InvictaMoto's On The Road Again!

It's Friday. We were up late. After the very long day yesterday we were a little overtired. Added to that Reggie wanted a wee at around 0230 and again around 0630. After breakfast we geared up for a walk I to the town.  The Camino Regatón is marked on the map but not really at ground level ... We ended up on a narrow, two feet wide, sandy trail. Instead of heading up the estuary it came out opposite the other campsite about quarter of a mile away on the road into our campsite!! We made it past the pony riding centres and into the town. The end we came into wasn't the same as we inadvertently drove down to yesterday on the way in, but what looks like a holiday resort with loads of apartment buildings. There were a few bars open. We chose the Harley 86 bar. Just for a coffee. There were a couple of bikes outside. It will be rocking I expect at the weekend. Claire took some photos. Pity I am only a part time biker now. We slogged back. This time taking the road and avoiding the sa...

Day 3 started off very early. The MV Galicia was due to dock at 0700 UK time or 0800 CET. The first gentle alarm over the tannoy went off at 0545. I had set my phone to alarm at 0615. As we were mostly packed up it would be enough time. We had been told that passengers without pets would be called first and then once the lifts and stairs were free, pet owners. I guess that Claire could have gone down earlier and I could follow, when called, with Reggie. In the end we stayed together. How was the crossing? To be honest it wasn't that bad. It was easy to fill the day with reading and a wander around.  What would be nice and an added bonus would be if the small lounge opposite the information desk was dog friendly. It overlooks the dog walk area. Another positive would be if the pet walking area was smoked and smoker free. Not all of us like to be in an area inhaling cigarette smoke. Once we were called we headed down to the car deck. Reggie had his muzzle on again. He hates wearing i...

This is short and sweet. Once through the check-in we were put in lane 24 with all the other vehicles displaying the green "pet friendly cabin" sticker. Then we waited and waited. Around 1925 there was an announcement for all Bilbao bound customers to return to their vehicles. Expectations rose... Then we waited some more. And some more. Different columns of vehicles went through the security. Some stopped and were searched. Others sailed straight through. Eventually at 2120 we moved off. Through security to Lane 38.. The area was backed. To make progress we had to pull the mirrors in as the caravans mainly, and cars made it too narrow. The guy controlling loading was trying to stop the column to our left so we could board. In the end I had to follow it up the ramp to Deck 5. Turning wide as the car behind it didn't stop until shouted at... Stressful. No motorhomes were injured in this production. We easily found our cabin. The steward saying that pet owners would be last...

A start. A late start if you ignore the times I was up with Reggie standing on the outside deck whilst he had a pee. It took time to actually get some sleep!! About 1130 we ventured out again in time to see the last lighthouses in Cornwall slip by, some 13 hours after we set sail. So far we have wandered about the shop. Tried to get the 30 minutes free WiFi, unsuccessfully. Had a coffee. Walked Reggie. Watched some movies on the TV. Avoided quiz and bingo in the bar.... Dinner out tonight in the Tapas restaurant.  Paul out.

The plan was to set off around noon. In the end it was just past 1300 when we actually drove off.  The Ohrex reckoned via the M20/M26/M25 and then the A3 would be around 3 hours to cover 132 miles.  After a stop at Cobham M25 services for Reggie's toilet break and a coffee for us we made good progress. Getting onto the A3 was a little hold up. They are still working on improvement of the junction. Allegedly finished in Summer 2025.  The queues northbound towards the M25 were horrific. We needed a quick shopping break to get another can of dog food as we had under estimated the quantity of Reggie's raw food in the fridge. We eventually arrived at Port Solent at a little before 5pm. In the first parking area as you drive in it's signed campervan parking. The VW in front went elsewhere. We parked where it said. 😉 A walk around to look at the boats before thinking about an early dinner. We tried Wetherspoon's first, but as usual it's dog unfriendly even outside on the ...

The general election has been announced.  Polling day is the 4th July. The time for planning is past, the time for action now starts. Please make sure every candidate in your constituency gets to see the  Move on Motorcycling manifesto https://mag-uk.org/move-on-motorcycling/ . Find your local candidates by entering your postcode at  https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/   and start lobbying them today.  Send them  a link for the Move on Motorcycling manifesto document  ( bit.ly/moveonmotorcyclingpdf ) and ask them why should I vote for you?

Another box ticked. Having to decide where to get Reggie's passport and worming done. The choices were Cavignac where we did it in 2022 or Buchy where it was sorted last year. In the end Buchy won out again. It's in easy reach of the channel and there are plenty of Camping-Car Park areas around for an overnight.  Last time we went up to Incheville after Buchy, but this year try somewhere different. We have six nights after Zaragoza to look at before we get to Buchy. We leave Zaragoza on a Wednesday. The appointment in Buchy isn't until 4pm on the following Tuesday. I am thinking of maybe one night at Canfranc Station but maybe stop there and have a look around and then aim for an Aire in France.  Photo by Antonio Orga. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canfranc_International_railway_station Zaragoza to Canfranc is only about three hours. Plenty of time to look around and head off through the Somport Tunnel. There's no hurry as we have a few weeks to go...

April. I managed 12 miles. It's hardly worth having a bike.  I spend too many weekends away in the motorhome. Do I feel guilty? Hell yes. By the time I get to go to Assen at the end of June I'll be like a beginner. I have done so few miles recently I will be a liability to myself. Currently 98th.

Thought we'd try this. Bought in Waitrose Hythe. Not bad but the first sip has the taste buds exploding!!!

It seems many bloggers/vloggers are using this app to show where they have been. I thought I'd download and install it for the Awaycation that starts very soon. It's easier to use than Travel Boast as it is easier to find places using the search facility.  The app does seem to have a "live" update option and you simply (I think!) start a route/plan and it uses the gps etc to map roughly where you are going.   I have done a few tests and it seems to work for entering where you have been but not tested the "live" system.   I have deleted all the tests as they were just to see what the map looks like. But. I haven't found how to animate the journey. I don't think it can do that. https://www.polarsteps.com/PaulDevall