Round 4: Another Ramble

Romford to Harwich

HQ, last night, 1900 hours.

Them: 'Go on, have some Chinese, we're all having Chinese.'
Me: 'I've eaten really.. So I don't need anything',
Them: 'Go on'
Me: 'Really, I'm OK, thanks'
Them: 'Go on go on go on go on'
Me: 'Oh..'
Them: 'Go on' etc ad infinitum.

I get the asking over the period of two hours waiting for a friend to come over so they could order, so by that time I'm mildly hungry and I give in, deciding on a wee helping..

Nibbling away, consuming a chunky crispy chip with curry sauce I get crunch/crack. Ace, just ace :(

Fast forward 16 hours and I'm stood outside the Hornchurch Family Dental Practice. Luckily they listened to my plea and said they'd fit me in- I've done dental pain on a bike and never again, certainly not if there's any choice in the matter. Half an hour of drilling and all of that hoohah and we have a tooth fixed :clap

Time to get back home to pack up and get going.

I quickly sort out the heated waistcoat and get it wired up. Observe: No panniers this time. No camping gear. Just the top box and the soft bag. Sporty, flatter, more pointy. Of course, you could have observed if I didn't delete the photo. Anyway, it's a red 1200 with a top box. You've seen one, you've seen 'em all :blagblah

Final tweaks: There's a millinery switch. I change the System 6 over for the Caberg Hyper X. I figure there'll be not much riding with the flip up, a favoured pastime, given the promised temperatures.

And we're off. Or are we? The bike didn't want to start. Huh. It did though after a bit of faffing. I guess a sort of 'How dare you leave me unused' huff after the long exile in the garage for ten days. But it gives in and kicks into life and away we go, hustling along a dark and crowded A12 and out to the East.

My first port of call will be a social one to our Fanum of this parish (as you will have gathered now). I call in at the shed and have a browse.. A lot of Landy kit.. A Kalahari on the way to becoming an outfit.. A certain red 1150 awaiting some tender loving care.. And a K100 with a rather natty fairing.
We head off for kebabs. Fine living indeed. A cup of tea and a good chat.
I'm lent a puncture kit (cheers buddy) :thumb ...

...and I say farewell...

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Not a great picture. Arty though. A 'Billhouette' if you will :D

So all that is left on the road is an arduous three minute ride to the ferry :thumb

Hitting the port and getting to the boat is a breeze. I get to the window, lady gives me a cabin keycard and says that we're boarding now so just go on. Thirty yards past there's three bored border agents. As I pull up, I stall it. 'Don't ride it much, then?' asks the bod. 'Erm.. Actually, yes, not so's you'd notice, though…' We have a quick chat; no bikes thus far today on the ferry and there's a bit of good natured banter. Last question was 'Are you carrying any large sums of money?' Answer, 'Sadly, not'. Ah, If only :rolleyes:

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And we're on the ferry presently. I think I'm probably last on. The thing is half full loaded but the car deck is eerily deserted. We're still an hour and a touch away from the 23.15 departure. A little man appears, like the shopkeeper from Mr. Benn. Without fuss he ties the bike down and swifly disappears. I take the lift to my quarters. And the verdict there is.. well, most impressive as it happens. An inside two berth cabin; typical compact cabin size, but there's a sofa and a flat screen TV, and the whole thing has a bit of a cruise liner feel to it. Certainly much better than any ferry I've taken over the summer and there's been a few.

I de-clobber and head up to the lounge clutching my laptop and a pikey blue plastic bag with two tins of 'Lech' lager I'd collected from the offy in Harwich adjacent to the kebabery. I order a Heineken from the bar, and it's £3 for a pint, so actually it wasn't too silly, but I get a souvenir glass to tip my take outs into.

Clearly you have to be on time for the Stena Hollandica. Just before 23.00 we're moving, 15mins ahead of schedule.

After my relaxing beverages I retire to the cabin. I'm not ready to sleep yet so switch on the television. Not something I generally do, but it's a novelty to see what channels they get. It is a silly mistake. I ended up watching some crappy Sylvester Stallone film on ITV4. It was an early one. He had a beard and wore flares. Rutger Hauer starred as the psycho bad guy. It was so bad it was good if you see what I mean; I couldn't tear myself away.. I simply had to watch it. The acting was so incredibly wooden.. the whole film was a bloody fire risk. Eventually it finishes and I get off to sleep. It must be 2am when I do. :blast

Tut tut, silly boy.

..
 
Harwich to Bad Meinberg

Yup, I'm tired. My own fault of course.

Stena Line have an interesting wakey wakey ploy. You are woken by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass's 'Spanish Flea' which is piped into your compartment with some jolly salutation at the end. I pull my pillow over my head. Knob off..! :eh It did give me a chuckle, though.

Further cajoling follows. I duly ignore a further bit of tannoy telling me breakfast is available and all of that rhubarb.

I do eventually get up, and I'm in my undercrackers, toothbrush stuck in my mooey still when the announcement 'Drivers and their passengers should now make their way to the vehicle decks'. Ah. Clearly they don't send a bod round to turf you out like they do on every other ferry I've taken this year. Circumstances call for some Benny Hill chase scene style packing to be done. :blast

Welcome to Holland, then..

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In a flash I'm mingling with the early morning Rotterdam rush, criss-crossing over to the main motorway and direct route East. I do need to get something to nibble on, and I can't hold out any more so I visit a BP station. How exotic. One Groot Cappuccino and an Appelflap..

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I pass Utrecht and then it's away from the Motorway and on to the more interesting stuff.

A rather leafy lane..

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Erm, quite..

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It's a beautiful pleasant and bright Autumnal day, the colours are quite something..

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I cross the border into Germany south of Enschede.

Das Windmill. And it appears to be a Fire windmill :confused:..

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Heading down the little lanes, as one does..

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:moped:

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I carry on floating along, along nice roads, cutting through the odd little one, and just having a thoroughly enjoyable ride.

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The temperature starts to drop and the light begins to fade. I source a little Guest House on the web in the town of Bad Meinberg. It's supposedly a very nice place, but the time I arrive it is already pitch black so I can't really tell you much. They're big on preventing light pollution here, or saving energy, or have run out of streetlamp bulbs. Whatever, but there's not a whole lot of illumination.

I reach the accommodation which cuts an Amityville Horror house profile in the chilly darkness. I toddle up the driveway and I'm shuffling the bike around when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I'm greeted by a jolly, toothy chap who says that I can 'park ze motorrad in ze garage'. That's champion.

The place is really very comfortable and pleasant. A nice comfy big bed and a radiator that works and goes up to 5. Toasty warm, just what the doctor ordered. The owner is really friendly and welcoming. He recommends some places to eat. Though I don't fancy sitting in a restaurant. I'm really feeling tired now. Only about five hours sleep, so I have a quick wander out to see what I can find. Brrrr.. My my it is cold.

Tonight's menu is the room dining option, courtesy of the fine fayre of this establishment..

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I'd previously said I'd found it hard to adjust it being November. Well, reality check and adjustment now made. A very quick walk back, tuck consumed, and so to bed..
 
Oh.. the mystery of it all :D :aidan

You know, I have only one fixed place to go to.. other than that.. I don't even know myself :)

:beerjug:

It's gonna be another great adventure, I can feel it.:beerjug::thumb
 
It's going to be a chilly adventure by the look of things.

Why not head for Poland:D
 
Bad Meinberg to Berlin

The Guest House has an upstairs honesty bar for the rooms. There was Paulanier Dunkel, so I decreased some of their stock.

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Google Weather this morning is telling me that the temperature range in the region is -2 in Hanover to a mighty 1 in Paderborn. Perhaps I'll head the Paderborn way and break out the Hawaiian Tropic.

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Yup, it's cold alright. Even the breakfast boiled egg sports a bobble hat..

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I get checked out. I correct the host- he's undercharged me for the wrong and very much inferior pils beers and he's delighted that I've corrected him.

So now.. we want the gear to work in this kind of weather. I'm layered as follows.

Fine M&S sporty undercrackers
A pair of SmartWool socks
Gore-Tex Alpinestar SMX2 Boots
Two pairs of thermal leggings
Dainese Gore-Tex Trousers (without liner)
A thermal baselayer top
A North Face technical t-shirt
An Exo-2 Heated Waistocat
A Halvarssons 'Outlast' Zip-top
Dainese Gore-Tex Jacket (with liner)
EDZ thick neck tube
Neck buff #2 with a trendy Dunlop logo
Neck buff #3 in camo print

I never did get the final bike base layer set sorted, so I've just used one layer which I got from my local Sports Direct which I wear when I go to the footy in Winter, plus an additional set of thermal leggings from that technical specialist George at Asda.

So eventually, all bundled up, I do the robot and wobble off to the bike. Actually it isn't too bad- very comfortable in fact. Certainly snug.

Ninja biker. Thank heavens for the lack of Fashion Polizei..

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On setting off the bike shows 0.5 on the gauge. Conditions are dry which is of course rather good news for those who prefer their motorcycling to be mostly upright.

Waistcoat plugged in.. And toasty, toasty, toasty :clap

The riding is actually really very pleasant. I'm taking it very easy, naturally, but there's a wonderful serenity about the chill morning and light fog. The gear is doing very well; I'm not at all cold and these kind of temperatures are around the lowest I'd care to endure so all is very encouraging.

I'm making relatively slow Easterly progress across wunderbar Deutshland. Quiet, immaculate villages; unhurried riding.

Mist, fog, low temperatures..

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My first route is completed (when I sorted one to destination Zumo said 'Not enough memory to Calculate' so I broke things down to chunks). I stop at the side of the road to sort part 2. I'm not stopped a minute when a guy in a VW golf stops to check if I'm OK. That's happened to me before in Germany… you really have gotta love the place. I tell him 'Alles gut' and he gives me the thumbs up and hurtles off. Nice :thumb2

You know, some rufty tufty pictures…

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.. Just aren't as they first appear :D

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Yes, it's the first 'McDrive' squarely aimed at adventure travel folk :D I'm sure many of you will be thrilled :aidan

I have a Cappucino at said McDonald's and further plan the route. Heavy Fog is indicated according to the internet. I'm pondering.. I don't think it wise to be caught out on the back roads with fog looming and freezing temperatures, so I adjust.. Let's get across to the A2 sharpish, the main motorway which will whisk me into Berlin.

Half an hour or so later, the three ingredients for the rest of the trip today are as follows:

1) A temperature hovering around zero;
2) Heavy Fog;
3) Autobahn.

eek :eek:

I've always been a fan of the driving standard in Germany. Efficient, brisk, disciplined. But I wasn't ready for what I encountered on the main road. I mean, I know Autobahns are quick roads, and you need to have a keen eye as the approach speed from behind is seriously rapid.. But what amazes me is with visibility at no more than a couple of hundred meters the Audi and BMW hyper-barges are still hurtling along at a hundred miles an hour plus, off in to the gloom. The illuminated overhead signs offer up a speed limit of 120kph. That is bloody crackers :eek
At home it would be 50mph on the M25 and that might just be about right.

I do an hour of it and decide for a break. Cappuccino and strudel. The fog here eases a bit. The gear is working wonders so I do feel really fresh and that's a real bonus in these conditions.

I don't go for the Iced Coffee, tempting as it is..

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I return to the bike after getting trapped in a sanifair turnstile. The somewhat amused lav attendant rescues me. Note to self: Lift tank bag when negotiating barrier.

I head out at about a quarter to five. It's still light here, but not long later there's a fourth ingredient to add to the mix. Darkness. Back to the motorway. And... the fog returns with a vengeance. I hide between lorries and am at a steady 60mph. Not too quick, but not too slow for sure.

I take another quick break. Brrr..

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Down to minus 0.5..

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Ice has formed on my crash bar bags. Gulp.

There's a sign for Berlin over there. Sorry not a great photo, but I think it looks kind of chilly..

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It is hard work getting in to Berlin. There are no street lights on the motorway, right up until we're well past the suburbs. Eventually I meet a traffic jam and carefully filter through the traffic. Misty, chilly, full of lights. Very 'Blade Runner'.
And then I'm there.. A right turn and I'm hurtling along the wide boulevard Strasse des 17 Juni, along towards the Brandenburg gate, and then crossing in to what was West Berlin.

I meet up with my brother Nick who has gotten us an apartment sorted out for a few days. There's no parking so the bike is on the street. We'll sort something tomorrow. Anyway, first things first.. time is getting on and I need to find a nice beer.

We have a wander around. I'm liking Berlin already. And looky.. Let's see what we have here?

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Gulaschsuppe warms the cockles.. and the house 'special' beer hits the spot :thumb

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Refreshed; a couple of cold ones at the Bruhaus and we move swiftly along to another hostalry.. For one of these..

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We move on for some further late tastings. My dear brother is talking to a fraulein and decides to go and source some late food. Me? I'm going home.

My blasted key fob doesn't work to open the external door to the apartment block. Oh that's just great. It's 1.15am and freezing bleedin' cold. So how am I going to get into the apartment block? I know. Buzz a resident and ask them to let me in. But who should I bother? Decisions, decisions. I know..

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You know, previously I couldn't tell you what the German is for 'nonplussed', but now I think I'd be ready to have a stab at it.. :D
 
Oooh, thank God it's Friday.. you're a BUGGER.. posting those lovely pictures of lovely dark, lovely beer :beer:

I'm at the 'House of a hundred beers' buddy.. its not going to get better any time soon :D
 
Good one Rob :thumb

Not too far, or for too long I assume ..... no panniers ;)

Bring it on :aidan

:beerjug:
 
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Oooh, that video of Focus is just great.

What memories. Bought Focus III on vinyl when it came out in '73. I was 16 and scooting about on a Puch Maxi.

Played that LP over, and over again, much to the annoyance of my old Dad.
He was a bit of a hi-fi buff and had an ever increasing jazz classics on Stereo 8 Club (I think thats what it was called). Still got them wrapped up in the loft.

Anyway Rob, have a good and safe trip. The rufty tufty photograph and then the Ronald McDonald in the next shot made me chuckle.

Keep 'em coming.
 
did you do any herfstbock while in nl??

its nice only they dont do pints.......(go to cafe cheerz in goirle and they will :D)
 
Good one Rob :thumb

Not too far, or for too long I assume ..... no panniers ;)

Bring it on :aidan

:beerjug:

Cheers matey :thumb2

Still got enough to keep me out here a while.. to be fair the panniers had a lot of camping stuff and other niceties that aren't really needed.

Don't want to miss the Chrimbo party season though eh.. ;)

Go east !... go further into to the Dark Side !!!

.. could well be :thumb

Oooh, that video of Focus is just great.

What memories. Bought Focus III on vinyl when it came out in '73. I was 16 and scooting about on a Puch Maxi....

Anyway Rob, have a good and safe trip. The rufty tufty photograph and then the Ronald McDonald in the next shot made me chuckle.

Keep 'em coming.

Cheers! I think Mr Hairnet is responsible for the Focus. That said I do have 'House of the King' as part of the on board sounds. Thanks to Saxondale. I thought it was Jethro Tull.

If you're at the right one, they do “two horse turds on hay” Served on a shovel, I believe :eek

Didn't see that old chap. Mind you I was a bit cross-eyed by the finish :friday

did you do any herfstbock while in nl??

its nice only they dont do pints.......(go to cafe cheerz in goirle and they will :D)

Nope, a mere transit thru' Holland. Maybe on the way back.. :thumb2
 
'Ich bin ein Berliner'

Friday

The apartment is a very spacious affair and very centrally located. Possibly a little too centrally located.

Jake: How often do the trains go by?

Elwood: So often you won't even notice..

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And so a grand little city break in Berlin is had. It is a terrific city to visit; there's a great energy and a vibrancy about the place.
I should mention also that it is a very comfortable place to ride a bike around. I can't say I ever exactly look forward to mingling with the motorists in foreign cities on the bike, but this was pretty simple. The traffic is brisk but very predictable. The only things to really consider- watch for the cyclists, there sure are loads of those, and damp roads and lots of tram lines demand a bit of attention.

We had some decent time wandering the city.

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We stop at the 'House of a hundred beers' (or 'one of' rather than 'the'.. I've got the feeling there might be a few of these places..)

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You know, there's certainly a good enough choice beer wise..

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The food is OK, nothing special at all, Nick describes his Pork thing as a 'bit of a swizz'. I have chicken and salad, to which I can report that Berlin's chicken and salad is just like Romford's chicken and salad.

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Let's have one more.. This one is very much a chart climber of the personal beer top 40.. :beer:

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The evening sees us venture fown to the district of Kreuzberg which is, according to Nick's research a good spot for bar life. The research is good. We settle on a bar called the 'Cake Club'. There's some great music and a friendly vibe.

Me, I'm way long in the tooth for nightspots, but these places were just a little bit different. We settle in for some more beers and a cocktail or three. It's tough work, but someone has to do it :thumb

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We tip our barman, a more friendly guy to strangers you could not find- and it's well received- we're given big, big cocktails at discounted prices :)

Now THAT'S a cocktail, eh?:ChrisKelly

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A cool vibe..

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And great retro music features..

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Some things I haven't heard in a while..

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A terrific giggle of an evening ;)

On the way home we pick up quite simply the worst kebab I've ever had. You can't have everything I suppose..

Is it 5am already? Blimey.

:beerjug:
 
Berlin, one of the best cities I've ever been to :beerjug::beerjug:

The apartment is certainly well located, close enough for a pint of Stowford from the Irish Bar; The motorbike museum's just round the corner is ok, but the last time I went, I'd had far too many Berliner Pilsners to remember much :beer:

Kruezberg is brill, but you have to try Simon Dach Strasse too :D:D:D

and ask around for the "Burgermeister"....... damned good food at silly o'clock
 


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