Popeye goes to Europe

[Leiba]

Isn't he travelling around Japan at the moment?

[Popeye]

I'm here guys. Certainly not in Europe by plane. Been a bit busy.

[Popeye]

Clermont Ferrand

is an unusual place. A lot of the town is built out of black volcanic rock.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clermont_Ferrand

Everything so far had been very laid back with no schedules as such but now our friend traveling with us was feeling a little bit home sick so asked could she go home. This meant that from Clermont to the channel port was a bit of a blur and that was a shame because if there is one thing that France has is a wonderful scenic countryside.






Not a mistake. This Japanese garden is in France.





Parking for bikes and free.




Single track tram.







During each morning my wife and me would find somewhere for coffee. Our friend didn't drink coffee and consequently stayed with the bike. Of course curious locals seeing the unusual number plate queried where we were from. Purely by sign language she managed to explain our trip.



and again.











Mont san Michele

[aliengravy]

Welcome back Popeye I was getting worried!! It did occur to me you might be stuck in Europe!

[Popeye]

I had thought of going to Paris to attend a friends party on the 18th. If I had I would have had to make a decision of going south to find a flight or to return on the "Russia" across Siberia.

No contest. The train overland is a gas.

[Popeye]

Mont san Michele,

like it or loath it, it is certainly impressive. An early morning start is essential to visit as it gets heavily congested after 10am on any day.



http://www.mt-st-michel.fr/?lang=en









I hate these things but with an outfit they are even more problematic.



Whilst the girls enjoyed the sights I managed to call the Airline to change the flight dates for our friend. No problem, slight charge and she was very happy to hear that she would be home within the week. It was her first time to travel by sidecar and I thought she did very well. Normally used to the comforts of a hotel and all that goes it with it. I asked her recently if she fancied doing the same across Russia and Mongolia. Ha, no thanks was the reply.
I even changed the ferry in order to get to Heathrow more directly. So Caen was convenient.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Mo ... of_Alamein





Met two more outfits at the ferry terminal. This was a little bit older than mine and brought back fond memories.




Next stop Blighty.





The 50th Fed Rally

[Popeye]

The Federation of Sidecars annual rally

http://www.sidecars.org.uk/index.html

was held close to Leominster. 2008 happened to be their 50th birthday so we wanted to attend this special bash. Although living in Japan we were members and I looked forward to seeing people I hadn't seen for a long time.
There were other Japanese at the rally but they had flown over. It would have been good to see their outfits participating. I think many would like to have done so but simply did not have the time. Japanese holidays are few and far between.



Checking in and getting the customary goodie bag.



Flying the flag for Japan.










I think this German visitor could use a sidecar.



Only three nights at Leominster and the urge to continue soon had us heading over to Fishguard in Wales for the ferry to Ireland. Probably reading this thread you have realized that we didn't visit many or any of the normal tourist attractions en-route. Personally I hate them. Over charged, over rated, queuing everywhere, etc, etc. We are very content just to let the countryside roll by and if we see something that we like then we stop and have a look.







Ireland

[shayshondacub90]

im jealous ,have fun and ill look for ward to reading all about it.

[Popeye]

In May at the MZ Rally at Carrog

I met an Irish couple from near Waterford and accepting an invite from them we called to visit them. Wonderful Irish hospitality. Jim and Catherine run several bikes but MZs are a firm favourite. Hurrah






We ran further south west and onto the Dingle peninsular. The weather was not on our side but we continued to camp. The bike also started to run erratically again. No BMW dealers here so I tuned the bike up myself. Just cleaned the plugs, set the tappets and adjusted the carbs and cable sync. No problem and it ran perfect all the way from here. The only mod I have done since returning home was to get the valve inserts set up for unleaded gas.











This stretch of road would be a 30Kph in Japan.





















Ireland Continued.

[Pjam]

Wow, the lake shot (with the big rock) is a beautiful photograph, composition, lighting, colour and of course location. Thanks once again Popeye.