A blog that has evolved over the years from simply about motorcycle trips, to include action against discriminatory legislation from the UK and EU. Then included football, dogs and motorhoming!!!
30 June 2011
Maxxis Presa Detour front
26 June 2011
Kent Centre AGM
24 June 2011
Shawnetta
19 June 2011
17 June 2011
AMRR 2011 - July 2nd 2011
12 June 2011
Download - Day 3
With only the headliners on my radar we decided to come home as a drive home at 10pm would be far too late.
After breakfast we set off. The Hogs Head is really worth the stay. The staff are very friendly and the puppy that greats you really cute. With various special offers they offer at weekends we had to pay £25 B&B. I'll do a write up for Tripadvisor soon.
The journey took 5 hours including a coffee break at Toddington and a quick shop in Sainsbury's.
Rain all the way from Nottinghamshire to Kent and even the roadworks weren't to bad. Only the five mile tailback to pay the pirates at the Dartford Crossing caused any hassle. Half an hour of crawling was almost enough to make my blood begin to boil. No tolls no hold ups.
Download Day 2
In the end we had the full English to set us up for the day. First stop B&Q to buy some camping chairs! There are hundreds on the hillside overlooking each stage.
Once bought we dropped in at Decathlon and had a browse about abs Claire bought a new fleece. Then into Trowell services for a Costa and to buy lunch at M&S! Salad and some mini shortbreads.
Then on to Donington. Light traffic and an enlightened parking person that pointed us to a tarmac parking area nearer the entrance.
Once in we set up camp slightly to the left if the stage in front of one of the screens.
Today's bands were:
Rise to Reason
Bosshoss
Rock Sugar
Dan Reed
Clutch
Dio Disciples
Mr Big
Cheap Trick
Twisted Sister
Alice Cooper
I liked all of them but Claire less enthusiastic about R2R and DD.
Tomorrow we gave decided less of them in the day interest us so we'll drive home.
If it takes as long to get home as it did coming we'll have chosen well...
11 June 2011
Download - Day 2 dawns
Download Day 1
Britain is up to its neck in debt so why waste money on road building? Job creation? Or wealth creation for the knobs that own the construction companies and their shareholders?
Then the M1 was closed south from J21 to J20 due to a major accident. Cue five mile tailback northbound so we could rubberneck. When say we I don't mean me as I deliberate don't look.
Finally arrived at Hogs Head in Awsworth about 1530!!! Booked in and straight out to Donington.
No problems getting in but so late managed to get to see Thin Lizzy, Alter Bridge, The Darkness and Def Leppard.
Mixture of showers and occasional brighter spells in the gloom but great so far.
At least not the oldest on site!
Back tomorrow after breakfast!
10 June 2011
Download
Looks like Stage 2 more to our liking!!!
Neighbour ready to feed the cat so need to chuck some stuff in a bag, take waterproofs and warm gear as well.
And go!
9 June 2011
Ride to Work
6 June 2011
Kent Pet Food Run 2011
After twenty years of organising pet runs in Bedfordshire and Kent this was my last.
Sadly, the 300D went to sleep just as they arrived and I missed off Tony Young who was the leader!!!
One day down. Three to go then it's DOWNLOAD!!
I have to admit I haven't even heard of 75% of the bands! Of the other 25% I have heard of, I don't know most of their output.
Okay!
So I know Def Leppard and Alice Cooper! Heard of others inc Rob Zombie....
Download Festival @ Donington Park
3 June 2011
Go West
After a day or maybe an evening in Prague the longish trek home start in earnest.
As a result of wanting to see the Sinsheim Techical Museum (http://sinsheim.technik-museum.de/en) I looked locally fort somewhere to stay. The nearest youth hostel is in Heilbronn and they have a double room with private wc/shower and I have booked it.
As for the museum, it looks pretty much worthwhile and we'll see when we get there what there is on offer.
From here, the road home takes a northwards turn to follow the Rhine towards Cologne, so on the last night we have an Etap near Dueren as the alternative hostels weren't that good or available.
The last day is the run back to Calais for the boat home....
2 June 2011
Happy Family
It was evening but I was amazed at the lighting on the subjects. This pic has not been tweaked or otherwise buggered about with using any photo hacking software!!!
WYSIWIT - what you see is what I took.