This years Epic Summer trip

[barryd]

I told them not to let you back in you just can't get the staff these days.

This is still funny foreigner land to be fair though darn sarf! Everywhere is until you get back to the peoples republic of Rock God shire North Yorkshire.

 

[barryd]

Chichester today. I had planned all sorts but the main Museum with all the Roman baths stuff etc was shut. Oh dear, never mind. Town is quite nice. Reminds be a bit of Canterbury and Beverley (ooop North). Cathedral is ok and the gardens quite nice.





The highlight of the day though was Goodwood Motor racing circuit!

What a cracking place. Had the grandstand to ourselves and just watched all sorts of supercars and not so supercars race around the circuit as well as the "experts" taking people out for an "experience". No shortage of punters either so they had to take turns so not so many were let loose at once. The pitlanes and buildings do definitely remind you of a bygone area of motor racing. All very nicely restored. The two minis were my favourites. Not sure what spec they were but they were bloody fast. Not as fast as the 911 GT3's etc but so much more exciting to watch and one of them clearly knew how to drive unlike some of the Porsche drivers some of which were a bit lame in the bends.

I had the last laugh though and a fitting end for the Honda Visions last ride before he goes into Honda for part ex in the morning. I managed to over take one of the GT3 RS Porsches on the road back to Chichester in their shitty traffic.

 

[barryd]

Bit of a frantic and rather long day. Woke up at 5am because we never put the heating on and nobody was expecting winter to arrive this morning. Vans heating on gas is extremely good though and it soon got it warm but its bloody noisy on full chat so nobody went back to sleep. Horrendous drive to Yeovil from Chichester. Just rammed everywhere. Then, new bike time at Honda in Yeovil! All went so well and smoothly. That is until we got 30 miles down the road to North Chideock on the West Dorset coast and I set about mounting the top box we took off the old bike. It was at this point I realised I had handed over the top box keys with the old bike. I would have ordered a new one but they are notoriously tricky to order. I think they come from Italy and sometimes take weeks. So another two hours to ride all the way back on my own to Yeovil for the keys and back again wearing Michelles way too small helmet as mine is in the bloody locked top box on the grass back at the van.

All got sorted by late afternoon and then headed into West Bay (Bridport) for something to eat.

On the plus side the new bike is fab and the forecast is terrific until the weekend at least. No more bike worries I reckon.

 

[Robmac]

Fish and Chips in West Bay Barry? - you're spoilt for choice.

 

[runnach]

Bit of a frantic and rather long day. Woke up at 5am because we never put the heating on and nobody was expecting winter to arrive this morning. Vans heating on gas is extremely good though and it soon got it warm but its bloody noisy on full chat so nobody went back to sleep. Horrendous drive to Yeovil from Chichester. Just rammed everywhere. Then, new bike time at Honda in Yeovil! All went so well and smoothly. That is until we got 30 miles down the road to North Chideock on the West Dorset coast and I set about mounting the top box we took off the old bike. It was at this point I realised I had handed over the top box keys with the old bike. I would have ordered a new one but they are notoriously tricky to order. I think they come from Italy and sometimes take weeks. So another two hours to ride all the way back on my own to Yeovil for the keys and back again wearing Michelles way too small helmet as mine is in the bloody locked top box on the grass back at the van.

All got sorted by late afternoon and then headed into West Bay (Bridport) for something to eat.

On the plus side the new bike is fab and the forecast is terrific until the weekend at least. No more bike worries I reckon.

Did you leave your brain in the topbox too, Barry?

 

[hatifhafi3]

That sounds like such a brilliant mix of history, adventure, and relaxation! The Vosges are such a gorgeous area too that motorhome site by the lake sounds like a real gem. Can’t beat good cheese, a cold Leffe, and some mountain air after all those miles.

 

[barryd]

Did you leave your brain in the topbox too, Barry?

I know. F F S!!! All planned, negotiated, timed and arranged perfectly from France and I was quite pleased with myself when we arrived at one of our favourite CL's at 1:30pm after an already tedious fraught journey. There are no keys on the fob apart form the red top box key and the zapper thing. To be fair though its something a dealer should remind you of so Im blaming them.

 

[YeoBlade]

I've dealt with Branson's for the last 25 yrs with many bikes and their service is second to none, fitting in MOT's just before French trips etc. They have never withheld me Top-Box keys though!

 

[barryd]

I've dealt with Branson's for the last 25 yrs with many bikes and their service is second to none, fitting in MOT's just before French trips etc. They have never withheld me Top-Box keys though!

Its another reason I chose them as out of all the dealers we have used including several Honda dealers they have always provided great service. Back home it really is crap. Nothing for miles and my experience of many of them has not been good.

 

[runnach]

To be fair though it’s something a dealer should remind you of so Im blaming them.

To be fair though, it’s something your good lady should remind you of.

 

[alcam]

I know. F F S!!! All planned, negotiated, timed and arranged perfectly from France and I was quite pleased with myself when we arrived at one of our favourite CL's at 1:30pm after an already tedious fraught journey. There are no keys on the fob apart form the red top box key and the zapper thing. To be fair though its something a dealer should remind you of so Im blaming them.

Major snigger from me . I'm not nice !

 

[barryd]

To be fair though, it’s something your good lady should remind you of.

Yep. I said that an all! That's two people who should have thought about it! I knew it wasn't my fault!

 

[runnach]

Yep. I said that an all! That's two people who should have thought about it! I knew it wasn't my fault!

Definitely not your fault Barry. Send Michelle to the naughty step with a contract of her employment to read.

Rock gods have far more important things going on than remembering about a key!!

 

[barryd]

Fabulous day today. Pretty much the stretch of west Dorset from West Bay (Bridport) to Lyme Regis. Highlight was up above Charmouth at Stonebarrow with fabulous views from the Golden cap and across to Lyme Regis.

I have to say it, way more spectacular and beautiful than anything we saw in France after leaving the Pyrenees. Food in West Bay was crap in comparison though.

Took a little bit of video

 

[YeoBlade]

Those are great photos of the area, on a beaut of a Autumn day . I always take my flask & sarnies with me , You can see a lot on the web cams in the area too.

 

[barryd]

Those are great photos of the area, on a beaut of a Autumn day . I always take my flask & sarnies with me , You can see a lot on the web cams in the area too.

Its a lot quieter than we are used to down here as well. Quite late in the year for us. A35 still busy of course. Its a lovely stretch of coast though without doubt.