Back to the grind stone today, albeit catching up on emails whilst being sat at home. Some logistical stuff preventing me from going to the workshop.
…continuing on from yesterday morning.
Just as we set sail from Saint-Malo, a Fat Albert flew over the top at a very low altitude… by the time I’ve launched the camera app on my phone, the Hercules was to far to capture a clear image, so here is what I’ve ended up with.
Astrro and I have settled in at the self service restaurant for the duration of the crossing aboard Bretagne, despite me booking a reserved recliner seat. Having walked past the them on the other side of the portals, I wasn’t going to entertain the idea of sitting in and amongst 60-70 snoring and farting lot.
Astrro had settled in to watch the latest instalment of The Grand Tour on my iPad. that i have specifically downloaded it for the trip.
I’ve taken up the challenge, creating a compilation playlist of music that people had been listening to, for the duration of their trip.
It was Skid’s Idea, so a selection of tracks have been sent on the group chat. I’ve set up a Voting Poll on our WhatsApp group to see which music platform would need to be used, as everyone is using different apps. Some use Spotify, others at it has transpired do use Amazon Music. So I have set up a playlists on both platforms.
after a while, a little leg stretch and some fresh air was needed, so walk up on top deck was calling. Lovely day to be out at sea as we sailed between Normandy (as Arsey was having his seafood lunch in Barneville-Carteret) and Jersey.
Jersey:
“Maurice“ seem to have been as miserable as ever…
Must watch it again…
After a few waves in the general direction of Arsey’s whereabouts, it was time to check up on my mate Astrro again.
Yes I do know that wave is a bit queer:
Astrro and I have soon decided it was time to have some light lunch, off I went on a hunt…
I have surprised Astrro by getting him prawns and I have had a grilled/roasted mediterranean vegetable and buffalo mozzarella salad along with a couple of cobs of bread and a glass of chilled white wine. It was lovely.
Prawns at sea, seemed very appropriate.
… and my Veggie option. it was all very nice and delicious.
Soon lunch was over and I have carried on with my task in hand, creating the playlist for the boys, whilst Astrro went Duty Free shopping and for a yet another mooch about the bateau. I’ve lost count by now
Some time later a Britanny Ferries entertainment crew was making their rounds, so It was only appropriate to have a photo taken and to participate.
Soon enough Isle of Wight has started to appear on the horizon, so I knew we still had a good couple of hours to kill… we have had yet another coup of tea….followed by the dinner (sorry no photos) shortly before our arrival. Astrro was starting to get a bit restless, referencing our progress “like pulling teeth”, so off he went for yet another walk around the boat.
We have docked in Pottymouth on time, at 1820.
Despite the on-time arrival, it took some time to get everyone off the boat to the point where both of us started to feel like the tea we drank earlier was making it way down rather swiftly. Now fully kitted out, awaiting to alight, it wasn’t an option to head for the loo in full biker mate kit, whilst fighting crowds occupying the lifts going down. We held our positions, passport control done, we were off, heading for M27/A3(M)/M25.
By now we were bursting with what felt like more than just cup of tea worth. We have breezed past the first lay-by on the A3, it had come in to view to quickly to react, as it was a bit busy too for the two blokes to do their deed. We have pressed it and onwards we rode. We soon found another lay-by a short distance away to relieve our selves. Astrro told me on the boat that it was a bit chilly upon arrival to Britain, same was being said to me by my wife. So I took precautions and put my Tog24 down jacked on under my mesh rukka jacket. No sooner that’s we got off the boat, the temperature readout on my bike was telling me it was 23ºc. Whilst we had stopped, the down jacket had to come off, It was just too hot. Astrro had a quick draw at the smokey end, whilst we observed a awfully overloaded Jap import Mazda mini van towing a rinky dinky trailer, with a huge 16’-18’ sailing boat atop, held together with just two ratchet straps of various colours and tensile strength types. Astrro’s eyes widened even further, as the driver put his foot down to unleash what looked like 30 starved horses to rejoin the dual carriageway and the ball hitching point has elongated it self by 6”. It certainly wasn’t nor did it look safe. Where is the plod when you need them?
The obligatory stop was over and I have set cruise control for a steady motorway speed. The next destination was J21a on M25, some 75-80 minutes away. having looked at the google maps whilst still sailing past the Isle of Wight, it looked like we were in for some fun plying dodgems on M27 and M25 going past Heathrow. Lucky for us, all of the usual mayhem had dispersed but the time we got there. It was a relatively easy ride, even if there was odd numpty in a van sat in lane three doing 55 mph.
J21a had soon came in to view, so we pulled off, and headed for the Shell Garage in Chiswell Green. Astrro needed to refuel, for his onward journey of just under 100 miles. Whilst he was refulling his iron horse, I headed for every tossers place of pilgrimage, Starbucks Coffee to grab Astrro a coffee.
WHERE IS HE LOOKING
ahh peaches….
A final quick fifteen minute chat reliving the past week with our newly formed band of friends, followed by obligatory hugs and kisses (not really) and we have headed our separate ways.
Less than ten minutes later, I was back home, with my wife welcoming me back with open arms and tears in her eyes. Love her to bits.
Astrro at this moment in time was still best part of an hour and a half away from home.
Bike parked in the garage, I decided that I will be dealing with it the following day or even at the weekend. Panniers unpacked, I have waved (imaginary) the bike bye bye for now.
The trip is over for Arsey, Astrro and I, but it isn’t over yet for some in our group, as one of the party (Steve4scoops), was still somewhere just of the coast of Spain last night… whilst Skid06 is still having a blast at his MILs in Spain for another week….
Till next time boys…
, guy
