All aboard the skylark

[Char]

Well the ferry at least.

It’s been a wet one today for sure but a well executed lunch stop at the most welcoming pub, The Star at Liverton , who had reserved us a table for front row seats to watch the MotoGP, gave us a welcome pit stop - they even popped the radiator on so we could dry an outer layer or two. The 50 clowns on bikes that turned up were at least raising money for Ukraine


Also a big thank you to the M&S garage at Honiton who did not mind one bit that we were making a rather large puddle on the floor, a big smile and a ‘don’t rush we’ll mop it up when you’re gone’ was most appreciated.

One minor Shatnav error saw a 2 mile diversion down a leafy Devon lane , apparently we were on a heritage trail which would explain the fact that grass was growing through the middle of the road but we were soon back on track

30 mins and I’ll be able to buy a bottle of red from duty free and eat some cheese i stowed in my bag

 

[Dirty Leeds]

Well the ferry at least.

It’s been a wet one today for sure but a well executed lunch stop at the most welcoming pub, The Star at Liverton , who had reserved us a table for front row seats to watch the MotoGP, gave us a welcome pit stop - they even popped the radiator on so we could dry an outer layer or two. The 50 clowns on bikes that turned up were at least raising money for Ukraine


Also a big thank you to the M&S garage at Honiton who did not mind one bit that we were making a rather large puddle on the floor, a big smile and a ‘don’t rush we’ll mop it up when you’re gone’ was most appreciated.

One minor Shatnav error saw a 2 mile diversion down a leafy Devon lane , apparently we were on a heritage trail which would explain the fact that grass was growing through the middle of the road but we were soon back on track

30 mins and I’ll be able to buy a bottle of red from duty free and eat some cheese i stowed in my bagView attachment 47279View attachment 47280View attachment 47281View attachment 47282

Do you need uk stickers on bikes? I guess you do … Gb stickers are finished but you can get uk ones on the boat I think …. If you need them

 

[West Cork Paul]

I do hope this is the beginning of a tour thread @Char . We all like a good tour thread, with lots of pictures.

For some reason that old film/musical with Cliff Richard, Summer Holiday, has come into my head. Can’t think why. Must be something to do with the fact they were all in a bus. Can’t think why buses have come into my head, strange that

 

[Exige]

 

[Char]

The eagle has landed

A two hour delay was announced this morning due to a heli medivac in the night (in 2019 there were two on our sailing) means we won’t be lading until 4, the sea is flat calm and a good book and a bit of whale watching sees the time fly by, it’s warm enough to sunbath on deck



There’s a large group on a ‘Magellan’ tour aboard , to be fair they look like they should be on a Saga coach tour - makes me glad we always wing it alone. We did go with friends one year which was fun but I would not want to be with a bunch of strangers.

The usual scrum ensues to get off the boat / there’s 189 bikes on board apparently

One GS rider managed to drop the lot on the ramp , promise I didn’t laugh

I did a squeal of delight when I got a stamp in my passport , not sure the customs chap was impressed but no one was asked to remove their helmets , different to pre Brexit

We still have time to take the scenic route to the hotel and after a 10 minute squirt up the motorway we start to head inland and don’t see a car for 30 miles , the cattle are with their calves and take a cursory glance through their long eyelashes as we pass by, cowshit corners are part of the Picos experience

Bikes parked and a quick shower , the room has a view of the mountains from one window and our bikes from the other

A one minute walk takes us to a great bar and restaurant - the sharing meat plate was divine !!

 

[Char]

Do you need uk stickers on bikes? I guess you do … Gb stickers are finished but you can get uk ones on the boat I think …. If you need them

Yes we bought U.K. stickers from Amazon , lots of bikes had GB still , obviously didn’t read the memo

 

[Noobie]

With that many adventure bikes in the hold, there will be a few waitose's taking a hit on the profits this week. Enjoy the break Char

 

[West Cork Paul]

I love a tour thread

 

[Barry Hell]

We need melting panniers and sleeping at the side of the road like @Chizel - Founding Father did no pressure

 

[JAT]

Well the ferry at least.

It’s been a wet one today for sure but a well executed lunch stop at the most welcoming pub, The Star at Liverton , who had reserved us a table for front row seats to watch the MotoGP, gave us a welcome pit stop - they even popped the radiator on so we could dry an outer layer or two. The 50 clowns on bikes that turned up were at least raising money for Ukraine


Also a big thank you to the M&S garage at Honiton who did not mind one bit that we were making a rather large puddle on the floor, a big smile and a ‘don’t rush we’ll mop it up when you’re gone’ was most appreciated.

One minor Shatnav error saw a 2 mile diversion down a leafy Devon lane , apparently we were on a heritage trail which would explain the fact that grass was growing through the middle of the road but we were soon back on track

30 mins and I’ll be able to buy a bottle of red from duty free and eat some cheese i stowed in my bagView attachment 47279View attachment 47280View attachment 47281View attachment 47282

Is that Kriega luggage @Char ?

 

[Char]

Is that Kriega luggage @Char ?

Yes , had it years good stuff

 

[Char]

.)))
We wake to cloud but think we’ll do the Potes , Cangas, Riano triangle today , We’ve done it a few times it’s 130 miles of the twistiest roads through the canyons. This is where the MV is truly at home. Sams warning of snow in them there hills and meltwater makes me decide to give the bike a clean later .



Over the mountain into Riano and there’s no sign of snow, beginning to think Sam used photoshop. We stop in Riano and visit our usual cafe , plenty warm enough to sit on the patio. 10 minutes later the Saga Magellan boys turn up, it’s like being at bloody loonies, what a bunch of Guinness



Over the other mountain heading back to Potes , still no snow but it drops to single figures over the top for about 5 miles the roads are damp , we have to stop in Potes as Martin owes me a spoon rest we bought here in 2017 that he dropped





The roads are pockmarked with pot holes caused by rocks but the majority are filled, we come across a few small boulders in the road, the nets holding the big ones back look like giant mattress springs , let’s hope Wyle e coyote isn’t around. Another coffee in Potes then we’re back on the road to the hotel.



Disappointed at not finding snow we decide to make our own.

 

[Char]

As a ps I’ve seen buzzards, storks a Griffen vulture today plus some large thing I couldn’t identify most likely a Lämmergeier oh and a lizard thing

I’ve also avoided running over 3 cats since yesterday, I told them to fuck of and gave them Wayne’s address .

 

[Barry Hell]

The grass round there looks shocking - did you bring a strimmer

 

[Barry Hell]

I told them to fuck of and gave them Wayne’s address

Always the thoughtful one

 

[Chizel - Founding Father]

.)))
We wake to cloud but think we’ll do the Potes , Cangas, Riano triangle today , We’ve done it a few times it’s 130 miles of the twistiest roads through the canyons. This is where the MV is truly at home. Sams warning of snow in them there hills and meltwater makes me decide to give the bike a clean later .



Over the mountain into Riano and there’s no sign of snow, beginning to think Sam used photoshop. We stop in Riano and visit our usual cafe , plenty warm enough to sit on the patio. 10 minutes later the Saga Magellan boys turn up, it’s like being at bloody loonies, what a bunch of Guinness



Over the other mountain heading back to Potes , still no snow but it drops to single figures over the top for about 5 miles the roads are damp , we have to stop in Potes as Martin owes me a spoon rest we bought here in 2017 that he dropped





The roads are pockmarked with pot holes caused by rocks but the majority are filled, we come across a few small boulders in the road, the nets holding the big ones back look like giant mattress springs , let’s hope Wyle e coyote isn’t around. Another coffee in Potes then we’re back on the road to the hotel.



Disappointed at not finding snow we decide to make our own.

View attachment 47470View attachment 47471View attachment 47472View attachment 47473View attachment 47473View attachment 47481View attachment 47475View attachment 47476View attachment 47477View attachment 47478View attachment 47479

Can you post a pic of "spoon rest" so I know we are talking bout the same thing?
Made your own snow? Is it any good? How much for a kilo shipped to nz?

 

[Exige]

Can you post a pic of "spoon rest" so I know we are talking bout the same thing?

Bit rude

 

[Char]

Can you post a pic of "spoon rest" so I know we are talking bout the same thing?
Made your own snow? Is it any good? How much for a kilo shipped to nz?

I might show you the rest of spoon later - see snow below

 

[Noobie]

Red Bull given you wings, or Brussel sprouts?

 

[JAT]

View attachment 47470View attachment 47471View attachment 47472View attachment 47473View attachment 47473

That MV is a smart looking bike.

 

[WAYNE]

Can you post a pic of "spoon rest" so I know we are talking bout the same thing?
Made your own snow? Is it any good? How much for a kilo shipped to nz?

Are you some kind of Guinness!!??

 

[WAYNE]

Are you some kind of Guinness!!??

Don't worry dude i am pissed!!

 

[WAYNE]

Are you some kind of Guinness!!??

 

[WAYNE]

Fuck you @Exige!!

 

[Exige]

 

[WAYNE]

View attachment 47505

 

[Char]

Not much to report today just been scooting around , did about 75 miles, off to Laguardia tomorrow

I did have an orange light moment , no melting panniers but we did see the goat - you have to zoom in on the green

pic. Took our own lunch of local cheese and ham (each farm here makes their own cheese from a different mix of cow, goat and sheers milk). & had a picnic by a river

 

[Char]

@WAYNE

 

[Char]

Just pictures today , nothing much to report on our trip to Rioja fab empty roads, no cats, more words later - I think the hotel knew I was coming

 

[Noobie]

That does look a very fine and tasty luncheon.