A short trip report for a run down to Cornwall for the bank holiday from the Cotswolds.
Friday
Left work head to stay with friends in Painswick. I decided I didn't want to take the motorway so headed south to Chippenham, Bath then the A303 all the way west.
It started well but as rush hour approached the traffic became insane and even with filtering and passing when I could it took 4 hours to get there.
On the plus side when I arrived I was treated to a BBQ, walk down to the sea and a sunset drink so all in all a good way to start the weekend.
Saturday
Early start (for me) as my friends had a flight to catch so all packed up and ready to go for 7am but a fun route planned taking in Dartmoor and lots of the south coast including a couple of chain ferry's
First stop was on Dartmoor where I planned to find a spot to have a coffee and enjoy what was looking to be a stunning sunny start to the weekend.
I found a great spot just past Grimspound and even got the drone up briefly (only time during the weekend as the wind picked up after here) for a look around.
That's when the first issue of the day came up. Jetboil all set up and coffee and mug ready I was just about to boil water when I realised the Kompresso was nowhere to be seen. Packing fail! I really need my morning coffee so I was not a happy boy but not a lot I could do about it there so packed everything up and headed on my way in search for my morning hit.
Coffee found it was off to find the sea and some tiny roads and stunning views:
First ferry:
Great remote spots:
Then it went a little off plan. Heading down a 20% hill I came across a hatchback coming up, when they realised I wasn't going to reverse back up the hill for them (that would have been some leg day)! They started bumper car reversing their way back down, seeing as this was taking an age I turned the engine off whilst I waited and when they finally got to a point where I could squeze by my engine wouldn't start.
Now when it was serviced the battery had died and that is what it sounded like again so I pulled over in the prettiest place to break down I've ever found and went for a walk along the beach to see if anyone had jump leads.
The man in the Sprinter had a pump for his boat with battery connectors so we jimmied that into something that should work and I went to push my bike back. Just before I did I hit the starter one more time. Boom ... it sprang to life like nothing had happened! My guess is the fuel pump drained on the hill and the flat battery sound was the starter turning and not getting any fuel but if there's collective wisdom that say otherwise then I'm all ears.
Anyway, full of ruined weekend nerves and still thinking it was the battery a quick re-route was planned and it was back to St Austal to fiund a garage with a battery tester. The nice man in Halfords Autocentre oblidged and sure enough my battery has 100% health! So my fuel theory was born and seeing as the bike started every time from then on I have no better ideas.
It was getting later than planned and I was meant to meet my aunt in Portscatho so pitching the tent would have to wait. I made it on time though and had a lovely catch up, I haven't seen her in about 5 years so there was plenty to catch up on. Then it was time to grab the 6pm King Harrys ferry and head back up to Blisland and my campsite (and more importantly 8pm pub booking for dinner).
Tent pitched, stomach filled and local ales sampled it was time for some much needed shut eye.
Friday
Left work head to stay with friends in Painswick. I decided I didn't want to take the motorway so headed south to Chippenham, Bath then the A303 all the way west.
It started well but as rush hour approached the traffic became insane and even with filtering and passing when I could it took 4 hours to get there.
On the plus side when I arrived I was treated to a BBQ, walk down to the sea and a sunset drink so all in all a good way to start the weekend.
Saturday
Early start (for me) as my friends had a flight to catch so all packed up and ready to go for 7am but a fun route planned taking in Dartmoor and lots of the south coast including a couple of chain ferry's
First stop was on Dartmoor where I planned to find a spot to have a coffee and enjoy what was looking to be a stunning sunny start to the weekend.
I found a great spot just past Grimspound and even got the drone up briefly (only time during the weekend as the wind picked up after here) for a look around.
That's when the first issue of the day came up. Jetboil all set up and coffee and mug ready I was just about to boil water when I realised the Kompresso was nowhere to be seen. Packing fail! I really need my morning coffee so I was not a happy boy but not a lot I could do about it there so packed everything up and headed on my way in search for my morning hit.
Coffee found it was off to find the sea and some tiny roads and stunning views:
First ferry:
Great remote spots:
Then it went a little off plan. Heading down a 20% hill I came across a hatchback coming up, when they realised I wasn't going to reverse back up the hill for them (that would have been some leg day)! They started bumper car reversing their way back down, seeing as this was taking an age I turned the engine off whilst I waited and when they finally got to a point where I could squeze by my engine wouldn't start.
Now when it was serviced the battery had died and that is what it sounded like again so I pulled over in the prettiest place to break down I've ever found and went for a walk along the beach to see if anyone had jump leads.
The man in the Sprinter had a pump for his boat with battery connectors so we jimmied that into something that should work and I went to push my bike back. Just before I did I hit the starter one more time. Boom ... it sprang to life like nothing had happened! My guess is the fuel pump drained on the hill and the flat battery sound was the starter turning and not getting any fuel but if there's collective wisdom that say otherwise then I'm all ears.
Anyway, full of ruined weekend nerves and still thinking it was the battery a quick re-route was planned and it was back to St Austal to fiund a garage with a battery tester. The nice man in Halfords Autocentre oblidged and sure enough my battery has 100% health! So my fuel theory was born and seeing as the bike started every time from then on I have no better ideas.
It was getting later than planned and I was meant to meet my aunt in Portscatho so pitching the tent would have to wait. I made it on time though and had a lovely catch up, I haven't seen her in about 5 years so there was plenty to catch up on. Then it was time to grab the 6pm King Harrys ferry and head back up to Blisland and my campsite (and more importantly 8pm pub booking for dinner).
Tent pitched, stomach filled and local ales sampled it was time for some much needed shut eye.
....any 'day really.
