The School Run (Santiago de Compostella)

[steve1]

we're gonna need a bigger boat

The centre of the park boasts an impressive pond which has big orange fish and ducks. We also saw a couple of terrapins.

 

[steve1]

cool bird

Just then there's a huge commotion as a large goose exits the pond and makes its way along the path. SWMBO is forced to yield her position on the carriageway as big bird makes what seems like a bee line for her. Its impossible to tell whether or not the the goose is angry (Best err on the side of caution- those things can break an arm you know!). The goose waddles past ignoring us both and makes its noisy way to an ice cream kiosk.
The bloke in the kiosk begins some sort of weird conversation with the goose. (At this point i feel it's necessary to point out that I'm in no way inebriated)
The goose waits its turn and then "responds"to the Kiosk owner.
Still chattering away the man reaches inside the freezer and pulls out a green ice lolly. At this point the intensity of the bird's squawking reaches a crescendo, so much so that it's attracting the attention of other people in the vicinity. The man unwraps the frozen treat and offers it to the bird who, without even grasping the stick, wolfs it down like a pelican swallowing a large fish. The kiosk owner is careful to hold onto the stick and his fingers as the greedy bird begins to flap wildly. My assumption is that this is an avian response to ice cream headache (brain freeze). I also noticed that at no time did any currency exchange hands/wings. I bet he would charge me for a lolly!
Unsure about what i have witnessed i consider the pros and cons for each of the involved parties. I conclude that the goose may be slightly up on the deal with the only apparent benefit to the kiosk owner being the attraction of a slight crowd (who may use his establishment) and the fact that he could shift old stock onto an unsuspecting goose who doesn't seem too concerned about sell-by dates anyhow.

 

[steve1]

The wandering takes its toll and were soon full up to the brim of Valladolid. I think were both really tired and missing a good sleep. We meander back to the bike and saddle up. Thoughts of our homeward journey tomorrow are never far from my mind.

 

[steve1]

last supper

After an uneventful ride back to camp we settle down for a simple meal of cheese and tomato sandwiches washed down with coffee. The combination of travelling, (drinking) and camping has taken its toll on both of us.
We decide to get an early night, the ferry leaves Santander tomorrow at 2 so we need to be up sharpish and on our way.

 

[steve1]

Monday 10th August 2009 - Santander- Ferry

up at first light, we drop the tent, pack the bike and wave goodbye to Vallalodid (spelling?????). There's a new spring in my step and the bike eagerly eats the miles northwards. Once again a pretty uneventful run, no real traffic to speak of until we hit Santander and then it's solid. Lots of freight and tourists heading into the port.
We have time to kill so we park the bike and have a bit of a wander, not too far though only have about an hour.

 

[steve1]

the sights of Santander

Many interesting vehicles to be seen in Santander.

 

[steve1]

Jap motor

Noticed this down a side road, some sort of Honda, they do em with 4 wheels now ya know!

 

[steve1]

Ferry

Soon its time to go. We fight our way through heavy traffic and follow "ferry" signs. The queue for the ferry terminal seems to have brought the whole town to a standstill. Engine off, jackets unzipped we sit and melt in the sunshine.

 

[steve1]

Queue

Soon we're on the "other side" queueing at the front of the boat.

 

[steve1]

so that's Spanish customs then?

We queue for about half an hour whilst the boat is readied. Talk to many people whilst we wait. One chap said he saw the bike outside the cathedral in Vallaodid (spelling??) over the weekend. Just how small is this world? We also bump into the tossers from the outbound journey.
Soon an official looking man in a hat is coming down the line of bikes asking to see passports. All quite informal really. He reaches the end of the bike queue and then signals to us to go.
I fire up the bike and play follow-my-leader into the bowels of the Pont Aven.

 

[steve1]

Ne regardez jamais un cheval de don dans la bouche!

My eyes struggle with the contrast as we loose the brilliant Spanish sunshine and ride down onto the car deck. It's even hotter down here than it is on the dock!
I take a broad arc of deck and line the GS perfectly (if i do say so myself) between the anchor cables. I kick the bike onto its side stand and leave SWMBO in charge as i go hunting for cushions and ratchet straps.
I return with said equipment and begin to secure my bike to the deck.
"Hey, Bumble Bee" a French deck hand is in my face. I'm guessing he's referring to the colour of my bike.
"Non, non- Bumble bee!" WTF is up with this guy? I know how to operate a ratchet strap??.
My obviously classic English response is to go straight onto the defensive, (never can be sure, especially with the French). My face betrays my feelings,(Agincourt) which leaves Pierre smiling and talking (French bollocks) under his breath- (and me feeling like i'd wished i'd listened to my French teacher all those years ago!). MERDE!!!!
He points at my bike and tell's me in very basic English that its gonna be rough. He points at the side stand " Non- very rough"
I smile at him, in his own gallic way Pierre's looking out for me.
I put the bike on its centre stand and Pierre straps a large incontinence cushion over the seat. Nice bloke Pierre, even obliges with a photo. I unstrap the stuff sack and take a last look at the bike as happy in the knowledge that I've done my bit towards entente cordiale.

 

[steve1]

Adiós España

We make it up to our cabin right at the front of the ship. Dump the bags, quick change and then on deck to wave goodbye to Santander and Spain. Bit sad really, still cheer ourselves up with a couple of drinks.

 

[steve1]

There'll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Portsmouth!

After the roughest crossing in the history of sea travel (Pierre wasn't joking) Tuesday brings our first sight of Blighty!

 

[steve1]

car deck

Soon were back in Portsmouth. Ignoring the tannoy announcements we make our way immediately down to the bike. It was so rough last night i can't imagine what state the car deck will be in. Fortunately my Gallic cousin, Pierre, did an excellent job of securing the bike and everything is hunky dory.
I quickly release the bike and load up ready for the run home.

 

[steve1]

saving Ryan's privates

The heat on the car deck is stifling as everyone prepares their bikes.
Just then the ramp drops and its a race for the exit. Reminiscent of the landing craft scene (Saving private Ryan) an army of motorcycles hits land at Portsmouth.

 

[steve1]

They just wouldn't give up those 88's

A soon as the vanguard hits the beach the assault loses momentum. The enemy have dug in and from their pill boxes they are able to pick us off one by one. We don't stand a chance, bottle-necked by the geography of the beach we make easy pickings for the men in blue uniforms.
In a last ditch attempt, some of us manage to breach their lines. Instinctively we push northwards deeper behind enemy lines.


Note to self: Sun+Heat+Exhaust & garlic fumes= distorted reality???????

 

[steve1]

The weather is fantastic. We whack it north for as long as SWMBO bum holds out. Have a coffee/petrol break at Oxford and then NORTH!!

 

[Stewart H]

A nice report Steve
thank you for taking me along

Stewart

 

[steve1]

FIN

And that's about it -
older, wiser, fatter and poorer, but still planning my next trip!!!


Apologies for the intermittence of my reporting, life has a habit of getting in the way.


Many thanks for the supportive messages- nice to know someone's actually reading this stuff.

 

[Yonkyo]

Cheers for that Steve

I thoroughly enjoyed that RR. But I feel sad its over, like when you finish reading a great novel.