Father of the steed of steel

Currently in Dunkerque fed and watered and all ready  for an early rise in the morning to take the train beneath the English Channel -   concept is a bit strange,  you leave at 0800 , arrive at the  other side at 0730 !!!!    because of the difference with GMT.  Bit like a cross between the Tardis and a submarine.   Sort of reminiscent of the days when the Concorde arrived in New York time wise before it left London.

We had a long run today of about 270 miles mainly on dual carriageway and some of it really badly maintained.   Three of the group took the longer route by the Peage  and paid their thirty four euros for the much faster and quieter road.

Meantime the "Steed of Steel" did well,  and having spotted this picture on the wall in the museum I thought it might fin in with Steve Bolton's funny captions

So,  another long day in the saddle for us tomorrow, unlike Rennie who had to leave his loaned bike in Metz,  take hire car to Paris and has already reached home by flying direct to Edinburgh.   Now he has to wait and see what BMW are going to do for him until such time as they have decided how to fix the fault on his new 1200RT.

Ouverage Du Hackenberg

Had ourselves a quiet morning, a wander round various parts of the City and I ended up going to the mail railway station to see the trains.  Bit of a rumpus going on as the French Rail Unions have called a strike for tomorrow.    This nothelping one of our group who has had to hand his replacement BMW bike in to dealers here in Metz to be returned to Milan.  he now has to make his way to Paris by hire car and then fly home to Ednburgh.

As the breakfast here in the hotel was excellent only a few of us joined George in the bar next door for a light lunch before setting off to Hackenberg.  George drove his car with the three ladies and six of us followed by bike,  certainly helps when someone knows the local roads, as our so called Sat Nav devices were sending us off in all directions.

We made it in time to get the English speaking tur and joined a few other, and in conversation we discovered that three of the men were members of the IPA and all serving Police Officers from Toronto area.
They had a load of badges in their car so we all received a small gift from them

The Ouverge du  Hackenberg is a massive underground gun battery, or a series of gun batteries spread over a very large are and linked by tunnels some 100 plus feet underground which stretch for several miles.  Our  Guide gave us an introduction and then we boarded the train which was used in the system during the war.  This particular complex of  gun turrets is part of the Maginot Line  which the French constructed as a defensive against the Germans.  Howvewr it did not take the French long to surrender their positions and the Germans took them over until the Yanks arrived.

At one point of the tour we were taken to the surface in the ammunition lifts which, like the gun turret they supplied was still in good working order- we even had a demonstration of the turret rising and then turning, amazing.
Obviously there are more photographs but at this late hour it is not possible to add them

After the tour, then to the museum, etc we left and were guided back to Metz by our IPA friend, George - once again baffling the sat nav by taking short cuts.

We have once again been fed and watered and are now preparing for a long 270 mile to Dunkirk tomorrow.

Metz in the heat (again)

A seriously noisy night last night, add to hot and sweaty as we spend our first night in twelve days back in a City Centre rather than out on the outskirts or in a rural setting.
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.

Another hot day in the saddlefrom Annecy northwards

Another 200 odd miles today in the sweltering heat of Central France as we headed off from Annecy to Luxeuil Les Bains. 
Sat nav driving me bonkers once again from the moment we left,   it wanted to go the opposite route from the first roundabout and it was 54 miles before it eventually decided that it would tell me where to go.
Five of us,  Tom, Iain and the two Douggies took the relatively scenic route and headed up into the hills and forests making for the Route du Lac.

   Lovely,  roads were not as hairy as the Italian Dolomites , with more sweeping bends, and long stretches through rural countryside to pop along.
Very hot and once again the fan was kicking in to cool the engine and we were having to stop to give the bikes a rest and take on fluids.

 Old Dougz had just had a brew up and was doing the dishes before leaving.

 

Despite the intense heat there was a surprising amount of moisture amongst the foliage , (noted whilst taking a leak),

 

On this route,  in order to make the most use of the water in the river a dam was built and a new lake formed, really unusual colour of water, so different from Lake Annecy.

 

So onwards and upwards, short stretch on the Peage (toll road) , a few miles on newly resurfaced roads which were a bit dodgy with loose gravel.   Then the "troops,  newly promoted (field promotion) Sgt Iain @nimble fingers - Buchanan, let me take the lead, obviously having more faith in my Sat Nav than me, until I took a wrong tuning - looks as though we need to slow down so that the sat nav can keep pace with us, and we eventually arrived kind f hot at the Hotel Mercure, Luxeuil Les Bains.

First stop was the bar for a couple of glasses of that famous lager which refreshes the parts that other lagers cannot reach,  but at 2.70 Euros for a half pint we will be taking the pledge.

Remainder of the group arrived a short time later having taken a slightly different route, and bikes were parked up.

Now,  indeed, despite the slagging that the "Steed of Steel" has had from various members of the Group - and bearing in mind that this is an IPA trip (Service through friendship) I can prove that the bike is well worth its weight in gold having found yet another use for it :

Yes, a clothes horse, appropriate for the name,  not sure that the locals and management really appreciate my socks and underwear being on display at the side of the road.

Presently sampling a nice  red Puy Laroque , 2009 Graves.

So till tomorrow 

 

Annecy in the Sun

We have had a rest day today, so took the bus into the Centre of Annecy where we split up and went our respective ways.
I must say that this is a lovely Town, in majestic settings and all the better for the sunshine - unfortunately it was so hot that shade was the main aim of the day.
Had a good walk, toured the shops and then, being in need of a rest  took a two hour boat trip on round the Lake on the waterbus. The boat stopped at all the small villages dotted round the Lake, and walkers, cyclists boarded or left.  There is a cycleway of about 18 km along an old railway line along the side of the lake which seemed to be very popular.
The sky about the overlooking mountains was full of hang gliders making good use of thermals and going well up into the sky,  would hate to see where some of them landed.
Returning to the Town I visited the Town Hall, Cathedral, and wandered in and out of shops in the old town which has lots of wee narrow streets bought some mouth watering cherries and fresh almonds in a fruit shop.

Eventually, time to find the group so headed for the bus station where once again Dougz was left left behind.   Heading for the hotel the heavens opened as we were hit by a massive thunderstorm, lightening, etc which was so bad that when we left the bus I decided to have a picnic in the bus stop - much to the amusement  (bewilderment) of the locals..

Have had a car park meet, all making use of our camping seats, few beers, and generally slagged each other.

BUT   tomorrow back on the "Steed of Steel" as we head northwards to Luxeuil Les Bains. for the night.

Sunshine and snow - from Italy to France

Now sitting in the relative cool of the evening at our hotel base for the next two days in Annecy.  Pleased to feel a nice breeze after the heat of the day during our 270 mile ride from Lake Como, across northern Italy, and up from the plains into the Alps where we took the short (but expensive) route through the Mont Blanc tunnel (£25).  At least I can say that I have done it - an amazing piece of engineering through totally spectacular scenery.

Arrived here, very hot and having removed outer bike gear showered with the rest on to give them a wash -  dried in an hour in the heat.
Was trying to add photos  however, the WiFi at this hotel is so slow it will be breakfast before it loads.
The hotel is directly opposite the Annecy private airport so apart from traffic noise we have the odd light aircraft taking off.
Old Dougz is doing a bit of slagging regarding my literacy,  however as he comes from the West of Scotland, speaking the Queen's English is slightly more difficult for him -
This is a Campanile Hotel, accommodation is not as good as we have had up till now,  evening meal was reasonable, but we will be out on the town tomorrow night..

Afternoon Tea at Lake Garda

Another hot day here in sunny Italy.   We left at various times following the main group away from the Hotel.  I was with John Muirhead and we were diverted only a mile from the hotel which took us along a scenic route through the valleys, by small lakes and missing the Autostrada.    Very warm, so John and I set off from Triento up and over to Lake Garda -  at least I can say I have seen it - stopped for tea, and ended up traversing the entire length.  The biggest Lake in Europe, marvellous, mountains on one side of the road and water on the other.

Shame we had to move on,  but needs must so we headed on towards Lake Como and eventually, after seven hours, and more hills and bends, made it to the Albergo Rosa  Ristorante in Carenno.

This is a small family run hotel and the Owner prepared a wonderful meal for us .  So to bed with an early rise and a much longer run tomorrow to Annecy in France  via Mont Blanc.