InvictaMoto's On The Road Again!

Something of a disappearing style of "fast food" being overtaken by foreign imports. The traditional food of Londoners is sadly on the decline but real purveyors still exist. Two can be found in Islington and geographically not that far apart. Whilst all around them the trendification goes on in leaps and bounds, Clarkes in Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell is still there. Their neighbours are no longer local shops for local people but imported coffee shops and the paraphernalia of the more money than sense set. "I saw you coming" couldn't be more apt. Luckily the oasis that is Clarkes is there for is that like to keep at least in touch with our heritage. The other Islington Pie & Mash shop is Manzies in Chapel Market. A stone's throw from Upper Street and its New Labour connotations; all trendy with no real foundations.  Honest grub for the working class or indeed anyone not afflicted with vegetarianism!  When I mention heritage. My ...

Estepona and  Caceres .  A long walk and a paddle on the almost deserted beach at Estepona before a drive up the mountain to one of the "white villages" of Andalucia. Casares is perched on the side of the mountain and comes into view as you round a bend in the road. Well worth a visit.  

After staying in Cordoba the night before we were handy for Medina or Madinat Al-Zahra as they call it locally. We arrived about 1100 after a late morning and getting the car from the car-park and the heavy traffic in Cordoba! The car-park at Zahra is quite small and less simple once a coach or two are involved. We ended up on the way in, half on the road and half in a ditch, and they charged us 80¢ for the privilege. On the other hand it is free for EU citizens to get in! For the next three hours we spent walking in the burning heat and looking at the magnificence that Abd ar-Rahman III built and named after his wife.  As well as a palace it was also his main seat of power and was connected to the city at Cordoba with a brick road, sadly not yellow or paved with gold. The site is in two halves, the business and private areas. It is hard to see the difference. Both show an oppulence that was designed to show his power and visitors got the IKEA system of walking round and round to g...

Up and off to Cordoba. This time the motorway past Malaga was clear and we made good time to the turn off up the main N331 towards Cordoba. We were slowed as they are building the motorway alongside it. On arrival the GPS had is perfectly on route but it can't plan for local drivers blocking the road. After a detour and a bit of maneuvering  we arrived right by the Mezquita . Coppers everywhere. The reason was some European conference on intolerance to Moslems . Didn't see too many delegates that looked vaguely Arabic etc. That's the EU for you. The hostel I had chosen was recommended in the Rough Guide to Andalucia . The Hostel Santa Ana is a short walk to the Mezquita . After parking in the private garage, we set off for lunch and then into the Mezquita . We even went back to the hotel to get another couple of Nikon batteries for the still camera. I'm still not convinced about the movie cam. Although we managed to take 30 different short films in and around the Mezqu...

Day 1 We were up before 5am for the drive across to Gatwick, where we arrived at the parking about 6.30am. No problems at all getting there and none leaving the car. The reason we went so early was due to the expected (and reported in the papers!) long delays at the security check. In the end we were through in 8 minutes! Luckily there were no delays on the flight and we arrived on time. We had hoped to meet brother's party on their way out, but an hour and a quarter queuing to get the hire car put paid to that. In the end we got a diesel Focus instead of the booked Fusion. Not a bad car, although damned heavy and I keep stalling it when on the hill out out the apartment parking! At night we went into Fuengirola for dinner. I can recommend the portions at the restaurant. If only I could remember the name! Day 2 L ocal day. Got up late after the long day we had had the day before and after breakfast we went to Marbella.  We got parked easily and walked down to the promenade and then...

Dear Fellow Bikers and Motorcyclists, I am organising the annual Kent Pet Food run on behalf of the Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone RSPCA group based in Kent. The group is totally self supporting and receives no assistance or financial aid from the RSPCA itself. The date is April 13th 2008 The main meeting place is Hein Gericke car-park in Maidstone at 1100. Hein Gericke GPS co-ordinate is N51.280168 E0.521644. The aim is to depart HG at 1130. I am also looking at adding a couple of meeting places for riders to collect and then ride to the main meeting place at Hein Gericke. The first will be for anyone coming from the north/west at the Oakdene Cafe. The ride-in will be co-ordinated by the Kent BMF group. Lookout for their bright yellow reflective waistcoats. Meet there in time for the short ride departing about 11am from the layby opposite the cafe. The second from the other direction at the new M20 J11 Services. The run from here will be led by me and we will take the A20 route no...