Gerontious

If you like it. Buy it.

Breakfast. Cloudy and cool but zero chance of rain today. I think I’m just going to try and get hopelessly lost. Set the hotel as a favourite on the sat nav and just follow my nose. I didn’t really think much about what to do here. It’s very familiar but also such a massive region (3000 sq miles) there’s always something new. But there is no rush, been offered lunch, just turn up at 1 if you like. So laid back!! One difference for the regulars, much faster internet in the guest house!!

Crossing this morning was bizarre. I was booked on the 12:20 and tried my luck, arriving at 10. And had a 5 minute wait!! Cars went on and filled perhaps 3 carriages and I was right at the back with 2 other bikers also going to the Eifel. Crossing took 25 minutes. Toilets on board were locked. Car drivers had to remain in their cars. No recorded announcement just a staff member telling everyone what’s what. After that everything was pretty normal. Off the train in minutes. So fast! Tunne complex on uk side was as you can imagine very quiet. But once across everything was normal bit more traffic than we’re used to on a Sunday. But nothing terrible. A bit damp as far as Lille but then improved massively. It’s still very much summer over this side.

I came down the N4 all the way to Bastogne. Running a bit late so I didn’t go via the Northampton or Clervaux. But I did pass the castle at vianden and then B50 to sinspelt and on. It’s so nice here, from the instant you cross from Belgium to Luxembourg. Tarmac smooth as silk and just wonderful. Greeted with a glass of benediktiner then venison and mushroom pepper soup. Schnitzel fries and salad and ice cream pud. And that was the set meal. Asked how everyone was. Neuerburg has got off lightly. No deaths. But it’s obvious everyone is taking it very seriously. I had to give contact details or it’s a €10,000 fine!! The school is not reopening. And furlough benefits have been extended into next year.

It’s just me. Off the leash with no one to worry about but myself. Currently at SPY and 109 miles from the hotel. Outside as I can’t go in as that’s not allowed. Not been bad so far aside from a bit of rain at the coast. Just having a break before the last lap. Bastogne and then crossing into Germany at Vianden.

Finally arrived at the hotel at Ashford and relaxing with a pint of Doom. Ride down was tedious as usual and not as wet as I was expecting, hold ups for no apparent reason and busy. But anyway. Hotel is a lot busier than I thought. No bikes, and the beefeater next door is absolutely empty. Nobody eating at all. And I’m drinker no4!! So anyway, that’s the worst part done, relaxing start tomorrow with a 10am crossing and into the Covid no mans land aka France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Just above freezing? in September? its going to be in the low teens OVERNIGHT at Glen Coe, traditionally one of the coldest places in the British isles next week.

Its a 125 step-through scooter.. its not going to have a sophisticated FI unit. stop overthinking. it will be fine as it is. Just enjoy it for what it is.

I have never driven a car in my life, so this is useless to me. Oh bugger... i should be packing, shouldn't I.

It’s a big country and midge outbreaks tend to be fairly localised. Keep an eye on the midge forecast and stay away from those areas. https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/

Im fully prepared to be underwhelmed by the differences between this year and last year. plenty of people have been and come back and they all say the same thing. its exactly the same just with added masks. And a bit quieter. Its going to be quiet for me as its a normal working week and the vast majority of holiday makers have gone home. perfect. Off to get my euros a bit later. And.. like a fool (perhaps) Ive agreed to do one more nightshift tonight, which is alright as im not leaving for the south until late afternoon tomorrow. I also expect the hotel to be very quiet. It will be interesting to see just how quiet it is. the car park is usually rammed.

I’m just about sorted now. Just need to get euros, which can wait until tomorrow. Got insurance which was the biggest challenge. Accident cover for while I’m in “closed” countries, which I need to pass through to get to Germany, (France/BelgiumLuxembourg) - which was surprisingly difficult. As most insurers arent up to speed on the 'detail' in the Governments advice on 'passing through' I also splashed out on a flexi return so there’s no worry about day or time. Just turn up and board. Bike still has Honda care so that covers breakdowns. So, just a matter of packing on Friday. Dog is being collected at 1:30 and I’ll probably set off late afternoon. There’s no need to be at Ashford by any set time. Room has been booked forever and I can’t be bothered with a meal at the beefeater though I might squeeze a beer or two. Might need it after the ride down. Never done it on a Friday let alone august bank holiday. It could be mental though I suspect not with people heading to or from the ports!! I’m following the usual route to the Eifel first, via the Northampton at La Roche and Dasburg on the Luxembourg/German border. And will grab some eats at Sainsbury’s as I’m very iffy about stopping at SPY services on the E42 and going inside. I’m told everything is about normal aside from masks. So too busy, too risky I guess. And breaking advice rules on mixing with people isn't something I want to do. So that’s about it. Its been a long time coming and a tale of swings and roundabouts since lockdown, but hey ho. I knew from about April that this year was never going to be normal and Im just grateful for German efficiency in dealing with the pandemic and reopening... and staying open. As for what happens while I'm away.. any changes, Im now past caring. If Germany is by some strange chance taken off the exempt list before the 12th. I'll deal with that when it happens. Life is too short to worry about 'maybes' and 'what ifs'. Photos will follow as and when.

Send me photos of freshly squeezed haggis and if you end up by the seaside, sticks of rock. And I will return the favour with plates of Schnitzel and bottles of Erdinger. Kaffee und Kuchen from hell. plus, hopefully the odd nice view or two. Try not to fall off... and steer clear of gravel on those twisty bits.

The Government has put some advice up on the travel website, about how to behave so you can avoid quarantine, if you need to pass through a country that is now 'closed' Like Austria, Belgium, France and Luxembourg. its very simple. clear and concise. but, its incredible the numbers of people who can on the one hand, manage to manipulate a mobile phone or a computer. Can write in a legible manner. even spell "necessary" correctly, or know the proper usage of "There, Their and They're" and yet are completely baffled by this: They should all get this award.

Still got mine from a Speed Triple I had in 1997.

Fascinating stuff, not that. the other.

Christ what year was this? 1935? You wouldn't used find bikes on a 1976/77 plate on an ad from 1935. but anyway. £899 for a brand new Triumph. T140

Time to go Bike shopping. who could resist these prices?

It doesn't matter.. No holidays in September, any week is a normal working week so they will all be quiet. aside from the inevitable dutch in their motorised luxury villas, but they will be in a separate area. September, so the roads will be quiet too, once any local excuse for a 'rush hour' is done. Which is why we always wait until after the August bank holiday to go away. Cheaper too as high season is over. The Germans don't really do simple 'basic' campsites. About the closest you will come is one with a shower block that doesn't have heated floors.

Austria is now out of the race, its been taken off the exempt list. so, i wont be staying there. though I may pop in. (as you do) Looks like i will be staying in Bavaria as long as the weather is good, if it takes a turn for the worst I shall probably head south into Italy. So, as of today with just 5 days to go I shall be. riding direct to the German Eifel and staying at our usual hotel for a few nights. then once the weekend is over and everyone is back at work, heading south east to the Black Forest. See how it goes before heading into Bavaria and following the German Alpine road to Berchtesgaden.. and then on to the Bavarian forest mountain range next to the Czech Border. or south through Austria and on to the Dolomites. (maybe) probably just taking each day as it comes and making it up as I go along. returning in much the same way as i arrived. They are telling everyone who uses any ferry to quarantine for 14 days. But this isnt being applied to those using the tunnel so long as you follow a few easy rules. i have a flexiplus return so.. its just a case of turning up and boarding.

The points are applied at the end of the process. and as far as we can tell there was no 'process' at all. if it was any normal traffic misdemeanour then he would have been offered a choice. fine or an all day lecture. and points then applied or not depending on which course (ahem) he took. Looks more like a glitch in the system.

Never heard of a story like this before, how exciting! It’s always nice to get an unexpected gift. Such a special thing to happen. Will there have been any consequences of this? Have you renewed any car or bike insurance policies since this happy nonevent took place? Ah, the pain, the anguish, the mental torture as you consider the ramifications. I feel a sternly worded email is in order and you are rather good at them.

When you’ve stood on a mountain top, it doesn’t matter which way you go, it’s always downwards.

meanwhile the crew are sat in the front of the van eating their sandwiches and laughing at the plonker.

Don't use either stuff in bike tyres. Some products damage the rims. You have a gift for understatement. you may be lucky.. and the paint or coating might protect the metal underneath. or you might be very VERY unlucky...