Sunday 27th July

Sunday 27^th July---We did the majority of the packing today, odd bits had been thrown together through the week to make sure we had everything, but it was now or never. It took a couple of hours to load the bikes, not so much getting it all on, that was easy, but making sure it stayed on once we were on the move. We had a 5-hour ride in the morning, and we didn’t want anything falling off on the A249. Once everything was on, we put the bike covers on just in case, and settled down for the night.

Monday 28^th July---The boat from Dover was 09:30, so we had planned to get up about 06:30 and just take our time getting brekky and getting ready for the off. As it worked out, we all woke up about 05:30 and were ready to go by 07:00, so we decided to get going and have a coffee and doss around while we waited for the ferry. We went to the book-in desk and were told we could get the 08:15 sailing, we went round to the loading lanes and got waved straight onto the boat, Result!

The channel was like a millpond on the way over, ideal given Shaun’s dislike of boats. The sun was shining and everything was going great. We docked about 09:20, and went down to the bikes to get ready for the long ride of the day. There were 3 other bikes on the ferry, all going to France, but when we began to get our helmets on and get on the bike’s, we became the centre of attention. Probably because there were 2 kids getting onto the bike’s, but also because of the way we had to get on-bike on side stand-kid gets on and shuffles back-then we get on. Bit of a rigmarole, but worth it.

We headed out of Calais onto the A16 towards Brugge, the traffic was busy in spots but we didn’t get held up at all. We went from Brugge to Gent and had to stop for petrol, so we had a coffee and a stretch of the legs while we were there. By this time it was beginning to get quite warm, but so much it that it was uncomfortable. We got under way again and within a couple of miles hit roadworks. Our side was fine with no hold ups at all, with most people keeping to the speed limit, but the opposite side was solid for about 3 miles. By the time we got to Eindhoven, dead arse syndrome was beginning to appear, and no

manner of fidgeting was going to ease it so we had to stop again. I had to walk about to get the blood flowing again, and to stretch my back, which was beginning to get really painful. We did the usual, a coffee and a bite to eat, and had a natter with another couple that were riding down to the Black Forrest on their BMW. Strange way to get there but it takes all sorts. We dived into Germany near Monchegladbach, and after a fuel stop made it to Dusseldorf at about 4pm.