Palingbeek and beyond - Part 1
I was up bright and early. Or rather early. My shoulder was feeling fine and the best it has been for a week or so.
Unfortunately Eurotunnel weren't as bright. On checking in I was informed that the 0850 was "retimed" to 0858. At 0922 we pulled out of Folkestone for the 35 minute crossing to France.
Pepé had required the dbPower unit boost to start first thing and again once we were given the go ahead to board the train. Playing catch up I was last on.
Thankfully at the French end although prepared, seat off etc, Pepé started okay.
From there tbe ride was uneventful along the A16 to the A25. I know that many riders poo-poo using motorways but if you want to get somewhere using the newly reduced limit N roads then you need days rather than hours.
Arriving at the old Franco-Belgian border I stopped to take a pic for the 50/50 Challenge. The old border and customs buildings are slowly rotting away. Testament to Shengen?
From here I followed TomTom instructions to Vlamertinge for my lunch stop. Except despite checking online the friterie was closed.
So. Carry on to Ypres.
I parked opposite the Cloth Hall and then went in search of a bank and then lunch. Both satisfied my next quest was to find one of the Last Post Association pins.
A slog around all the published stockists revealed they were sold out.
Back to the bike for the short run to Palingbeek.
Unfortunately Eurotunnel weren't as bright. On checking in I was informed that the 0850 was "retimed" to 0858. At 0922 we pulled out of Folkestone for the 35 minute crossing to France.
Pepé had required the dbPower unit boost to start first thing and again once we were given the go ahead to board the train. Playing catch up I was last on.
Thankfully at the French end although prepared, seat off etc, Pepé started okay.
From there tbe ride was uneventful along the A16 to the A25. I know that many riders poo-poo using motorways but if you want to get somewhere using the newly reduced limit N roads then you need days rather than hours.
Arriving at the old Franco-Belgian border I stopped to take a pic for the 50/50 Challenge. The old border and customs buildings are slowly rotting away. Testament to Shengen?
From here I followed TomTom instructions to Vlamertinge for my lunch stop. Except despite checking online the friterie was closed.
So. Carry on to Ypres.
I parked opposite the Cloth Hall and then went in search of a bank and then lunch. Both satisfied my next quest was to find one of the Last Post Association pins.
 |
| On the wall in the lunch cafe |
A slog around all the published stockists revealed they were sold out.
Back to the bike for the short run to Palingbeek.
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