Yesterday we all took various routes, all designed to avoid motorways and major congestion with the result that the region of France was treated to the sight of motorcycles meandering through country villages.
Twas my turn to have a bash at navigating as I am still not happy with my Sat nav so of we set, lovely morning and at the first big roundabout we met one of the other groups coming towards us, having already been geographically embarrassed (lost). Never mind it was only a short time later that we parted company again as I took a wrong turning !!! I suppose back in England it would have been a case of "wandering lonely as a cloud, through hills and dales", but here it was rolling countryside, varying shades of green and golds as barley and maize ; forests; blues of rivers, lakes and canals, etc.
Our first stop was at a small canal basin where we watched two private cabin cruisers being raised through a set of lock gates , the owner was from England and told me he spent three months a year on the boat cruising the canals of Europe - very nice.
The Poste lady - (mail person) stopped to talk to us, and after five fun filled minutes left to spread the gossip to the locals about the two passing Scots motorcyclists.
Despite passing through numerous small villages we could not find a cafe for a breakfast (late) and eventually stopped at a garage for petrol - found that he did coffee and stopped for a while. We asked for directions which started a great debate amongst the three locals in the bar, and once they discovered we were Scots gave us the correct ones. I gave the "Patron" a minature of whisky and he in return dashed off returning with a nice bottle of wine for us.
We passed various French military establishments out in the countryside including a massive air base, complete with a fighter plane at the entrance - and so on till we reached the Cathedral town of Toul.
We stopped for lunch at a roadside cafe, but our peace was shattered by the arrival of the local pompiers who had been called to a fire in the underground car park nearby, where we could see large clouds of billowing smoke.
Entertainment, free of charge, and we were soon joined by a local taxi driver who wanted to talk to us about the motorbikes, so that proved interesting as he had travelled widlely.
Onwards until we reached Metz, where our IPA host , George was waiting at the hotel Metropole, opposite the main railway station. This area was a regular target for German bombers during the war and a full set of the air raid warning sirens is visible on one of the nearby buildings.
Quick shower and change and we headed for the adjacent bar to talk to George who turned out to be the sole representative of the local IPA branch. Despite his lack of English and our very poor French we had a good chat and resolved to meet thee later for dinner. In the meantime I had a go at pouring pinds behind the big bar and have been offered an apprenticeship ( makes a change from work experience at the Mercat Grill). But nothing changes, all my customers were Scots !!!
Into the tartan trews once more and back for dinner which was nice, a convivial evening of food and drink, exchange of gifts with Tom receiving an engraved goblet from George.
Many photos taken and constant stream of updates put on the Region 1 - IPA Scotland Motorcycle Touring Group face book site.
Headed off to bed, leaving some of the chaps to watch the first game of the 2014 World Cup Competition in Brazil.
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