hornu vous accueille toute l'année.
www.baiedesomme.fr
You can ride the full two day route in a day but we have opted to break it into two. Similarly, staying in Cap Gris Nez on the first and last night, simply so we can go across to Calais on a mid-afternoon train and come back mid-morning.
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then?
