M 'Auf

[adventuredon]

To Germany. New boots yesterday, topped oil, just managed to find new pannier keys! That would have been a shocker after not using them before! Panic over.

Eurotunnel tomorrow at 10:36 then to Louvroil.
Day after to Aachen and a wedding and catchup.
Sunday ride to Municipal Campsite at Fumay
Mon to Wed rides around the area thanks to all the routes posted and directed here in the Ardennes section.
Pics to follow

 

[Micky]

To Germany. New boots yesterday, topped oil, just managed to find new pannier keys! That would have been a shocker after not using them before! Panic over.

Eurotunnel tomorrow at 10:36 then to Louvroil.
Day after to Aachen and a wedding and catchup.
Sunday ride to Municipal Campsite at Fumay
Mon to Wed rides around the area thanks to all the routes posted and directed here in the Ardennes section.
Pics to follow

Have a guddun Don .... full R&R please

 

[adventuredon]

That’s the tyres scrubbed and last of the Motorway done. London buses here today with 2 Maclarens

 

[adventuredon]

surprisingly I didn’t get lost on a motorway leaving Coquelles today. All went swimmingly. I find when riding alone, I don’t really want to stop to faff with a picture. I should try harder. Lovely gardens, houses and all when on minor roads.

 

[adventuredon]

Last Sunday enroute home with the car we stopped at a BB Hotel to break up the long slog. Across from the hotel was an Asian all you can eat buffet for €20. Wasn’t bad. The hotel or food. It’s like an emporium of sushi, deep fried, stir fry, seafood and a thousand dishes. The kind of place for an updated version of the exploding diner by Monty Python. At the time I wondered what came first? The hotel or the restaurant? Anyway , tonight I pull into the same hotel chain ( different town) and what is opposite ?. Yep An Asian grill. Same concept

 

[adventuredon]

So dinner. Well it wasn’t really great but it was convenient and quick. Got my euros worth!

 

[adventuredon]

Upon further reflection Cambrian centre was completely blocked for some festival with all the initial deviation signs present then missing. Added 30 minutes of wasted circling. I had to actually reverse route and go all way around the outskirts. Anyhow Garmin did the decent thing. Took me on a cobbled “road” through some rolling hills. All felt a bit your de France with dust clouds. Couldn’t stop in case I dropped it. Made it to fuel station with 11 miles left! The other observation is that I must have passed about 5 gendarmerie wagons on patrol and 2 different stops where they were checking docs. All on minor d roads and in small half horse towns. Don’t think I’ve ever seen that many before in France on a rural ride. Never mind anywhere in the UK.

 

[Wapping]

about 5 gendarmerie wagons on patrol and 2 different stops where they were checking docs. All on minor d roads and in small half horse towns. Don’t think I’ve ever seen that many before in France on a rural ride. Never mind anywhere in the UK.

Heightened security for the Olympics, at a guess.

 

[adventuredon]

Olympics is over. And small towns away from venues. Revenue gains? Anyhow day 2 was pleasant. If somewhat rushed to get the wedding. Do any was impressive. Great road along the tour de frontage route towards Aachen. Nice digs. No Aircon in loft though so I may mean tomorrow am. Breakfast this morning was rushed !

 

[adventuredon]

At wedding. Great venue. Old cellar with older games

 

[adventuredon]

Wedding over. Late one. bnb host was up early enough to greet me coming in at 5:30. Either that or she was waiting up for me. Felt like a schoolboy slipping home late again. Saturday am was spent relaxing watching the mighty boks whip the Aussies. Again. Then started helping the chef cook. I managed the fires and helped with the cooking of meat etc for 40 guests. 3 whole fillets, tomahawks , spuds, dessert was pineapples on the bbq with honey even had a swim

 

[Wapping]

One tiny mystery, are you now going to Chimay or Gedinne?

 

[adventuredon]

left mid morning and stopped to put petrol in. Managed to swivel the nozzle and break the petrol tank lock off its hinge. Great start. Stills fits and sort of seems stay attached but it’s definitely snapped. Will be eBay searching next week. Great roads through Spa

Saw some impressive buildings



Arrived in Ardennes proper once you start seeing canoeists



Nice views great roads esp D929
Campsite is small, quiet and has a keycoded entry gate.
Glad I brought the big tent
No shops open today being Sunday. Completely forgot although who really starts a camping holiday on a Sunday. Passed the church entourage to dinner
So pizza it was

 

[The Other PaulG]

Great looking pizza Don. Keep the updates coming.

 

[adventuredon]

Here till Thursday so neither really. Riding the loops you posted. I think 1 goes through gedinne but it’ll be before the weekend so I’ll just ride

 

[adventuredon]

Bit misty today, should clear up. Not been shopping yet so it’s campsite pre ordered breakfast baguette and rosehip tea. Still, mustn’t moan and all that!

 

[The Other PaulG]

That foldable table is a fine bit of kit. Brill design.

 

[adventuredon]

Wait until you see my ice bucket

 

[adventuredon]

Straight outta Compton.

 

[adventuredon]

Dinner is on. Just pork chops and sausages to go on. Courgette in flames, tomato, onion and garlic salsa for the sandwiches tomorrow with left over sausages. Spuds boiling. Nice glass of rose and radio paradise mellow mix in the background. Might add a tomato and onion salad when I get my dish back from spuds.