Post by ContourMac on Apr 15, 2012 16:29:06 GMT
Normandy 2012
Once more into the beach dear friends ;D
The 2012 Normandy run got off to a good start with a surprise visit from Matt (Tigger) who popped by the house on Thursday lunchtime to collect his YDC T-Shirt (available from all reputable Ecton stockists
). After a cuppa he gave us a wave off and Debs, Pete and I headed south to meet the others. We picked up Ian & Nige en-route and arrived at the Travelodge just as Andy & Gaynor turned up. By dinner we had been joined by Andy B and Steve with Dawn & Beebs arriving in time for a few drinks in the bar.
The following morning we woke early in order to catch the 9am ferry. The sky was blue but the bikes were white after an early frost, so Debs applied herself to a bit of seat defrosting.
The funhouse sign seemed to reflect Andy's condition
We all managed to board the ferry without incident and as we left Portsmouth the weather seemed to be on our side for once.
On the crossing Beebs showed a previously unknown preference for 1970s cop shows
As Beebs had decided to take the MONDEO to Normandy (in anticipation of monsoon rain :
the rest of us had naturally designated him as luggage carrier so as soon as we arrived in Cherbourg we removed the panniers and waited for him to clear customs. This took a little time because he had been pulled over for putting a flashing light on his roof and shouting 'Who loves you, Baby?' at the border police.
Eventually we headed south and I managed to take the wrong turn at the first roundabout. However after a few single track roads we were back on track and heading down the coast road past Utah beach.
We stopped for a group photo at the Omaha memorial and then onward to The Normandy Beach B&B for some well deserved beers.
To save costs Adrian & Karen had agreed to supply evening meals and we were happy to see that they had also put jugs of lemonade and ribena out for us to drink.
These were put to very good use washing down the excellent 4 courses served up.
In the morning following a full English Beebs & Dawn headed off to see the tapestry whilst the rest of us mounted up for a tour inland.
Heading east we passed the invasion beaches of Gold and Juno and then headed inland to cross over Pegasus bridge and on to our first stop at the Merville battery. It was here where 150 British Commandos from an initial force of 700 took the German guns against overwhelming odds and prevented the shelling of the invasion beaches nearby.
Gaynor & Ian on a mutual photo shoot
Luckily even in wartime the Dakota had a stewardess willing to serve coffee and in flight entertainment.
The group were not impressed with the latest engine for the new BMW tourer
There were a few Frenchman dressed as US airbourne uniforms on a photo shoot at the battery. They were not to impressed when I pointed out that neither nation were involved in this particular battle ;D.
Debs gives her best 'come over here if you think you're hard enough' stare
After Merville we headed south into Swiss Normandy and followed varying roads to Falaise for lunch of omelettes and hamburgers. Fed and watered we headed west and then north following the Orne back to Caen via some really entertaining sweepies.
The weather was always threatening but never raining but it was almost to a script when the sun broke through at the exact moment we rode back through the gates of the B&B.
Another fantastic meal was presented and despatched. After dinner a few headed to the local pub where Ian nearly pulled after being propositioned at the bar. However he was true to Babs and told the man he wasn't interested
.
The following morning arrived grey and miserable so we delayed the rideout and had a stroll down to the museum in Arromanche. It was very busy with a few coach parties in so it took a while to get around. It did however give some of the stopouts from last night to wake up
A few decided to brave the elements and headed off to visit a few of the memorials nearby
Bayeux British Commonwealth Cemetery
American Cemetery, Omaha
Steve made an understandable if embarrassing error when he thought he had found the world's largest loo seat ;D
But we decided to blame Ian instead
Back at the B&B we met up again and Adrian started to cook the now traditional last night BBQ whilst the rest of us played with his toys:
Adrian puts the beef on
Dawn enjoys a pint of Pina Colada
The sausages and chops go on (sorry Martin!)
These old Triumphs did not come in large sizes!
There wasn't an awful lot of room in the tanks either
The BBQ was a great success and we headed off to bed happy but it was a cold wet day that greeted us in the morning. We suited and booted, said our goodbyes and headed off in the morning drizzle. We crossed to the western coast of the Carentin peninsular but by the time we stopped for lunch at Part Bail the rain was getting much heavier and we were soaked. We had a long meal, cut short the rest of the route and headed for the ferry. Luckily we were let through early and were first onto the boat. It was a long crossing with the boat constantly pitching & rolling. A few passengers succoumbed but none of us needed the mal-du-mere bags
. We were 2 hours late when we docked at Portsmouth at 9pm and the rain was persistant. We said goodbye to Gaynor & Andy, Steve, Nige & Ian who were stopping at the Travelodge and headed for home. We left the Beebs bros & Dawn at Tot Hill and continued on what was probably one of the most miserable rides I have been involved in. It was 12:30 when we finally arrived home wet & cold 
.
Apart from the last few hours though we had had a great time and would like to thank all those that joined us at Normandy 2012.
Once more into the beach dear friends ;D
The 2012 Normandy run got off to a good start with a surprise visit from Matt (Tigger) who popped by the house on Thursday lunchtime to collect his YDC T-Shirt (available from all reputable Ecton stockists
). After a cuppa he gave us a wave off and Debs, Pete and I headed south to meet the others. We picked up Ian & Nige en-route and arrived at the Travelodge just as Andy & Gaynor turned up. By dinner we had been joined by Andy B and Steve with Dawn & Beebs arriving in time for a few drinks in the bar.The following morning we woke early in order to catch the 9am ferry. The sky was blue but the bikes were white after an early frost, so Debs applied herself to a bit of seat defrosting.
The funhouse sign seemed to reflect Andy's condition
We all managed to board the ferry without incident and as we left Portsmouth the weather seemed to be on our side for once.
On the crossing Beebs showed a previously unknown preference for 1970s cop shows
As Beebs had decided to take the MONDEO to Normandy (in anticipation of monsoon rain :
the rest of us had naturally designated him as luggage carrier so as soon as we arrived in Cherbourg we removed the panniers and waited for him to clear customs. This took a little time because he had been pulled over for putting a flashing light on his roof and shouting 'Who loves you, Baby?' at the border police.Eventually we headed south and I managed to take the wrong turn at the first roundabout. However after a few single track roads we were back on track and heading down the coast road past Utah beach.
We stopped for a group photo at the Omaha memorial and then onward to The Normandy Beach B&B for some well deserved beers.
To save costs Adrian & Karen had agreed to supply evening meals and we were happy to see that they had also put jugs of lemonade and ribena out for us to drink.
These were put to very good use washing down the excellent 4 courses served up.
In the morning following a full English Beebs & Dawn headed off to see the tapestry whilst the rest of us mounted up for a tour inland.
Heading east we passed the invasion beaches of Gold and Juno and then headed inland to cross over Pegasus bridge and on to our first stop at the Merville battery. It was here where 150 British Commandos from an initial force of 700 took the German guns against overwhelming odds and prevented the shelling of the invasion beaches nearby.
Gaynor & Ian on a mutual photo shoot
Luckily even in wartime the Dakota had a stewardess willing to serve coffee and in flight entertainment.
The group were not impressed with the latest engine for the new BMW tourer
There were a few Frenchman dressed as US airbourne uniforms on a photo shoot at the battery. They were not to impressed when I pointed out that neither nation were involved in this particular battle ;D.
Debs gives her best 'come over here if you think you're hard enough' stare
After Merville we headed south into Swiss Normandy and followed varying roads to Falaise for lunch of omelettes and hamburgers. Fed and watered we headed west and then north following the Orne back to Caen via some really entertaining sweepies.
The weather was always threatening but never raining but it was almost to a script when the sun broke through at the exact moment we rode back through the gates of the B&B.
Another fantastic meal was presented and despatched. After dinner a few headed to the local pub where Ian nearly pulled after being propositioned at the bar. However he was true to Babs and told the man he wasn't interested
.The following morning arrived grey and miserable so we delayed the rideout and had a stroll down to the museum in Arromanche. It was very busy with a few coach parties in so it took a while to get around. It did however give some of the stopouts from last night to wake up
A few decided to brave the elements and headed off to visit a few of the memorials nearby
Bayeux British Commonwealth Cemetery
American Cemetery, Omaha
Steve made an understandable if embarrassing error when he thought he had found the world's largest loo seat ;D
But we decided to blame Ian instead
Back at the B&B we met up again and Adrian started to cook the now traditional last night BBQ whilst the rest of us played with his toys:
Adrian puts the beef on
Dawn enjoys a pint of Pina Colada
The sausages and chops go on (sorry Martin!)
These old Triumphs did not come in large sizes!
There wasn't an awful lot of room in the tanks either
The BBQ was a great success and we headed off to bed happy but it was a cold wet day that greeted us in the morning. We suited and booted, said our goodbyes and headed off in the morning drizzle. We crossed to the western coast of the Carentin peninsular but by the time we stopped for lunch at Part Bail the rain was getting much heavier and we were soaked. We had a long meal, cut short the rest of the route and headed for the ferry. Luckily we were let through early and were first onto the boat. It was a long crossing with the boat constantly pitching & rolling. A few passengers succoumbed but none of us needed the mal-du-mere bags
. We were 2 hours late when we docked at Portsmouth at 9pm and the rain was persistant. We said goodbye to Gaynor & Andy, Steve, Nige & Ian who were stopping at the Travelodge and headed for home. We left the Beebs bros & Dawn at Tot Hill and continued on what was probably one of the most miserable rides I have been involved in. It was 12:30 when we finally arrived home wet & cold 
.Apart from the last few hours though we had had a great time and would like to thank all those that joined us at Normandy 2012.
