Guest Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Nope Lol i'd rather have too many than too little. Quote
DG Posted September 4, 2009 Author Posted September 4, 2009 Now I kinda feel we both copped out a bit, we didn't head north to visit Auchwitz as we had planned from Czech Republic so we could make tracks to see my friend in Bulgaria. But with the brakes and then the tickets for the MotoGP and the clutch failure put us back a few days and deep down I knew that we would be pushing it to get down to Bulgaria and enjoy ourselves in the process. I imagined travelling on unpaved roads once we passed through Bosnia and Serbia & Montenegro. In the middle of nowhere, being out of my comfort zone, I was looking forward to the adventure, but I was a little sad if I'm honest. On top of that I felt like I was letting my friend Geoff down. I text him to let him know that I didn't think we would make it and I would call him as soon as I had enough battery charge in my phone.The glass; half full or half empty? We put the disappointment behind us even though I still had a heavy heart at times, but the glass is always got to be half full! What's more there is always next year. We were on our holiday and we had just over a week left! After a lazy day of Snorkelling, a pedlo ride and then a blast on a jetski, the following morning we packed up and hit the road, hindsight is a great thing, and in hindsight we should have gone south maybe onto Dubrovnik, but we went north.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4027.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4028.jpgBut where? Somewhere along the trip we spoke to an Austrian guy and he mentioned something about the Dolomites. The Dolomites it would be and off we set. We passed many mountain passes on the way and one I remember vivdly, it was 15 miles long and it was hairpin after hairpin after hairpin gradients as steep as 17%. I really has to concentrate, but I did chuckle a few times at the madness of it all! The mighty Dolomites soon came into view.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4035.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4030.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4031.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4032.jpgWe found a campsite right at the foot of the awsome scenery in the Dolomites National Park, a place called Cortina d' Ampezzo.We set up camp and this is what we were surrounded by http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4053.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4051.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4055.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4059.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4054.jpgThe following day would be my Big Four Oh and I couldn't think of a better place in which to wake up to Quote
DG Posted September 7, 2009 Author Posted September 7, 2009 http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt8/Achat3265/happybday.gifhttp://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/corbyrules/HB-00113-CHappy-Birthday-Couple-on-.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4066.jpgIt's official this day I woke up another year older the Big Four Oh had caught up with me finally. Did I feel any different? No way, I still feel like a teenager most days What a place to wake up in though eh? Dwarfed by the mountain range which was starting to basque in the early morning sun, blue skies and the woman I love! Happy Days!!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4067.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4068.jpgNow the previous night we nipped into town and while we were there we bought some food for breakfast, nothing fancy just the usual fresh bread, a couple of portions of butter and some eggs for a change.There's nothing like boiled egg sarnies to start the day http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4075.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4070.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4074.jpgNotice the dry bread? This is the nice butter we bought http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4072.jpgTurns out that the nice butter was in fact ......... Yeast http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4073.jpgAh well never mind eh?Jack looking to see where we should be going http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4077.jpgWe decided to start heading north west, no particular destination, just a steady ride and we'd stop when we'd had enough. As it was my birthday today we were going to treat ourselves to a hotel These are just a few of the pictures as we passed over and through the Dolomites. Once again the vistas were awesome and if there's one place you want to go and visit in Europe it's the Dolomites.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4080.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4081.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4083.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4085.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4089.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4086.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4092.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4096.jpgWe continued on as it was quite chilly up on the top of the mountain range, the roads were fantasic once again weaving their way through the mountains. There were literally hundreds of bikers out on all various machines, right across the range from sports bikes to Harleys' to tourers. On one of the roads I found a perfect spot for the official "star jump" picture. It only took Jack about 8 attempts to get it right, but we got there in the end Just a couple of the nearlys'http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4038.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4042.jpgBingo!!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4043.jpgWe headed for Austria, and on the way the blue skies gave way to menacing looking clouds, we stopped just after the border to put our waterproof gear on as it was a case of when and not if we would be riding through it.Then it came, my only regret is not getting a picture of the horrendous weather conditions. The lightning started first followed by the crack of thunder, then the heavens opened and unleashed the most terrible rainstorm I've ever witnessed, we pulled off the road to seek some kind of shelter as the visibility was down to 4-5 yards. We found a garden centre where there were many cars who had done the same, but they were under the awning of the establishment, ducked under trying to get out of the rain. Why God only knows, but it made my blood boil Why oh why were these idiots parked under a shelter when they were in their tin cars all nice and dry? And we were huddled under the smallest corner trying to get a bit of shelter and to add insult to injury it started hailstoning, hail stones the size of M & Ms! And it hurt After 10 minutes or so it slowed down and the hailsones stopped, so we made our way out onto the road soaked to the bone. We made our way towards Innsbruck under the grey skies, we passed through a small town where the fire crews were directing traffic, the manhole covers had blown and as we finally passed through many people were bailing out their houses where the rain had obviously flooded them.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/IMG_0152.jpgAt around 16.30 I'd had enough, we were both wet and it was getting cold, I'd made a couple of wrong turns and I was starting to get a bit stressed out so we spotted a hotel in the village of Telfs west of Innsbruck.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4102.jpgWe had a much welcomed hot bath and we had a few beers before a nice meal in the hotel restaurant. Mixed grill for me.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/IMG_0154.jpgJack had a big bowl of pasta washed down with a large glass of red wine.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/IMG_0157.jpgGetting ready to hit the road.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4100.jpgThe following day the clouds were still looming and you couldn't see the tops of the mountains for them.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4101.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4105.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4108.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4111.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4112.jpgAs we travelled further north west the clouds began to fade away and it started to get warmer and we welcomed it too http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4115.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4118.jpgThe roads were still fantastic too, Austria like many of the other places we visited along the trip was beautiful too, you don't really think of these countries to be places for holidays other than for skiing, but I will definately return one day.Time for a brew and a look at the map.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4121.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4123.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4120.jpgWe were told along the way by a German couple about a place called Bodensee, a large lake which splits Switzerland and Germany, they sold it to us and thats where we headed for. Quote
Guest Posted September 7, 2009 Posted September 7, 2009 Am enjoying this thread m8 Keep it coming Quote
DG Posted September 8, 2009 Author Posted September 8, 2009 So we headed for Bodensee, now from what I can gather Bodensee is the name of an area/region around Lake Constance, the north side is German, the South side is Switzerland. Since we would be heading into Germany we decided to visit the south side and tick another country off. We tried a few campsites, and finally got one in a town called Romanshorn a stones throw from the lake.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4130.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4125.jpgI didn't get many pics here, we just chilled out and enjoyed the sunshine. The following day we moved north and headed for the Black Forrest in Germany. The scenery was changing as we moved along, the mountain range was getting smaller, but they were still impressive and covered with huge pine trees which was the beginning of the Black Forrest. Once again the roads were a mix of twisties and fast flowing bends cut into the forrest and hills, the echo and roar of the big V-twin sent shivers down my spine an many occasions as I just soaked up the views. We stopped for lunch and as we ate I just looked at the bike parked up with a huge sense of pride. Although we had a minor problem with the clutch it was still a great bike and I loved it!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4132.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4135.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4139.jpgI never noticed the reflection in the window until one of my sons pointed it out, pretty cool me thinks http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4140.jpgWe found a campsite in the small town of Seelbach and began the familiar process of setting up camp. Once the tent was pitched we headed into town for some provisions AKA beer and food When we were pitching out tent I noticed a stack of bricks and we decided we'd have a BBQ, it was red hot with the temperature well into the high 30s'http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4152.jpgSo it was beer time while Jack took a shower Notice the garage in the background here? More on that in a while.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4162.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4158.jpgIt was so hot, luckily there was a cold water tap close by.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4161.jpgRay Mears stylie BBQ buildinghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4157.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4163.jpgBingo!!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4164.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4165.jpgNow take note! You can't have a BBQ without a good stick http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4167.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4169.jpgTucking inhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4170.jpgWhile we were eating an old Dutch couple were having a walk round the campsite with their two grand children, at a guess they were 8 and 10 years old. The young boys eyes lit up when they saw the bike and were pretty shocked when they realised we were from England. They were pointing to the food on the BBQ and kept saying "chicken" "chicken" but their big eyes returned to the bike. I showed them a few photos on my phone from an off road trip to Wales earlier on in the year, big smiles appeared on the faces and with a wave and a "thankyou" they disappeared. I know we were not in the middle of some remote place say in Africa, but for me this experience was priceless.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4176.jpgWe'd had our fill and the customery bottle of wine and we turned in for the night, then it happened............... Similar to the numb nut who parked right behind us at Brno. I thought we'd had another as I heard some noise and then bright lights in the middle of the night, I looked at my watch and it was 1.30, surely not again? Then it happened again and I realised what it was... Thunder, loud thunder, then the lights I saw was obviously the lightning. I lay for a while longer then the rain came drumming on the tent in surround sound, it was loud. Jack woke and we decided to go take shelter in the garage and I would wheel the bike down too and keep it out of the rain. I tried to capture some lightning with the camera and after many attempts and black sky I got these.Beforehttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4191.jpgThe camera in the same positionhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4192.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4189.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4209.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4208.jpgThe storm last for about an hour or so, before it started to move on, about time too!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4237.jpgThe next morning I had a wander up to the shop and bought some food for breakfast.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4249.jpgThis little fella seemed a bit miffed that we'd got a bit of honey!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4250.jpgWe packed up our gear and moved on, but where to?? Quote
Fozzie Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 When is the book coming out and can I have a hardback? I love stories like this, yours has elements of greatness, drama, problems, how you overcame them. Tis the makings of a travel book!I read extracts of books made by people doing the Dakar but they only stop to write them after they have done them. You have pictures of the experiences and with such a track record of this holiday id pay for it! Quote
DG Posted September 8, 2009 Author Posted September 8, 2009 When is the book coming out and can I have a hardback? I love stories like this, yours has elements of greatness, drama, problems, how you overcame them. Tis the makings of a travel book!I read extracts of books made by people doing the Dakar but they only stop to write them after they have done them. You have pictures of the experiences and with such a track record of this holiday id pay for it! Cheers Fozzie!! If you're really serious I can lend you the book I wrote about our honeymoon, it's not been proof read and it's a bit raw, but if you want to read it drop me a PM and we'll sort it out Quote
DG Posted September 11, 2009 Author Posted September 11, 2009 Time to pack up and move on, I'm happy to say that the storm had well gone and the skies were a lovely blue again and the sun warmed our backs as we moved along. We decided to stay in the Black Forrest, but move just a few miles north having a steady day on the bike. We headed for Baden Baden and we stumbled across the Information Centre where we nipped into and asked where there was any campsites within the area. They were very helpfull and gave us a sheet with a number of campsites and she recommended one in particular which was in the heart of the Forrest in a place called Weisenbach. €10 for the pair of us for the night, it was basic, but it was clean and tidy.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4254.jpgWe'd got the setting up and de-camping to a tee now we both had our jobs to do and we got on with it having a laugh most of the time in the process.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4265.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4258.jpgOnce we pitched we went for the usual provisions, we carried all the BBQ gear with us so we decided to cook over the coals again tonight, no longer had we lit the BBQ it started to rain, but we were well equipped http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4260.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4261.jpgWe sat there listening to some tunes on my iphone as the rain got heavier. We spotted a caravan behind us with a large open awning and Jack suggested in jest that we should go and seek shelter under the awning. My eyes lit up and I started laughing and made my move, Jack shocked saying what if they come back? I told her that if anyone was holidaying in the caravan surely some chairs or a couple of push bikes would be present, but there wasn't any sign and we both hastily made a retreat. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4263.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4262.jpgWhen the rain stopped I lit a fire to keep warm and tried drying my pants out http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4267.jpgA few snaps of the sunset over the treeshttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4270.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4281-1.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4278.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4286.jpgWhile were in the Black Forrest we'd called in at a number of places to try a real portion of Black Forrest Gateaux, all was in vain, but before we left the area we were on a mission to find somewhere and try their wares. After many dead ends we were pointed in the right direction in the form of a pattiserie and restaurant/coffeeshop right in the centre of Baden Baden.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4308.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4309.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4298.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4299.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4300.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4307.jpgThe holy grail http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4302.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4306.jpgThe Cathedral in the centre of Baden Badenhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4312.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4311.jpgThen it was time to hit the road and get some miles put behind us, we looked at the map and headed north west. The landscape changed as we left the mountains behind us and the open roads we were now rolling on were flat and long, so long that the road in front of us disappeared into the horizon in one long straight line. After a food stop and a fuel stop we spotted a camping sign as we entered the French City of Metz. It was here we camped, right on the banks of the river.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4314.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4316.jpgWe showered and changed and went for a wonder round the city. It was pretty big with plenty of old buildings of Gothic architecture with the Cathedral and the opera house. The Cathedralhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4320.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4317.jpgOpera Househttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4318.jpgWe had another meal, seeing as we were in the Lorraine region in France Jack tried the Quiche Lorriane.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4321.jpgI had the usual mixed grill.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4322.jpgThen stopped at a bar with a great laid back atmosphere and sat out on the pavement with a couple of beers followed by some local wine, in the shadow of the Cathedral which was lit up wonderfully.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4324.jpgThe Opera House.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4326.jpgDifferent shutter speed.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4330.jpgAnd part of the river on the way back to the campsite.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4334.jpgThe morning view from the tent.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4336.jpgThe following morning the navigator looking to see where we could head for.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4313.jpgWe shared our fresh bread for breakfast with some locals.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4340.jpgAgain we headed north west, we figured we'll put a good day in and then have a couple of days off the bike. We'd been going a good while and the satnav was taking us all the back roads and we passed many farms in the middle of nowhere on single track roads, many of these roads were covered in mud and cow crap which made for interesting riding!I spotted a sign for an American Cemetary and decided to have a bit of a detour, then we came to this place in the Argonne Region.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4364.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4346.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4350.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4349.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4351.jpgThis was a graveyard and memorial to the American soldiers who lost their lives in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. I didn't realise how big the cemetary was until I looked it up when I got home. There are 14246 American soldiers buried here and it's the largest American Cemetary in Europe. More information can be found herehttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4341.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4353.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4359.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4354.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4357.jpgIt was unbelievable the many graves here and they were all immaculately kept. I had a quiet moment for the fallen soldiers.Jack was ready to move on and she tried to copy my "star Jump"http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4361.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4368.jpgWe got geared up and put a good shift in, I had recently seen a film called In Brugge and recall all the cobbled streets and fancy shop windows and history, it was a long way off but we were going to have a couple of days off and it would just be a short ride to the ferry port of Zebrugge for the final leg of the trip. The ipod was hooked up, the fuel tanks were filled and the throttle was twisted, boring motorway was travelled on, but we soon rolled into the fairytale town of Brugge and we soon found a B & B. Quote
Ratser Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Fantastic read mate, thanks very much for sharing. Quote
techno Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Gav ya gobshite fantastic read and trip, finally something to get me reading more than 3 line!! Quote
DG Posted September 12, 2009 Author Posted September 12, 2009 Gav ya gobsh*te fantastic read and trip, finally something to get me reading more than 3 line!! Lol! I'm always aiming to please you know me when we having a brew? Still need to see your steed!And thanks again for the comments guys! One more chapter I think should complete the trip. Quote
Fozzie Posted September 12, 2009 Posted September 12, 2009 I've been to a graveyard much like the one you visited but this was in Belgium.The sheer amount of graves really strikes you doesnt it!Out of curiosity I saw you mention trying out different shutter speeds. What camera do you use? Im running a Nikon D70 and soon a Canon 450D.Keep up the writing. Look forward to the next installment! Quote
techno Posted September 12, 2009 Posted September 12, 2009 Gav ya gobsh*te fantastic read and trip, finally something to get me reading more than 3 line!! Lol! I'm always aiming to please you know me when we having a brew? Still need to see your steed!And thanks again for the comments guys! One more chapter I think should complete the trip. Let us know when your free and we'll sort somethiing out have you still got my number? Quote
DG Posted September 12, 2009 Author Posted September 12, 2009 Fozzie the graves really bring it home to you. I don't really know a great deal about the 1st world war. I did a tour of Normandy last year, I'll post up a link if you want? Did all the allied landing beaches, a few memorials and 3 of the main graveyards from all parties. Unbeleivable! I'll drop you a text T tues good for me? My last night on Monday. Quote
techno Posted September 12, 2009 Posted September 12, 2009 Only time available to me is next fri as am away weekend, but we'll sort something Quote
DG Posted September 13, 2009 Author Posted September 13, 2009 Sorry Fozzie forgot the camera I use is a bit dated now, but it's a finepix 6500.Might be able to squeeze a ride and a brew in Friday T? I've got a christening cake to do for next weekend, but I might try and get most of it done Thursday. I'll let you know. Quote
mel64 Posted September 13, 2009 Posted September 13, 2009 I'm bl00dy starvin looking at the sandwich, cakes, BBQ and that mixed grill!!! Great pics again pal.. Quote
asharin Posted September 13, 2009 Posted September 13, 2009 I'm bl00dy starvin looking at the sandwich, cakes, BBQ and that mixed grill!!! Great pics again pal.. lol me too! All I have to eat here on my night shift is some crunchy nut cornflakes Finally got around to readign this entire thread, very nice write ups to go along with the pictures Sounds like you both had a great time, I would also love to read your book thingy too Quote
DG Posted September 14, 2009 Author Posted September 14, 2009 Lol! The pair of you! Looking at the pics though it does look tasty, I could just eat a mixed grill Im starvin'! Best tucker we had was either the BBQ the first time, those Germans certainly know how to make sausages! best ones we've had by miles! Or the mixed grill in Austria for my birthday. I'll try and get the final leg done when I get up later on today. As for the book you're welcome a read, but Fozzie should be taking delivery of it today. I'll keep you posted when he's finished if you want, then I can pass it on Cheers Quote
DG Posted September 15, 2009 Author Posted September 15, 2009 Right folks pull on your helmet and gloves and here we go! So we pulled into Brugge the traffic was horrendous, the temperature was hot as the bikes fan kicked in. Sirens wailed in the distance and I figured there had been an accident somewhere up ahead, then I noticed a sea of blue shirts streaming down the other side of the road. It turns out that the football team FC Brugge had a vital second leg of a Champions League Cup qualifier against a Polish team.We made our way through and we stopped at the first hotel we came across, Jack made the usual hop off the bike to go and enquire about a room. She came back looking a tad disappointed €125 each per night Way out of our budget, so I punched hotel search into the satnav and it came up showing 45-50 hotels within 1 a mile radius, luckily the third hotel we tried had a vacant room. Basic, but en-suite and clean, just the ticket, €135 for the pair of us for two nights.It was a short walk from the centre which we made after showering and a change of clothes. Cobbled streets we walked on and shop windows we peered through.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4429.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4371.jpgNow I'm a sucker for chocolate, but when you've got chocolate like this it's irresistable http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4370.jpgOne for the ladieshttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4454.jpgAnd inside one of the many chocolate shops, the smell was amazing.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4456.jpgThe main squarehttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4373.jpgThe bell tower that featured in the film In Bruggehttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4372.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4376.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4375.jpgAt night http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4400.jpgTonight we were FC Brugge supporters and we broke tradition and watched a bit of football, I'm happy to say that FC Brugge came out on top winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate.We sampled a few of the Beers, which is another thing that Belguim is famous for. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4383.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4386.jpgSo we just sat and watched the world go by, chatting about the crazy things we'd seen and done, the laughs we'd both had, the minor arguments and we'd only really had two! Pretty good going to say we'd been in each others pockets for almost three weeks.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4388.jpgThen we hear this classical music being played, I looked over and this young guy was playing what I thought was a mandolin, Jack thought it was a piccolo! I laughed and told her a piccolo was a type of flute! I asked the young man what it was and it turns out it was a balalaika. It only had three strings and boy he could make it sing like nothing else!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4398.jpgWe made our way back to the B & B and I couldn't resist a snap of our trusty steed.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4459-1.jpgThe next day we had another wonder round the city and did a spot of shopping, we stumbled across a large water feature in the city centre.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4425.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4419.jpgI grabbed a handfull http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4421.jpgThe other side of the bell towerhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4428.jpgSome of the shops were amazing, being a chef by trade I loved the smells coming from shops like these.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4426.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4427.jpgWe called for another beer and rested our feet, now this was the opposite end of the scale to the Czech Republic, where if you remember for a large and a small beer was a measly €1.46. Well I asked for a large Leffe and a small Leffe, don't get wrong the large was LARGE.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4437.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4436.jpgNow this was the pricey sum of €16.30 The view was ok though.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4435.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4438.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4434.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4439.jpgWe had a small site seeing boat trip to take the weight off our feet then went back to the B & B to freshen up and we went to a local bar a couple of streets away. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4414.jpgI was hungry so I ordered a dish of Hors' deuves.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4408-1.jpgOn the way back Jack tried a Monkey bike on for size.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4458.jpgThe next day our ferry wasn't until 17.00 so while we ate our breakfast I looked at some flyers advertising local attractions and we decided to visit the Atlantic Wall Museum on the coast. Here's just a couple of pictures.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4460.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4463.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4465.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4480.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4478.jpgNot sure if we should have done this but......... Well we did http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4500.jpgI never realised that this wall was constructed and used in the first world war.This is a picture of a picture taken maybe 70 years ago??http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4482.jpgAnd the same spot the present day.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4483.jpgThere was an amazing array of man made warrens including bunkers, stores, gun turrets, sleeping quarters many still in the original brickwork too.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4470.jpgThen it was time to move on to the docks. We got there early as we had to collect our boarding tickets from the office, we did this and got in line.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4501.jpgWe chatted to a German couple who were on a Ducati Sport, they were on their way to the Manx GP on the Isle of Man, it was their 16th year visit to the races. It's at times like this that I wish I had taken a picture of them, it's true a picture speaks a 1000 words, they were a great couple and we got along really well and we had a few beers with them in the bar later that night.I sincerely hope that they had a great time at the Manx GP and got back home safe and sound.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4508.jpgOnce we embarked on the huge boat we had to tie our bike down with some ropes! http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4503.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4507.jpgOnce we were showered and changed we went to check on the bike. Glad to report all was well. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4504.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4506.jpgThat was it! The boat set sail as it turned around in the water and we were off!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4513.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4511.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4520.jpgBye bye Holland http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4532.jpg Quote
DG Posted September 15, 2009 Author Posted September 15, 2009 I suppose sailing could be akin to biking especially if you're out on the ocean alone, the wind filling the sails as you tear along the waves, a solitary thing I guess, just like when you're on the open road with just your thoughts inside your helmet?http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4535.jpgWe went back inside for a couple of beers and then went for a buffet meal and made pigs of ourselves, then hit the sack, when we woke in the morning we would be in English waters.We had our breakfast and no sooner had we washed it down with a couple of cappucinos we were told over the tannoy to return to our vehicles. We untied the rope shackles of the mighty KTM and stowed tham away above our heads. We disembarked under a dark mean looking grey clouds, I hoped it wouldn't rain. Out we rolled, the first time on British roads, for the first time in almost three weeks. I kept saying to myself; left, left, left, we drive on the left, left, left!!I hooked the ipod up after we went through the passport control, again left, left, left I repeated to myself as Bruce Springsteen song played on the ipod. As we put the miles in the clouds started to break and gave way to clear blue skies, the sun started to shine and I started to smile. I felt a little emotional as I find myself doing more so nowadays, maybe because I'm a little older? I don't know really? I feel it now as I write this It was nearly over, the trip we'd planned months ago, the saving, the readying of the bike, the counting down the days. It all seemed so long ago. I said to Jack that I hoped the kids would be at home when we arrived, in response Jack texted our 20 year old daughter to see if they were up (it was 10am on a Sunday morning so I wasn't holding my breath). After a short while she said that she'd had no reply. If I'm honest here I was a bit saddened, I was hoping that at least our two remaining children who were still living at home would be up to welcome us back.We soon came off the motorway and made our way round the ring road getting closer to home minute by minute, we headed into our village and went the long way round to get to our street, we turned the corner and this is what we saw http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4558-1.jpgI had no idea! But they were there. Once again I was a little choked, but very, very happy :D :Dhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4560-1.jpgMy cake & Champagnehttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4567.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4564.jpgHappy Days folks!! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.