Day One. Monday 27th December 2004.
On Boxing Day I had several 'phone calls from another UKGSer, Bert. He had seen the details of the party on www.UKGSer.com and decided on a last minute attempt to get there. After some discussion it was decided that an attempt to meet up on route was going to be difficult to arrange ( Bert lives in the South East so he had thought about Dover-Calais crossings). A few calls later and he was booked on the Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, the same hotel at Barcelona and the same one in Bordeaux, en route.
I had said that I'd meet up with him at Plymouth-Millbay docks, once he had arrived but I was surprised when he rang just after 2.00 pm to say he was here!
We got into the growing vehicle queue just after 8.00 pm and waited for Clive and Tiffany each to arrive from opposite directions.
Clive rode up at about 9.00 pm and shortly after the rain arrived too.
We had passed through the first embarkation check when Tiffany rode up on an F650GS. "Thelma", her trusty R80GS was at James Sherlocks getting some TLC and a new wiring loom.
Introductions done, we were the only motorcyclists, Clive and Bert on R1200GS's, Tiffany, F650GS and my R1150 Adventure. After a short time in the by now quite heavy rain, we were waved through the Customs shed and pointed towards an indoor waiting area. No need to deploy the brolly then!
I noticed quite a few occupants of cars looking at the four of us and our bikes. I'd like to believe that they were looks of envy but somehow, given the weather and the time of year, I suspect we were thought to be members of some obscure masochistic sect! That or more likely, despite all the motorcycle clothing, Tiffanys obvious female figure was the reason for the stares!
The ferry was the newest in the Britany Ferries fleet, Pont Aven. The stevedors were very efficient, lashing the bikes down with ratchet straps and cushions over the seats.
Overnight bags were grabbed and the cabins located. Then Tiffany, Clive and myself adjourned to the bar for one or three while Bert, who had had an early start, got his head down.
The wind at Millbay had suggested a choppy crossing and sure enough, once clear of Plymouth Breakwater, things got a bit bouncy!
Rather than face an early start with either a hangover or the effects of a rough crossing, we made for the cabins. I remembered to put my watch forward an hour and was looking forward to arriving in France when the motion sent me to sleep at about 1.00 am.
Bloody well written Mike and good to read.
Tony
Posted by: Tony Martin | May 09, 2008 at 03:32 PM