slimbo
Registered user
a report with piccys
TUES 28TH DEC…
After initial packing of the beast, we gave up.
Small conference later we threw it all in the back and shut the door.
Around ten Tony arrived to complete the trio! We stashed his gear and prepared to depart.
With goodbyes done to the families we drove away from the land rovers home for the last ten months, off to our first official engagement at the services on the motorway. (j47).
Now a fully loaded land rover specially a 21yr old one is a strange beast, steering like a heifer on acid and the brakes need a days notice even to consider operating
.
On arrival to the services we are greeted to the smiling faces of mbrs of the Christian Lewis children’s cancer care trust, friends and several of the welsh posse ukgser’s, in fact nearly all of them... plus a bonus the press had arrived
.
Piccies done bullshine dispensed and goodbyes made we load the beast (later to become Boris) onto the back of a big yellow taxi for the easiest part of our trip.
Although the AA couldn’t give us money they were very helpful in allowing our recovery to Portsmouth saving us a small fortune in UK fuel costs. (Top move recovery).
.
About two thirty we depart and are accompanied by the throng of gs’ers part way along the motorway.
‘’Well that’s it ‘’pipes up bill’’ were on our way’’.
We settle back and relax for about the last time in the next three weeks...
The trip to Portsmouth is uneventful except for the acquisition of a whole box of milk cartons for a ‘’ brew’’ when in country. (thank you burger king!) chievely!!
We arrive at the D-day museum car park to the cold but smiling faces of baker man and co plus all the other gser well wishers eagerly waiting to take the Mick and generally stand in the cold!! (And it was bloody cold.)
Bakes as usual produces pork!! and we all eat, warm drinks are taken to keep the body temperature up. We are given more stuff for bribes and giveaways plus our rations from c.t.f.t ! and our saviour a high lift jack.( It constantly amazes me these folks that I have hardly met taking time to assist us. all with a smile and good wishes.)
Time quickly slides by and we need to go to the ferry, so once again goodbyes made we drive off to the port. Escorted by Cumberland cruiser (andy the crazy northern blurk!)
Problem no 1 headlights? Well they did work before we left but it seems that the switch has gone on strike, so we switch on the roof lights and drive on sidelights and the stadium illumination on the roof!!
Once loaded on the ferry we settle into a regular habit, and have a drink...
The crossing is smooth and we arrive at Cherbourg around five thirty in the morn.
Problem no 2
Fuel? We didn’t fill up in the UK cos of the price so we only had a quarter of a tank and the first 24 hr station only take cards and not UK ones!!!! DOH!!
A quick meeting and we decide to drive on to the first place with people to sell us fuel...
Twenty miles later and fuel verrrry low we stop at a pretty little village/town to find their fuel station is 24 hours, and yes it does not take UK cards (bugger again).
Tony our man of many talents (most of them hidden) takes it upon himself to accost someone to use their card and we will pay them the cash...
About an hour n a half goes by and eventually we get a full tank and were off.
France is France full of French folks and our journey is pretty nondescript and our aim is to get to Bayonne for our first stop...
The land rover is taking it all in its stride; as this is the only shakedown it’s had since purchase.
After a bit of tweaking en route (tracking and tyre pressures) it settles down
Sadly short lived as we hit a couple of snags!! Sfunny really it was all set by ear and it showed it!
Five times we had to stop, and coupled with a very long day its was testing. Thankfully we were relatively warm and soon had it running again each time.
During one of our ‘’incidents’’ team bus or bust sails past and recognising a fellow nutter calls us up and offers assistance , we meet up ant the next services to swap stories and continue our epic first full day.
Two hours driving is not bad and the three of us settle into a pattern, plus a steady speed of fifty-five mph is comfy.
At last we arrive in Bayonne two thirty in the morning after driving for 21 hours and spend an era finding a room, then off to bed for tomorrow we enter Spain…
Day two dec 30th
Up early due to the smell emanating from our beds? And pack ready for the off. I send the boys off to find coffee whilst I fettle the landy.(adjust carb with hammer).
.
Fettling done coffee drank we set off for the border...
Once again the journey is uneventful and the transition into Spain happens and we don’t really notice.
Fuel consumption so far had been bad varying up but mainly down then all of a sudden 17 mpg?? Bloody miracle!
Life is good and its warm ish …
Spain is wonderful but to be honest its just another country to traverse to get to Africa so we really don’t take much notice, another long day ensues we rush through Spain at a skin rippling 55 mph trying to cause mayhem on the way ..
We stop in one motorway services the place covered in snow, where whilst posing for piccies bill hits me from above with the world’s biggest snowball!!!
‘
’aha! So war it be then eh??’’.
Later that day we skirt Madrid and somewhere south of valdepenas we stop for the night. Prior to our arrival the phone rang! It was radio five live looking to do an interview live later that night , so with every thing sorted we quickly contact everyone we know to tape it or at least have a listen , a while later they phone back and cancel!!!
Spose they had something more important to report on (probably some footie players hairdo failing or summat).
So we arrive our next motel and get to bed for a well earned sleep.
Dec 31st
Up shower and away destination Gibraltar or sotogrande to be honest we hadn’t booked anywhere so its pot luck on arrival.
Once again we settle into the two hour stints and the sun is warm.
The countryside is pretty and the roads very good if we had the time it would have been great to explore as some of the back roads are a biker’s heaven, maybe another trip.
The day drifts by and we eventually arrive at las camellias hotel sotogrande about fiveish…we was greeted with the arrival of Dennis (he of the heavy cough)And his Spanish riding buddy Enrique!
New Years Eve in the local area?? Bit of a humorous event, started drinking on arrival
and in bed by two local time.
In between we set off down to the beach with the BUPA gang for a Barbie
and later off to find an Irish bar for the celebrations, now how hard can it be to find? The answer is very.
It was like they don’t want customers but with sheer persistence and bloody-mindedness we fall through the doors five mins to go for the Spanish celebrati0ons 1100 UK time.
The place is full of hookers and expat families all expecting a good night , we just drink beer leer at the hookers and take the rise out of the sweaty ex pats…
Life is still good.
jan 1st
Woke surprisingly early and over breakfast? Decided to give up the rest day and cross into morocco today.
Hoofed it down to algeceras caught the midday ferry and met up with Dennis again.
ferry crossing a breeze waved to gib on the way
Filled up in ceuta (duty free) and attacked the border.
Where we met up with all those who set off earlier still trying to sort out the mayhem that is Moroccan beurocracy...
To be honest having done this place before I found it less daunting, and we made all the right noises (manually adjusted cover note sorting out the insurance a treat).
We breezed through parting with a couple of portfolio files (thanks grumpy lee) and a couple of dollars...
Hurrah! Were into Africa!
Earlier discussions we agreed to meet at chefchaouen in the Riff Mountains.
the road isn’t too bad and we arrive about five in the evening pitch camp and brew up! Nothing like a good cuppa to keep us happy.
This is about the time when bill get all primeval on us and reverts back to his primitive instincts and starts to burn stuff!!
The Roaring fire keeps us all warm and we discover how well eucalyptus burns.
We discuss the merits of border crossing then for some unexplained reason discuss the potential
spontaneous combustion of koala bears?? (Something to do with them eating eucalyptus leaves?)
Retiring to bed with calls of ‘’gnight jon boy’’ ala waltons we fall into a restful sleep.
Jan 2nd
Awake early again (I must try not to do this)
We break camp ,
I set about adjusting the land rover to stabilise our comical swaying and the boys repack the roof , a request from BUPA chaps to look at one of their landys as the cold start don’t work, after a while I give up baffled but happy its not serious and advise the use of easy start and leave. Jobs done we set off with crash bash Clive and daz
Into the town for a look-see.
We stake our place outside a café
TUES 28TH DEC…
After initial packing of the beast, we gave up.
Small conference later we threw it all in the back and shut the door.
Around ten Tony arrived to complete the trio! We stashed his gear and prepared to depart.
With goodbyes done to the families we drove away from the land rovers home for the last ten months, off to our first official engagement at the services on the motorway. (j47).
Now a fully loaded land rover specially a 21yr old one is a strange beast, steering like a heifer on acid and the brakes need a days notice even to consider operating
.
On arrival to the services we are greeted to the smiling faces of mbrs of the Christian Lewis children’s cancer care trust, friends and several of the welsh posse ukgser’s, in fact nearly all of them... plus a bonus the press had arrived
.
Piccies done bullshine dispensed and goodbyes made we load the beast (later to become Boris) onto the back of a big yellow taxi for the easiest part of our trip.
Although the AA couldn’t give us money they were very helpful in allowing our recovery to Portsmouth saving us a small fortune in UK fuel costs. (Top move recovery).
.
About two thirty we depart and are accompanied by the throng of gs’ers part way along the motorway.
‘’Well that’s it ‘’pipes up bill’’ were on our way’’.
We settle back and relax for about the last time in the next three weeks...
The trip to Portsmouth is uneventful except for the acquisition of a whole box of milk cartons for a ‘’ brew’’ when in country. (thank you burger king!) chievely!!
We arrive at the D-day museum car park to the cold but smiling faces of baker man and co plus all the other gser well wishers eagerly waiting to take the Mick and generally stand in the cold!! (And it was bloody cold.)
Bakes as usual produces pork!! and we all eat, warm drinks are taken to keep the body temperature up. We are given more stuff for bribes and giveaways plus our rations from c.t.f.t ! and our saviour a high lift jack.( It constantly amazes me these folks that I have hardly met taking time to assist us. all with a smile and good wishes.)
Time quickly slides by and we need to go to the ferry, so once again goodbyes made we drive off to the port. Escorted by Cumberland cruiser (andy the crazy northern blurk!)
Problem no 1 headlights? Well they did work before we left but it seems that the switch has gone on strike, so we switch on the roof lights and drive on sidelights and the stadium illumination on the roof!!
Once loaded on the ferry we settle into a regular habit, and have a drink...
The crossing is smooth and we arrive at Cherbourg around five thirty in the morn.
Problem no 2
Fuel? We didn’t fill up in the UK cos of the price so we only had a quarter of a tank and the first 24 hr station only take cards and not UK ones!!!! DOH!!
A quick meeting and we decide to drive on to the first place with people to sell us fuel...
Twenty miles later and fuel verrrry low we stop at a pretty little village/town to find their fuel station is 24 hours, and yes it does not take UK cards (bugger again).
Tony our man of many talents (most of them hidden) takes it upon himself to accost someone to use their card and we will pay them the cash...
About an hour n a half goes by and eventually we get a full tank and were off.
France is France full of French folks and our journey is pretty nondescript and our aim is to get to Bayonne for our first stop...
The land rover is taking it all in its stride; as this is the only shakedown it’s had since purchase.
After a bit of tweaking en route (tracking and tyre pressures) it settles down
Sadly short lived as we hit a couple of snags!! Sfunny really it was all set by ear and it showed it!
Five times we had to stop, and coupled with a very long day its was testing. Thankfully we were relatively warm and soon had it running again each time.
During one of our ‘’incidents’’ team bus or bust sails past and recognising a fellow nutter calls us up and offers assistance , we meet up ant the next services to swap stories and continue our epic first full day.
Two hours driving is not bad and the three of us settle into a pattern, plus a steady speed of fifty-five mph is comfy.
At last we arrive in Bayonne two thirty in the morning after driving for 21 hours and spend an era finding a room, then off to bed for tomorrow we enter Spain…
Day two dec 30th
Up early due to the smell emanating from our beds? And pack ready for the off. I send the boys off to find coffee whilst I fettle the landy.(adjust carb with hammer).
.
Fettling done coffee drank we set off for the border...
Once again the journey is uneventful and the transition into Spain happens and we don’t really notice.
Fuel consumption so far had been bad varying up but mainly down then all of a sudden 17 mpg?? Bloody miracle!
Life is good and its warm ish …
Spain is wonderful but to be honest its just another country to traverse to get to Africa so we really don’t take much notice, another long day ensues we rush through Spain at a skin rippling 55 mph trying to cause mayhem on the way ..
We stop in one motorway services the place covered in snow, where whilst posing for piccies bill hits me from above with the world’s biggest snowball!!!
‘
’aha! So war it be then eh??’’.
Later that day we skirt Madrid and somewhere south of valdepenas we stop for the night. Prior to our arrival the phone rang! It was radio five live looking to do an interview live later that night , so with every thing sorted we quickly contact everyone we know to tape it or at least have a listen , a while later they phone back and cancel!!!
Spose they had something more important to report on (probably some footie players hairdo failing or summat).
So we arrive our next motel and get to bed for a well earned sleep.
Dec 31st
Up shower and away destination Gibraltar or sotogrande to be honest we hadn’t booked anywhere so its pot luck on arrival.
Once again we settle into the two hour stints and the sun is warm.
The countryside is pretty and the roads very good if we had the time it would have been great to explore as some of the back roads are a biker’s heaven, maybe another trip.
The day drifts by and we eventually arrive at las camellias hotel sotogrande about fiveish…we was greeted with the arrival of Dennis (he of the heavy cough)And his Spanish riding buddy Enrique!
New Years Eve in the local area?? Bit of a humorous event, started drinking on arrival
and in bed by two local time.
In between we set off down to the beach with the BUPA gang for a Barbie
and later off to find an Irish bar for the celebrations, now how hard can it be to find? The answer is very.
It was like they don’t want customers but with sheer persistence and bloody-mindedness we fall through the doors five mins to go for the Spanish celebrati0ons 1100 UK time.
The place is full of hookers and expat families all expecting a good night , we just drink beer leer at the hookers and take the rise out of the sweaty ex pats…
Life is still good.
jan 1st
Woke surprisingly early and over breakfast? Decided to give up the rest day and cross into morocco today.
Hoofed it down to algeceras caught the midday ferry and met up with Dennis again.
ferry crossing a breeze waved to gib on the way
Filled up in ceuta (duty free) and attacked the border.
Where we met up with all those who set off earlier still trying to sort out the mayhem that is Moroccan beurocracy...
To be honest having done this place before I found it less daunting, and we made all the right noises (manually adjusted cover note sorting out the insurance a treat).
We breezed through parting with a couple of portfolio files (thanks grumpy lee) and a couple of dollars...
Hurrah! Were into Africa!
Earlier discussions we agreed to meet at chefchaouen in the Riff Mountains.
the road isn’t too bad and we arrive about five in the evening pitch camp and brew up! Nothing like a good cuppa to keep us happy.
This is about the time when bill get all primeval on us and reverts back to his primitive instincts and starts to burn stuff!!
The Roaring fire keeps us all warm and we discover how well eucalyptus burns.
We discuss the merits of border crossing then for some unexplained reason discuss the potential
spontaneous combustion of koala bears?? (Something to do with them eating eucalyptus leaves?)
Retiring to bed with calls of ‘’gnight jon boy’’ ala waltons we fall into a restful sleep.
Jan 2nd
Awake early again (I must try not to do this)
We break camp ,
I set about adjusting the land rover to stabilise our comical swaying and the boys repack the roof , a request from BUPA chaps to look at one of their landys as the cold start don’t work, after a while I give up baffled but happy its not serious and advise the use of easy start and leave. Jobs done we set off with crash bash Clive and daz
Into the town for a look-see.
We stake our place outside a café