So, time for the annual pilgrimage to Le Mans, followed by another trip to Normandy to see the sights we ran out of time to see last year.
Started off last Tuesday night as it had been sooo hot, I didn't want to be riding across the south during the day, so headed across to Arles for the first night, where I stayed at the IBIS hotel.
View from the window wasn't too bad, despite the fact I hadn't brought my shorts.
A quick refreshment was very welcome, as it was still 30C at 9pm at night
Next morning however, the skies were BLACK, and I was riding towards Nimes and THE biggest thunderstorm I'd ridden in
Took off north from Nimes, and wanted to get to the Corniche des Cevennes, absolutely tipped down, so had to put the camera away until I stopped at Anduze
.
The roads around here are stunning, shame it was so wet. Still, I wobbled along as best I could.
Weather was getting worse though, and the Corniche des Cevennes wasn't as scenic as the last time I crossed
Times like this it's useful to have foglights
So, headed on down on through the Gorges du Tarn
Weather was still heavy showers, but at least they were showers, so there were still clear-ish spells in between.
Some other old classic vehicles in the Gorges to keep me old bike happy.
So, finished up on the Gorges du Tarn, then over towards Millau
So, not too many other piccies as time was getting on. So, scooted up to Riders Rest, where I spend a very pleasant evening in the company of Tony and Wendy. Great grub, lots of beer and wine later...
So, arrived in Le Mans, at the Bounty Lakes campsite. Lovely weather, though feckin cold.
Some real Brit exotica at Le Mans this year...
Some nice racing machines though
Part of the pitlane walkabout on the Friday. This group of Dutch folks were in grand form, and made the little kid in the wheelchair's day. He thought they were brilliant, as did I
Great tent back at the campsite.
So, onto Port en Bessins where the hotel was shared with a group of old Brit bikers, with a lot of mainly two-strokes. The bikes were old but the bikers were older, great crew and lots of laughs..
Off to the first stop, the newly opened Overlord museum at the junction where you turn off for the American Museum at Omaha beach.
Being Scottish, definitely didna want to try the Quiche
Nice Harley
The Overlord museum was created by a guy who's always been into Military vehicules, so there's a great collection.
Later, we went to the Airborne museum at Saint Mere Eglise where the paratrooper was famously stuck on the church spire..
Great museum.
Next stop was the Azeville battery with restored tunnels. This was a great visit as they give you a little audio device which you can hear all the pertinent points at various places during the self guided tour.
View from inside the tunnels.
Camouflage painted on the walls of the casemates to disguise them from allied spotters.
Next, onto the Crisbeq battery where the first casemate was destroyed in August 44 when an explosion took place in the bunker which lifted the 5 metre thick 1200 tonne roof off
Ouch
Then off to Arromanches where there's a fair bit of the Mulberry harbour still left.
Some interesting Art on show too
The only disappointing thing was the Caen Memorial which despite being THE most expensive museum in Normandy was nothing special. More show than substance. For example, given the importance of the two forms of transport which were the tank and the landing craft, there wasn't an example of either. Lots of information panels of conflict in general, but not much specifically related to the Normandy conflict. Not a patch on the Imperial War Museum for instance.
Memorial to Dick Winters (band of brothers commander) on the road to Omaha Beach.
Another obligatory tank shot which shows that American metal lasts longer than German
Went up to Barfleur where we had the best Moules Frites in a little cafe on the harbour.
First up was a big salad of Lardons, Gesiers, and Canard...with roast potatoes..mmmm
Gavin had the local oysters to start which were lovely
Following lunch, we continued round the top of the Cotentin towards Cherbourg, this was the first lighthouse you come to, which apparently you can walk up. We didn't bother though
Gratuitous wildscape
The beach at Houel was amazing, like many of them around here.
Nice flowers somehow surviving in the sand.
Started off last Tuesday night as it had been sooo hot, I didn't want to be riding across the south during the day, so headed across to Arles for the first night, where I stayed at the IBIS hotel.
View from the window wasn't too bad, despite the fact I hadn't brought my shorts.
A quick refreshment was very welcome, as it was still 30C at 9pm at night
Next morning however, the skies were BLACK, and I was riding towards Nimes and THE biggest thunderstorm I'd ridden in
Took off north from Nimes, and wanted to get to the Corniche des Cevennes, absolutely tipped down, so had to put the camera away until I stopped at Anduze
The roads around here are stunning, shame it was so wet. Still, I wobbled along as best I could.
Weather was getting worse though, and the Corniche des Cevennes wasn't as scenic as the last time I crossed
Times like this it's useful to have foglights
So, headed on down on through the Gorges du Tarn
Weather was still heavy showers, but at least they were showers, so there were still clear-ish spells in between.
Some other old classic vehicles in the Gorges to keep me old bike happy.
So, finished up on the Gorges du Tarn, then over towards Millau
So, not too many other piccies as time was getting on. So, scooted up to Riders Rest, where I spend a very pleasant evening in the company of Tony and Wendy. Great grub, lots of beer and wine later...
So, arrived in Le Mans, at the Bounty Lakes campsite. Lovely weather, though feckin cold.
Some real Brit exotica at Le Mans this year...
Some nice racing machines though
Part of the pitlane walkabout on the Friday. This group of Dutch folks were in grand form, and made the little kid in the wheelchair's day. He thought they were brilliant, as did I
Great tent back at the campsite.
So, onto Port en Bessins where the hotel was shared with a group of old Brit bikers, with a lot of mainly two-strokes. The bikes were old but the bikers were older, great crew and lots of laughs..
Off to the first stop, the newly opened Overlord museum at the junction where you turn off for the American Museum at Omaha beach.
Being Scottish, definitely didna want to try the Quiche
Nice Harley
The Overlord museum was created by a guy who's always been into Military vehicules, so there's a great collection.
Later, we went to the Airborne museum at Saint Mere Eglise where the paratrooper was famously stuck on the church spire..
Great museum.
Next stop was the Azeville battery with restored tunnels. This was a great visit as they give you a little audio device which you can hear all the pertinent points at various places during the self guided tour.
View from inside the tunnels.
Camouflage painted on the walls of the casemates to disguise them from allied spotters.
Next, onto the Crisbeq battery where the first casemate was destroyed in August 44 when an explosion took place in the bunker which lifted the 5 metre thick 1200 tonne roof off
Ouch
Then off to Arromanches where there's a fair bit of the Mulberry harbour still left.
Some interesting Art on show too
The only disappointing thing was the Caen Memorial which despite being THE most expensive museum in Normandy was nothing special. More show than substance. For example, given the importance of the two forms of transport which were the tank and the landing craft, there wasn't an example of either. Lots of information panels of conflict in general, but not much specifically related to the Normandy conflict. Not a patch on the Imperial War Museum for instance.
Memorial to Dick Winters (band of brothers commander) on the road to Omaha Beach.
Another obligatory tank shot which shows that American metal lasts longer than German
Went up to Barfleur where we had the best Moules Frites in a little cafe on the harbour.
First up was a big salad of Lardons, Gesiers, and Canard...with roast potatoes..mmmm
Gavin had the local oysters to start which were lovely
Following lunch, we continued round the top of the Cotentin towards Cherbourg, this was the first lighthouse you come to, which apparently you can walk up. We didn't bother though
Gratuitous wildscape
The beach at Houel was amazing, like many of them around here.
Nice flowers somehow surviving in the sand.
That "salad" is right up my street
